Acupuncture & TCM in pregnancy - getting past the forbidden

[Guest guest]

Chinese Medicine , " Andreakos

Venetia " <dokterandreakos wrote:

>

>

> Hi

> I have a 8 weeks pregnant patient consulting for vomiting, every day,

most

> of the day.

> except Pc 6, CV 12, ST 36, DU 20 and DU 23 to calm the spirit any

other

> usefull points?

>

> Thx

Dokter Andreakos Venetia

 

 

Hi Andreakos and others

 

Debra Betts book 'Acupuncture in Pregnancy and Childbirth' is a

wonderful reference; if she comes to your town with her 2 day seminar,

sign up and attend - a lovely marriage of TCM, with explorations of

earliest theories and interventions - plus a good look at latest

clinical research and modern best-practice.

 

Debra gives Kid 27, Kid 21 and Kid 6 as her main points for nausea and

vomiting in pregnancy, with St 30 as an extra for severe cases.

 

Important - diagnosing the underlying TCM pattern of disharmony, and

using other acupoints and moxa, plus dietary interventions according to

the pattern gives the woman her best chance at relief of n & v... all

in the book.

CONTRA-INDICATED ACU-POINTS - in her seminar, Debra covers 'forbidden

points' - there are many markedly different lists which popped up over

time, and little in common between most of them; they usually lack any

stated rationale.

She concludes, based on her experience, observation, and reviewing

recent evidence, that the following points should be NEEDLED WITH

CAUTION in pregnant women:

GB 21

LI 4

SP 6

BL 60

BL 67

BL 32

Some of these points are ok to moxa or cup, according to what you're

treating. Debra kindly, and reassuringly suggests that in your own

practice, do what you feel most comfortable doing, and do it with a

clear intent. You may use these points judiciously, but you need to

have a very good reason to do so, maintaining an awareness of what the

points do to the uterus, hormones etc!

Debra also advises avoiding lower abdo pts 'unless specific

indications'; eg REN 4 for threatened miscarriage, directed to REN 8,

is appropriate - note this is not deep needling.

Her treatments are gentle, with minimal stimulation, as few needles as

possible - she finds the more she uses, the poorer the response; >6 is

too many in her view.

Inductions are stronger, but again, very focussed. Debra does not

offer 'social inductions'; she offers them to women whose medical

practitioners have advised a medical induction is imminent, and notes

that 'premature' acup inductions can lead to the same problems as

medical inductions.

IS IT POSSIBLE TO INDUCE MISCARRIAGE IN A 'SECURE' PREGNANCY?

She says - absolutely - yes, and refers in the seminar to a 50%

abortion rate in a Chinese hospital case series. These were

interventions to deliberately induce abortion.

PRE-BIRTH ACUP TREATMENT

from 37 weeks, once a week for 3-4 weeks - many 'use with caution

points' now become main points for preparation for birth, and for use

in labour. Buy the book

Debra's observations on the history of acup in pregnancy:

" Male acupuncturists (rather like medical specialists today) may not

have been present to witness or treat healthy pregnancy and normal

physiological labour.

Acupuncture's restricted use during pregnancy may have been determined

by historical politics rather than the reality of its potential for

effective clinical practice. "

Putting it in context:

Traditionally, pregnancy and birthing were women's business, managed by

mothers, aunties, servants and midwives - within the household. TCM

doctors were only called in to assist royalty, aristocrats, and the

wealthy - when things were going wrong.

TCM doctors of old, were sometimes as derisory of women's interventions

and management as many doctors are of midwife-managed birthing and

homebirthing today.

Debra Betts encourages us to 'get past the forbidden', and teaches us

how to do it safely and effectively. Involving the woman, her partner

and family in the process is integral - we're only part of the story!

Her www - heaps of generously provided FREE info for practitioners, and

women and their partners.

http://acupuncture.rhizome.net.nz/Default.aspx

Margi

[Guest guest]

Margi

 

Bi-lateral kd21 and st19 superficial needling works very well

 

Ray

 

 

 

_____

 

Chinese Medicine

Chinese Medicine On Behalf Of

margi.macdonald

Monday, 10 November 2008 11:56 AM

Chinese Medicine

Acupuncture & TCM in pregnancy - getting past the forbidden

 

 

 

Traditional_ <Chinese Medicine%40>

Chinese_Medicine , " Andreakos

Venetia " <dokterandreakos wrote:

>

>

> Hi

> I have a 8 weeks pregnant patient consulting for vomiting, every day,

most

> of the day.

