Acupuncturists

Irina Szmelskyj Dip Ac, MSc, MBAcC

• Award winning acupuncturist
• Guest Lecturer on Acupuncture Treatment of Infertility and IVF
• Zita West Affiliated Fertility Acupuncturist
• Member of The Acupuncture Fertility Network
• Member of The American Society for Reproductive Medicine
• Member of The European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology

Education and Training

Irina Szmelskyj studied at the Northern College of Acupuncture in York, one of the foremost educational and research institutions for acupuncture and Chinese medicine in the UK. She qualified as an acupressure therapist in 2001. In 2003 Irina qualified as an acupuncturist and after post graduate study in 2004 attained her Masters Degree (MSc) in Acupuncture at Distinction level.

In 2004 Irina also qualified in Pre-prepared Chinese Herbal Medicine, and uses Chinese herbs alongside acupuncture, treatments.

In addition to her existing training in the treatment of infertility, in 2006 and 2007 Irina attended the First International Integrated Acupuncture Seminars for Fertility and Obstetrics held at The Royal College of Physicians. In 2008, after further postgraduate training in the treatment of infertility Irina gained status as a Zita West Affiliated Fertility Acupuncturist.

Irina also has specialist training in Cosmetic Acupuncture.

Awards and Achievements

Irina's biggest achievement to date is her highly praised scientific trial using acupuncture to treat insomnia. Irina undertook this as part of her MSc dissertation. Irina's study was commended by both internal and external examiners. Irina is now working on publishing the results of the trial in professional journals. Due to a very high standard of her research, Irina was awarded her MSc in Acupuncture at Distinction level by the University of Wales. Irina is also the prize winner for achieving the highest mark in the MSc dissertation in the 2003/2004 academic year. In 2006 The British Acupuncture Council (BAcC) recognised the excellent quality of Irina's research into acupuncture treatment of insomnia, bestowing upon her their 2006 Research Excellence Award.

During 2005 Irina gave a presentation at Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge on the use of acupuncture for treating low back pain to an audience consisting mainly of orthopaedic consultants and surgeons, but also including physiotherapists, osteopaths and chiropractors who belong to the East Anglian Spinal Club.

In 2006 Irina was invited to join the teaching team at The Northern College of Acupuncture as a supervisor and examiner of Master degrees. She has subsequently supervised and examined post-graduate MSc acupuncture students.

Irina lectures to university students on acupuncture treatment of subfertility (infertility) and in IVF.

Irina's views on acupuncture have been featured in the local newspapers and BBC radio. In 2006 Alex Mott, a newspaper journalist wrote a review in the Cambridge Evening News on Irina's approach to acupuncture practice. Recently an article was featured about Irina's fertility and miscarriages patients in Hunts Post. Irina has also featured on BBC radio Cambridgeshire talking about acupuncture.

Professional Memberships

The British Acupuncture Council (BAcC) is the governing body for Acupuncture practice and training in the UK. Irina is a registered member of the BAcC and practices according to a strict code of practice as set out by the Council. She has full public liability insurance. Irina is also registered with Huntingdonshire local authority and is licensed to practice acupuncture. Irina has an exemplary professional conduct and competence record.

Irina is a member of the Acupuncture Fertility Network (AFN). The members of this professional association must have specialist training in the use of acupuncture for the treatment of infertility. Irina also belongs to National Network of Zita West Affiliated Fertility Acupuncturists. Members of this organisation have specialist training with Zita West in her approach to fertility, pregnancy and post-natal care.

Special Interests

Irina's special interests include treatment of pain, insomnia, infertility and IVF, pregnancy related complaints, gynaecological complaints.

Personal Information

Irina was born in Ukraine. She moved permanently to England in 1995, after marrying Alan Szmelskyj. They have been happily married for over 15 years and have two children, Daniel, who was born in 2007 and Matthew, who was born in 2009. When not working, Irina enjoys playing the piano, reading, travelling, narrow boating and playing with her sons and two Burmese cats. Irina is multilingual and completely fluent in three languages- English, Ukrainian and Russian.

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