While pregnancy is a wonderful, life-changing event in a woman’s life, it can also result in the development of many physical and mental health conditions as the body adapts to carrying a child. These conditions range from nutrient deficiencies, morning sickness and back pain to stress and depression. Acupuncture has been found to be a great way to alleviate many of the common conditions caused by pregnancy.</>
What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture and herbs are both an integral part of Chinese medicine practice, which may help patients to manage a range of symptoms including pain, stress and fatigue. Chinese medicine is generally considered to be safe but occasionally (as with all health treatments) may be associated with possible adverse reactions in individual cases.
Before performing acupuncture, a qualified practitioner will assess a patient to find out their health concerns, both physical and mental. After isolating these concerns or conditions, the practitioner then inserts fine, sterilised needles into specific points of the body. Each of these points is related to an ailment or specific issue. By stimulating these points with acupuncture, the practitioner’s aim is to correct imbalances in the body, thereby restoring it to better health.
Pregnancy conditions treated with acupuncture.
There are numerous different physical and mental conditions which can affect women during pregnancy that can be treated with acupuncture. It’s common for women to experience depression and stress during pregnancy, as they deal with the hormonal, physical and lifestyle changes resulting from bringing a new life into the world. A study from the Journal of Clinical Medicine Research on the “Effect of Acupressure, Acupuncture and Moxibustion in Women with Pregnancy-Related Anxiety and Previous Depression”, conducted between 2014 and 2016, uncovered acupuncture as a beneficial treatment for pregnant women needing perinatal mental health care.
General, pelvic and lower back pain are other conditions which commonly arise during pregnancy, due to the back strain caused by the additional weight of carrying a child. Another study on “Treating Pain in Pregnancy with Acupuncture,” undertaken in 2017 and published in the Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies, highlighted 89% of the pregnant test subjects reported a reduction in pain and symptoms after treatment
Some of the other conditions which can benefit from acupuncture treatment for pregnancy care include:
• sleeping concerns
• reduced energy levels
• cramps & muscular aches
• lack of concentration
• morning sickness
Acupuncture in preparation for labour
As well as offering many benefits in treating the mental and physical conditions which often develop during pregnancy, acupuncture can also assist with preparing the body for labour in the third trimester.
If you’re experiencing depression during pregnancy, morning sickness, back pain, stress, nutrient deficiencies or any other pregnancy-related conditions discussed in this article, contact us to arrange a consultation for acupuncture treatment as part of your pre-natal care.
Yours in Health and Happiness
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References: (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5412528/ – https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2005290117301085)
