Acupuncture and Pregnancy: Is it Safe?
Over the past few years, acupuncture during pregnancy has become increasingly popular. Despite not having an outrageous amount of studies like modern medicine techniques, this western style of health improvement has proven to be a great alternative therapy for pregnant women. At Somerset Family Chiropractic, we know how difficult it is to try new things, especially when we're wary about any forms of therapy when pregnant, but as new techniques develop and more researchers, doctors, and technicians are riding the alternative medicine bandwagon, the more confident we are about acupuncture, and it's side effects.
Some styles of natural medicine have proven to be of great relief for people who haven't had any luck with modern medicine techniques. Acupuncture is no exception to these practices. In this review, Somerset Family Chiropractic will talk about acupuncture as a natural science, how it benefits pregnant women, its possible side effects, how it can relieve common discomforts during pregnancy, and its safety rate.
Your physical therapist will sit down and discuss your problems which may include: mobility issues, getting off your chair, bed, or toilet, taking the stairs, breathlessness, coughing, balance, joint stiffness, and muscle weakness. They will also evaluate sensitivity issues related to touch and temperature. They will create a personalized treatment plan based on their assessment.
What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a form of traditional medicine that originated in China and is performed by professionals called Acupuncturists. This natural therapy consists of inserting very thin needles into someone's skin in specific places called "acupoints." The technique is based on the belief that those needles mimic the body's energy or "qi" that encourages the body to release chemicals to fight a symptom or an illness.
Techniques can vary depending on the country it is performed in, but are all based on the same eight principles of traditional Chinese medicine. Very often, acupuncture is used for pain relief. However, it has proven to be useful for other symptoms and diseases and is used in combination with different types of treatments.
How did it Originate?
Though the time frame is not 100% clear, it is believed that acupuncture originated in China around 3,000 years ago. The first written evidence of practiced acupuncture was found in an exposition titled The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine, dated back to 100 B.C. Despite the concrete evidence, historians believe this manuscript is only a handwritten manifesto of a tradition that might've been passed down for centuries before its occurrence.
How Does Acupuncture Work?
Acupuncture is derived from ancient Chinese philosophy, which believes in the yin and yang theory. Chinese medicine seeks to restore balance in the body by manipulating positive and negative forces. Disease results from an imbalance of these elements, and Chinese medicine aims to restore a person to health by correcting them.
Qi, our body's energy, flows through twelve pathways, each associated with a significant visceral organ like the liver, kidneys, heart, etc. Acupuncture is designed to affect the distribution of qi in these pathways so that the qi can flow freely and harmoniously. Inserting needles in these different points stimulates qi, producing known effects like pain relief.
Is Acupuncture During Pregnancy Safe?
Acupuncture has proven to be safe during all stages of pregnancy. This traditional practice doesn't use harmful chemicals or other products that might affect your baby's development or overall health. Some specific acupuncture points should be avoided during different stages of pregnancy and points that should be avoided altogether (called the Forbidden Points in Chinese acupuncture), but it's an otherwise safe and beneficial practice to perform. Acupuncture and pregnancy can exist symbiotically without worrying about detrimental effects on you and your baby's condition.
How Does Acupuncture Help During Pregnancy?
Many women seek out acupuncture during pregnancy to help relieve uncomfortable symptoms. The benefits of acupuncture during pregnancy have helped women all over the world to deal with pregnancy symptoms like:
Nausea and vomiting
Depression
Back pain
Pelvic pain
Headaches
Constipation
Insomnia
Swelling
Preeclampsia
Indigestion
Acupuncture is an excellent form of complementary medicine during pregnancy. Acupuncture techniques can help pregnant women that can't take a long list of modern medications.
Possible Side Effects
The possible side effects of acupuncture and pregnancy include mild complications like pain or swelling at the needle insertion point, which aren't typically long-lasting. There have not been any recorded extreme adverse effects that interfere with the effectiveness of acupuncture, and it is considered a safe practice to engage in during pregnancy.
Contact Your Local Acupuncture Clinic
If you want to learn more about the potential benefits of acupuncture and pregnancy, it is best advised to contact your local acupuncture or alternative medicine clinic and book an appointment. Professionals like Somerset Family Chiropractic in Ajax, Ontario, will provide safe acupuncture services that can benefit your health.
Call Us at (289) 216-5827 if You're in the Ajax Area.
We look forward to hearing from you. Our phone line is open for questions, comments, concerns, and appointment booking.