Pregnancy & AcupunctureThere are numerous physical and emotional changes that occur throughout pregnancy. Many of these changes that cause concern or create discomfort are considered irresolvable because they can't be alleviated by western medicine. Many conventional pharmaceuticals can be harmful to the fetus and thus, most women look for natural remedies and non-invasive, drug-free treatments to help alleviate or minimize these symptoms.  Acupuncture and herbal therapy is a natural way to help ease a woman through pregnancy and assist the process of a healthy birth and a healthy baby. Infant organ systems develop at certain points in the pregnancy. A growing fetus can be influenced by maternal toxins (environmental such as air quality as well internal such as biochemical reactions to stress) resulting in symptoms that manifest once the baby is born such as higher fevers, more frequent childhood illness, asthma, or skin problems such as diaper rash and eczema or overall sensitivity. Regular balancing treatments throughout pregnancy are an integral part of the process to enhance the mother's health, prevent complications and influence fetal development. One woman described an acupuncture treatment during pregnancy as, "a wave of warmth and realization that gave me a moment to reflect on my body, instead of having my head filled with worry over my first baby being due." Among the numerous benefits of acupuncture while pregnant, a recent Australian study published in Birth, reported that of 593 women less than 14 weeks pregnant, those who received acupuncture reported less frequency and shorter duration of nausea than the women who received no acupuncture.
Pregnancy
Post-Partum
In the first trimester acupuncture is most commonly utilized for morning sickness and threatened miscarriage. In the second and third trimesters some of the more common ailments addressed are heartburn, bowel and digestive problems, anemia, headaches/migraines, back pain, itching, cystitis and yeast. In the last eight weeks more common treatments address skin problems, back pain/sciatica, fatigue, anxiety and stress, edema, carpal tunnel syndrome, leg cramps/restless leg syndrome, pubic/joint pain, hypertension, respiratory issues, insomnia, and headaches. At the very end of the pregnancy the issues of most concern are breech presentation, labor induction and prevention of herpes outbreak. In addition, there is a treatment done between the trimesters (1st and 2nd, then again between the 2nd and 3rd) to promote a healthy and happy baby. It must be done with a golden needle inserted into a point called "Zhubin" which means "Guest House" in English. This point is particularly efficacious for Shen Disturbance. Your Shen is basically your emotional, mental and spiritual aspects. The coming and going of our Shen mark the beginning and ending of a life. Our Shen resides in our hearts and is visible in the light the shines in the eyes of a healthy person. A healthy Shen results in a life uniquely suited to the individual. When a baby resides in the mother's body, it is considered a guest within that body and resides in the guest house (uterus). By needling this point at these two junctures with a gold needle, you are blocking any Shen disturbance or karmic issues that the mother is working through from being transferred to the baby via the umbilicus. POST-PARTUM RECOVERYPost-partum is one of the most critical times for a woman to receive regular preventative acupuncture treatments. There have been extreme demands placed on a woman's body during pregnancy, which culminate in labor and childbirth. Just when the mother needs to be at optimal health taking care of a newborn around the clock, she is emotionally and physically exhausted. Acupuncture and herbal therapy are extremely useful in restoring energy, metabolizing excess hormones, healing wounds (tears and cesarean cuts) and increasing blood supply and flow. In this way, it can address fatigue, post-partum depression, hemorrhoids, pain, and incontinence. It is also useful to heal mastitis and increase milk supply. © |