Acupuncture for IVF and Assisted Reproduction,
Edition 1 An integrated approach to treatment and managementEditors: By Irina Szmelskyj, DipAc MSc MBAcC, Lianne Aquilina, BSc Hons MBAcC ATCM and Alan Szmelskyj, DO MSc AdvDipClinHyp FRSPH
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The management of infertility using acupuncture is an expanding area of practice and one which is frequently rewarding for TCM acupuncture practitioners.
Acupuncture for IVF and Assisted Reproduction has been specially prepared to meet the growing demand for information in this area and draws upon 20 years combined experience of the authors together with the latest evidence from both orthodox medicine and TCM.
Richly illustrated and clearly written throughout, the book takes the reader through the anatomy and physiology of reproductive medicine (from both an orthodox and TCM perspective) and explains the underlying basis of orthodox medical fertility tests and investigations. The volume then explores the pathology and aetiology of TCM syndromes and shows how common fertility-related conditions, such as endometriosis and male factor infertility, affect Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) success rates. It explains in great detail how to take a reproductive medical history and successfully diagnose TCM syndromes. Acupuncture for IVF and Assisted Reproduction also provides guidelines on how to regulate the menstrual cycle in preparation for IVF treatment and shows how lifestyle can affect fertility and ART success rates.
Placing a strong emphasis on the practical aspects of patient care, Acupuncture for IVF and Assisted Reproduction contains an abundance of case history templates, algorithmic acupuncture treatment pathways and patient fact sheets and will be ideal for all acupuncture practitioners working in this field.
"A must have for the bookshelf of any acupuncturist who is ever called upon to treat fertility issues - if you have room for one book this surely must be it." Reviewed by The Acupuncture Fertility Centre March 2015
"Practitioners of all levels of experience and TCM students should find it compelling reading and an invaluable companion to their learning." Reviewed by Stephen Clarke, Journal of the Australian Traditional Medicine Society May 2015
"This book is extremely well re-searched and referenced." Reviewed by Danny Maxwell on behalf of Journal of Chinese Medicine, February 2015
Key Features
- Simplifies complex information into easily accessible and understandable material
- Explains reproductive anatomy and physiology from the perspectives of both orthodox medicine and TCM
- Explains the underlying basis of orthodox medical fertility tests and investigations
- Explores the pathology and aetiology of TCM syndromes
- Provides detailed information on how to take a fertility medical history and how to diagnose TCM syndromes
- Presents the evidence for the influence of various lifestyle factors on fertility and ART success rates
- Provides guidelines on how to regulate the menstrual cycle in preparation for IVF treatment
- Explains how common fertility-related conditions such as endometriosis, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, thyroid disease, and male factor infertility affect ART success rates
- Explains how to adapt acupuncture treatment to different ART protocols
- Provides case history templates, algorithmic acupuncture treatment pathways and patient fact sheets
- Explains how to manage patients with complex medical histories
- Looks at Repeated Implantation Failure, reproductive immunology dysfunction, and recurrent miscarriages
- Explains how to support patients if their IVF is unsuccessful and how to treat patients during early pregnancy
- Examines ethical considerations relevant to fertility acupuncture practice
About the author
By Irina Szmelskyj, DipAc MSc MBAcC, Lead Clinician, True Health Clinics and Founder of The Fertility Foundation, Godmanchester, Huntingdon; Lecturer and MSc Supervisor, Northern College of Acupuncture, York; Guest Lecturer, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, UK; Lianne Aquilina, BSc Hons MBAcC ATCM, Lead Clinician, Founder Aquilia Fertility, Stamford, Lincolnshire; Acupuncture Clinical Supervisor, Guest Lecturer, Traditional Chinese Medicine in Fertility/IVF, University of Lincoln; Guest Lecturer, Northern College of Acupuncture, York, UK; Alan Szmelskyj, DO MSc AdvDipClinHyp FRSPH, Senior Clinician, True Health Clinics, Godmanchester, Huntingdon and Scientific Advisor, The Stress Management Foundation, Godmanchester, Huntington, UK
1. Subfertility overview
Introduction / Definition of infertility disorder / Prevalence of infertility / Major causes of subfertility from an Orthodox Medical point of view / Contributory subfertility factors: the Orthodox medical perspective / Causes of subfertility from TCM point of view / Reproductive history and development from an Orthodox Medical perspective / Reproductive history and development from a TCM perspective
2. Anatomy and physiology of the reproductive system: pre-requirements for conception
Functional anatomy of the reproductive system from an Orthodox medical perspective / Sperm and egg production / Reproductive physiology from an Orthodox medical perspective / Reproductive physiology from a TCM perspective
3. The magic of conception
Sexual intercourse / Sperm transportation up the female reproductive tract / Pre-fertilization sperm changes / Egg maturation and ovulation / Egg fertilization / Transportation of embryo down the female reproductive tract / Comparison of natural fertilization (in vivo) with ART fertilization (in vitro) / Embryogenesis / Implantation: the first communication between the mother and her embryo / Conception from TCM point of view
4. Orthodox medical tests and investigations: optimising patient care
The initial consultation / Tests and investigations overview / Tests and investigations- female / Tests and investigations- male
5. Investigations from a TCM Perspective
Medical and fertility history taking / Clinical observations / TCM syndromes diagnosis in subfertile patients / Basal Body Temperature (BBT) charting as a diagnostic aid
6. The fundamentals of ART
Introduction / Types of ART treatment / Pharmacological drugs used in ART / Embryo grading / Advanced ART techniques / The role of acupuncture in ART / Future advances in ART: a potential role for acupuncture?
