How Acupuncture Helps Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a time of extraordinary physical and emotional change. It’s also a time when it’s more important than ever to support and care for your well-being. Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) can help you meet the unique challenges of pregnancy, ensuring optimal health for you and your baby in a safe and natural way, without the use of harmful medications.

What to expect: Acupuncture has been used in China for thousands of years to regulate the female reproductive system. Acupuncture and TCM are based on the concept that Qi (pronounced “chee”), or vital energy, flows through the body in channels called meridians. Practitioners of acupuncture and TCM to work to balance the Qi in the body’s meridian and organ systems by manipulating corresponding points on the body.

For a healthy pregnancy, regular weekly and/or monthly treatments are recommended. However, your practitioner will tailor treatment entirely to your needs and suggest treatment based on your unique symptoms and concerns. It’s also important to discuss any treatments or herbal supplements with all of your prenatal health care providers.

Relief for common concerns: Regular balancing treatments throughout your pregnancy can enhance your health as well as your baby’s health, potentially preventing complications and positively influencing the development of your baby. Many mothers-to-be find themselves facing anxiety, fatigue, back pain, heartburn, nausea and other symptoms as a result of the many new demands being placed on their bodies. Acupuncture has been found to effectively relieve many of these symptoms.

When you are suffering from morning sickness, you will respond particularly well to acupuncture, and your practitioner can even show you specific points that you can massage at home to help with nausea and restore your appetite. Recent studies have also shown promising results in using acupuncture for depression during and after pregnancy.

CONDITIONS TREATED