General
The female reproductive system is a complex system. Maintaining optimal health throughout our cycles can sometimes feel complicated and confusing. And because cycles vary so greatly from woman to woman, it can be hard to know what is expected as ‘normal’. If you have questions about your reproductive health, your gynecologist or midwife are great resources. If you are looking for additional ways to support your reproductive health, did you know acupuncture can help? Treatments work to balance hormones in order to naturally regulate cycles. In this way, acupuncture can be a great resource for managing symptoms associated with:
- irregular cycles
- painful periods
- endometriosis
- PCOS
- PMS
- menopause
- and more
Working to regulate hormones and alleviate associated symptoms takes time with any modality. While everyone’s needs are unique, the average starting time-frame with acupuncture is 3 months of treatments. However, it is not unexpected to start noticing changes and/or improvements within the first month of treatments. An individualized treatment plan will be discussed at the initial consultation.
If you are interested in more information about how acupuncture can help your specific needs, please contact Emily for a free phone consultation.
Fertility Support
According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, about 11% of the US reproductive-aged population struggles to conceive. There are a number of causes and contributing factors to infertility: irregular cycles, endometriosis, PCOS, diminished ovarian reserve, anovulation, male factor infertility, among others. Common approaches to treatment often include medications to help regulate cycles and stimulate ovulation. In many cases, IUI and/or IVF become the most viable option.
Whether a couple chooses a medicated route to fertility or desires a more natural approach, acupuncture can assist along their journey. Treatments help to regulate hormones, balance cycles, improve egg quality, encourage ovulation, and prepare the womb for implantation. By increasing blood flow and circulation of oxygen and nutrients to the reproductive system, acupuncture encourages the body to return to a natural state of balanced health. Alongside a medicated cycle, acupuncture can also assist with the delivery of medication while simultaneously helping to relieve any side-effects. Acupuncture can be a valuable addition to anyone’s fertility journey, whether 2 months into it or 2 years.
If you are interested in more information about acupuncture for fertility support, or would like to receive personalized information about treatment frequency, please contact Emily for a free phone consultation.
Prenatal Care
After receiving acupuncture herself while in labor with her first child, Emily developed a special interest in working with women through pregnancy, labor, and postpartum. She saw what a powerful tool acupuncture could be to help women attain the births they strive for. Pregnancy and labor can be incredibly empowering; of course, the whole process (and the outcome!) is also life-changing and challenging. It is an honor for Emily to help women through this amazing process of growth and change in their bodies and lives.
Acupuncture is completely safe during pregnancy and is a wonderful addition to any woman’s ongoing prenatal care and labor support system.
During pregnancy, acupuncture can help manage common symptoms such as:
- nausea and vomiting
- headaches
- fatigue
- musculoskeletal conditions (pain)
- frequent miscarriages
- heartburn
- edema
- constipation
- stress, anxiety, and depression
- breech presentation
At the end of pregnancy, Emily offers acupuncture for labor preparation and natural labor stimulation. Treatments help to soften ligaments, ripen the cervix, stimulate contractions, and promote efficient labor. Women who have had acupuncture for labor preparation often report having shorter labor times. Acupuncture can also assist during labor by providing a natural alternative to pain relief.
After baby arrives, acupuncture can continue to help with such issues as depression, anxiety, fatigue, and insufficient lactation. A few treatments after giving birth can go a long way in restoring optimal health in a new mom.
If you are interested in prenatal services or labor support, including in-home and hospital/birth center visits, please contact Emily for a free phone consultation.
“Emily is a talented and deeply caring acupuncturist. Since I began seeing her, my hormones have balanced, my menstrual cycle is more manageable, and overall sense of well-being and happiness has improved tremendously.”
-Ashley
“Emily is nothing but a joy as a person and an acupuncturist. She gave me a treatment the day before my due date and I went into labor the next day. She then also came to the hospital and worked on some pressure points for me, which was great. I had my daughter on my due date, with Emily there and I am so happy I had her on my team. I give a lot of credit to her for how quickly and (relatively) easily I labored and gave birth. I can only say great things.”
-Andrea
“Thank you sooo much. I truly believe you kept us from needing augmentation meds and monitoring which I hated last time. It made all the difference in a healing and empowering birth which I so needed after the way our first delivery went. Really appreciate all the time you spent to make sure we progressed well. After you left things really sped up and ended up having baby almost 3 hours later in the tub as planned. Wish you’d been there at my first birth! Thanks again.”
-Lindsay