Chiropractic & Infertility

A couple of years ago, I had a young woman come to see me for help with her back pain.  She complained of a chronic ache in her lower back and had already tried physical therapy, massage, pain pills & even injections but only got temporary relief  at best.  At our 3 month re-exam she told me how great she was feeling and, “oh by the way,” that she was pregnant after trying for years!  This was not the first time that had heard this type of story from other patients & chiropractors.

In my experience, few women seek out a chiropractor to help them with infertility.  In many cases, women seek out chiropractic care for other symptoms such as back pain and fertility issues are often a side note if they are brought up at all.   It is time to shed some light on this issue.

What Causes Infertility?

Infertility refers to the inability of a women to conceive or carry a pregnancy to full term. According to the CDC, more than 6 million women in the United States are infertile.  There are numerous causes of infertility including damage to the fallopian tubes, hormonal changes or imbalances and nervous system dysfunction to name a few.  Conventional treatments typically include medications to stimulate the ovaries, surgery to remove cysts or scar tissue &, in some cases, in vitro fertilization (IVF).  IVF can cost tens of thousands of dollars.

What Does My Nervous System Have To Do With Infertility?

In many cases, fertility problems are related to improper nervous system function, poor nutrition, high stress and poor lifestyle habits.  Many women and doctors fail to appreciate the importance of optimal nervous system function when it comes fertility. Your reproductive organs are not under your conscious control but instead are directed by your autonomic nervous system (ANS) which is a branch of the peripheral nervous system (PNS).  The PNS is ultimately controlled by the central nervous system (CNS) which is made up of your brain & spinal cord.

In order to conceive, a woman’s  egg must journey from the ovary through the fallopian tube to meet up with the sperm for fertilization.  That movement of the egg is accomplished through the rhythmical smooth muscular action of peristalsis.  Peristalsis is the same phenomenon that occurs in your intestines in order to propel food through the digestive tract.  The smooth muscle activity that propels the egg is controlled by the signal relayed between the CNS & the PNS .

Have you ever heard of a subluxation?  You likely have if you have seen a chiropractor.  Subluxations are simply misalignments in the spine that interfere with the nerve communication between the PNS & the CNS.  Subluxations are caused by things like scoliosis, stress, motor vehicle accidents & poor posture.  Mis-alignments, particularly in the vertebrae of the lower back, can disrupt the nerve communication between the reproductive organs & the CNS.

This improper nerve flow can result in insufficient peristaltic activity hampering the eggs ability to reach its destination.  The end result can include an inability to conceive or, in some cases, endometriosis.   Chiropractors specialize in locating subluxations & removing the nerve interference with specific adjustments which permit the body to heal & function like it was designed to.

A study published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research looked at the effectiveness of chiropractic for infertility.  It followed 15 women who ranged in age from 22 – 65 with a history of infertility.  14 of the 15 subjects became pregnant within 2 – 20 months of starting chiropractic care.  The 65-year-old did not get pregnant, but after a lifetime with no menstrual periods, she began menstruating 4 weeks after beginning chiropractic adjustments.  While not conclusive, the results of this study are definitely compelling warrant further research.

To be clear, chiropractic care is not a cure  or treatment for infertility.  Chiropractic care simply restores & optimizes your body’s inborn ability to create the miracle of life.   I urge all women, before considering medical intervention, to try to get their body to work properly by addressing nervous system function, nutrition, stress management & lifestyle habits first.  I have seen, first hand, the amazing results that are possible.

If you live in the Carlsbad, CA area & would like more info about how chiropractic care can help you, I can be contacted through my website www.WestCoastChiropractic4Kids.com. Happy birthing!

**This post has been entered in Frugal Days and Sustainable Ways.**

Do you know anyone who has been able to get pregnant with the help of chiropractic care?