7. Pre-conception care in preparation for ART
Weight / Smoking / Alcohol / Caffeine / Recreational Drugs / Medication / Environmental and occupational factors / Nutrition and supplementation / Exercise and rest / Stress / Relationship and sexual issues
8. Identification and management of conditions detrimental to IVF outcome
Tubal pathology / Ovulatory disorders / PCOS / Thyroid disease / Endometriosis / Unexplained subfertility / Secondary subfertility / Male factor subfertility / Regulating the menstrual cycle with acupuncture / Treatment planning: setting realistic goals
9. Acupuncture during ART
Treatment during IVF / Adapting treatment principles to natural IVF / Adapting treatment principles to mild IVF / Adapting treatment principles to Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET) / Adapting treatment principles to ovulation induction / Adapting treatment principles to IUI / Adapting treatment principles to egg donor IVF / Adapting treatment principles to surrogacy and gestational carrier / Adapting treatment principles to ZIFT/GIFT / Adapting treatment principles to IVM
10. Clinical issues during ART
Poor follicular development / Immature or no eggs / Suboptimal endometrial lining / No sperm / Fertilization failure / Poor embryo growth or growth arrest / Difficult embryo transfer
11. ART complications
Ovarian Hyper Stimulation Syndrome (OHSS) / Multiple gestation
12. Managing the patient with a complex medical history
Repeated Implantation Failure (RIF) / Miscarriages and pregnancy loss / Reproductive immunology / Reproductive immunology from TCM point of view / Implications for acupuncturists: to refer or not to refer?
13. The therapeutic relationship in acupuncture practice
Mutuality / Trust / Care / Challenge and performance / Return to mutuality / Measuring the success of acupuncture treatment / The effect of subfertility on patients / Legal and ethical considerations
14. Aftercare
Negative outcome / Positive outcome: healthy transition from subfertility to pregnancy / Acupuncturist’s self-care: saying goodbye to patients
Appendices
1. Templates
2. Basal body temperature (BBT) chart template and instructions
3. Investigation reference ranges at a glance
4. Fertility factsheets
5. Commonly used medications in ART
6. Medications known to adversely affect fertility
Glossary of Orthodox Medical Terms
Glossary of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Terms
Book Reviews
"Acupuncture For IVF And Assisted Reproduction is a thorough and extremely well researched contribution to a rapidly expanding field, written by authors with considerable clinical experience. It brings together a wealth of information for the practicing fertility acupuncturist, both from a western medical and an eastern point of view." Reviewed by Martin Dean on behalf of The Acupuncture Fertility Centre, March 2015
"It is an interesting addition to the existing literature on this subject, and will likely appeal more to medical acupuncturists or those with a strong biomedical leaning." Reviewed by Danny Maxwell on behalf of Journal of Chinese Medicine, February 2015.
"Readers of this book will deepen their knowledge of TCM perspectives on reproductive anatomy and physiology, the pathology and aetiology of TCM syndromes presented by subfertile patients and how to diagnose them, and how to adapt acupuncture treatment to ART protocols, all in the wider context of contemporary ART. Practitioners of all levels of experience and TCM students should find it compelling reading and an invaluable companion to their learning." Reviewed by Stephen Clarke on behalf of JATMS, May 2015
Acupuncture practitioners, qualified and in training
