Course Overview

Women often come in for help with their infertility as they’ve heard that acupuncture can help. They may have been trying for years to conceive and are investigating IUI’s or IVF procedures as they have lost hope in doing it naturally. Many of the women will know that they have menstrual irregularities that could be the reason behind their infertility but may not know the causative factors or that their partner could have some infertility issues of his own that are getting in the way of conception.

Even couples now trying IUI or IVF may have no idea why they haven’t become pregnant naturally, as unless additional testing has been requested by the doctor, they won't know.

Chinese medicine does give us so many answers as to why our patients may not be conceiving, but there could also be genetic issues, reproductive inflammation, or autoimmune conditions that are unknown causative factors because they are not being tested.

In this course, we’ll be covering 12 key areas that need to be addressed with couples trying to conceive. By addressing each of these areas, and explaining their importance for patient compliance, their chances of natural conception, or support of A.R.T will greatly improve. The right testing can also let us know if other options may be in their best interest.

Course Objectives

• Understand the TCM patterns found in both male and female infertility and which acupuncture treatments, and herbs, could be most helpful, as well as the diet and lifestyle recommendations for those patterns.
• Besides TCM patterns found in both male and female infertility and their treatment, you will learn which Lab tests to request, for both male and female infertility to understand the extent of problem areas and how to help their treatment outcomes.
• Learn how autoimmunity and genetic factors can impact both female and male infertility and which tests are most helpful to discover if there are issues present, and if so, what to consider in treatment and plan.
• Understand how inflammation can affect the uterus’ receptivity for implantation and which supplements and herbal formulas help. Also, understanding how toxins in the home and food eaten can increase inflammation and what to do to remedy it.
• Rooted issues such as Endometriosis, Fibroids, polycystic ovaries, and more) and how they impact fertility as well as the answers on how they can be tested if one or more is suspected, as well as how they can be treated with TCM. Is A.R.T. needed?

Course Outline

0 hrs - 45 minHelping your patient understand the importance of regulating their menstrual cycle for conception. This means both in treatment and whatever diet, lifestyle, and herbs they are taking.

45 min - 1.25 hrsLearn the best ways to help your patient ovulate and increase their chances of implantation. Also, learn which supplements are best to boost ovulation, egg quality, and good cervical mucus.

1.25 hrs - 2 hrsKnow which blood and hormone testing to order, or ask their doctor to order, so you know where you'd want to focus your treatment plan, in addition to your T.C.M. diagnosis.

2 hrs - 2.5 hrsUnderstand how inflammation can affect the uterus’ receptivity for implantation and which supplements and herbal formulas have the best anti-inflammatories for this purpose.

2.5 hrs - 3 hrsHelping couples with stress reduction and better communication with each other. Learn which diet may be best to help boost fertility and reduce the stress that affects their health physically, mentally, and emotionally.

3 hrs - 4 hrsLearn which herbal formulations can be helpful for the main patterns of infertility, also acupoints, lifestyle, and other modalities to use to help increase reproductive health and regulation.

4 hrs - 4.5 hrsLearning the Do’s and Don’ts for the best couples’ fertility outcome. Also, learn if genetic factors could be affecting their ability to conceive and what may help in those patients.

4.5 hrs - 5 hrsBe aware of autoimmune health issues that can affect male and female fertility and what can be done to remedy them.

5 hrs - 5.5 hrsHow detoxifying their body, (more of a dietary cleanup), as well as their home environment, can help their reproductive system work more effectively, by taking the strain and stress off.

5.5 hrs - 7 hrsCirculation & Inflammatory problems ( Endometriosis, Fibroids, polycystic ovaries, etc) have on fertility and answers to how they can be treated while working on conception.

7 hrs - 8.5 hrsLearn which male factors could be affecting his sperm and their fertility outcome, and which tests should be run beside a sperm analysis. Treatment will also be covered for whichever patterns are found with intake and testing.

8.5 hrs - 9.5 hrsSome couples may need to use Assisted Reproductive therapy, and if they do, learn ways to increase positive results.