Tag Archives: acupuncture

Let’s Talk About Acupuncture During Labor

A new study of pregnant women in the ob/gyn journal shows that acupuncture can speed labor in most women. Although the women probably did not deliver the baby any sooner than they otherwise would have, it dramatically reduced the active phase of labor for most women in the group. This could translate to significant pain relief or less pain altogether for a laboring woman. The following quote is derived from the medical journal Acta Obstretricia et Gynecologica, 2006;85:1348-53: In a study of 100 pregnant women who were about to give birth, 48 were given acupuncture while the remainder had standard … Continue reading →

Acupuncture for Pets

As acupuncture use increases in human medicine, some pet owners and veterinarians have turned to acupuncture for four-legged family members. Around the world, millions of vets and veterinary assistants are trained in acupuncture! In the hands of a skilled practitioner, an acupuncture treatment does not cause discomfort — this goes for humans and pets. Slender, flexible needles are inserted to stimulate particular locations in the body. Acupuncture is based on the idea that energy flows through an animal’s body along meridians; a blockage in one of the pathways can cause all sorts of health issues. Sometimes, the effects are immediately … Continue reading →

What Is Acupressure?

Acupressure works along the same beliefs as acupuncture, only without the needles. Like acupuncture, acupressure dates back more than five thousand years! It is even older than acupuncture, believe it or not. But then again, we had fingers before we invented needles, so it makes sense. Acupressure is based on the belief that the body’s life energy, or qi, creates the body’s balance. Qi moves through the body along fourteen pathways, or meridians. If the qi is moving freely throughout the body, health is good. If the flow is blocked, health is not so good. Stimulate a certain acupoint, and … Continue reading →

What Is Acupuncture?

The Far East brings us a very different look at life and health sometimes. Case in point: acupuncture. Get it? Point? Acupuncture is a healing practice that dates back more than five thousand years. It is based on the belief that your life energy (or qi) flows through your body. If your qi is balanced, your health is good. If your qi is blocked somewhere, you start to have problems. Qi travels along fourteen major pathways, or meridians. Bad diet choices, stress, or illness can block the flow of qi. Blocked qi means an unbalanced self. Stimulating particular points along … Continue reading →