Acupuncture and herbal medicine are highly effective and safe treatment options for many reproductive imbalances including pain, irregular bleeding, PMS, polycystic ovarian syndrome, fertility challenges and menopausal symptoms.
If you are trying to conceive…
Acupuncture helps balance hormone levels by promoting homeostasis, relaxing the nervous system, and reducing the stress response in the body, all of which restores normal menstrual cycles.
Patients also learn fertility-guided nutrition, self-guided relaxation techniques to improve reproductive function, and how to identify the body’s peak fertility days.
Male partners are highly encouraged to do baseline fertility testing and an initial Chinese medicine consultation.
Learn more here… Fertility and Acupuncture Fact Sheet
If you are planning a pregnancy…
Chinese medicine has helpful pre-conception advice for optimal diet and supplements while acupuncture keeps your body in top condition.
If you are pregnant…
Acupuncture is an extremely effective treatment choice for all stages of pregnancy. Because acupuncture encourages your body to re-balance without introducing chemicals, it is a very safe option. Many healthy women and physicians prefer not to use pharmaceuticals and other aggressive treatments for obvious reasons during pregnancy. However, pregnancy may present many discomforts from which women need relief. Acupuncture addresses many of these issues.
First Trimester: Second Trimester: Third Trimester:
-Morning Sickness -Hemorrhoids -Hypertension
-Miscarriage Prevention -Back Pain -Edema
-Acid Reflux -Hip Pain -Anemia
-Constipation -Rib Pain -Itching
-Fatigue -Sinusitis/ Congestion -Insomnia
-Headaches -Leg Cramps
Read about acupuncture’s effectiveness in nausea here.
Here’s a study on relieving back pain in pregnancy with acupuncture.
If your baby is breech…
Acupuncture and moxa have great evidence behind them as a combination treatment for encouraging your baby to present head down. In addition to treatment, I also teach you positions that are most conducive to creating the space in your abdominal cavity your baby needs to turn. This treatment can be used in combination with an external cephalic version.
Read a study on turning breech babies with acupuncture and moxa here.
If you are preparing for labor or are past-due…
In addition to helping women get through their pregnancy comfortably, acupuncture supports the body’s natural processes in preparation for and during labor. Treatments are recommended 4 to 5 weeks preceding the due date. Studies have shown that pre-birth acupuncture increases efficiency of contractions, reducing the overall labor time and discomfort when compared to non-acupuncture groups.
Partners can get involved too! Learn these effective acupressure points for pain reduction in labor.
Post-partum health
Mothers need lots of support continuing through the first year post-partum. Skilled acupuncture treatments can:
-Improve milk supply
-Help tissue healing
-Support mood and energy
-Offer complementary treatment for infections like mastitis
