Acupuncture during IVF and ICSI

Acupuncture Exeter: acupuncture during IVF and ICSI An international team of authors from London South Bank University, Western Sydney University, and research institutions in China and Korea, has undertaken an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of trials studying acupuncture during IVF and ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection). Data from 31 trials covering over 6000 women was examined. Many studies had their limitations eg not recording any diagnosed reasons for infertility, not recording patients’ body mass index etc. Overall though, the meta-analysis indicates that acupuncture treatment is beneficial in IVF/ICSI for improving implantation, pregnancy and live birth outcomes. The authors say further well-designed randomised controlled trials with increased samples sizes are still required to verify the data obtained in this study.

(Effects of acupuncture during in vitro fertilization or intracytoplasmic sperm injection: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis. European Journal of Integrative Medicine, October 2018.)

Author: Robin Costello

I offer traditional Chinese acupuncture in Exeter, from a tranquil clinic a mile from the city centre, and next to the University of Exeter. I graduated originally from the London School of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine’s 3 year full time Acupuncture Diploma (DipAc) course. I am on the practitioners register of the British Acupuncture Council (MBAcC), a regulatory and professional body with an entry standard of a full three year undergraduate degree level training. I have worked in a hospital in south west China, deepening my knowledge and using acupuncture and Chinese massage (tuina) as the treatment of choice in its country of origin. I have taught Chinese medicine in colleges, the NHS and at university level. I also practise Qi Gong, and Chinese dietary therapy, that is the medicinal use of ordinary foods, chosen to help achieve particular therapeutic effects in different individuals.