New Zealand (NZRA)

At the end of this lecture you will:

1. Be able to read and correctly interpret a semen analysis and will know if and what further tests are needed
2. Know about the anatomy of the male reproductive tract from a western anatomic and physiologic perspective as well as from the Chinese Medicine point of view and how sperm is produced
3. Achieve a good knowledge on TCM andrology in general to use it for any male indications.
4. Be aware of all the research evidence-based causes of male fertility problems and how to advice patients correctly which lifestyle changes need to be done to improve sperm quality
5. Know the most common patterns in TCM when it comes to male fertility and know about their pathomechanism and how to distinguish them from each other
6. Know pattern-based acupuncture protocols including detailed explanation of the points
7. Gain knowledge on pattern-based treatment of male fertility issues by Chinese herbal formulas as well as modify them with certain herbs according to the sperm test results to make your formulas even more effective
8. Definitely be able to start treating male fertility problems properly right after taking this complete course as it focuses very much on the use for and in daily practise.

Course Outline:

• Participants will understand the importance and balance of the various microbiomes within the male and female body
• Participants will understand strategies to optimise microbiome health to ensure the health and wellbeing of the fetus (infant)
• Participants will understand the impact of bacteria and other microbes and the importance of supporting healthy commensals and treating opportunistic infections
• Participants will understand the health implications of vaginal vs caesarean deliveries
• Participants will learn useful clinical treatment strategies to improve the health of both parents, improve pregnancy and labour outcomes, and the health of the child

Detailed Content:

The microbiome in reproduction

Infections

Seminal microbiome

Maternal microbiomes

• Vaginal microbiome
• Cervical microbiome
• Uterine microbiome
  • Pre-term birth prevention and inventions
• Pregnancy microbiome
  • Oral microbiome
• Placental microbiome

Fetal and neonatal microbiome

• Amniotic fluid microbiome
• Respiratory microbiome
• Developmental impact – ASD, obesity and others
• Gastrointestinal microbiome

Labour

• Vaginal vs cesarean
• Vernix caseosa

Treatment options

• Modifying microbiome strategies and treatment options
• Maternal prenatal stress

Summary, Q&A

Course Outline:

• Understand how a systematic review is conducted
• Be able to identify the strengths and weaknesses of a systematic review
• Understand what happens during a meta-analysis and how to interpret the outcomes
• Identify different components of an acupuncture ‘dose’ and how these contribute to fertility outcomes
• Determine clinically relevant treatment guidelines for IVF patients based on the latest research

Detailed Content:
Overview: Ancient Mawangdui Tombs
States of Consciousness to Better Understand the Times of the Ancient World
Medical Texts found in the Mawangdui Tombs and their Contents
Learning from the Tombs and Their Texts

• The energetics of ancient places / exercise example
• The roots of Chinese Medicine (pre-Huangdi Neijing)
• Key treatment themes from the texts (e.g., ritual, incantation, de-possession, “nurturing life,” etc.)

Applications and Examples of Mawangdui Themes for Modern Practices
Summary, Questions & Answers

1. A brief history of obstetrics comparing Western and Chinese classical approaches from the past with current practice
2. Physiological changes in pregnancy, safety of acupuncture in pregnancy and the “forbidden points"
3. Treating various conditions / pathologies in pregnancy including nausea & vomiting, heartburn, threatened miscarriage, constipation, varicose veins, muscle-skeletal problems such as back & pelvic pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and stress
4. Obstetric “red flags”: including bleeding in pregnancy, ectopic pregnancy, abdominal pain, cholestasis, polyhydramnios, oligohydramnios, premature labour, urinary problems, small for dates babies, hypertensive disorders, malpresentation & cord prolapse, retained placenta, post-partum haemorrhage, perinatal mood and anxiety disorders including postpartum psychosis, breast feeding problems, including mastitis
5. Introduction to MYMOP and audit in the clinic
6. Discussion of Obstetric acupuncture organizations and support groups
7. Brief discussion of obstetric research
8. Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) (another "red flag”). “Western” diagnosis and treatment, treatment with acupuncture, illustrated with case histories
9. Discussion of research relating to HG including overview of presenter’s recent Delphi consensus study on acupuncture for HG
10. Breech presentation and treatment by TCM
11. Pre-birth preparation and induction of labour with acupressure and acupuncture
12. Pain relief in labour with acupuncture and acupressure
13. Anxiety & depression in pregnancy and post-natal period
14. Building bridges and communication with the midwifery, GP and obstetrician communities

Goals and Objectives:

• To ensure delegates have a thorough understanding of all aspects of obstetric acupuncture
• To ensure practitioners are safe in their practice when dealing with pregnant and post-natal women
• To inspire and encourage audit in practice
• To promote advantages of membership of obstetric acupuncture organizations such as the "Obstetrical Acupuncture Association” (OBAA) and awareness of mentorship groups such as "Maternity Acupuncture Mentoring & Peer Support" (MAMPS)
• To encourage engagement and familiarity with obstetric research and promote use of the organization "Evidence Based Acupuncture" (EBA)
•  To encourage evidence-based communication with health professionals in order to promote advantages of obstetric acupuncture

• Introduction & Overview of the 8EV
• Review of 7/8 cycles and associated resources
• Impact of trauma and resistance to change on health
• Puberty; definition & common pathology
• Early, late and congenital aspects of puberty
• 8EV associated with these conditions
• Menarche: definitions & common pathology
• Early, late, amenorrhea
• 8EV associated with these conditions
• Conditions associated with menstruation
• Short cycles, long cycles, irregular cycles, PMS, PMDD, unusual bleeding
• 8EV for these conditions
• Common conditions affecting fertility in women and men
• Women: Uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts, endometriosis
• Men: Sperm parameters
• 8EV for these conditions
• Post-partum disorders
• Post-partum depression
• Lactation disorders
• 8EV for these conditions
• Menopause: premature & induced
• Peri-menopause
• Post-menopause
• 8EV for these conditions
• Andropause: weight gain, erectile dysfunction, depression, loss of muscle mass, bone health
• 8EV for these conditions
• Creating an 8EV treatment.
• Points, location, techniques, timing.
• Summary, conclusions, questions and answers

• Treatment of nausea in clinical practice
• Treatment of hyperemesis in clinical practice
• Treatment of threatened miscarriage in clinical practice
• Treatment of Pre-labour rupture of membranes in clinical practice
• Red flag for nausea, hyperemesis and Pre-labour rupture of membranes
• Treatment of anxiety and depression in clinical practice
• Treatment with acupuncture in postpartum period

Goals and Objectives

1. Acupuncturists taking this class can expect to:
2. Understand key research terms to use when discussing research with medical colleagues to promote professional credibility
3. Understand how to use key research terms from the evidence base when advertising or promoting their pregnancy practice
4. Identify quality studies that they can share and discuss with medical colleagues and the public 
5. Understand how to write a case history from clinical practice for publication

• Why research – initial concepts
• Why becoming research literature has value and looking at the concepts of statistical and clinical significance
• Using the critical analysis checklist for an RCT
• Understanding different types of research: Quantitative, Qualitative and Mixed Methods research
• Considerations for reading a RCT paper
• Understanding terminology around pragmatic trials and the difference between effectiveness and efficacy
• Research in practice – findings from PhD research: The use of Acupuncture in threatened miscarriage – a mixed methods study
• Academic writing: Case histories
• Understanding Systematic Reviews