> except Pc 6, CV 12, ST 36, DU 20 and DU 23 to calm the spirit any

other

> usefull points?

>

> Thx

Dokter Andreakos Venetia

 

Hi Andreakos and others

 

Debra Betts book 'Acupuncture in Pregnancy and Childbirth' is a

wonderful reference; if she comes to your town with her 2 day seminar,

sign up and attend - a lovely marriage of TCM, with explorations of

earliest theories and interventions - plus a good look at latest

clinical research and modern best-practice.

 

Debra gives Kid 27, Kid 21 and Kid 6 as her main points for nausea and

vomiting in pregnancy, with St 30 as an extra for severe cases.

 

Important - diagnosing the underlying TCM pattern of disharmony, and

using other acupoints and moxa, plus dietary interventions according to

the pattern gives the woman her best chance at relief of n & v... all

in the book.

CONTRA-INDICATED ACU-POINTS - in her seminar, Debra covers 'forbidden

points' - there are many markedly different lists which popped up over

time, and little in common between most of them; they usually lack any

stated rationale.

She concludes, based on her experience, observation, and reviewing

recent evidence, that the following points should be NEEDLED WITH

CAUTION in pregnant women:

GB 21

LI 4

SP 6

BL 60

BL 67

BL 32

Some of these points are ok to moxa or cup, according to what you're

treating. Debra kindly, and reassuringly suggests that in your own

practice, do what you feel most comfortable doing, and do it with a

clear intent. You may use these points judiciously, but you need to

have a very good reason to do so, maintaining an awareness of what the

points do to the uterus, hormones etc!

Debra also advises avoiding lower abdo pts 'unless specific

indications'; eg REN 4 for threatened miscarriage, directed to REN 8,

is appropriate - note this is not deep needling.

Her treatments are gentle, with minimal stimulation, as few needles as

possible - she finds the more she uses, the poorer the response; >6 is

too many in her view.

Inductions are stronger, but again, very focussed. Debra does not

offer 'social inductions'; she offers them to women whose medical

practitioners have advised a medical induction is imminent, and notes

that 'premature' acup inductions can lead to the same problems as

medical inductions.

IS IT POSSIBLE TO INDUCE MISCARRIAGE IN A 'SECURE' PREGNANCY?

She says - absolutely - yes, and refers in the seminar to a 50%

abortion rate in a Chinese hospital case series. These were

interventions to deliberately induce abortion.

PRE-BIRTH ACUP TREATMENT

from 37 weeks, once a week for 3-4 weeks - many 'use with caution

points' now become main points for preparation for birth, and for use

in labour. Buy the book

Debra's observations on the history of acup in pregnancy:

" Male acupuncturists (rather like medical specialists today) may not

have been present to witness or treat healthy pregnancy and normal

physiological labour.

Acupuncture's restricted use during pregnancy may have been determined

by historical politics rather than the reality of its potential for

effective clinical practice. "

Putting it in context:

Traditionally, pregnancy and birthing were women's business, managed by

mothers, aunties, servants and midwives - within the household. TCM

doctors were only called in to assist royalty, aristocrats, and the

wealthy - when things were going wrong.

TCM doctors of old, were sometimes as derisory of women's interventions

and management as many doctors are of midwife-managed birthing and

homebirthing today.

Debra Betts encourages us to 'get past the forbidden', and teaches us

how to do it safely and effectively. Involving the woman, her partner

and family in the process is integral - we're only part of the story!

Her www - heaps of generously provided FREE info for practitioners, and

women and their partners.

http://acupuncture. <http://acupuncture.rhizome.net.nz/Default.aspx>

rhizome.net.nz/Default.aspx

Margi

[Guest guest]

I have a pregnancy web site - mainly Debra Betts' info but some original stuff

of our own and nicely set out I think. Would love to know what people think of

it! www.bpaba.co.uk

 

re. nausea in pregnancy, herbal medicine is very effective. Requires TCM pattern

differentiation of course. Also consider ear acupuncture - Stomach, Spleen,

Mouth?

 

George