Pregnancy & beyond
Pregnancy & Pre-birth Preparation
Acupuncture is an ideal form of treatment for pregnant women as it offers a safe, drug free alternative for a number of problems that can arise during pregnancy.
Pregnancy
- Anxiety
- Back pain
- Bleeding
- Breech and posterior positions
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Constipation
- Cystitis
- Depression
- Fatigue/tiredness
- Fear/stress of impending birth
- Headaches
- Haemorrhoids/piles
- Heartburn
- Insomnia
- Itching
- Labour induction 40 weeks plus
- Miscarriage threatened/history
- Morning sickness
- Pelvic girdle pain
- Rib pain
- Thrush
Pre-birth Acupuncture
I recommend pre-birth acupuncture from 36 weeks onwards up until 40 weeks of pregnancy. This is an excellent time to have weekly acupuncture treatments to boost energy.
Acupressure for Labour
I offer preparation for couples demonstrating acupressure techniques to aid the women in labour. Specific acupressure points can help to reduce the pain of contractions, stimulate/speed up contractions as necessary, dilate the cervix, help the baby descend down the birth channel and overall as a calming effect to help focus the mother on the birthing process.
Postnatal Care
- After pains
- Bleeding
- Excess sweating
- Fatigue/tiredness
- Insomnia
- Haemorrhoids/piles
- Lactation - insufficient
- Mastitis
- ‘Mother warming’ a treatment which involves the warming of acupuncture points with moxa this can performed from 5 days after birth and is a great way to gently aid recovery from childbirth and restore energy.
- Post natal depression
- Stress
Other techniques that maybe used to complement acupuncture:
Moxibustion
- a dried herb called mugwort (Artemisia Vulgaris) is burnt to heat needles or directly used on acupuncture points on the skin. Moxibustion has an influence on qi (energy) in the body and the ability to circulate qi and blood and warm any cold conditions. Research has shown that it can stimulate blood flow in the uterus and pelvic area; this is perhaps why it is effective in relieving menstrual cramps and turn breech babies.
Cupping
- a vacuum is created in glass cups which are then placed onto the skin, usually the back, this therapy is designed to increase circulation, relieve muscle tightness and tension.
Electro-acupuncture
- clips are attached to needles and then connected to a machine that produces small electrical currents. This therapy may have a long lasting effect on pain and inflammation.
