Treatment of Infertility by Acupuncture According to Circalunar and Cardiac Variability Rhythms

Tim H. Tanaka, Ph.D., D.Ac., RMT, RNCP, BCIAC
Director, The Pacific Wellness Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Visiting Research Fellow, School of Health Sciences, Tsukuba University of Technology, Japan

A part of this paper was presented at WFAS International Acupuncture Congress, cosponsored by World Health Organization, in Beijing, China, Oct. 2007.

Page updated on January 31, 2008

• Background
• ‘Placebo’ versus ‘real’ acupuncture
• Acupuncture treatment for infertility according to circalunar menstrual rhythm
• Acupuncture and Sound Assisted Autonomic Modulation Technique
• Concept of Chronobiology
• Summary of outcomes between January 2004 and December 2005
• Regarding pregnancy rate using acupuncture
• Discussion
• References

Acupuncture and Sound Assisted Autonomic Modulation Technique [31].

Utilizing our custom made CDs, this technique directs patients to breathe in a specific rhythm (frequency between 0.08-0.12 Hz) while lying on the table with acupuncture needles inserted.  For most patients, the targeted breathing rate is approximately 6 breaths per minute (0.1Hz.). During the treatment sessions, either the patient’s index finger or ear lobe is connected to a photoplethysmography probe in order to monitor autonomic response during treatment.  The heart rate frequency spectrum is evaluated and feedback is provided to the patients.

While most people find this breathing exercise relaxing, and it can certainly be used as a powerful stress management tool, the intention with this breathing exercise and the response it induces is different than common relaxation methods.  As shown in Figure 1, the distinct pattern of heart rate seen in the last 15 min. (a larger variability with a more coherent rhythm) typically cannot be induced by practicing commonly used relaxation methods.  When the heart is beating in such a pattern (a coherent rhythm and high variability), the autonomic and hormonal reflexes are actively stimulated.  This leads to enhanced modulation in our internal system. Potential implications to a variety of autonomic and hormone related disorders have been suggested [32].

Figure 1

Since 2002, at The Pacific Wellness Institute, the HRV based breathing exercise has been actively used in conjunction with specific acupuncture procedures targeted to provide stimulus to the autonomic nervous system.  Clinical results obtained with this combined approach are noteworthy, not only on autonomic disorders but also when the condition is associated with disturbance in chronobiological rhythms (e.g., certain forms of insomnia and menstrual irregularities).     

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