Acupuncture is a form of Chinese medicine that has been used for well over 2,000 years. It is founded in the belief that energy called qi (pronounced chee) flows along meridians within the body. This form of Eastern medicine teaches that a
health malady can occur when there is a blockage of energy. Acupuncture has quickly become an accepted form of
treatment in the United States. It can be used to treat a variety of ailments such as headaches, allergies, arthritis, digestive disorders and can also aid in Western medicine to ease the
pain of chronic conditions. Scientific evidence proving the positive results of acupuncture continues to grow. In recent years, there has been awareness brought to the benefits acupuncture can have on pregnancy, but some caution should be considered. Acupuncture can be useful in the first trimester of
pregnancy to help alleviate the pressure of fatigue, nausea, migraines and bloating. However, there is some controversy over whether or not acupuncture should be used during this critical stage. Some doctors caution that acupuncture should be avoided during this time because the fetus is at a delicate stage of development. It has the potential to cause premature movement and could cause early contractions of the uterus. Lixing Lao, a physiologist, licensed acupuncturist and professor at the University of Maryland-Baltimore Center For Integrative Medicine explains that “usually, we do not suggest needle
treatment during the first trimester, which is twelve weeks in length. . .there is more chance for spontaneous
abortion because the [fetus] has not stabilized yet.” It is a complex issue because there are studies that suggest acupuncture is safe during the first trimester. An Australian
study published in the journal, British, studied 593
women who were less than 14 weeks pregnant. The
study found that “those who received traditional acupuncture reported having less frequent and shorter periods of nausea.” There were no adverse reactions reported in the four-week duration of the study. Because there is conflicting reports, it is imperative to find a nationally certified, experienced Acupuncturist when receiving
treatment during the first trimester. Each
woman should consult with her Obstetrician to discuss any risks her
pregnancy may or may not propose. Acupuncture is considered much safer in late term
pregnancy and that is when it may be most beneficial. It can alleviate
pain associated with low back and pelvic pain, which can be debilitating for some women. Many
women continue to
work until late in their pregnancies and conventional Western medicine does not provide many
treatment options for severe back pain;
women cannot take
pain relievers or asprin while pregnant. This is when acupuncture can become a lifesaver. An interesting Swedish
study was conducted on late term
pregnancy and acupuncture and found that it “offers clear clinical advantages over standard
treatment alone for the reduction of pain.” The
study details can be found on the
online British Medical journal. Four hundred
women were studied over a six-week period. The
women were placed into three groups. One third of participants received a pelvic belt and at
home exercises for treatment. Another third received this standard
treatment along with acupuncture. And the final third learned stabilizing exercises to increase mobility. The
study concluded that the
women who received acupuncture reported less
pain in the morning and evening compared to those expectant mothers who received only standard treatment. The article that discussed this
study included a comment by Dr. Kenneth A. Levey who is the director of the Center For Pelvic Pain and
Gynecology at
New York University School of Medicine. It is important to hear a medical professional’s remarks on this topic because
pregnancy is a complex process and proper caution should always be heeded. Levey states, “This is a well-written, well-designed
study that meets all the requirements of medical practice.” In considering any
treatment plan during pregnancy, it is best to consult a doctor.
Acupuncture can have great benefits for some women; they can find relief from pregnancy-related heartburn, hemorrhoids, edema and fatigue. It is important to note that there is some controversy about using acupuncture during the first trimester, but all agree, it is safe in late term. As with any treatment, it is vital to find a nationally licensed acupuncturist to
work with. There are separate certifications for Chinese herbology; finding an Acupuncturist who is knowledgeable in both areas will ensure you are working with someone who is well trained in all aspects of Chinese medicine. You can find a licensed Acupuncturist by logging on to http://www.acupuncture.com. The
cost of each
treatment should be between $ 40.00-60.00. Each session should run between 45 minutes to an hour and should be held once or twice each week. The needles that are used are hair-thin and usually painless. The Acupuncturist will take a complete history of symptoms; some patients report immediate responses, while others require a few treatments before seeing results.
Notes: “Acupuncture Relieves Pregnancy-Related Pain” Health Day News www. abcnews.com Acupuncture Relief Right to The Point Phyllis Ring Pregnancy today
online Acupuncture Many Cut Pregnancy Pelvic Pain Miranda Hitti webmd.com General understanding of acupuncture http://www.acupuncture.com
