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

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.

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