Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a branch of Chinese medicine based on the belief that a flow of energy or an essential life force called chi, runs through the body along 12 main channels (or meridians), which correspond to the body's main organs. Acupuncturists strive to encourage proper chi circulation by manipulating it at chi gateways just below the skin. The practitioner can feel your pulses to gauge your chi. Acupuncture aims to restore the balance of energy in the body (Yin and Yang) to stimulate the powers of healing and to allow your body to work efficiently.
Acupuncture manipulation is achieved by inserting hair-thin needles at the chi gateways called acupoints, along the meridians. The skin is gently pierced to reach them. Occasionally the needles are electrically charged to increase the stimulation.
Acupuncture has been used to treat many ailments as well as male and female fertility, fatigue and stress and as a tool to give up addictions such as smoking. In pregnancy, acupuncture may be used for
back pain,
high blood pressure,
fluid retention, inducing and stimulating labour contractions, turning the position of the baby (from
breech or
posterior),
back paininsomnia,
morning sickness,
headaches and other conditions. After the birth treatments may be for
mastitis or as a tool to balance the general well-being of the mother.
Your acupuncturist should have extensive training in Chinese medicine and be a member of a recognised professional association. They should ideally be experienced in treating pregnant women. Some local doctors are qualified to administer acupuncture, enabling them to combine medical with acupuncture treatments. For some people, the combination of acupuncture with other therapies such as herbs or homeopathy is effective. Your acupuncturist may require you to re-evaluate your lifestyle including your diet, stress and use of addictive substances (if applicable).