February 15th, 2010
Study on Acupuncture & Depression in Pregnancy
A recent study of the effectiveness of acupuncture for treating depression during pregnancy published reassuring findings.
“The results of our study show that the acupuncture protocol we tested could be a viable treatment option for depression during pregnancy,” Rosa Schnyer of the College of Pharmacy at the University of Texas at Austin said in a statement.
Schnyer and colleagues conducted an evaluator-blinded randomized trial in which 150 pregnant women who met the criteria of major depressive disorder received either eight weeks of acupuncture specific for depression or one of two active controls — control acupuncture or massage. Women receiving acupuncture specific for depression experienced a significantly greater decrease in depression severity compared to the controls.”
UPI.com United Press International (Feb 8, 2010)
In my acupuncture practice in Toronto I have worked successfully with pregnant women suffering from depression.
Acupuncture in pregnancy does not pose risks to the fetus. As well as improving mood, acupuncture can simultaneously be used to relieve aches and pains associated with pregnancy as well as discomforts such as nausea, heartburn and swelling.
As a modality of Chinese Medicine, acupuncture balances the woman’s whole body and mind; relieving symptoms, energizing and inviting a general sense of well being.
Click here for a detailed report on this study from the The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
January 7th, 2010
People often are surprised that I use acupuncture to assist pregnant women. They ask me, “What can acupuncture do?”
Acupuncture gives information to the body that helps the body to balance itself. In Chinese Medicine theory, symptoms are a sign of imbalance. When the imbalance is addressed, the symptoms disappear.
The childbearing year is an exciting time full of changes. “Balance” during pregnancy and post-partum is always relative, adaptive and constantly shifting. Acupuncture successfully relieves discomforts and stress.
In pregnancy, the most common reasons that women come for a treatment include nausea and vomiting (NVP) commonly referred to as morning sickness, aches and pains – especially repetitive strain disorders such as carpel tunnel and tennis elbow, and pains related to weight bearing adjustments, such as back, hip and pelvic pains. Sciatica is a common concern. Women also come with digestive concerns, heartburn and constipation. Often women feel exhausted and are looking for energy and a place to discuss their fears, anxieties and insecurities. Many women find that they sleep better after acupuncture. In some cases, women are referred for acupuncture to lower high blood pressure and avoid pre-eclampsia. I have also successfully treated women with pregnancy related skin conditions. In late pregnancy, acupuncture and moxibustion can help encourage the fetus turn from a breech position, and is also used to encourage labour to start post dates.
Research supports the use of acupuncture for labour preparation (also called “cervical ripening”). This is usually performed as a series of 4 weekly treatments beginning at 37 weeks gestation.
Most women find acupuncture in pregnancy to be a very positive experience. Once the needles are in place, many women experience a deep sense of relaxation and often nap.
The uses of acupuncture in pregnancy are varied, just as women’s experience of pregnancy often is.
