Acuneedling
What is Acuneedling?
The ancient practice of acupuncture has been around for thousands of years. Acuneedling involves the use of needles to stimulate specific points on the body, to create balance and flow of ‘qi’ or energy.
As an Acuneedling Midwife, Ramona is qualified to support you within the scope of pregnancy, birth & postpartum, to help with common pregnancy discomforts and preparation for birth and beyond.
How Acuneedling by a midwife can help during pregnancy, birth and beyond
Not sure what acuneedling is or how it might be able to help you? Acupuncture by a midwife — specifically for pregnancy, labour, birth and postpartum — is a safe and gentle treatment that has been used as part of traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years.
We are excited to share this beautiful treatment option with the women of Melbourne and wanted to share some of the benefits that it may bring you during your pregnancy. As an acuneedling midwife Ramona uses a certain number of points that are considered safe during pregnancy.
Acuneedling may assist with:
- Back/hip/symphysis pubis pain & sciatica
- Pre-birth treatment
- Labour activation (in specific circumstances)
- Postnatal mother warming – using moxabustion to aid recovery and healing
- Milk-let down
- Early intervention of mastitis.
- Emotional concerns
- Optimal positioning of baby
- Breech babies (using Moxibustion & may increase success of ECV)
- Nausea & vomiting
- Heartburn
- Constipation
- Haemorrhoids/varicosities
- Insomnia, itching
- Thrush
*Pre-birth treatments: Acuneedling can be used prior to birth to help prepare the body. It may help with cervical ripening, improving blood flow to the pelvis and provide the emotional benefits of relaxation and calm. The protocol for pre-birth treatments is weekly from 37 weeks depending on your individual situation. It usually involves 20 minutes of treatment time (needles in) lying on your side or sitting on a chair. Once they’re in you can rest and relax.
Moxibustion — can it help with breech babies?
Alternative treatments aren’t for everyone but it’s important to share information and give women options so that they can have a choice and decide what is best for them.
So — what is Moxibustion?
Moxa is a plant (mugwort) that is used as a heat source to stimulate acupuncture points in the body. It has been used in traditional treatments for over two thousand years in China.
When you are treated with the Moxa stick, it has been compressed into a cigar-like roll. We use the smokeless ones as the traditional ones do have a strong smell!
Using Moxa on BL-67 (the point on the little toe) is believed to activate the uterus and encourage the baby to move into and stay in the best possible position for birth. We combine the treatment with some acuneedling and then teach you how to use Moxa at home.
When used to help turn a baby from breech or transverse position, the Moxa is applied to the acupuncture point on the little toe for 15 minutes bilaterally once a day, for ten days. The Moxa rolls are held about a thumb width away from the point until it starts to feel hot (it may feel like a warm,, warm, zing!). You then remove it for a few seconds then reapply to the point again — this is called the pecking technique.
Studies have found it most effective at turning a breech baby around 34 weeks. It can still be used after this but 34-36 weeks is ideal. Using Moxa on BL-67 encourages the baby to move and stay in the best possible position for birth, therefore it’s important to continue treatment for ten days even if baby turns before this.
Session pricing and bookings:
1 hour session: $175
Sessions will be held Tuesday and Thursday afternoons at House of Health Clinic, 18 Young St, Moonee Ponds.
Women booking a session, who are also booked to birth with Organic Midwifery, have the option of receiving their session in the comfort of their own home for the same price, plus travel.
House of Health
18 Young Street
Moonee Ponds, Victoria, 3039
Altona North Health Hub
263 Millers Rd
Altona North Vic 3025
Bookings can be made below:
Questions?
Got questions? Please email Ramona, using the acuneedling enquiry form (below), or speak to your midwife for more information.