Acupuncture for IVF and Assisted Reproduction: An integrated approach to treatment and management

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

• 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

Irina Szmelskyj is an acupuncturist with more than 10 years' experience specializing in reproductive health care, including the health care needs of patients with infertility issues and the use of acupuncture in the clinical management of patients undergoing assisted reproductive treatments such as IVF. Irina's method of managing subfertile patients is based on a thorough understanding of the value of combining the best of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and conventional medicine. Her approach emphasizes the clinical utility of integrating both classically based traditional acupuncture treatment techniques and concepts with the practical clinical application of contemporary evidence-based advances from the rapidly changing landscape of reproductive medicine research. Irina practises acupuncture at True Health Clinics in Godmanchester, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom.

Lianne Aquilina is a traditional Chinese medical acupuncturist. In 2005 the Faculty of Health, Life and Social Sciences of the University of Lincoln, awarded her the Dean's prize for Studies in Health. She is an experienced BSc (Hons) acupuncture clinical supervisor. Her role includes teaching third year acupuncture students the application of classical and traditional Chinese medicine principles along with the clinical utility of Chinese acupuncture. She is also a visiting guest lecturer to undergraduate students on the use of Chinese medicine and acupuncture treatment in the management of infertility and In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). She completed further training at the Guangdong Province Second Hospital of TCM in China. It was here where she observed an authentic combination of traditional Chinese and medical strategies in treatment and management of disease. Lianne's specializes in providing fertility acupuncture treatment, based on innovative applied classical Chinese philosophy and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) concepts of reproductive health and fertility. Lianne practices acupuncture at Aquilia Fertility in Stamford, Lincolnshire, United Kingdom.