Acupuncture in Pregnancy and Childbirth

Pregnancy is an amazing time in a woman's life. Many women report feeling healthier than they have ever felt before; however, the physical growth of the baby and changes in hormone levels can bring about pain, discomfort and a variety of health problems.

Acupuncture and Oriental medicine can provide a safe, effective alternative for many of the health complications that may arise before, during and after pregnancy. A growing number of women are choosing acupuncture to use throughout their pregnancy and as an optional treatment for an overdue or difficult labor.

Planning for a Healthy Baby

Healthy parents produce healthy babies. With acupuncture and Oriental medicine, parents can improve their health to create the most optimal environment for their unborn child. In addition to their ability to strengthen, support, and balance overall health and well-being, acupuncture and Oriental medicine are an effective treatment for regulating menstruation and hormone levels, reducing stress and addressing any pre-existing medical conditions or concerns that a woman may have.

Acupuncture during Pregnancy

Acupuncture and Oriental medicine can play a vital role in the comfort of a pregnant woman. There is strong evidence to support that acupuncture is highly effective at treating some of the most common problems experienced during pregnancy including morning sickness, heartburn, insomnia, water retention and sciatica.

Here is a list of some of the problems that an acupuncturist often treats during pregnancy:

* Nausea and Vomiting
* Heartburn
* Constipation
* Hemorrhoids
* Edema and Swelling
* Urinary Tract Infection
* Pelvic Pain
* Neck and Back Pain
* Sciatica
* Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
* Leg Cramps
* Fatigue and Exhaustion
* Insomnia
* Anxiety and Depression

Acupuncture for Childbirth

While there are acupuncture points that can provide natural pain relief during labor, acupuncture is more commonly used to induce labor. There are several points that stimulate contractions and influence cervical ripening. There is also an acupuncture point that has been found to turn a breech baby.

Acupuncture Postpartum

Many women feel depleted after the birth experience. Acupuncture and Oriental medicine can help the transition of those first few months after birth to ensure a quick recovery. Postpartum care focuses on the physical, emotional and psychological recovery of the mother from the effects of pregnancy and labor, as well as encouraging breast feeding.

Here are some of the postpartum disorders that can be treated with acupuncture:
* Fatigue
* Postpartum Depression
* Mastitis
* Insufficient or Excessive Lactation
* Post Operative Healing
* Night Sweats

If you would like to know more how acupuncture and Oriental medicine ease discomfort and facilitate pregnancy, please call for more information.

UB 67 for Turning Breech Babies

An acupuncture point on the small toe of the foot (Urinary Bladder 67) has been found to effectively revolve fetuses in breech presentation.

In an Italian study, 240 women at 33-35 weeks of gestation carrying a fetus in breech presentation were randomized to receive acupuncture plus moxibustion (an herb used to apply heat to an acupuncture point) or to be assigned to the observation group. At delivery, the proportion of babies that had turned from breech position to vertex (head-down) position was 53.6 % in the group treated with acupuncture while the proportion of babies that had turned from breech position to vertex position in the observation group was 36.7%.

Source: J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. 2004 Apr;15(4):247-52

Safety of Acupuncture While Pregnant

Acupuncture is safe to use while you are pregnant; however, there are some points that can cause contractions and should NOT be needled during pregnancy or should be used with extreme caution.

Acupuncture Points to Avoid During Pregnancy:

* Large Intestine 4
* Spleen 6
* Gallbladder 21
* Points on the sacrum
* Point on the lower abdomen
* Point on the low back

There are also many herbal remedies that are contraindicated during pregnancy. Always err on the side of caution with all herbs and medications while you are expecting.

Common Acupuncture Points used During Pregnancy

Zhubin (K 9) – 'beautiful baby point'
Location: Above the medial malleolus (inner ankle bone), right below the calf muscle.
Function: Calms the mind, builds or tonifies blood.
Indication: Good for hypertension, fear, anxiety, nightmares, and mental disorders.

Zusanli (St 36)
Location: Four fingers below the knee cap, on the outer edge of the tibia.
Function: Strengthens overall constitution, builds blood and Qi, resolves edema, and harmonizes meridians that control digestive functions.
Indication: Great point for diarrhea, constipation, gastric pain and indigestion. Also helps with insomnia, edema (water retention), and increases energy level.

Neiguan (P6) – 'morning sickness and motion sickness point'
Location: Two fingers above the inner wrist.
Function: Calms the mind, harmonizes the stomach.
Indication: This is THE point for nausea and vomiting. It is also one of the most relaxing acupuncture points and is used for both insomnia and anxiety.



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Swine Flu? We'll be Well!

Ways to Stay Well and Beat the Flu
There's been a lot in the news lately about the Swine Flu and yes - the Swine Flu may be coming to our area but thanks to Chinese Medicine and some common sense, we have every reason to believe that we will be perfectly fine. The presentation of the Swine Flu looks much like any other flu - sore throat, fever, body aches - and despite all the attention this is getting in the news, there have actually been relatively few cases reported for a "pandemic" and only one death. In the great flu pandemic of 1918 over 500,000 Americans died, just to give you some perspective, and it looks like the Swine Flu is mostly under control in the US at this point. However, most susceptible are the very old and very young and those people that work with these populations and if that defines you, or you just want to take extra precautions to be safe here are some great tips and Chinese Medicine tools to help you stay well:

• Wash your hands before eating or touching your face - and ideally you want to wash your hands under the faucet for 20 seconds. How do you know when you've been under the water long enough? Going through the ABC's is the child standard, but the bridge (funny voice part) from Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen is also approximately the right length. Sing away (preferably in your mind) while washing!

• Take Jade Windscreen - this classic herbal formula is a Chinese immune tonic to bolster your defenses against colds, flus and allergies. Its a great addition to any preventative regime.
  

• Try Isatis Root aka Ban Lan Gen - Isatis root is a Chinese herb known for its strong antiviral properties. It can be used preventatively if you are in a high risk environment (nurse, teacher, etc.) or can be taken at the onset of cold or flu to address the viral component of the pathogen. In China it is also used in anti cancer formulations.
  

• Stock up on Yin Qiao San - Yin Qiao is one of my favorite herbal formulas which is specifically for sore-throat type colds at the initial onset of illness. A strong dose at the very beginning of a tickle in your throat is often enough to stave off whatever is going around the office.
  

• Get plenty of rest and decrease stress! - Sleeplessness and high stress both decrease the bodies natural defenses. Try to be kind to yourself and get a good night's sleep and that too will go a long way to keeping you well.
  

So there are some tips to help you stay well and avoid the Swine Flu as well as whatever else might be lurking around your workplace. Simple tips, but they can go a long way to help. The herbal formulas mentioned are available in my office and now online in my new Virtual Dispensary as both capsules and as tinctures (an alcohol extract). Both are very effective though tinctures are often easier to carry around in your purse or coat pocket. If you have questions about anything mentioned, please don't hesitate to call or email me and I'll be happy to answer.

So rest up, be well and if you haven't been in for a while now is a great time for a tune up. My schedule has been getting pretty busy of late, so if you're thinking about coming in be sure to book sooner rather than later!