A Review of Complementary and
Alternative Care for Infertility Issues
The above is the title of a
research report published in the December 2010 issue of the
Journal of Clinical Chiropractic Pediatrics. The
article looks at the various forms of health care for couples
with infertility issues. The author reviews infertility,
then compares conventional medical care with several forms
of non-medical (alternative) care, including chiropractic.
The author first reviews the
issue of infertility and notes that "infertility is defined
as the inability to become pregnant after trying for one
year". According to the report, in the United States, 7.3
million women between the ages of 15-44 have impaired
fertility equaling 11.8% of the female population.
The study notes that over 7.3 million women have
used infertility services. The author also reports that 20%
of all infertility cases involve both male and female
fertility issues, while 35% involve only male issues, and
35% involve only female issues with 10% being unknown.
The study notes that the typical
medical approach involves either fertility medications,
surgical intervention, such as laparoscopy, or operative
hysteroscopy, and Intrauterine insemination (IUI) or
In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF). The author also reviewed such
non-medical approaches such as Acupuncture, Massage Therapy,
and Nutrition, looking at the approach each of these uses in
the treatment of infertility.
Chiropractic care was discussed
in detail as it relates to the care of those struggling with
infertility. The author begins by offering the definition of
chiropractic as presented by the Association of Chiropractic
Colleges (ACC), "Chiropractic is concerned with the preservation
and restoration of health, and focuses particular attention
on the subluxation." The author goes on to
present the ACC definition of subluxation, "A complex of functional and/or structural and/or
pathological articular changes that compromise neural
integrity and may influence organ system function and
general health. A subluxation is evaluated, diagnosed, and
managed through the use of chiropractic procedures based
on the best available rational and empirical evidence."
The report notes that several
areas of the nervous system have some direct innervation of
organs and body systems that can have an effect on
infertility. These include the lower area of the mid back and
the upper area of the lower back, (T11, T12, L1 & L2), as
well as the top bone in the neck and the base bone of the
spine known as the sacrum.
The author proposes that
interference to the nervous system from subluxation will
affect the "flow of energy" in the nerves that control or
influence body organs or systems involved with fertility.
The report reviews several previous studies documenting
chiropractic care helping individuals with infertility.
In the article conclusion, the
author tries to sum up the various forms of alternative care
used in the care of infertility by saying, "Stressors,
ranging from internal negative thought processes to external
environmental factors, all play a role decreasing the
delicate balance of fertility. Although a different approach
is utilized in each discipline listed, all work to restore
homeostasis and create a positive fertility cycle."
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