Acupuncture can also optimize condition of Penetrating Vessel. The two main acupoints of chong channel (Sp4, P6) are great fertility acupuncture points.

4. Yin and Jing (Essence): Yin, mentioned with blood in #2, is a fundamental aspect of body. It includes blood, is cool, and is closely related with jing. Jing is fundamental potential of body and mind. We are given a limited amount at conception, and we protect it by eating and digesting properly. A lack of jing or yin can impair menstruation, gynecological function, conception and fertility, and make for a miserable menopause later in life. There are herbs that specifically boost yin and/or jing.

Acupuncture can boost yin and jing somewhat, but herbs are even better. Many acupuncturists believe that herbs are better at supplementing deficiencies than acupuncture is. One exception to this is moxibustion, heating of acupoints. In fertility acupuncture, we can moxa acupoints that nourish yin and jing.

Putting it all together As European Chinese medicine scholar Philippe Sionneau summarizes, "The penetrating vessel originates in uterus. It is sea of blood. It moves qi and blood in twelve channels and is connected to liver. The conception vessel also originates in uterus. It moves qi and blood in all yin channels. Woman’s fertility is directly linked with it, 'The conception vessel governs uterus and fetus.' It is connected to kidneys. Furthermore, spleen is root of later heaven, origin of qi and blood production and transformation. Thus, if kidneys qi is flourishing, liver qi is harmonious, spleen qi is productive, and then pentrating vessel and conception vessel are abundant and flow freely, disposed to favor birth (fertility)."

Paulus WE, Zhang M, Strehler E, El-Danasouri I, Sterzik K. Influence of acupuncture on pregnancy rate in patients who undergo assisted reproduction therapy. Fertil Steril. 2002 Apr;77(4):721-4. Maciocia G. Obstetrics and Gynecology in Chinese Medicine. Wiseman N, Ellis A. The Fundamentals of Chinese Medicine. Sionnea, P. Xin Fang: Modern Chinese Herbal Formulas (In Process).

Alternative Medicine Plus Massage

If you have a minor problem, massaging yourself may be enough. Or it may be something you use only when circumstances dictate- even if you're used to taking herbs or pharmaceuticals, you may find yourself somewhere out of reach of your normal remedies. In this case, it's good already to know some massage medicine you can do on yourself.

But I would emphasize overall that you should work with a professional of some sort - acupuncturist, naturopath, chiropractor - while you learn to take care of yourself. I say this because even as a professional myself who has spent many hours learning healing and trying it out on myself that it is a process... wisdom and knowledge help, but trial and error still plays a role, and real life has so many variables that you never know what you'll need...

So I urge you to add this form of alternative massage medicine to your healing knowledge database (in your brain)... only hitch? You'll have to buy my book to learn how!

In meantime, to get a visual idea about this alternative massage medicine, look at this free acupressure chart: http://pulsemed.org/free-acupressure-chart.htm