Pregnancy And Massage: Acupuncture Safe?

Acupuncture and massage are generally considered safe during pregnancy, and can even help relieve some of the most common ailments of pregnancy, such as back pain and swelling. However, there are some pressure points that should be avoided for pregnant women, so it is important to ensure that your therapist is trained in pregnancy or prenatal massage.

Acupuncture is a traditional therapy that has been used in Asian cultures and medicine systems for thousands of years. It involves inserting tiny needles into specific points on the body to balance the yin (cold, slow) and yang (hot, excited) forces in the body and allow a flow of qi (life force).

During pregnancy, acupuncture can be used to ease nausea and other pregnancy symptoms. It may also help with conditions such as hyperemesis gravidarum (severe nausea and vomiting), pain in the back, pelvis, and neck, and cephalic version (breech babies).

Research suggests that acupuncture may also be beneficial for treating antepartum depression, which affects up to 15% of pregnancies. One small study found that acupuncture reduced depressive symptoms in pregnant women to a similar extent as traditional depression treatments.

When it comes to risks, acupuncture during pregnancy is considered safe when performed by a trained professional. One review found that acupuncture was not likely to be associated with miscarriage or other major complications. Most risks are minor and may include pain, redness, or bleeding at the insertion sites, fatigue, trouble sleeping, dizziness, sweating, or feeling hot.

It is important to note that acupuncture can stimulate uterine contractions and cervical changes, so it is recommended to consult your doctor or obstetrician before trying acupuncture during pregnancy, especially if you are at high risk for preterm birth or have other risk factors.

Acupuncture can help with nausea and morning sickness

Acupuncture is a traditional therapy that has been used in Asian cultures and medicine systems for thousands of years. It has gained popularity as a complementary therapy in the United States and beyond.

Acupuncture involves inserting tiny metal needles into the skin at specific points on your body. While stimulating these points, a practitioner attempts to balance the yin (cold, slow) and yang (hot, excited) forces in the body to allow a flow of qi (life force).

Acupuncture has been found to be effective in reducing nausea and morning sickness during pregnancy. A 2021 review looked at 16 previous studies and concluded that acupuncture is effective for severe nausea in pregnancy. Another study found that women who received traditional acupuncture reported less nausea throughout the trial and less dry retching from the second week compared to women in the no-acupuncture control group.

Acupuncture can also be used to treat hyperemesis gravidarum (severe nausea and vomiting). A randomized controlled trial found that women who received acupuncture reported less nausea and dry retching compared to those who did not receive acupuncture. Additionally, a placebo-controlled, randomized, single-blind, crossover study found that active PC6 acupuncture, in combination with standard treatment, could improve the condition of women with hyperemesis gravidarum faster than placebo acupuncture.

Acupuncture is generally considered safe during pregnancy, and side effects are rare. However, it is important to consult with a licensed and trained practitioner who has experience dealing with pregnant women.

It may also ease aches and pains

Pregnancy can be a time of joy and excitement, but it can also bring discomfort, including aches and pains. The good news is that acupuncture and massage are generally safe during pregnancy and can help ease these discomforts.

Massage

Prenatal massages are considered a safe way to ease aches and pains during pregnancy. They can increase circulation and relax the muscles, but it is important to work with therapists who are knowledgeable in prenatal massage and take certain precautions.

Precautions for prenatal massage:

• Consult with a healthcare provider before getting a massage, especially if you have a high-risk pregnancy.
• Always see a licensed massage therapist, particularly one with prenatal experience.
• Avoid deep pressure on the abdomen and legs.
• Consider waiting until the second or third trimester to reduce the risk of nausea and miscarriage, although there is no scientific evidence that massages increase the risk of miscarriage.
• Avoid lying on your back or stomach, especially in the later stages of pregnancy, as this can reduce blood flow to the fetus and cause discomfort.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a traditional therapy that has been used for thousands of years and is now gaining popularity as a complementary therapy. It involves inserting thin needles into specific points on the body to balance the body's energy and stimulate the release of natural substances that reduce pain.

