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Fertility Acupuncture
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Acupuncture research: the Cridennda / Magarelli Acupuncture Protocol (CMAP)
This is key to integration: you want to make it better than each of the parts and by combining Western Medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine, we actually are improving all aspects, from the person to the baby through a model of epigenetics.
Dr. Diane K. Cridennda and Dr. Paul C. Magarelli created the CMAP Acupuncture protocol that started the revolution in IVF care which almost all IVF centers now use.
More articles:
Acupuncture in IVF
How East Met West
By Paul C. Magarelli, MD, PhD and Diane K. Cridennda, LAc
Read the full article here.
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Changes in serum cortisol and prolactin associated with acupuncture during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation in women undergoing in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer treatment.
By Magarelli PC, Cridennda DK, Cohen M.
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The Evolution of a Revolution: How Traditional Chinese Medicine Brings IVF into Modern Times.
By Paul C. Magarelli
Reassuring article about fertility acupuncture published on WebMD
WebMD Feature, by Colette Bouchez, reviewed by Brunilda Nazario, MD
“Most of our patients are referred to us by reproductive medicine specialists — they are usually women who have failed one or usually more than one attempt at IVF (in vitro fertilisation), and their doctor is looking for something to help implement the success of their treatment, over and above what the protocols alone can accomplish,” says Raymond Chang, MD, the medical director of Meridian Medical in the U.S. and a classically trained acupuncturist as well as western-trained medical doctor.
Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese medicine treatment that relies on the painless but strategic placement of tiny needles into a “grid-like” pattern that spans the body, from head to toe. The needles are used to stimulate certain key “energy points” believed to regulate spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical balance. And, for many women, it’s often just what the doctor ordered.
“It can allow you to cross the line from infertile to fertile by helping your body function more efficiently, which in turn allows other, more modern reproductive treatments, like IVF, to also work more efficiently,” says James Dillard, MD, assistant clinical professor, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, and clinical adviser to Columbia’s Rosenthal Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
Indeed, in a study of 160 women, published April 2002 in the reproductive journal Fertility and Sterility, a group of German researchers found that adding acupuncture to the traditional IVF treatment protocols substantially increased pregnancy success.
Fertility Acupuncture
In our clinics, fertility acupuncture treatments are designed to work with the couples to help them supplement deficiencies, improve nutritive intake and to balance internal temperature to ensure the correct incubatory climate and blood supply for a healthy womb, good sperm production, ovulatory development, leading to successful implantation and embryo development.
If you are already going through or are soon to go through assisted fertility treatment, we can use acupuncture to support you throughout the whole process due to our training, experience and understanding of the protocols.
As AFN practitioners, we are well versed in assisted protocols, we have done the post-graduate training (including from a Western Medicine perspective), and we have a clear understanding of how to use acupuncture to support your assisted cycle.
We Care!
``Feeling calm is far and away the most beneficial and important way to approach an IVF treatment.``
Acupuncture for fertility and IVF – studies & research
© Image and info credits to: Dr Vitalis IVF Acupuncture Auckland https://vitalis.co.nz/ivf.html
German researchers tried to determine the effect of acupuncture on assisted reproduction therapy (ART) success rates. The results were reported by a reputable journal of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine “Fertility and Sterility” in April 2002.
In the study half of the women received standard IVF. The other half were given acupuncture treatments before and after. In the acupuncture group, 42.5 percent of patients became pregnant, while in the IVF-only group, 26.3% of patients conceived.
In October 2004 another study from USA emerged, with impressive results: acupuncture before and after IVF not only considerably increased the success rates, but also substantially increased live birth rates. Furthermore, it substantially reduced risk of miscarriage and ectopic pregnancies.
More evidence
- There have been a number of other, smaller sized studies on acupuncture and fertility. A few of the possible connections between acupuncture and fertility found in the smaller studies:
- Improve sperm quality and counts in infertile men;
- Improve the lining of the endometrium, including increased blood flow to the uterus;
- Help regulate hormone levels, specifically gonadotropin-releasing hormone, which in turn may improve ovulation rates;
- Help women with PCOS and anovulatory cycles;
- Help those with thyroid problems (as problems with the thyroid can lead to problems with fertility);
- Increase the number of follicles produced during an IVF treatment.
Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine are beneficial to help prepare your body for conception – not only natural conception but also for all aspects of assisted conception and fertility treatments.
Whatever the reason you are looking for support – if you are just at the outset of trying to conceive, if you have been trying for some time, if you are just embarking down the assisted pathway, or if you may have had multiple assisted experiences – acupuncture support can be an excellent way to bring you into a better state of health for conception and gestation, optimising your body for pregnancy and childbirth.
Fully Qualified, Registered and Insured – Members of the Acupuncture Fertility Network
The Acupuncture Fertility Network (AFN) is the body that oversees the qualifications and registration of “fertility acupuncturists”, ensuring that when you get treatment from an AFN registered practitioner, you will get the up-to-date support for your journey.
