In last week’s blog titled “Age & Fertility: A Chinese Medicine Perspective (Jing: Part 1)”, I introduced the concept of “jing”. I explained how it accounts for the relationship between age and the natural decline in fertility. It is advisable you read this blog first as a precursor to better contextualise this blog. In clinical practice, jing directly relates to egg quality and ovarian reserve (AMH). The greater the volume of jing, the better the state of each. These are both key necessities in the path to conception.
There are two approaches in treating jing. The first approach is to simply preplace the jing which has been already consumed. For this approach in treatment, herbal medicine is the preferred method. There are herbs which have varying capacities to replace jing. Time is however needed for them to take affect. Though from my clinical experience, the extent of the improvement will have limitations. If jing has been severely depleted, it is difficult to make significant improvements. Though it is however very probable that jing can be replaced with a mild increase. This method of treatment has enabled me to treat numerous treat where ovarian reserve and/or egg quality improved.
Acupuncture is not effective at replacing jing because it has a regulatory function. This means is only able to reinstate balance. Herbal medicine in contrast has the ability to make adjustments outside of a state of balance. There is no point using acupuncture to make a fertility patent a “balanced” 42 year old. Even is a state of balance she will only have the jing of someone her age. The aim is replenish the jing so that she presents similar to a much younger women.
The second approach to jing is more of a supportive method. This involves balancing the body so as to prevent any further depletion into the reserves of jing. In other words, this involves making the body run efficiently. This role is perfectly suitable for acupuncture. It has the capacity to regulate the physiology of the body as everything runs smoothly and effectively. Treatment of this nature would involve helping each organ function efficiently. It will also involve helping the body fend off external threats, which can cause illness, as well as help the body deal with stress.