Acupuncture has been shown to be relatively safe during pregnancy and can help ease aches and pains, especially back and pelvic pain. It can also be used to treat antepartum depression and may help with insomnia and anxiety.

Precautions for acupuncture during pregnancy:

• Speak to your doctor before trying acupuncture, especially if you have concerns about preterm labor or other risk factors.
• Avoid certain "forbidden points," especially those in the abdomen and sacrum, as they may stimulate labor.
• Avoid deep needling of the lower back.

Both acupuncture and massage can be safe and effective ways to ease aches and pains during pregnancy. However, it is important to take the necessary precautions and work with licensed professionals who are experienced in treating pregnant women.

It can be used to treat antepartum depression

Acupuncture and massage are generally considered safe during pregnancy and can be used to treat antepartum depression.

Acupuncture is a traditional therapy that has been used in Asian cultures and medicine systems for thousands of years. It involves inserting tiny needles into specific points on the body to balance the yin (cold, slow) and yang (hot, excited) forces, allowing a flow of qi (life force).

Antepartum depression affects up to 15% of pregnancies. A 2010 study found that women who received acupuncture tailored to improve their depression experienced a significant reduction in symptoms compared to those who received general acupuncture or massage. The treatment duration was short, lasting only 8 weeks with 12 sessions.

Another study in 2020 also suggested that acupuncture is an acceptable treatment for reducing and preventing depression in pregnant women. Acupuncture may also help ease other pregnancy symptoms such as back pain, nausea, and headaches.

It is important to consult with a licensed and experienced acupuncturist who is well-versed in treating pregnant women. Some pressure points should be avoided during pregnancy, and your therapist should be trained in pregnancy or prenatal massage.

Massage is also generally safe during pregnancy and can help relieve common ailments like back pain and swelling. However, after 20 weeks of gestation, it is recommended to use a pillow to prop yourself up instead of lying flat on your back.

Both acupuncture and massage offer safe and effective ways to manage antepartum depression and improve the overall well-being of pregnant women.

It may help turn breech babies

A breech baby is when a baby is positioned feet or bottom first in the uterus. This means its head is up toward the chest and its lower body is closest to the vagina. While most babies naturally turn into the head-down position by 36 weeks, about 3-4% remain in the breech position until the end of pregnancy.

If a baby is still breech at 36 weeks of pregnancy, healthcare providers will discuss options for a safe delivery. One option is an external cephalic version (ECV), where an obstetrician tries to turn the baby into a head-down position by applying pressure on the abdomen. ECV is generally a safe procedure, although it can be uncomfortable. It is about 50% effective and carries a small risk of complications, such as bleeding from the placenta or an irregular fetal heartbeat.

Acupuncture is a recommended method to help turn breech babies. It is a form of Chinese medicine that involves placing needles at pressure points to balance the body's energy. Acupuncture may help relax the uterus and stimulate the baby's movement. It is important to have acupuncture performed by a professional recommended by a healthcare provider.

If ECV or other methods are unsuccessful, a caesarean section is typically recommended as the safest option for delivery.

It can help induce labour

Acupuncture and acupressure are often considered by those approaching the end of their third trimester as a means to induce labour. Acupressure is the practice of applying firm massage and pressure from the hands to specific points on the body, whereas acupuncture involves needles. Both draw upon the concept of qi or chi, which is the body's energy. By targeting certain points, it is believed that labour can be encouraged.

There is some evidence to suggest that these methods can be effective. A review identified that many pregnant women have used complementary therapies such as acupuncture and acupressure, alongside conventional medical practice. In the UK, a survey found that around a third of healthcare professionals recommend a wide variety of complementary therapies to pregnant women. This includes midwives, who often have positive views towards complementary medicine and see a role for it in supporting women in labour and birth.

However, it is important to note that scientific research on the effectiveness of acupressure for inducing labour is still in its early stages and has produced mixed results. While some studies suggest it does not work, others hint at its potential effectiveness. As such, it is recommended that women interested in trying acupressure or acupuncture for inducing labour consult a healthcare professional first. Those with a history of bleeding or pregnancy complications should especially take caution and seek advice before proceeding.

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