Acupuncture Protocols for IVF

Acupuncture Protocols for IVF

In Paulus Protocol, acupuncture treatments were performed in the following way: before the embryo transfer, the following points were needled: Neiguan (PC 6), Diji (SP 8), Taichong (LR 3), Baihui (DU 20), and Guilai (ST 29). After the embryo transfer, the following points were needled: Zusanli (ST 36), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Xuehai (SP 10), and Hegu (LI 4). In addition, small stainless needles (0.2X13mm) for auricular acupuncture were applied at the following points, without rotation: ear point 55 (Shenmen), ear point 58 (Zhigong), ear point 22 (Neifenmi), and ear point 34 (Naodian). Two needles were inserted in the right ear, the other two needles in the left ear. The four needles remained in the ears for 25 minutes. The side of the auricular acupuncture was changed after embryo transfer. 

In Cridennda/Magarelli Protocol, patients are treated with the electrostimulation procedure (nine treatments) before egg retrieval and are treated with the pre-ET acupuncture within 24 hours before and 1 hour after ET.  In acupuncture treatment, four needles were located bilaterally, Shenshu (BL 23), Pangguangshu (BL 28), at the thoracolumbar and lumbosacral levels of the erector spinae, and were stimulated with high frequency (100 Hz) pulses of 0.5 ms duration. The intensity was low, giving non-painful paraesthesia. Four needles were located bilaterally, Sanyinjiao (SP 6) and Chengshan (BL 57), in the calf muscles, and were stimulated with low frequency (2 Hz) pulses of 0.5 ms duration. The intensity was sufficient to cause local muscle contractions.