Acupuncture is among the most reliable forms of alternative medicine. It has been around for almost 3,000 years and its benefits continue to please many people, especially pregnant women or those who are planning to get pregnant. If you want to find out why, we’ve listed a few interesting points that you might find beneficial:

Trying to Conceive

Unsuccessful attempts of trying to conceive can be an emotional roller coaster, which could put stress into your relationship. About one in six Australian couples, or approximately three million Australians, are infertile. If you’re among them, don’t lose hope yet. There are still ways to help you get pregnant.

Acupuncture helps increase fertility by improving blood flow to the ovaries and uterus. This thickens the lining of the uterus and can increase the possibility of embryo implantation. It also improves the function of the neuroendocrine system, which promotes the release of hormones that stimulate the adrenal glands, ovaries, and reproductive organs.

Preparing for Labour

Many pregnant women become anxious at the thought of childbirth because it is often a long and painful process that doesn’t always go to plan. It’s important however, to relax and feel as comfortable as possible before your due date. Research shows that women who fear childbirth tend to have longer and more complicated labours.

Acupuncture involves the use of needles at certain points on the body. It stimulates energy throughout your system to soften pelvic ligaments and increase blood flow for dilation. It can also reduce your sensitivity to pain by increasing the ‘feel good chemicals’ endorphins.

Coping with Pregnancy Blues

Being pregnant means carrying additional weight, making it difficult to move and maintain proper posture, so muscular aches and pains are common. It also causes morning sickness and increases the incidence of constipation, fatigue, heartburn, and preeclampsia or pregnancy-induced hypertension. Acupuncture can help ease such conditions by targeting specific points in the body, so your system is balanced.

Pregnancy is probably among the best things that can happen to a woman. Don’t let certain issues get in the way. Contact us for natural therapies like acupuncture that promote conception and worry-free pregnancy.

Acupuncture is known to illicit its effects by stimulating the nervous system. Little is understood though, about how the physical stimulation of an acupuncture needle turns into a neurological signal in the body.

A recent study (March 2014) uncovered more answers in this area and identified what makes acupuncture points so special. Layers of mouse tissue from a commonly used acupuncture point stomach 36 (ST36) were analysed and compared to tissue from a non-acupuncture point.

A high concentration of mechanosensitive proteins (TRVP1, TRVP4, ASIC3) were detected throughout tissue at ST36. TRVP1 was the main protein found to regulate pain relief. Mechanosensitive proteins in cells detect mechanical deformation of the cell membrane caused by changes in tension, thickness or curvature (ie. caused by an acupuncture needle).

Nerve signals from acupuncture are thought to occur via calcium wave propagation (CWP). For the first time this study identifies the link between CWP and the presence of TRVP1. Components of CWP were detected in tissue containing high levels of TRVP1.

This means in comparison to a non-therapeutic point, tissue at the acupuncture point ST36 contains a high level of unique mechanosensitive proteins that respond to changes caused by an acupuncture needle. This then initiates a neural signal via the calcium wave propagation pathway.

This summary may be a little technical but results from this study have helped us to understand, how a needle used in acupuncture can generate nerve signals that lead to hormone regulation, increased blood flow, pain relief and the sense of relaxation.

Shu-Yih Wu et al., BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2014, 14:96 

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