Acupuncture
‘With Woman’ are pleased to offer the complementary therapy of Acupuncture
What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture has been used in China and other eastern cultures to restore promote and maintain good health and energy levels for about 2,500 years.
Traditional Chinese philosophy states that our health is dependent on the body’s motivating energy – known as Qi – moving in a smooth and balanced way through a series of channels within the body.
Is Acupuncture safe?
Many acupuncture points can be used safely during pregnancy, and can be an effective option at a time when many women choose to avoid taking medicine for minor ailments. It is essential that you choose an acupuncturist who is trained, and a member of a professional body such as the British Acupuncture Council.
How can acupuncture help during pregnancy?
Many conditions which routinely crop up during pregnancy may benefit from this natural solution. Acupuncture, when provided by a trained practitioner, may give relief for a range of pregnancy related conditions, below is a list of research that has been done using acupuncture therapy, indicating the effectiveness of this natural therapy:
- Morning sickness-
JW Dundee et al (1988) research demonstrated 96 out of 119 pregnant women felt reduced levels of Nausea and Vomiting following acupuncture treatment to P6. (Journal of the Royal Society of medicine 1988 August; 81(8):456-4570.
A more resent Meta analysis carried out by R J Helmreich (2011) demonstrated similar findings with the addition of Vitamin B6 and Ginger root to the acupuncture treatment.
Other studies show reduction in Nausea and vomiting that is comparable to antiemetic medication.
It should be considered that acupuncture has very few side effects compared to antiemetic medication.
- Pelvic pain (Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction)-
R Keriakos et al (2011) suggested acupuncture is beneficial to pregnant women with Symphysis pubis pain, but full investigations into the problem should be sought by their GP/ obstetrician. (Journal of Obstetrics and gynaecology 2011 October, vol31, 572-580).
- Turning a breech babies
An adjunct technique to acupuncture called moxibustion has been used for many centuries to turn breech babies. An herb called moxa is ‘compacted’ into a cigar shaped stick, one end of which is lit and it’s slowly smouldered directly above an acupuncture point on the little toe, giving a feeling of warmth. Research by J Vas et al (2009) documented a success rate of 72.5% turning of breech babies using moxibustion compared to 53.2 by other methods.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) list research that has been shown to demonstrate the effectiveness of acupuncture in many different conditions please click on this link or ask for advice.
http://apps.who.int/medicinedocs/en/d/Js4926e/
The conditions listed bellow can be found on the Who web site:-
- Induction of labor
- Female infertility
- Labour pain
- Male sexual dysfunction, non-organic
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (Stein-Leventhal syndrome)
Premenstrual syndrome
