It is estimated that roughly ten percent of the population in the United States has some form of fertility issues. Infertility is confirmed when one cannot get pregnant after one year of trying to conceive, and this time frame is halved for women over 35 years of age. The inability to stay pregnant after conception is also considered a form of infertility.
Benefiting more than just a sore neck or stiff back, chiropractic work, a form of alternative medicine, has shown positive results when it comes to curing infertility in women.
A Look at Chiropractic Work
Chiropractic work is an alternative branch of healthcare that is concerned with the mechanical treatment of the musculoskeletal system. Through the treatment of skeletal misalignments, a whole array of conditions can be addressed. The main target of the chiropractic treatment is the spinal cord as it is connected through the nervous system to all the organs in the body.
Chiropractic treatment emerged from the folk medicine of bone setting and works by restoring the homeostasis of the body and allowing it to access its natural resources of self-healing. A chiropractic procedure is a manipulation, by a therapist, on the vertebrae in order to reduce subluxation and realign the skeletal structure to its optimal performance. In a chiropractic adjustment, a chiropractor applies manipulation on the vertebrae which do not function properly or are out of place.
Chiropractic Work and Fertility
So, what is the connection between fertility and chiropractic care?
Infertility is the result of a complex array of conditions including poor nervous system function, insufficient nutrition, high stress, environmental impact, and other factors. The conception of a baby is a stressful event for the body, and if the body feels any potential threat in conceiving, it blocks the process. Improving the overall health condition of both partners and lowering stress levels have given many people the joy of becoming parents.
Chiropractic manipulation realigns the body structure so that any inflamed and tense nerves that are stuck are released. Chiropractic care relieves the stress from the nerves coming from the reproductive organs. Hormonal balance is one of the most important factors for fertility. When the nerves function properly, the connection between the brain and the reproductive organs is working right and the body knows exactly how much of each hormone to produce for the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and uterus to function in coordination.
The nerves that supply the reproductive organs originate in the lower back, thus overall fertility health can be affected if there’s a distortion. This can ultimately affect the reproductive organs and the body’s systems of hormone delivery.
Conventional Healthcare for Infertility
While there are a variety of approaches for overcoming fertility struggles, the most common treatment options for infertility include the use of medical assistance through in vitro fertilization (IVF). This procedure fertilizes the egg outside the body after which it is implanted into the womb of the patient.
Before taking on the physical, emotional, and financial toll medical procedures like IVF or intrauterine insemination (IUI) take on a couple, holistic approaches such as chiropractic work may be a consideration.
Benefits of Chiropractic Care
While chiropractic care does not directly cure infertility, it holistically treats conditions that can lead to the condition. Sometimes the pressure taken off of the reproductive organs from misalignments can lead to a successful conception. It is important to remember that both partners may need to undergo the procedure as in 40 percent of the infertile couples, the male’s health is a contributing factor to infertility.
Routine chiropractic care is often times affordable, can relieve overall stress, and can improve posture, mood and the functioning of the immune system. Chiropractic care does not require uncomfortable or lengthy procedures, the taking of medication, or unpleasant side effects. It is a therapy that will can, not only improve your chances of conceiving, but can also improve your overall health.