Hormonal Health and Pregnancy Care
In today's fast-paced, high-pressure world, many people find themselves juggling the demands of careers, families, social lives, and personal well-being, often leading to chronic stress. Stress can manifest in a variety of physical and emotional health issues, such as anxiety, insomnia, headaches, digestive problems, and hormonal imbalances. Fortunately, acupuncture, a time-honored practice from traditional Chinese medicine, offers a natural and effective way to help people manage stress and restore balance to their lives.
Acupuncture works by inserting fine, sterile needles into specific points on the body, known as acupoints, which correspond to different organ systems and energy pathways, or "meridians." According to traditional Chinese medicine, stress can disrupt the smooth flow of energy, or "Qi," within these meridians, leading to a range of physical and emotional symptoms. By stimulating these acupoints, acupuncture helps unblock and regulate the flow of Qi, promoting relaxation, reducing stress, and restoring harmony to the body's systems.
One of the key benefits of acupuncture is its ability to calm the nervous system. In today's environment, many people experience chronic activation of the "fight or flight" response, leading to elevated levels of cortisol and other stress hormones. This can cause sleep disturbances, digestive problems, and a weakened immune system. Acupuncture helps to activate the body's parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for the "rest and digest" state. By encouraging the body to shift from a state of high alert to one of relaxation, acupuncture helps people feel more grounded and centered, improving their overall sense of well-being.
Additionally, acupuncture has been shown to stimulate the release of endorphins, the body's natural painkillers and mood enhancers. This can help alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression, which are common among people experiencing chronic stress. For people dealing with headaches, migraines, or tension-related muscle pain, acupuncture offers a drug-free solution that not only reduces pain but also addresses the root causes of stress that contribute to these conditions.
Hormonal balance is another area where acupuncture is particularly beneficial. Chronic stress can disrupt the delicate balance of hormones in the body, leading to issues such as irregular menstrual cycles, fertility challenges, and symptoms of menopause. Acupuncture can help regulate the endocrine system, promoting a healthy balance of hormones and improving reproductive health. People who struggle with premenstrual syndrome (PMS) or symptoms of perimenopause, such as hot flashes and mood swings, often find significant relief through regular acupuncture treatments.
In addition to its physical benefits, acupuncture offers a unique opportunity to slow down and reconnect with oneself. The process of receiving acupuncture involves lying still in a quiet, peaceful environment, which can be a powerful antidote to the constant demands of daily life. This meditative aspect of acupuncture allows people to take a break from their hectic schedules, fostering a sense of inner calm and mindfulness that extends beyond the treatment session.
Acupuncture for Pregnancy
and Postpartum Care
Acupuncture is a gentle, natural way to support your body throughout pregnancy. It helps ease some of the most common discomforts, like morning sickness, aches and pains, and even stress. Many parents and parents-to-be love acupuncture because it promotes relaxation and balances your body’s energy during this exciting time. Whether you're looking for a little extra help preparing for labor or just want to feel your best as you move through each trimester, acupuncture can be a great companion on your pregnancy journey!
A few common ways acupuncture
helps during pregnancy
Eases nausea and vomiting: Acupuncture can help lessen the intensity of morning sickness, a common discomfort during early pregnancy.
Relieves pregnancy-related pain: Many people experience pain during pregnancy, such as back, pelvic, or joint pain. Acupuncture has been shown to help manage these discomforts by triggering the release of endorphins, the body’s natural pain relievers.
Regulates hormones: Acupuncture aids in balancing hormone levels, which can be particularly helpful during pregnancy when hormonal fluctuations may cause discomfort or mood swings.
Managing pregnancy-related conditions: Acupuncture can help with conditions like gestational diabetes, pregnancy-induced hypertension (high blood pressure), and swelling (edema). Our acupuncturist is happy to connect with your pregnancy primary care provider to discuss any conditions or symptoms you may be experiencing.
Promotes relaxation and reduces stress: Pregnancy can be both physically and emotionally taxing, making stress management crucial. Acupuncture provides a calming and relaxing experience, helping to lower stress and improve overall well-being.
Lastly, it’s a fantastic opportunity to take an hour for yourself, just to rest and relax. Many of our expectant parents sleep peacefully during their acupuncture session and wake up feeling refreshed!
Acupuncture for natural labor
preparation and encouragement
In the third trimester, acupuncture can be especially beneficial as your body prepares for labor and delivery. It helps alleviate many common discomforts experienced during these final weeks, such as back pain, sciatica, and swelling in the legs and feet. Acupuncture can also assist with issues like heartburn, insomnia, and anxiety, promoting relaxation and better sleep.
One of the key benefits in the third trimester is to support labor preparation. Acupuncture can help soften the cervix, promote optimal baby positioning, and encourage the body’s natural readiness for labor. This can lead to a smoother labor process and can even reduce the need for medical interventions like inductions.
Additionally, for babies in the breech position, acupuncture combined with moxibustion (a warming technique) can help encourage the baby to turn into the optimal head-down position for delivery. Overall, acupuncture during the third trimester is a safe and calming way to support your body as you prepare for the final stage of pregnancy.
We recommend that you come in by 34 weeks if your baby is breech and by 35 weeks if you would like assistance with labor preparation. Once you have reached your due date acupuncture for natural labor encouragement can begin. This treatment is aimed at helping the body to be in the best possible place to naturally start the labor process. This treatment is gentle and safe, and, if induction is still needed, many people find that the process goes smoother with fewer complications.
Acupuncture as part of
your Postpartum Care
Acupuncture offers wonderful support for you and your newborn! Postpartum Acupuncture is a wonderful way to care for yourself in the crucial weeks after giving birth. In Chinese Medicine, how a person takes care of their body in the first 30 days after birth can have a lasting impact on their health. That's why we use Postpartum Acupuncture and Moxa to help strengthen and replenish a new parent’s qi, or life energy.
One of our special therapies uses acupuncture and moxibustion, an herb-based treatment, to gently warm and nourish the body. During pregnancy the body gives much of its resources to nourish the growing baby, and childbirth further depletes the reserves of qi and blood. From a Chinese medicine perspective, after birth, the body is more vulnerable to external factors like wind, cold, or dampness, but this time also presents a unique opportunity to rebuild strength and reset overall health if properly nurtured.
Postpartum treatments focus on warming and tonifying the new parent’s body—essentially reigniting their inner energy. The best time to start adding heat is five to seven days after birth, as long as there’s no infection. Many cultures practice warming techniques after childbirth, using hot stones, warm oils, or fires to restore the body’s warmth.
In Chinese Medicine, moxa (mugwort) is burned above the belly and lower back to reintroduce warmth and substance to the lower abdomen. Moxa is especially powerful for strengthening the body because it can reach into all the acupuncture channels, helping the parent regain their vitality.
Acupuncture to Support Lactation
Acupuncture is a valuable tool for supporting lactation by promoting the body’s natural ability to produce and regulate breast milk. In traditional Chinese medicine, insufficient milk supply is often attributed to an imbalance in the flow of energy, or "Qi," particularly in the Spleen and Stomach meridians, which are closely connected to nourishment and digestion. Acupuncture helps to restore this balance, improving blood flow and energy to the breasts, which can enhance milk production. It also relieves stress and anxiety, which are known to interfere with milk supply. In cases of blocked ducts or mastitis, acupuncture can help reduce inflammation and alleviate pain, supporting a smoother breastfeeding experience. By addressing both physical and emotional factors, acupuncture offers a holistic approach to improving lactation and ensuring breastfeeding success.