Acupuncture for Childbirth & Postpartum

While there are acupuncture points that can provide natural pain relief during labor, acupuncture is more commonly used to induce labor. There are several points that stimulate contractions and influence cervical ripening. There is also an acupuncture point that has been found to turn a breech baby.

Acupuncture Postpartum

Many women feel depleted after the birth experience. Acupuncture and Oriental medicine can help the transition of those first few months after birth to ensure a quick recovery. Postpartum care focuses on the physical, emotional and psychological recovery of the mother from the effects of pregnancy and labor, as well as encouraging breast feeding.

Here are some of the postpartum issues that can be treated with acupuncture:

* Fatigue

* Postpartum Depression

* Mastitis

* Insufficient or Excessive Lactation

* Post Operative Healing

* Night Sweats

If you would like to know more how acupuncture and TCM ease discomfort and facilitate pregnancy, please call for more information.

source: Qi Mail

Acupuncture in Pregnancy & Childbirth

Pregnancy is an amazing time in a woman's life. Many women report feeling healthier than they have ever felt before; however, the physical growth of the baby and changes in hormone levels can bring about pain, discomfort and a variety of health problems.

Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) can provide a safe, effective alternative for many of the health complications that may arise before, during and after pregnancy. A growing number of women are choosing acupuncture to use throughout their pregnancy and as an optional treatment for an overdue or difficult labor.

Planning for a Healthy Baby

Healthy parents produce healthy babies. With acupuncture and Oriental medicine, parents can improve their health to create the most optimal environment for their unborn child. In addition to their ability to strengthen, support, and balance overall health and well-being, acupuncture and Oriental medicine are an effective treatment for regulating menstruation and hormone levels, reducing stress and addressing any pre-existing medical conditions or concerns that a woman may have

Acupuncture during Pregnancy

Acupuncture and Oriental medicine can play a vital role in the comfort of a pregnant woman. There is strong evidence to support that acupuncture is highly effective at treating some of the most common problems experienced during pregnancy including morning sickness, heartburn, insomnia, water retention and sciatica.

Here is a list of some of the problems that an acupuncturist often treats during pregnancy:

* Nausea and Vomiting

* Heartburn

* Constipation

* Hemorrhoids

* Edema and Swelling

* Urinary Tract Infection

* Pelvic Pain

* Neck and Back Pain

* Sciatica

* Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

* Leg Cramps

* Fatigue and Exhaustion

* Insomnia

* Anxiety and Depression

Source Qi Mail

Spinach Rice Gratin Recipe

I recently tried this recipe and loved it! Spinach and brown rice provide so many essential vitamins and nutrients. Enjoy!

Spinach Rice Gratin Recipe

2 1/2 cups leftover/pre-cooked brown rice, room temp
1 1/2 cups cups well finely chopped spinach
4 ounces firm organic tofu, crumbled
10 black olives, chopped
1/2 medium red onion, diced
1/3 cup pine nuts or almonds, toasted
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup shredded Manchego cheese (or Parm, or Gruyere)
3 large eggs
1/2 teaspoon fine grain sea salt

Preheat oven to 400F degrees. Rack in the top third. Grease a 10-inch round baking dish (or equivalent) with a bit of olive oil.

In a large bowl combine the rice, spinach, and tofu. Now, reserving a bit of each for garnish, stir in the olives, and red onion, pine nuts and olive oil. Now stir in 1/4 cup of the cheese. In a small bowl whisk together the eggs, and salt. Fold the eggs into the rice mixture, pour into the prepared baking dish, and sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake for 30 minutes or until the casserole is set, and the top toasty and golden. Remove from the oven, and sprinkle with remaining onions, olives, and nuts. Sprinkle with a bit more salt before serving - or taste and get a sense of whether you need any.

Serves 8 - 12

from 101.cookbooks

Healing Foods to Boost Your Immune System

Continuing on the topic of seasonal allergies, let's look at some basic dietary shifts that can help alleviate seasonal allergies:

• Local, raw honey is a super-food that powerfully boosts the immune system because you are ingesting small amounts of local pollens. Local raw honey can be purchased at your neighborhood farmer's market. Start by eating a 1/4 teaspoon per day. Other immune-boosting foods include: mushrooms (especially shitake and maitake) and fermented foods (like sauerkraut, fermented pickles and other vegetables, kim chi, kombucha, kefir soda, whey soda, and other fermented foods).
• Eat quercitin-rich foods which naturally inhibit histamines. These include: garlic, red and yellow onions, apples (with the skin on), red grapes, green and black tea, and berries.

More Tips to Alleviate Seasonal Allergies

• A Neti pot is an ayurvedic healing method to wash out the sinuses with a saline solution. This method clears the nasal passages of allergens as well as decreases inflammation in the mucous membranes. It can be challenging to use but is really worth the effort. My patients report feeling much better very quickly using this daily.

• I also recommend showering and changing your clothes after being outdoors. Your clothes, skin and hair will collect pollens and bring them indoors. Washing these off of your body will help alleviate constant exposure to allergens. This is especially important before bed, as the pollen on your hair gets on your pillow, causing nighttime exposure to allergens.

• Finally, stay hydrated by drinking fresh water.

NY Times Discusses Acupuncture Benefits

This article from last week's New York Times discusses how many people are finding relief for common health issues using acupuncture and Chinese Medicine. There are also some great tips on making acupuncture work within your budget.

Read the article here.

More Tips to Alleviate Seasonal Allergies

It's the height of allergy season right now. Spring flowers and trees are in full bloom. Patients are suffering with runny nose, congestion, headaches, watery eyes, itchy eyes, increased phlegm, sore throat, cough, and asthma. Chinese Medicine offers a natural approach to help alleviate these allergy symptoms. Even better, with continued care, TCM can help decrease the severity and occurance of allergies, using a combination of acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, and nutrition.

The next few posts will include tips to decrease seasonal allergies. These are a great starting place for overall health. Here's the first tip:

Eat organic whole foods and take the chemicals out of your diet. Packaged and processed foods are difficult for the body to process and deplete the immune system. Eat fresh, whole foods like fresh fruits and vegetables, pastured meat and wild fish, whole grains, beans, nuts, legumes, and healthy fats like ghee, olive oil and coconut oil.