Introduction: 

Has the thought of getting poked with a needle or pressed by a finger kept you away from trying acupuncture or acupressure? If so, now could be the best time to try it out! Especially if you are expecting. Between the changes in your hormones, body, and sleep, as well as the increased stress and excitement of growing your family, can be overwhelming. Which is why taking care of your mind and body are essential during pregnancy. But how? The answer is simple: acupuncture and acupressure! 

Integrating alternative therapies into your prenatal care plan is the ultimate way to treat your incredible body with comfort and support as you grow your little human inside. So today we are going to look at why Acupuncture and Acupressure are beneficial during pregnancy , the difference between acupuncture vs. acupressure and how to integrate alternative practices into your prenatal care plan!

What is the difference between acupuncture and acupressure?

Acupuncture and acupressure are alternative forms of therapy that have been used for hundreds of years in Chinese medicine. These safe and non-invasive practices are not only effective, but offer so many benefits for managing your mental and physical state during pregnancy. Although similar in effect, there are notable differences between the two. 

Acupuncture is a traditional and safe practice that uses thin needles to pinpoint specific areas of the body to treat various symptoms and conditions. These points correlate and connect to pathways or meridians that result in creating energy, or qi, to help restore balance and overall wellness.

Acupressure is very similar to acupuncture in its effect and goal to promote a flow of energy to restore healing and support optimal health and well-being. The key difference from acupuncture is that rather than using needles on specific points of the body to conduct qi, or the flow of energy, it uses manual finger pressure.

3 Reasons Why Acupuncture and Acupressure are Beneficial During Pregnancy 

Finding out you have a positive pregnancy test can be one of THE most thrilling moments of your life. Especially if you have been trying to conceive. But shortly after you get that positive plus symbol on the pregnancy test, comes all of those early pregnancy symptoms. And after those early symptoms, come the discomforts of late pregnancy, labor and delivery. So whether you are early or late in pregnancy, there are many reasons why Acupuncture and Acupressure are beneficial during pregnancy and help you feel more comfortable and at ease! 

1. Morning sickness & nausea

Acupuncture and acupressure has been found to help reduce early morning symptoms of nausea during pregnancy. Specific acupressure points, like P6 or the Neiguan point, found on the wrist are widely known points that can be addressed to help morning sickness. When stimulated and activated, these specific acupressure points on the wrist can help to reduce and alleviate feelings of nausea, queasiness, and occasional to frequent vomiting.

1. Pain relief & relaxation

It’s no secret that pregnancy can be uncomfortable. As your body changes and your hormones fluctuate, aches and pains can manifest in all different (and unexpected) areas. Common pregnancy discomforts include:

• Back pain
• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Heartburn
• Hip pain
• Leg cramping
• Sciatica
• Stress

Acupuncture and acupressure can help to relieve some of the symptoms associated with these common pregnancy aches and concerns. When specific acupressure points are stimulated, endorphins are released. Endorphins are a natural pain-relieving chemical that can ultimately help to promote relaxation, lower stress levels, and support overall health and wellness.

1. Labor & delivery support

Labor is no joke. As your body prepares to welcome your tiny love earthside, it undergoes immense changes to the pelvis and cervix. Undoubtedly, this can cause uncomfortable changes to the body. However, early and later signs and symptoms of labor can be managed and supported with acupuncture or acupressure to help make your labor and delivery experience more comfortable, smoother and shorter.

Specific acupuncture points can help to soften the cervix, relax pelvic muscles and support optimal positioning of the baby for delivery. If and when acupuncture may not be available, you can still use specific acupressure points to help stimulate contractions, manage labor pain intensity, and reduce the duration of labor.

Combine chiropractic care with alternative therapies in your prenatal plan

Acupuncture and acupressure are wonderful tools to integrate into your prenatal care plan. Incorporating various safe and effective alternative therapies can help to keep your body balanced, healthy and THRIV-ing during pregnancy. 

By combining alternative practices like acupuncture and acupressure with your regular chiropractic care plan, you can help to boost how your body feels physically and mentally during pregnancy and beyond!

Conclusion: 

Regardless of what stage you are in with your pregnancy journey, alternative therapies in combination with chiropractic care, can help you to feel your best! Pregnancy elicits so many feelings – both emotionally and physically. So whether you are dealing with early pregnancy symptoms of nausea or later pregnancy symptoms of sciatica, these often unwelcome and uncomfortable signs are very good signs of a healthy and THRIV-ing pregnancy. 

At Thrive Family Chiropractic, we are excited to be able to offer acupuncture and acupressure services to compliment our patient’s chiropractic prenatal care plan. Know that even in your most uncomfortable moments, there are safe and effective options and alternatives for you and your growing belly!  

Dr. Cristina Padilla Bravo | Mobile Family Chiropractor in Jacksonville, FL 

Dr. Padilla’s practice focuses on expecting mothers, babies, and children, creating a supportive and educational space for women and their families. 

Thrive Family Chiropractic, LLC was founded by Dr Padilla in the fall of 2017 with the idea that Chiropractic care should be convenient and accessible to all, with a focus on facilitating care for families, women during pregnancy and children. Throughout her years of practice, Dr Padilla has seen how challenging it can be for families to incorporate Chiropractic into their lifestyles and make it a priority rather than a luxury. With this thought in mind, Dr Padilla wants to provide the best, most personalized, and individualized Chiropractic care to women during pregnancy and to children of all ages, to help improve their lifestyle, prevent chronic illness and allow them to express their full potential in life, sports, and school.