Traditional Chinese Medicine Acupuncturist Khadra McVay, who has her own practice, Acupuncture Sutton, talks to us about treating men and women who have trouble conceiving…
What inspired you to become an acupuncturist?
When I moved to the UK from Kenya, I developed signs of asthma which I put down to change of climate. My doctor put me on inhalers but I got severe side effects and so decided to try acupuncture. I was amazed with the result and stopped using inhalers after only six sessions of the acupuncture treatment.
How has acupuncture changed your own life?
Acupuncture has changed my life in the most profound way. Firstly, I have met amazing lifelong friends during my studies of TCM and I have a deeper understanding of our relationship with nature and the universe. Traditional Chinese Medicine believes that we are a microcosm of the natural world that surrounds us. Practicing TCM has made me think about health in a different way, I am now more aware of the intimate relationship humans have with nature. In order for us to live in harmony with nature, it is important to work on our own energy, known as Qi. I am also more aware of health through Yangshen (self-cultivation).
Tell us more about Yangshen…
Yangshen or self-cultivation is achieved by practicing Qigong. When split in two ‘Qi’ means breath of life, air or the vital energy of the body we live in, ‘gong’ means the self-discipline skill of working, cultivating, and balancing Qi. Mostly Qigong is about the use of intention, meditation, relaxation, physical movement or posture, mind-body integration, and breathing exercises. Yangshen also involves eating and living according to the seasons.
Acupuncture is often talked about in terms of relieving physical pain…
It does help with this, but in the west there is the misconception that acupuncture is merely a means of bringing pain relief, however there is much more to acupuncture than this. It is in fact used to treat a very wide range of illnesses. In China for example acupuncture is integrated into National Health Service and it is even used as anesthesia when performing surgeries.
Many studies show that acupuncture helps to regulate fertility levels – how does this work?
I have treated both men and women with fertility issues. According to Traditional Chinese philosophy, our health relies on an uninterrupted flow of motivating energy (known as ‘Qi’) through the body. The natural flow of Qi can be weakened or blocked by many factors, both physical and mental. Things like poor lifestyle and diet, inherited illness or contracted disease, as well as stress, anxiety, resentment and anger can all play a part in degrading the body’s fertility levels. Acupuncture helps to unblock the flow of this energy, thereby increasing a couple’s chances of conceiving by reducing stress and regulating fertility hormones and increasing blood flow to the reproductive organs and increasing egg production and promoting embryo implantation.
How effective is acupuncture when it comes to boosting fertility? How does it work exactly?
Studies that were published in 2002 by the British Medical Journal, which involved women variously treated with real acupuncture, sham (fake) acupuncture, or no acupuncture found that genuine acupuncture could increase a woman’s chance of pregnancy by 65%.
Acupuncture is a holistic therapy that seeks to look at the person as a whole. An acupuncture practitioner will look at the symptoms presented by the patient, through questioning, looking at the tongue and checking the pulse. Acupuncture can boost fertility by simply reducing stress or by unblocking channels/meridians allowing Qi and blood to flow smoothly.
Are there any potential negative side effects of acupuncture treatment?
Acupuncture needles are single-use, sterile, and disposable. Few people will experience some side effects such as tiredness or mild dizziness, and very occasionally minor bruising may occur. However, all such reactions are short-lived.
*If you’re doing acupuncture to improve fertility, how long does it take to see results?
That depends what the underlying cause is, sometimes during a consultation it is apparent that the causes are simply overlooked. A hectic career, not eating well, and stress can actually interfere with our hormones. If these are the root causes, then this can easily be overcome with treatment to reduce stress with treatment and lifestyle changes. However other cases such as polycystic ovary syndrome (POS), endometriosis, repeat miscarriages and men with poor sperm counts or quality, can be challenging and take longer to see results, nevertheless positive outcomes can still be achieved. My patients usually report feeling more relaxed right after the first session. It usually takes three to four cycles for the body to balance itself. I have seen results in three months but in some cases, it can also take up to a year.
Besides doing acupuncture, how else can someone improve their chances of conceiving?
In order to increase our chances of conception, timing is critical, couples should be intimate three to four days prior to ovulation and continue up to 24 hours after ovulation. You can use an ovulation predictor kit to track your optimum timing. Also, it is important to maintain or achieve a healthy body weight, the aim is to maintain a BMI (Body Mass Index) of between 24 and 30. An unhealthy body weight can have a negative impact on hormones.
What lifestyle changes can you implement in order to boost fertility levels?
Stress can have a negative impact on fertility. I always advise couples or anyone coming for fertility treatment to find ways to reduce their stress levels.Yoga is a fantastic way to calm the nervous system and certain asana (yoga poses), can boost fertility by increasing blood flow and bringing energy to the productive system. Yoga also helps to let ago any negative feelings that can have impact on fertility. Equally important is nutrition and hydrating the body sufficiently.
Besides acupuncture, what are your passions in life?
I am passionate about life itself. I love doing simple things that don’t cost anything. When I go to Kenya (where I originally come from), I love sitting outside in the night watching the clear sky with its stars and the moon. The African sunset is simply amazing! I love spending time with my children going for walks. I am also passionate about helping others.
What are your future dreams?
When I was studying acupuncture, I had the opportunity to learn Qigong with some amazing Qigong teachers. My dream is to travel to China to learn more about this wonderful healing practice.
To make an appointment with Khadra go to www.acupuncturesutton.co.uk
