Pregnancy is an exciting journey for moms-to-be. However, it’s also filled with tremendous change, leading to a few common complaints like lower back pain and nausea. As it turns out, acupuncture can provide lasting relief for your pregnancy symptoms. Here’s how this traditional Chinese healing art can help.

Benefits of Acupuncture for Pregnancy

1. Lower Back & Pelvic Pain

Lower back or pelvic pain is frequently reported among pregnant women, partially due to the strain of carrying around that bundle of joy. In one observational study of 167 patients, 72% of midwives involved said acupuncture’s ability to reduce pain was good or very good. The study as a whole found that acupuncture is a safe and effective form of treatment for pain relief during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. 

2. Nausea

Morning sickness is commonly attributed to the body’s reaction to the pregnancy hormone. According to one study, acupuncture was an effective treatment for women who experienced nausea symptoms in early pregnancy. The study involved the treatment of 593 women who were less than 14 weeks pregnant. Over a four-week period, women receiving acupuncture reported less nausea and dry retching compared to women in the control group.

3. Headaches

Whether it’s a tension headache or a full-blown migraine, headaches are a common problem during pregnancy. A 2016 systematic review of 22 clinical trials established that acupuncture reduces the frequency of headaches when it’s added to a symptomatic treatment regimen. Long-term studies are still needed to establish exactly how acupuncture provides much-needed headache relief. However, according to the American Migraine Foundation, acupuncture may activate neural pathways responsible for turning pain off.

Acupuncture is an effective, holistic method that can alleviate common aches and pains associated with pregnancy. For a range of personalized treatments rooted in traditional healing arts, people throughout Nyack, NY, trust Marie A. Gonzales, L. Ac. For over 20 years, she has provided quality treatments like acupuncture, cupping therapy, and ionCleanse® services to promote total health and wellness. To learn more about her work, call (845) 398-1312, or visit her online to read her latest testimonials.