Joining AFN (Acupuncture Fertility Network)

Part A has been developed as a foundation course of suitable requirement for joing AFN - the Acupuncture Fertility Network.

The curriculum for this program has been endorsed by Jane Lyttleton.

Program Structure – Gynae / Fertility

This program is written for the College of Traditional Acupuncture (CTA) / Oxford Brookes University MA Acupuncture degree course. The module is referred to as MA 6, and has 4 teaching days.

These teaching days are available as 2 CPD courses. This 4 day program has been split into 2 sections.

PART A) May 29 & 30th 2010

Days 1& 2 are structured to help the practitioner to feel equipped to use acupuncture to support
either natural or assisted conception, with an emphasis on understanding the western protocols and practices of assisted conception (AC)

This 2 day curriculum covers:

• The fundamentals of male and female gynaecological health and the associate disharmonies and dysfunctions that lead to pathological condition. A review of the biology of male and female reproductive organs, functions, cycles and rhythms and the biology and endocrine of normal conception will be discussed.

• The emotional issues of gynaecological dysfunction will be discussed, with particular reference to the associated acupuncture treatment.

• Study of the Western understanding of the physiology of normal conception, with a particular emphasis on the endocrine function in gynaecology and fertility, balanced with a fulsome discussion of the Chinese concepts that govern conception and the powerful interplay that Chinese medicine has on the endocrine system and its functions.

• There will be an extensive discussion of the protocols and treatment reasoning of all aspects of Assisted Conception (AC), to include IUI, IVF, and ICSI, as well as OHSS, and will discuss in detail the medical referral system and western diagnostic processes for AC. This discussion will include a fully comprehensive guide to the medical language of AC, a full discussion of the pharmaceutical prescriptions of AC, as well as a discussion of the Chinese understanding of the energetic impact of the pharmaceutical treatments used in AC.

• Exploration of the reasoning for male and female sub-fertility and infertility, as quantified and diagnosed from both the western orthodox criteria and from Chinese diagnostic criteria. Male sub-fertility will be fully explored.

• The course will cover the use of Chinese medical diagnostics as specific to gynaecology, particularly in respect of menstrual phases and in the importance of pattern and syndrome differentiation in respect of male sub/infertility. The use of history, signs and symptoms, pulse and tongue, and palpation will be discussed in detail. Acupuncture treatment is discussed in particular reference to the underlying constitutional condition.

PART B) June 26th & 27th 2010

Days 3 & 4 are structured to provide case history based practical work with further discussion of:

• Endometriosis, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, miscarriage, menopause and Pre-Menstrual Tension (PMT).

• Considerations of diet and lifestyle will be discussed in respect of the constitutional diagnosis, with emphasis on understanding the roll of glycaemic index.

• Palpation, examination, point selection, needling techniques, types of needles and auxiliary treatments, to include the use of electro-acupuncture and the use of auricular acupuncture, as well as treatment duration and frequency will be discussed through the use of case histories and through practice work in a clinical classroom setting.

• Relevant research in the subject of acupuncture for gynaecology, natural conception and assisted conception will be referenced and referred to throughout the course, as well as relevant studies pertaining to western diagnosis and treatments for gynaecology and assisted conception.


Delegates applying for Part B, days 3& 4, must have done Part A, days 1 & 2, OR must have attended a previous fertility acupuncture seminar with a comparable curriculum – for example the RCP Fertility Program Dec 06 or the Jane Lyttleton RCP seminar July 07, or any other course with a comparable Western teaching component in its curriculum.

Please contact CTA directly if you would like to attend either or both parts of this program.

jeanette.harper@cta-uk.net  

The cost for each Part is £160.