Acupuncture

"I had had morning-sickness before…but this time it was worse. I was vomiting 4-8 times a day and could hardly keep anything down. I was eating very little and was worried that I might have to take time off work. Coinciding with commencing acupuncture my nausea and vomiting were reduced significantly and seemed better than at the same stage in my other pregnancies when I had no acupuncture. I had tried many other remedies in my last two pregnancies with little success…acupuncture is the first thing that really helped me."

-FOP Acupuncture client

There is a growing body of randomised controlled trials supporting the benefits of acupuncture for many conditions, including lower back, knee pain and mild depression amongst others.

For more details visit the British Acupuncture Council website www.acupuncture.org.uk. In 2009 the NICE guidelines suggested acupuncture was an effective treatment for non-specific low back pain. It recommended a course of 10 sessions over a period of 12 weeks to help manage and reduce pain. (www.nice.org.uk/CG88) The BMJ recently reported that a recent national survey of acupuncturists concluded that acupuncture provides a substantial contribution to the country's healthcare.

A survey of 800 practitioners showed that 29% were doctors, 29% physiotherapists, 15% nurses and 27% independent acupuncturists. The majority (68%) practiced in independent settings, while 42% practiced within the National Health Service. Patients most commonly came for low back, neck, shoulder and knee pain, as well as headaches and migraine. Treatment for infertility by independent acupuncturists was found to have increased by fivefold over a period of years. The authors estimated that almost 4 million acupuncture treatments were provided in the UK in 2009, of which approximately one-third were provided within the NHS.

They concluded that the primary complaints for which patients consult acupuncturists reflect the growing evidence base on acupuncture for these conditions, and suggest that the survey data provides a basis for future decision-making regarding policy and practice. (Acupuncture in practice:mapping the providers, the patients and the settings in a national cross-sectional survey, BMJ Open. 2012 Jan 11;2(1):e000456.Print 2012)

* Lower back and neck pain.

* Shoulder, knee and hip pain from injury or arthritis.

* Hormonal – menstrual headaches, PMS and menopausal symptoms

* Emotional – depression, anxiety, stress and fatigue

* Fertility – male and female pre-pregnancy preparation and fertility help

* Pregnancy – morning sickness, lower back pain, breech turning.

* Birth – pre-birth preparation and acupuncture ‘induction’ to facilitate natural labour, acupressure techniques for pain relief during labour.

The BAaC (The British Acupuncture Council) is the self-regulatory body for UK based acupuncturists. All BAaC members are trained to a high standard. Most acupuncture courses are now linked to university BSc degrees.

Acupuncturists study Chinese medical theory and acupuncture skills practice, anatomy and physiology as well as relevant Western medicine for four years (3,200 hours) In addition they are required to carry out 30 hours of continuous professional development (CPD) annually and adhere to a Code of Safe Practice and Professional Conduct.

They are fully compliant with current UK health and safety legislation and as part of their BAcC membership have full medical malpractice and public/products liability insurance cover. Acupuncturists have a wide breadth of knowledge and an excellent skills base which may include massage, exercises, tai chi, qi gong and herbs as part of a patient’s treatment plan. As a rule they treat more conditions than physiotherapists, osteopaths or chiropractors who usually learn ‘dry needling’ acupuncture as an adjunct to their main speciality and are trained to use a smaller range of points to release muscles and locally benefit injury and pain. In contrast specialist acupuncturists work with 200-600 points along the 12 main meridians of the body and always treat the body as a whole and according to Chinese medical theory.

The acupuncturist will take your full medical history during your first consultation and treatment and will ask you questions which may stretch right back to your childhood. Acupuncturists use very fine needles which are single use only and disposed of immediately. Your acupuncturist will insert the needles without causing you pain and once the needle is in place you may feel a slight vibration, a pleasant ‘dull’ sensation or no sensation at all.

If you are afraid of needles the acupuncturist will use acupressure techniques instead. As well as acupuncture they are qualified to advise on lifestyle and basic dietary advice and may include massage, lifestyle advice, of the use of acupuncture and how to use it to identify the underlying causes of health issues. The beneficial effects of acupuncture build up over 4-6 treatments although your acupuncturists would expect you to feel some improvement or sense of change after the first 1-2 treatments. It is helpful if you bring a list of any medication you may be taking or may have taken in the past and if you have a long medical history it may be helpful to jot some of it down before you come for your first appointment. Try to wear loose fitting clothes for your treatments but it is not essential.

