The original research on acupuncture for IVF transfer days were studies focussing on the day 3 transfers (2002). Since the Paulus study, there have been numerous studies and meta analysis relating to the use of acupuncture on transfer day and the effect on pregnancy and live birth rates. ART has advanced since 2002 and now most transfers are on day 5 rather than day 3. Should acupuncturists use the Paulus protocol (day 3 approach) for day 5 transfers? Also, recent publications suggest acupuncture is dosage dependent and suggest offering acupuncture during the preconception and stimulation phase of IVF increases success rates compared to acupuncture only on transfer day which has no impact on pregnancy rates.
Should we use an established acupuncture protocol that is evidence-based for this specific date (transfer day) or is it acceptable to treat the individual and their pattern? Does the timing (onsite vs offsite) of acupuncture treatments and the day of transfer (day 3 vs. day 5) contribute to increasing IVF pregnancy rates?
This Panel will discuss best practices for offering acupuncture on embryo transfer day for day 3 and day 5, and the best practices for fresh cycles vs. frozen and donor cycles.
Dr. Brandon Horn, PhD, JD, LAc, FABORM is a lecturer, researcher and clinician in the fields of acupuncture, herbal medicine and nutrition. He received his bachelor's degree and juris doctorate degree from the Ohio State University, his master's degree in oriental medicine from Samra University and his PhD in Classical Chinese Medicine from the American University of Complementary Medicine, where he currently serves as the Chief Academic Officer.
Brandon is a recognized authority in the fields of infertility and gynecology. He has publications in journals such as Fertility & Sterility, Alternative Therapies in Women's Health, Evidence Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, and the Journal of Chinese Medicine. He lectures both in the United States and internationally on topics such as the treatment of women with poor ovarian quality, the use of acupuncture to improve uterine receptivity, the use of acupuncture in support of in-vitro fertilization, and integrative approaches to the treatment and management of autoimmune conditions. Venues have included Columbia University, UCLA, LAC + USC Medical Center (Grand Rounds) and Children's Hospital Los Angeles (Grand Rounds).
In researching how to help couples have healthy babies, Brandon developed an interest in fetal development and pediatrics. He accepted a position at Children's Hospital Los Angeles as Clinical Supervisor and Deputy Director of the acupuncture program. He also supervises Master and Doctoral level students working in the Pain, Rheumatology and Endocrinology departments alongside some of the top pediatricians in the country.
In addition to working at CHLA, Brandon is also on faculty at UCLA Medical School where he teaches third year medical students. He also maintains a private practice at the Lotus Center for Integrative Medicine, where he sees patients in the Los Angeles office.
Dr. Randine Lewis, author of The Infertility Cure, has become the leading expert in treating infertility conditions naturally. Her powerful Eastern program combined with her vast knowledge of Western reproductive medicine has helped many thousands of woman throughout the world, get back their fertility, their hope, and their lives. Dr. Lewis began her studies in Western medicine, and after suffering through her own fertility challenges, overcame them with Chinese medicine. After finishing her medical studies in China, she earned a doctorate in Alternative Medicine, the basis of the program she now offers for the public through The Fertile Soul and for practitioners through Clinical Excellence Fertility Professionals (CEFP)
Chair of the Integrative Fertility Symposium
Dr. Lorne Brown B.Sc., CPA, Dr.TCM, FABORM, CHt, is the Clinical Director of Acubalance Wellness Centre, and the founder of Healthy Seminars (formerly Pro D Seminars and Medigogy), and the Integrative Fertility Symposium.
After a career as a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), Lorne received his Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine at Vancouver’s International College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Lorne has postgraduate training in Clinical Hypnosis, Infertility, Cold Laser Therapy and Functional Medicine Dr Brown has successfully integrated his entrepreneurial skills and background as a CPA with his passion for Chinese Medicine establishing a very successful fertility practise (www.acubalance.ca) and pioneering online continuing education through Healthy Seminars (www.healthyseminars.com) as well as the Integrative Fertility Symposium (www.ifsymposium.com) held in Vancouver for acupuncturists and naturopaths worldwide.
Lorne published a practice management book for TCM practitioners called Missing the Point: Why Acupuncturists Fail and what they Need to Know to Succeed www.missingthepointbook.com
Lee Hullender Rubin, DAOM, LAc, FABORM, is a clinician, international academic, and published researcher specializing in reproductive medicine, women's health, and female sexual pain. She graduated with her Master of Science degree from Bastyr University and her Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine from the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine (OCOM). In practice since early 2002, she spent more than 5 years managing an acupuncture program at a western fertility clinic in the Pacific Northwest. Dr. Hullender Rubin was the first OCOM postdoctoral research fellow funded by a National Institutes of Health educational grant. Her most recent publication is the first study to report an increase in birth outcomes associated with the addition of Traditional Chinese Medicine to In Vitro Fertilization. She was recently awarded a National Vulvodynia Association grant to investigate the feasibility of acupuncture and lidocaine to treat chronic vulvar pain. She is on the faculty at the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine, American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and New Zealand School of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine, and is Visiting Research Faculty at the Oregon Health and Science University. Dr. Hullender Rubin currently resides in Portland, Oregon, and practices at the Portland Acupuncture Studio (http://www.pdxacustudio.com) and Oregon Reproductive Medicine.
Lee offers the following online reproductive medicine courses through Pro D Seminars approved for CEU/PDA/CPD:
- Assisted Reproductive Technology Overview for the Chinese Medicine Professional (3 hours CEU/PDA)
- Improve IVF or Controlled Ovarian Hyperstimulation Outcomes with Adjuvant Whole Systems TCM (4 hours CEU/PDA)
- Improve Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET) or Fresh Donor Cycles Outcomes with Adjuvant Whole Systems TCM – (4 hours CEU/PDA)
- Improve Medicated and Natural IUI Cycles Outcomes With Adjuvant Whole Systems TCM (3 hours CEU/PDA)
- Learn How Acupuncture Improves IVF Success and How To Effectively Communicate the Research to Patients and Doctors (5 CEU/PDA/CPD)