The Impact of Acupuncture on Improvement of Female Fertility ...
Acupuncture & Fertility What is the research telling us?
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Acupuncture & Fertility What is the research telling us? Vicki Ball M.BHSc (Acu)
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Acupuncture & Fertility What is the research telling us?. Vicki Ball M.BHSc (Acu). Fertility and Acupuncture what can we do. Research. ACUPUNCTURE & IVF. Acupuncture & IVF. Reduce uterine artery resistance Modulate immune response Relaxation prior to surgical procedures. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Transcript of Acupuncture & Fertility What is the research telling us?
Acupuncture & Fertility
What is the research telling us?
Vicki Ball M.BHSc (Acu)
Fertility and Acupuncture
what can we do
Research
ACUPUNCTURE & IVF
Acupuncture & IVF
Reduce uterine artery resistance
Modulate immune response
Relaxation prior to surgical procedures
Acupuncture onDay of Transfer
Choong, 2008 (Cochrane Review) –13 RCTs reviewed in meta-analysis
Acupuncture on Day of TransferChoong, 2008 (Cochrane Review) –13 RCTs reviewed in meta-analysis
Acupuncture Control
Clinical pregnancy rate1022 women
39%201/518
30%150/504
Ongoing pregnancy rate769 women
Live Birth Rate 542 women
Acupuncture on Day of TransferChoong, 2008 (Cochrane Review) –13 RCTs reviewed in meta-analysis
Acupuncture Control
Clinical pregnancy rate1022 women
39%201/518
30%150/504
Ongoing pregnancy rate769 women
32%126/384
21%81/385
Live Birth Rate 542 women
Acupuncture on Day of TransferChoong, 2008 (Cochrane Review) –13 RCTs reviewed in meta-analysis
Acupuncture Control
Clinical pregnancy rate1022 women
39%201/518
30%150/504
Ongoing pregnancy rate769 women
32%126/384
21%81/385
Live Birth Rate 542 women
35%95/275
22%59/267
Miscarriage rates- Acupuncture on day of transfer
Acupuncture Control
409 women 4%9/204
5%10/205
No statistical difference
Acupuncture before & after transfer + 2 days2 studies (Dieterle, 2006; Westergaard, 2006)
Acupuncture Control
Clinical pregnancy rate403 women
35%72/207
19%38/196
Ongoing pregnancy rate403 women
28%57/207
16%32/196
Live Birth Rate 403 women
28%57/207
17%34/196
Miscarriage rates- Acupuncture before & after transfer +2 days
Acupuncture Control
403 women 14%30/207
9%18/196
No statistical difference
Acupuncture around time of oocyte retrieval
Studies performed show no significant difference in quality or quantity of oocytes retrieved.
Better live birth rates if electro-acupuncture used as anesthetic rather that alfentanil
(28/75 acupuncture 19/74 alfentanil)
Acupuncture around time of oocyte retrieval
Clinically – too late
Beneficial to have acupuncture following day to help speed recovery after surgical procedure – swelling, pain, inflammation.
Ensure integrity of endometrium to allow for viable implantation.
Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal-Ovarian Axis (HPAO)
Stress and its role in unexplained infertility..?
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How does acupuncture affect the HPA?
affects plasma beta endorphin
affect the HPA by altering the release of hypothalamic gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) & pituitary gonadotrophin secretion.
Women
Ovulation induction
Increase microcirculation to reproductive organs
Regulate hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis
Increase up-regulation of body’s own hormones
Acupuncture modulates immune factors
influences specific and nonspecific cellular and humoral immunities. activates cell proliferation, including blood, reticuloendothelial, and traumatised cells.activates leucocytosis, microbicidal activity, antibodies, globulin, complement, and interferon.modulates hypothalamic-pituitary control of the autonomic and neuroendocrine systems.
Rogers, 1992 Acupuncture for Immune-Mediated Disorders
Immune/ Inflammatory related disorders causing fertility problems
Immune
Endometriosis
Failure of embryo to implant & miscarriage
Thyroid disorders eg.Hashimotos
Inflammatory
High TNF alpha associated with repeated implantation failure in IVF
Treatment – men vs. women
www.flatrock.org.nz
Man
Increase sperm quality & quantity – morphology - motility
Increase semen quality
Faster results combining Chinese Herbal medicine with acupuncture
Questions?
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Moxa heat radiating down Stomach channel
Schlebusch, K. P., Maric-Oehler, W., & Schlebusch, K. P., Maric-Oehler, W., & Popp, F. A. (2005). Biophotonics in the Popp, F. A. (2005). Biophotonics in the infrared spectral range reveal acupuncture infrared spectral range reveal acupuncture meridian structure of the body. meridian structure of the body. J Altern J Altern Complement Med, 11Complement Med, 11(1), 171-173.(1), 171-173.
Propagated sensations along channels (PSCs/PSMs)
Reported PSCs during acupuncture correspond to EMG changes (Bensoussan, 1984)
PSCs follow pathways which closely correspond to channels (Ji, 1981)
PSCs travel at a slower rate than nerve conductionPSCs travel at 3.5 – 10 cm/sec (Bensoussan,1994)
A fibres conduct at 6.3 m/sec [630 cm/sec]C fibres conduct at 0.5 – 2 m/sec [50-200 cm/sec]
PSCs have been observed in many races (Deng, 1993)
PSCs are frequently associated with clinical efficacy of acupuncture (Deng, 1993)
PSCs can be blocked by mechanical pressure of more than 500 -1,00gm/mm2 (Ji, 1981)
