Everyone knows about the ancient Chinese technique of acupuncture, which aids the circulation and balance of vital energy in the body, the yin and yang.
The basic idea
The acupuncturist detects imbalances in the body and inserts very fine needles into the major energy lines, or meridians, to stimulate the movement of energy in the body. The needles stay in for 15-20 minutes.
This gentle treatment is well adapted to the needs of expectant women because it can help relieve minor ailments and niggles which aren’t treated with prescription medication (and in any case are often not suitable for pregnant women). It also redresses the balance in your system, which is obviously disrupted by pregnancy.
The benefits
Acupuncture relieves nausea (anyone who experiences morning sickness will appreciate this!), migraines, backache, and also helps the circulation. It relaxes the perineum and reduces the pain. It’s possible to have acupuncture whilst giving birth: this is also a good alternative for women who don’t want an anaesthetic but would still like a bit of help with the pain.
Acupuncture for expectant mothers is always carried out with special care, and there are no health risks involved for either mother or baby.
For more information
www.acupuncture.org.uk
http://pregnancytoday.com/reference/articles/acupuncture.htm
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