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

by Irina Szmelskyj DipAc MSc MBAcC, Lianne Aquilina BSc Hons MBAcC ATCM, Alan Szmelskyj DO MSc AdvDipClinHyp FRSPH (Editor)

Overview

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

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780702061189
Publisher:	Elsevier Health Sciences
Publication date:	09/18/2014
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	448
File size:	25 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

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.

Table of Contents

1. Subfertility overview

2. Anatomy and physiology of the reproductive system: pre-requirements for conception

3. The magic of conception

4. Orthodox medical tests and investigations: Optimizing patient care

5. Investigations from a TCM perspective

6. The fundamentals of ART

7. Preconception care in preparation for ART

8. Identification and management of conditions detrimental to IVF outcome

9. Acupuncture during ART

10. Clinical issues during ART

11. ART complications

12. Managing the patient with a complex medical history

13. The therapeutic relationship in acupuncture practice

14. Aftercare

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

Prepared by authors with over 20 years of combined experience in this field, Irina Szmelskyj and Lianne Aquilina have prepared a book which offers readers a comprehensive, practical evidence-based manual for those wishing to work, or enhance their success in, the field of fertility treatment.

Editorial 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

From the Publisher