Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) ascribes problems of health to imbalances in the basic flow of Blood and Energy (Qi -pronounced "Chee"). The causes of these imbalances can be from external influences, such as weather changes, or from internal imbalances, such as emotional strain, dietary causes and overwork. Any physical abnormalities which have developed are considered to be due to the involvement of one or more of the these influences interacting upon the basic hereditary make-up of the person.

Various disorders of pregnancy and postpartum ca be helped with TCM, utilizing acupuncture, herbs, diet, massage, acupressure, cupping and moxibustion as modalities to aide in rebalancing the body's energy and blood to achieve a healthy state. Some of the conditions which have been helped are morning sickness, abdominal pain, edema, urinary pain, miscarriage, scanty lactation, breech presentation, prolonged labor, etc.

Acupressure

Acupressure is a gentle, noninvasive form of acupuncture. Thumb or finger pressure is applied to points to balance internal functions Below are a few points that you can utilize.

• Pericardium 6 (Neiguan--Inner Gate)
  • Location and technique:
    • 3 fingerbreadths above your wrist crease, in the middle of the forearm (palm side) between the tendons.
    • Use the thumb to press down firmly and in a circular motion 20-30 times, or press down firmly with your thumb while opening and closing your hand. Can repeat this cycle several times as needed.
  • To Be Used For: Any chest or stomach complaints, such as morning sickness, shortness, of breath, or heartburn

• Spleen 6 (Sanyinjiao--3 Yin Crossing)

  This point should ONLY be used during labor, as it can trigger early or premature labor!

  • Location and Technique
    • 4 fingerbreadths up from the inner ankle bone behind the tibia
    • Use your thumb to press down hard and toward the shin bone for 20 seconds each time, repeat 3-4 times
    • Press during contractions to relieve discomfort
  • To Be Used For
    • Ease labor pain and speed labor along.

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