Pregnancy
Eastern thinking has always maintained that a woman should take special care of herself during preconception, pregnancy and after childbirth. Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) provide a safe and natural form of health care for a woman on her journey to motherhood.
At the Elements of Health Centre, our practitioners have completed extensive obstetrical training in order to provide you with exceptional pre and post-natal care. We have special “belly friendly” pregnancy pillows to ensure that you are comfortable during your sessions and can relax completely.
Our practitioners work closely with many obstetricians, doctors and midwives in Victoria and the surrounding areas of southern Vancouver Island. Working with expectant mothers is a joyful and fulfilling experience; we are passionate about providing services to women throughout all stages of their pregnancy.
Pregnancy symptoms
Pregnancy brings about many physical and emotional changes, as well as a number of potential health problems. The majority of these ailments are generally considered to be ‘par for the course’; they are not easily alleviated by western medicine. Since many conventional pharmaceuticals cannot be used during pregnancy, acupuncture may be especially helpful at this time. It is ideally suited to treating the following conditions:
- Morning sickness
- Threatened miscarriage or premature labour
- Digestive complaints (heartburn and constipation)
- Depression or anxiety
- Sleep disturbances
- Allergies and colds
- High blood pressure
- Breech position (baby’s head is up rather than down – best treated at 32-35 wks)
- Preparation for labour by encouraging the cervix to soften with weekly treatments beginning at 37 weeks
- Induction of labour
Pain conditions during pregnancy
If you are struggling with a pain condition, either pre-existing or pregnancy induced, acupuncture is a non-invasive and drug-free option for pain relief. Conditions successfully treated include:
- Low back pain or sciatica
- Headaches or migraines
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Varicose veins
- Leg cramps and swelling
