troysingBenefits of Acupuncture During Pregnancy
Updated: Jul 19, 2021
The process of pregnancy can feel overwhelming, with the body undergoing many changes within a relatively short period of time. Acupuncture can make your pregnancy experience easier, and more enjoyable. If you're interested, you can also learn more about Chinese Medicine treatments for Fertility and Pregnancy at Health Wise.
Our team at Health Wise wants to help you along your journey, whilst making the experience of pregnancy better. We wrote this article in the hope that it may help you. In the next few minutes, we'll take a look at the 5 key benefits of acupuncture during pregnancy.
Health Wise has been helping patients for over 30 years. We understand the stress and frustration that can come with pregnancy. Contact us today for a complimentary herbal consultation that will last until 30th June 2021. Read the full details for our complimentary herbal consultation here.
Let's jump into it. Acupuncture can assist with the following conditions associated with pregnancy:
Nausea and Morning sickness
Back pain and pelvic pain
Pregnancy-induced Headaches
Insomnia
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Issues with the positioning of the baby
Labor preparation
Stick around for the rest of the article as we dive further into the 5 key benefits of acupuncture during pregnancy. We hope to provide you with a more informed perspective once we're done.
Article Contents:
Safety of Acupuncture During Pregnancy?
5 Key Benefits of Acupuncture During Pregnancy
Complimentary Herbal Consultation
Learn more about Chinese Medicine
Safety of Acupuncture During Pregnancy?
Research from a systematic review has shown that undergoing acupuncture is safe during pregnancy when applied correctly. We have over 30 years of clinical experience helping patients. We specialize in fertility, and under the care of our experienced practitioners, you can be assured that you are in safe hands. Acupuncture treatments can be beneficial within each stage of the trimester.
In the first trimester, acupuncture can help to nourish the body and relieve symptoms relating to fatigue nausea, and heartburn. In later stages, acupuncture can assist with pain relief and reduce swelling that is associated with pregnancy. Finally, in the third trimester, Chinese medicine treatments can help prepare the body for labor and help position the baby for a smooth experience during childbirth.
5 Key Benefits of Acupuncture During Pregnancy
1) Alleviate Nausea & Vomiting
Nausea and vomiting are common experiences in pregnancy, affecting 70–80% of all pregnant women. Most women who experience nausea and vomiting during pregnancy have symptoms that are limited to the first trimester. However, a small percentage of women can experience a prolonged course of these symptoms that can extend until delivery. The overall quality of life and ability to work whilst experiencing these symptoms can be negatively impacted.
Acupuncture, and acupressure (stimulation of pressure points without the use of acupuncture needles), have been shown to reduce symptoms of nausea and vomiting. The National Library of Medicine has published research that shows acupuncture can help to reduce nausea and vomiting during early pregnancy. These treatments can be used to alleviate mild to moderate nausea and vomiting. The treatments can also help to promote a greater sense of general well being
2) Reduce Pain in Pregnancy-Induced Headaches
Women who have a history of experiencing Migraines often feel anxious. They may continually experience migraines throughout their pregnancy and postpartum. In some cases, women with no previous history may experience migraines and headaches for the first time during pregnancy or after birth.
Treating a migraine during pregnancy can pose a challenge to doctors. Due to the risk of fetal complications, standard migraine medications should be avoided. In such cases, acupuncture treatments can provide natural analgesic relief to patients who are suffering. Research has shown that acupuncture may reduce pregnancy-induced headaches and provide effective support for patients with minimal risk to the fetus.
3) Reduce Back Pain & Pelvic Pain
Studies have shown that more than two‐thirds of pregnant women experience lower back pain and almost one‐fifth experience pelvic pain. These two conditions may occur separately or together. The symptoms typically increase in magnitude as the pregnancy advances to the later stages.
Research shows that acupuncture is effective at relieving evening Lower Back and Pelvic Pain, and improves the pain condition. However, it does not improve women's ability to carry out daily activities, when started at 26‐ rather than 20‐weeks of gestation.
Therefore, getting into regular acupuncture sessions earlier in the pregnancy may help to deal with the pains that develop later in the pregnancy more effectively.
4) Positioning The Baby
During the third trimester, Chinese medicine treatments can be particularly effective to position the baby for smooth delivery. In addition to acupuncture, moxibustion treatments are utilized to achieve this result. Moxibustion uses long sticks of mugwort herb that are burned near acupuncture points along the body. The heat from the burning and the properties of the herbs themselves help to provide physical benefits.
Studies have shown that daily sessions of moxibustion (combined with acupuncture) can increase fetal activity and help turn the baby from a breech position to the optimal head-down position. As outlined in research published in the U.S. National Library of Medicine: "Acupuncture plus moxibustion is more effective than observation in revolving fetuses in breech presentation. Such a method appears to be a valid option for women willing to experience a natural birth".
Always work with a qualified practitioner that can guide you towards the right results for your unique pattern of symptoms. Contact us today for an appointment.
5) Labor Preparation
Pre-birth acupuncture starts during week 36 of the pregnancy. Towards the end of the third trimester, many pregnant women begin weekly acupuncture sessions to prepare their bodies for labor.
This series of treatments can help to prepare the cervix for delivery. In doing so, it can shorten labor time, reduce pain during delivery, and more. Next week, we will do an in-depth piece on this topic, be sure to stay tuned.
Studies have shown that using acupuncture may result in a shorter time to labor onset, and shorter labor duration. However, we shall cover this topic in more detail in our article as we have run out of time.
Pregnancy does not need to be difficult. We can be there to help you through this process. Contact us today for a booking an acupuncture appointment. In addition, we're offering a complimentary herbal consultation that will last until 30th June 2021. Read the details below.
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Complimentary Initial Herbal Therapy Consultation
For a limited time, you can redeem a complimentary initial herbal consultation with our Health Wise practitioner Dr. Fukuyanagi. This will be our first release and depending on the feedback from this release we may continue to release exciting benefits to our Health Wise community! Keep updated with our latest news by following our Instagram or Facebook page.
Complimentary Initial Herbal Consultation Details:
1x Complimentary Initial Herbal Therapy Consultation Per Person (otherwise valued at HKD 850)
Consultation completed by Dr. Fukuyanagi (or as required).
Limited time offer from 9th May 2021 to 30th June 2021.
Requirements to redeem: Follow our Instagram or Facebook page to stay updated on future announcements (Checked by staff on the consultation day).
Redeem this limited time offer by contacting us to book an appointment or call (+852 2526 7908) or by email (info@chinesemed.hk) or Whatsapp (852) 9855 2840
*The Daily Cost of Herbs is not included. Costs of herbs can vary from $80-$120 per day.
Health Wise has over thirty years of clinical experience. If you would like to make an appointment to redeem this limited-time offer for a complimentary initial herbal consultation contact us. Alternatively, you can call (852) 2526 7908 or Whatsapp (852) 9855 2840 or email info@chinesemed.hk for bookings.
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Learn More About Chinese Medicine
We hope you enjoyed this article. Here's another series of articles that we think that you may enjoy:
Chinese Herbs For Fertility: Your Guide To Pregnancy
How to prepare your body for pregnancy (Part 1)
How to prepare your body for pregnancy (Part 2)
We aim to continue to provide more useful Traditional Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture information at our Health Wise Chinese Medicine's Newsletter page.
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