Acupuncture and Chinese herbs enhance women’s wellness from the first menses to the last. These ancient techniques are like spark plugs, waking up the reproductive glands’ inherent vitality throughout the different phases of life. The glands are the “Guardians of Health” and when they are functioning optimally, the hormones balance, the nervous system unwinds, the emotions neutralize, and the mind gains clarity.
When hormones are out of balance we feel like we are on a roller coaster ride: health gets compromised, thinking gets clouded, energy gets depleted. By bringing hormones into balance, we feel grounded, whole, radiant.
Fertility & Menstrual Support
Chinese medicine is readily sought out to enhance fertility and correct imbalances in the hormonal system. It helps to build progesterone, support the thyroid and regulates the menstrual cycle which is cornerstone for laying the groundwork for fertility. A regular menstrual cycle with good quality and quantity blood, minimal pain and premenstrual symptoms and balanced emotions point to/indicate a healthy reproductive system with balanced hormones.
Acupuncture fertility treatments not only prepare a woman’s body for conception, but it builds her vitality and inner reserves. These reserves are like a deep well of water, which a woman draws from throughout her pregnancy to grow and nourish her baby.
For women undergoing assisted reproduction technologies like IUI and IVF, Chinese Medicine greatly enhances the outcome and assists with the side effects of the hormones and drugs. Standardized protocals can be used to increase blood flow to the uterus and assist with egg retrievals and transfers.
Pregnancy & Birth
Women experience many hormonal and structural changes during pregnancy, and benefit greatly from a healing modality that supports both physical and emotional health. Chinese medicine strengthens inherent constitutional energy as well as enhances the growth and development of the fetus. It can be used in every trimester and alleviates the symptoms of morning sickness, heartburn, hemorrhoids, anxiety, back, hip and pubic symphysis pain, gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia, and high blood pressure.
Acupuncture is also very popular and commonly referred to by obstetricians and midwives for turning breech presentations and inducing labor. According to the World Health Organization, acupuncture is effective in relieving labor pain as well as significantly reducing the duration of labor.
Postpartum
The postpartum period is an opportunistic time for a woman to rebuild and regain essence, blood and qi which for 9+ months was directed to growing a baby. Chinese medicine strongly adheres to the belief that the first month be devoted to resting, healing and bonding with baby. In alignment with this idea, I offer postpartum house calls to give moms nurturing care without leaving their home.
Moxibustion (warming therapy) is the traditional Chinese method to supplement core energy and revitalize the mother’s system after giving birth. Chinese medicine also treats other postpartum complaints like low milk supply, mastitis, fatigue, depression, constipation, indigestion, dizziness, hair loss, night sweats, incontinence, retained placenta, after-birth cramps and pain.
Menopause
The period when the menstrual cycle ceases brings about great change for a woman. Her hormones fluctuate as does her temperature, emotions and overall health. Chinese medicine is used to help restore balance in the changing terrain and help the body rediscover its center point. In the meantime, Chinese medicine can address perimenopausal symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, vaginal dryness, insomnia, anxiety, memory loss and osteopenia or osteoporosis. The shift into no longer losing blood, potentizes the energy for a woman to step forward with increased wisdom and intuition. Chinese medicine is a valuable tool for promoting longevity.