It’s best to have eaten something before you come for acupuncture and to try and avoid coffee and alcohol after your treatment for the best results. Most people sleep more deeply following a session and feel more relaxed and notice improvements immediately or in the 12-24 hours following treatment.

Preparation for Parenthood

Acupuncture enhances fertility by balancing hormones, improving egg and sperm quality and supporting relaxation, reducing stress and aiding general well-being. The acupuncturist will help both partners identify aspects of lifestyle and general health which might be impacting on their chances of conceiving and will show them how to pinpoint the most fertile time of the month.
Preparing for pregnancy with acupuncture is a wonderful way to ensure your future family has the best start in life and that you are both at the peak of your health before embracing your new roles as parents.

Fertility Support
Acupuncture treatment to support couples who have been trying to conceive and need more help looks in detail at the diagnosed or suspected problem and can give a fresh perspective to difficult issues.
Treatment aims to treat both partners for the best results and can improve egg and sperm quality, improve ovulation rates, balance hormones, improve sleep, relaxation and reduce stress as well as addressing diet, lifestyle and emotional factors which might be influencing fertility.
Acupuncture has been shown to help patients with polycystic ovaries, endometriosis, irregular ovulation, other known causes of infertility or who feel their age or other emotional or physical problems might be affecting their fertility.

IVF Support
In the 4-6 weeks before IVF, OCSI or IUI begins acupuncture treatment prepares women to be in the best possible health by balancing hormones, resolving anxiety, improving sleep, encouraging good blood flow to the womb lining.
Once you begin your assisted cycle we support you by working alongside your medical treatment to compliment its effects and reduce side-effects as well as improving rest, relaxation and reducing stress and anxiety.
Wherever possible we offer treatment on the day of egg transfer and continue to support you if required until your pregnancy is secure.
In a study of 114 women carried out by the American Reproductive Medicine and Fertility Centre in Colorado Springs inOct 2004, half the group recieved acupuncture before and after embryo transfer.

Of the acupuncture group:-

* 51% became pregnant compared to 36% of the control group
* 0.8% miscarried compared to 20% in the control group
* acupuncture also reduced ectoptic pregnancies and increased the live birth rate by 23% compared to the control group.

Enjoying Pregnancy
Acupuncture is a safe and effective treatment for nausea, sickness and fatigue in the first twelve to fourteen weeks of pregnancy. It also provides supportive and strengthening treatments for women with miscarriage fears or who need emotional support from the earliest stages of pregnancy. Treatment during pregnancy benefits sleep, reduces anxiety and is often used by pregnant women in the 2nd and 3rd trimester for relief from back pain, heartburn, sciatica, pelvic pain, carpal tunnel syndrome and to help reduce the discomfort of swollen feet and ankles.

Preparing for Birth
If your baby is not in an optimal position and is breech or back-to-back acupuncture treatment can safely turn the baby without any discomfort. In a study of 505 women 81% of the babies in the group receiving acupuncture had turned compared to 49% in the control group. The best results are achieved before the 36th week a much smaller percentage of babies turn after this date but a positive outcome is more likely if this is not the woman’s first child.
From 36/37 weeks pre-birth acupuncture plays an important role in relaxing the back and pelvis, ripening the cervix ready for birth, improving blood flow, improving sleep and reducing any anxiety surrounding the birth. Studies have shown that a treatment once a week in the last three weeks of pregnancy reduces the amount of time spent in labour, improves labour outcomes and reduces the need for medical inductions and caesareans. We also use part of these sessions to teach acupressure techniques to birth partners for pain relief during the early stages of labour and to keep easy and efficient contractions going as labour progresses. If you have passed your due date and are overdue acupuncture treatment can be used to promote labour and encourage it to begin naturally and safely.

Post-natal Care and Nourishment
Chinese medical theory places a great deal of importance on the complete recovery of a new mother’s strength and vitality following the birth. Treatments are gentle, nourishing and designed to enhance sleep, relaxation and rest. Treatment can quickly resolve feeding difficulties, anxiety, feelings of not being able to cope and general fatigue and mild depression. Treatment also benefits haemorrhoids and prolapses and can strengthen weak pelvic floor muscles and improve bladder control and libido.