In order to become registered members of the AFN, we had to undertake foundation post-graduate training for integrated fertility treatment and support. We have both trained with renowned lecturers Jani White, Debra Betts, Jane Lyttleton and Sarah Budd in gynaecology, endocrinology, male and female fertility treatment, pregnancy, childbirth and obstetrics.
That training was to ensure that we have full understanding of western medicine protocols and treatments, as well as fertility treatment procedures, with clear scope of practice for all aspects of assisted conception and pregnancy.
Our Clinics
Our acupuncture clinics set the highest standard in providing effective, affordable fertility and IVF acupuncture treatment. We are supportive, proactive and aim to achieve the highest results.
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Fertility Acupuncture FAQ's
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Acupuncture helps by increasing the blood flow to the reproductive organs and stabilising hormone levels and this in turn can increase ovarian function in women as well as sperm production in men.
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Acupuncture Fertility Network (AFN)
Fertility Acupuncture is a specialised area of acupuncture and TCM treatment. As a patient, always make sure that you get the most up-to-date support, treatment and advice – especially when it comes to such complex treatment protocols.
Siobhan Seville and Sandro Graca are fully qualified and recognised members of the AFN. For the list of qualified practitioners, please click here.
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Acupuncture Fertility Network (AFN)
Membership to the Acupuncture Fertility Network indicates a special interest in the use of traditional acupuncture in the treatment of fertility. AFN practitioners have done a minimum of 14 hours integrated training in gynaecology, with a specific emphasis on training to support assisted protocols.
AFN membership denotes a commitment to ongoing post graduate study in the areas of gynaecology and fertility, working to maintain an updated understanding of current treatment practices.
Fertility Issues:
- “unexplained infertility”
- pre-conception care
- assisted conception support
- low sperm parameters: count, motility, morphology
- PCOS
- endometriosis
- ovulation issues
- menstrual cycle irregularities
- recurrent miscarriage
AFN members are practitioners who have chosen to also undertake study specific to assisted conception and had integrated training.
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Email: admin@acupuncture-fertility.org
The AFN is a professional special interest group for acupuncturists dedicated to supporting those with fertility issues.
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Jani White - our teacher, colleague, and inspiration
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Jani White – Writer & Lecturer, Acupuncturist, Antenatal Teacher & Doula, Campaigner for Integrated Medicine. AcuHouse Clinical Director.
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National Infertility Support and Information Group (NISIG)
The National Infertility Support and Information Group, a voluntary organisation, was established in 1996 by a group of dedicated people who needed and wanted to be in contact with others who understood their grief.
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NISIG
The National Infertility Support and Information Group (NISIG), a voluntary organisation, was established in Cork in 1996 by a group of dedicated people who needed and wanted to be in contact with others who understood their grief.
The grief that is infertility needs to be attended to. It needs to be understood and acknowledged. That is where NISIG can help.
NISIG empowers couples to contemplate real choices to guide them through their infertility journey, offering a confidential listening ear to couples and individuals.
The NISIG is non-judgemental and multi-denominational.
Bi-monthly meetings are held throughout Ireland.
For further information contact:
Mobile: 087 7975058 (anytime) Email: nisigireland@gmail.com
The grief that is infertility needs to be attended to. It needs to be understood and acknowledged. That is where NISIG can help.
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Why Choose TCM Ireland Clinics?
Siobhán Seville is from Rathfarnham, Dublin. Being a mother of four, she was always looking for a more natural way of treating her children’s as they were growing up – which was how Siobhán came across Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Siobhán is the Co-Founder and Co-Director of TCM Ireland alongside Sandro Graca – their work and expertise has made TCM Ireland a recognised and reputable entity in the field of acupuncture for fertility, IVF enhancement and pregnancy care in Ireland.
Sandro Graca is a graduate of the Irish College of Traditional Chinese Medicine and of the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine. Sandro is still studying, currently doing the MSc in Advanced Oriental Medicine with the Northern College of Acupuncture and Middlesex University.
Originally from Portugal, Sandro moved to Ireland in 2004 and established successful Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine clinics in Santry, Maynooth and Trim.
Sandro was the first Acupuncturist in Ireland to be granted membership of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine and the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology.Recently, Sandro took a position on the Board of Directors of the Obstetrical Acupuncture Association.
Clinic Locations
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Dundrum, Dublin 16
The Acupuncture Clinic, Dundrum, Dublin 16.
Siobhán Seville
087 2320994
Excellent clinic location – convenient for pre and post transfer treatments with fertility clinics, only downstairs from Repromed and a few minutes away from SIMS and Beacon Care.
Adjacent to Balally LUAS stop, with plenty of indoor parking. -
Trim, Co. Meath
Trim Acupuncture Clinic, Haggard Court, Trim, Co. Meath.
Sandro Graca
01 6856966
