Acupuncture in Pregnancy and Childbirth
Owing to the flexibility of acupuncture it can be used for conditions arising early in pregnancy such as morning sickness, constipation and fatigue to assisting in the final weeks of a pregnancy to promote or induce labour.
For example, a treatment for gently promoting a natural birth involves very fine needles being placed in the hands, lower legs and the lower back to promote labour. This treatment is suitable for women who have been advised to have a medical induction for various health reasons and prefer to seek the less invasive treatment that acupuncture can offer.
Traditional acupuncture is also used to treat breach pregnancies by using a warming technique with a moxa stick* on the outer edges of the feet. This gently encourages the baby into the correct birthing position in a very natural and calm manner.
Acupuncture is also especially effective for postnatal conditions on both the mental and physical levels.
Alex is very happy to receive questions on any aspect of acupuncture treatment.
*Moxa Sticks are used to introduce therapeutic heat into the body. The herb Japanese Mugwort is rolled into a cigar shaped stick which is lit to enable the warming embers to be used for a multitude of conditions. Mugwort smoulders very slowly and at a constant temperature making it an effective therapeutic heat source.