Women’s Health & Chinese Medicine
As Chinese medicine providers, a lot of what we do is preventative healthcare. As women treating women, we understand what it means to live in the many phases of our being. Hormones are a natural part of our physiology, but when things become out of balance, we can experience unwanted symptoms. Stress has a huge impact on our hormonal health because the body’s response to stress is a hormonal one! Working with an acupuncturist means getting individualized care for whatever may come up at any given time. Making lifestyle and nutritional adjustments, and using appropriate Chinese herbal formulations for support will make a profound difference in how you feel and how you age. Putting yourself first and receiving some self care in our office is a great way to take charge of your health and mental wellbeing! It is never too late to start.
Common symptoms we successfully treat:
Menstrual irregularities
Menstrual cramps
PMS
Fertility challenges
Headaches and migraines
Hot flashes
Sleep issues
Anxiety
Come in and discover how routine acupuncture can change your life for the better!
Fertility Acupuncture
How can we help you on your path to pregnancy?
At East Bridge Acupuncture, we are excited to be part of your fertility team. Whether you are trying to conceive naturally or working with a fertility clinic, our providers have a lot of experience using Chinese medicine and acupuncture to help you through the process. We see our patients all the way from fertility through their pregnancies and beyond!
When trying to conceive, weekly acupuncture sessions are recommended. Acupuncture helps balance hormones, reduce stress and improve blood flow to the reproductive organs. Many women are able to conceive within 3-4 months just using acupuncture, dietary therapy and Chinese herbal medicine.
Combining Acupuncture with conventional fertility treatments
For women who are using medical fertility treatments such as IUI and IVF, adding acupuncture has been shown to improve patient outcomes. For best results, we recommend starting regular visits for 3 months prior to your IVF or IUI cycle. By assessing each patient individually, we will customize treatments to help bring the body into optimal health before introducing the protocols moving forward with assisted reproductive medicine.
As a Fellow with ABORM: The Acupuncture and TCM Board of Reproductive Medicine, Mari Greenly has received years of specialized training to be able to work synergistically with Reproductive Endocrinologists and their patients throughout their fertility journey.
“Mari has gone above and beyond what I ever imagined a practitioner would do in my fertility journey. She is experienced, compassionate, perceptive, and committed to providing outstanding care for her clients. Thanks to her guidance and treatment, my husband and I are expecting our first baby next year and we couldn’t be more thrilled!”
STUDIES
Domar AD, Meshay I, Kelliher J, Alper M, Powers RD. “The impact of acupuncture on in vitro fertilization outcome.” Fertility and Sterility. Mar 1, 2008. [Epub ahead of print]
Huang ST, Chen AP. “Traditional Chinese medicine and infertility.” Current Opinions in Obstetrics and Gynecology. June 2008; 20(3):211-5.
Manheimer E, Zhang G, Udoff L, Haramati A, Langenberg P, Berman BM, Bouter LM. “Effect of acupuncture on rates of pregnancy and live birth among women undergoing in vitro fertilization: systematic review and meta-analysis.” British Medical Journal. March 8, 2008; 336(7643):545-9. Epub 2008 Feb 7.
Ng EH, So WS, Gao J, Wong YY, Ho PC. “The role of acupuncture in the management of subfertility.” Fertility and Sterility. July 2008; 90(1):1-13. Epub 2008 Apr 28.
Paulus WE, Zhang M, Strehler E, El-Danasouri I, Sterzik K. “Influence of acupuncture on the pregnancy rate in patients who undergo assisted reproduction therapy.” Fertility and Sterility. April 2002; 77(4):721-4.
Prenatal Acupuncture
It is such an honor to work with women throughout their pregnancy. This is such a special time in a woman’s life. Pregnancy can be life-changing in how women learn to care for their bodies, and to nurture a healthy baby throughout his or her development in the womb.
Acupuncture during pregnancy for common issues proves to be a very helpful, non-invasive tool. Mothers-to-be can relax, get relief from discomfort and enhance their overall health. During this magical time, acupuncture for pregnancy can relieve the stresses the pregnancy puts on the body. At east bridge acupuncture, we have pregnancy tables with a face down option as well as wedges and ways to ensure you are comfortable during your treatment!
Acupuncture to prepare for labor – ‘BABY WELCOMING ACUPUNCTURE’
Starting at 36 weeks until the baby comes…
Towards the end of pregnancy the body is gearing up for the birth. Acupuncture is an effective treatment to encourage natural labor. In a study by the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Vienna, results show that receiving regular acupuncture treatments from week 36-40 can help accelerate cervical ripening, therefore helping to prevent the need for medical induction and overdue births.
In the event of a breech presentation, moxibustion can help turn babies to the proper position if done between weeks 32-34.
We receive many referrals from a wide range of labor and delivery practitioners who recommend acupuncture for this purpose, and who have seen the results firsthand in their patients’ birth experiences.
Acupuncture for postpartum support
Depression
Postpartum Recovery
Lactation Issues
Recovery from childbirth takes time and lots of rest (when you can get it). We are here to help you in the process of healing, supporting you during the time when you need it most!
Acupuncture for pregnancy and labor preparation
WHAT CAN WE ADDRESS DURING YOUR PREGNANCY?
Acupuncture is a safe, non-invasive and comfortable treatment for:
pain and discomfort in pregnancy,
sciatica
nausea
morning sickness
constipation
stress reduction
hypertension
sleeplessness
fatigue
breech presentation (moxibustion)