acupuncture

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childbirth
and
acupuncture
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What is acupuncture?

• Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese method that
  involves placing fine needles at specific points
  on the bodys surface to treat various health
  problems with a recognized history of almost 3000
  years.
• It is designed to correct any imbalances in the
  body which may give rise to disease or illness.
• In acupuncture, the belief is that there is a
  continuous circulation of energy in the organism.
  Illness can occur because of derangement of this
  circulation. Where energy fails to circulate as
  it should, vital organs may suffer from it. The
  Chinese call this flow of energy, or life force,
  Qi.
• By inserting needles at specific acupuncture
  points along energy channels within the body,
  called meridians (energy paths), energy channels
  can be unblocked or stimulated in order to an an
  effect on a particular parts of the body or
  symptom.
• Acupuncture, if practice properly, can redirect
  and normalize the flow of energy and bring the
  patient back to health.

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Two dominant energies in chinese medicine

• Traditional Chinese medicine describes the bodys
  balance in terms of Yin and Yang.
• YIN Female energy, represents traditional
  female
• qualities of peacefulness and
  calm.
• Fluids
• Water
• Damp
• YANG Male energy, represents traditional male
  qualities of aggression and stimulation.
• Fire
• Movement

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Use of chinese medicine in pregnancy

• Chinese medicine is the primary treatment for
  pregnancy and birth in China. It has been that
  way for thousands of years.
• Pregnancy is seen as a damp condition in Chinese
  medicine. This is due to the dominance of Yin
  (body fluids).
• Pregnancy is also seen as the marriage of Yin and
  Yang energies (Male and Female). Thus the Yin
  and Yang symbol is a perfect model of birth.
• (cont.)

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Use of chinese medicine in pregnancy

• (cont.)
• Chinese medicine has the following uses in
  pregnancy
• Morning Sickness (Acupuncture, Moxabustion and
  Herbs)
• Threatened Miscarriage (Acupuncture and Herbs)
• Analgesia during Child Birth (Acupuncture)
• Prenatal Care (Acupuncture, Massage and Herbs)
• Post-Partum Syndrome (Acupuncture and Herbs)
• Cold in Uterus due to Birth (Acupuncture,
  Moxabustion and Herbs)
• Fetus Overdue (Acupuncture)
• Hemorrhoids (Acupuncture and Herbs)
• Constipation (Acupuncture and Herbs)
• Headaches (Acupuncture and Herbs)

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Acupunture and childbirth

• Acupuncture has been used to help control labor
  pain in China and the Far East for many years,
  and thus has been proven a good analgesic method
  during labor.
• It can be used for calming the mother and for
  promoting the efficiency of contractions. Its
  effects on labor can lead to shortened delivery
  time and less labor pains.

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Acupunture and childbirth

• In theory, there are more than 365 points along
  the 12 meridians of the body. The ear auricle
  contains a complete set of acupuncture points
  which when stimulated can produce rapid relief
  from acute pain.
• Fine gauge needles and massage can also be used
  in combination to stimulate acupuncture points in
  the low back, abdomen, feet, and hands.
• Needles are sometimes attached to an electro
  acupuncture machine to provide extra stimulation.

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Acupunture and childbirth

• Traditional Chinese acupuncture has a
  long history of treating obstetric and
  gynecological conditions.
• It is widely recognized by the medical profession
  and the World Health Organization.
• It has been proven to be very safe and have no
  harmful side effects for the mother and baby.

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Acupunture and childbirth

• References
• www.gloucesteracupuncture.co.uk/painreliefduring
  labour.html
• www.homepage.powerup.com.au/shentherapies/pregu
  ide.html
• www.internationafengshui.com/relatedtopics.html
• www.lifemedicineclinic.com/conception.html
• www.cyberscreen.com/cgi-bin/showPreg.pl?ACUPUNCT
  URE