P. Sze 
Acupressure is a technique closely related to acupuncture and stems from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Acupuncture is more widely and commonly known: a practice used all over the world in which small needles are placed in strategic points around the body to provide relief and cure ailments for the patient. Acupressure, on the other hand, does not use needles or any tools for that matter. Instead, these strategic points on the body (called “acupressure points” or “acupoints”) are targeted using fingers or hands.
Acupoints lie on meridians throughout the body. Meridians, according to TCM, are pathways associated with a vital organ of the body in which “qi”, or energy, flows. Acupoints are often located in small depressions or divots in the body, such as your temple or the crook of your elbow. Most of the time, you can engage acupoints by yourself; some hard-to-reach places are best to be engaged by someone else. You can usually tell when an acupoint is properly engaged: you will feel relief, mild discomfort, or both.
Acupressure can provide relief for hundreds of ailments by moving energy and increasing healthy blood circulation. Headaches, body pains, organ functionality, and general illness are just a few examples. In this article we are focusing on acupressure for fertility and specific acupressure points for fertility. Whether you are a man or woman, read on to see how acupressure can help your fertility and potentially help with pregnancy.
Acupressure Points For Fertility
For Women
The following acupressure points for fertility can greatly benefit women. If you are pregnant, be very wary of using acupressure or acupuncture during pregnancy, as it can induce premature labor. Consult your doctor before doing so.
Acupoint: Ren-4 (Other Names: The Conception Vessel-4/Guan Yuan/Origin Pass)
The Ren-4 acupuncture point has many benefits to the human body, including nourishing the kidneys and fortifying energy moving throughout the body. For women specifically, this point can help regulate the menstrual cycle, alleviate bleeding in the uterus, help with leukorrhea, aid with postpartum hemorrhoids, and much more.
The point is located in the center of the abdomen, about 3 cuns down from the belly button. Place pressure for several minutes. Be careful when engaging this point, as it can be sensitive for many people.
Ren-4 is also an ideal acupressure point for weight loss.
Acupoint: Ren-6 (Other Names: The Conception Vessel-6/Qi Hai/Sea of Qi)
The Ren-6 acupuncture point lies on the same meridian as Ren-4 and provides many similar benefits. Like Ren-4, it provides qi nourishment and circulation around the body, particularly around the uterus. Engaging this point can provide great nourishment to those that just gave birth or had surgery.
The Sea of Qi point is located above Ren-4 and closer to the belly button. It is about 1.5 cun below the belly button. Like the Ren-4 point, use caution when initially engaging this point as the region is sensitive for many people.
Ren-6 is also typically used in acupressure for bloating.
Acupoint: Ren-8 (Other Names: The Conception Vessel-8/Shen Que/Spirit Palace)
The Spirit Palace acupoint lies on the same meridian as the previous two acupoints, providing further and similar benefits to the human body. Ren-8 can help with abdomen and digestion issues in addition to fertility problems. Women who have experienced miscarriages have found this acupoint to be beneficial. Finding this acupoint is easy! It is simply the middle of your belly button.
Acupoint: Ren-12 (Other Names: The Conception Vessel-12/Zhong Wan/Middle Epigastrium)
The Ren-12 acupuncture point has great effects on the stomach and the spleen. By increasing the availability and flow of qi in those areas, Ren-12 will help with a variety of abdomen issues, such as diarrhea, vomiting, acid reflux, bloating, and menstrual problems. This point is located above the belly button in the middle of the abdomen. Like the other points discussed, use caution when engaging this point as it can be sensitive on many people.
According to TCM, Ren 12 acupuncture point is the natural medicine for your stomach.
Acupoint: SP-9 (Other Names: Spleen-9/Yin Ling Quan/Yin Mound Spring)
The Yin Mound Spring acupoint lies on the spleen meridian and serves many benefits for fertility. Primarily, this point can help with urinary problems such as UTIs. Sp-9 will move excess water within the body to help with fertility, urination, bowels, and other problems. This point can even help with aching limbs and fogginess in the head. The Yin Mound Spring is located on the inside of the leg around when the knee is. There will be a small depression at the point.
SP-9 is also considered one of the best acupressure points for knee pain and acupressure points for restless leg syndrome.
Acupoint: SP-6 (Other Names: Spleen-6/San Yin Jiao/Three Yin Intersection)
The spleen 6 acupressure point lies on the spleen meridian, thus granting benefits to the spleen and its functions. This acupoint is one of the key pressure points for period pain, and many women have experienced relief from menstrual cramps and regulation of the menstrual cycle when engaging this point. This point can also help with pain during labor and can speed up the labor process. The spleen 6 point is located on the inside of your leg, 3 cuns up from the ankle. Apply firm pressure for several minutes.
SP-6 is also commonly used in acupuncture for spider veins.
