Be Your own Boss... Acupuncture for

Pregnancy and Birth
M
ost of us have already become accustomed to
acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicines’ abili-
ties to help with pain and addictions, but one of largest
and most important specialties in Chinese medicine is
Obstetrics. Pregnancy and birth have been priority in the
Chinese medical world for over 5,000 years. Physicians of
acupuncture and herbal medicine studied women’s health
intensely to find remedies for every type of concern dur-
friendship
ing pregnancy and even modalities to secure the unborn
babies’ happiness and the mother’s quick recovery after childbirth.
Among women
Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can treat pregnancy concerns
such as morning sickness, insomnia and early contractions, but can also be an
Benefits Health
alternative to medications for colds, emotional concerns and pain. There are
acupuncture techniques to turn a baby out of breech position and even to induce
A
landmark University of California, or augment labor that seems to rest or slow. Because of the safe, gentle nature of
Los Angeles study now suggests
Chinese medicine it is safe while breastfeeding and can help many postpartum
that women have a larger behavioral
challenges including “baby blues” and fatigue. It is also widely used for lactation
concerns like mastitis.
repertoire than men in the face of stress.
Acupuncture has been used for centuries to assist in wellbeing during preg-
“It seems that the hormone oxytocin is nancy and to promote easy labor and birth. Weekly or monthly acupuncture
released as part of the stress responses
sessions are used to promote general wellness or to reduce stress and promote
in a woman; it buffers the “fight or
relaxation, improve digestion and sleep, and maintain energy.
Healthy, empowered mothers are the key to creating healthy, balanced
flight” response and encourages her
children and this can be achieved by implementing medicine that maintains this
to tend children and gather with natural, universal balance.
other women, instead,” reports Laurel
Cousino Klein, Ph.D., who co-authored
For more information about Acupuncture and Chinese medicine during pregnancy
and birth, contact Crystal Maples AP, DOM at Four Winds Acupuncture 386-677-
the study. “When she actually engages
5400 or visit FourWindsAcu.com. See ad page 22.
in this tending or befriending, [such]
studies suggest that more oxytocin is
released, which further counters stress
Plants Help Heal
and produces a calming effect.”
A
recent study published in HortTechnology shows that
flowers, especially potted plants, in hospital rooms, can
Klein explains that this calming
speed the recovery of patients who have undergone surgery.
effect does not occur in men because Data took into account the length of hospitalization, use of
testosterone, which men produce in
drugs for pain control and the patient’s ratings of pain, fatigue
high levels when they’re under stress,
and anxiety—all of which were reduced when the patient’s
room was accented with natural greenery.
seems to reduce the effects of oxytocin.
~ American Society for Horticultural Science, 2008
“Estrogen,” she says, “seems to enhance
it.” The phenomenon has been missed
in the past because 90 percent of stress
research has been done with men.
Ruthellen Josselson, Ph.D., who
has authored a book on female friend-
ships, comments: “Every time we get
overly busy with work and family, the
first thing we do is let go of friendships
with other women. That’s really a mis-
take, because women are such a source
of strength to each other.”
May 2009 15
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