Acupoint: KD-7 (Other Names: Kidney-7/Fu Liu/Returning Current)
Located on the kidney meridian, the Continuing Flow acupoint is also great for moving and regulating water within the body. The kidney meridian provides several great acupoints for fertility, all of which can provide benefits to the ovaries and reproductive system in women. The kidney 7 point specifically is also great for persistent sweating! This point is located on the inside of the leg, about 3 fingers up from KI3. You can find KI-3 right behind your knobby ankle bone.
According to TCM, KD 7 acupuncture point is the proven acupoint on maintaining vivid black hair.
Acupoint: KD-6 (Other Names: Kidney-6/Zhao Hai/Shining Sea)
The final point on this list of acupressure points for fertility for women is kidney 6. It is known to nourish the uterus and thus help with infertility. In addition, it can help with throat problems (dryness, swelling, etc.) and can help with insomnia and anxiety issues. This point is located just below the knobby ankle bone on the inside of your leg. Make sure to apply firm pressure for several minutes to gain the full benefits of this acupressure for fertility.
For Men
Acupoint: LI-1 (Other Names: Large Intestine-1/Shang Yang/Metal Yang)
The Metal Yang acupoint lies on the large intestine meridian and is easy to find and engage. The acupressure point can alleviate several ailments, including a toothache, numbness in the fingers, and can even help wake someone from a coma. For men, this acupoint can stimulate qi to help with fertility. This point is very easy to find and engage as it is located at the top of the index finger.
Unknown to many people, Li-1 is frequently used in accupressure for carpal tunnel.
Acupoint: Bl-23 (Other Names: Urinary Bladder-23/Shen Shu/Kidney Transporter)
The Bl-23 acupoint, located along the bladder meridian, is next on our list of acupuncture points for fertility for men. The Kidney Transporter point is great at helping with back pain and strengthening the kidneys. For men specifically, this point can help with spermatorrhea and impotence. This point is located on the lower back on both sides of the spine between the second and third lumbar on the spine. The acupoint is on the same level as your belly button. Use firm pressure for several minutes when engaging both sides of this point.
Bl-23 and ST-25 acupuncture points are used in constipation.
Acupoint: Ren-4 (Other Names: The Conception Vessel-4/Guan Yuan/Origin Pass)
The Origin Pass acupoint, discussed earlier, can also be beneficial to men struggling with fertility issues. Like the Kidney Transporter, this acupoint can help with spermatorrhea and impotence, as well as diarrhea and bladder issues such as involuntary urination. See above for more information on where the point is located and how to engage it.
Acupoint: SP-6 (Other Names: Spleen-6/San Yin Jiao/Three Yin Intersection)
Another acupoint that is beneficial to both men and women, the spleen 6 acupressure point can benefit men by helping with infertility, hernias, pain around the male genitals, and more. Like the others discussed thus far, the Three Yin Intersection will help with spermatorrhea and impotence. Again, see above for where the point is located and how to engage it.
Acupoint: ST-36 (Other Names: Stomach-36/Zu San Li/Leg Three Miles)
The final acupoint on our list of acupressure points for fertility in men is the Leg Three Miles. This acupoint will help with many abdominal issues and will fortify qi throughout the entire body in addition to helping with fertility in men. This point is located about four fingers below the knee and slightly to the outside. Engage this acupoint with firm pressure.
Many TCM practitioners also use ST-36 and Bl-40 acupuncture points to maintain good health.
FAQs
Can acupuncture really help with fertility?
Short answer: yes! Acupuncture AND acupressure can help immensely with fertility. Results will vary from person to person, but the theory of acupressure moving qi throughout your body can result in many benefits; increased fertility (and potentially pregnancy) being one of them. If you are pregnant, use acupressure points cautiously and consult your doctor before doing so.
How many times a week should you acupuncture for fertility?
For the best results using acupuncture for fertility, you should consider acupuncture (or acupressure) a few times a week, ideally 1-3. Acupressure can be performed on yourself, but if you are looking for acupuncture, you should see a licensed acupuncturist.
How long does it take for acupuncture to work for fertility?
Results will vary from person to person, but it will take at least several months for acupuncture (or acupressure) to start working for fertility. Results will most likely occur after 3-6 months of consistent acupressure or acupuncture.
When is the best time to get fertility acupuncture?
You can get fertility acupuncture anytime! Ideally, you want to start about a year before you wish to conceive to give the process enough time to work and be effective. For women, the best time to start in terms of menstruation is week 2 of your cycle. As long as you are at a good age to conceive, you can start fertility acupuncture.
What pressure points increase sperm count?
A few acupressure points that are good for increasing sperm count in men are: Lv-8 and Sp-6. Lv-8 is on the inside of the knee, and Sp-6 is discussed in greater detail above.
Does acupuncture increase IUI success?
Yes! Acupressure and acupuncture can be beneficial both before and after IUI. Acupuncture’s main goal is to stimulate and help blood flow; increasing healthy blood circulation to the uterus will result in increased IUI success.
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