For a great many women, the wonder, joy, and expectation of pregnancy are clouded by the woes of morning sickness. If you are one of these women, you may want to consider the benefits of acupuncture at Long Island Spine Rehabilitation Medicine.
Research suggests that acupuncture is a safe and effective treatment for morning sickness, especially when administered by skilled physicians. Our medical professionals are physiatrists, doctors who specialize in pain management, and we have excellent credentials and extensive experience in the field of acupuncture.
What Causes Morning Sickness in Pregnant Women
Morning sickness, characterized by nausea and vomiting, typically occurs in the first trimester of pregnancy. Despite its name, “morning” sickness can complicate your routine at any time of day. It is believed to be caused by several factors, including:
- Increased hormone levels
- Reduced blood sugar during early pregnancy
- Heightened sense of smell and sensitivity to odors
While it is a common condition, affecting a high percentage of pregnant women, its severity varies. While most women with morning sickness are uncomfortable and inconvenienced, less than 3 percent develop an extreme form of the condition known as hyperemesis gravidarum that leads to dehydration and weight loss, requiring hospitalization. For most, however, acupuncture can bring great relief.
What Acupuncture Is and How It Works
Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese medical treatment that involves inserting extremely fine needles (the width of a strand of hair) into specific points on the body along pathways that have been charted over thousands of years.
The process is believed to balance the flow of energy or “Qi” in the body. Modern science, represented by such prestigious bodies as the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the World Health Organization (WHO), now widely accepts acupuncture as a viable treatment for a number of ailments. According to Western medicine, acupuncture’s efficacy is the result of:
- Stimulating nerves to release endorphins
- Increasing blood flow
- Triggering the release of natural opioids that act as analgesics
For most patients, the terms used to explain how acupuncture works are less important than the fact that it provides relief from troubling symptoms.
How Acupuncture Works to Alleviate Morning Sickness
Research suggests that acupuncture can be effective in reducing the severity of morning sickness. It works by targeting specific acupuncture points associated with digestive health and stress relief. By stimulating these points, acupuncture can help regulate the digestive system and balance hormonal fluctuations, reducing or eliminating nausea and vomiting.
Acupuncture Is Safe and Harmless for Mothers and Their Unborn Babies
Acupuncture, long known to be a harmless, minimally invasive treatment, is a fine choice for treating morning sickness since it is a holistic therapy with no lasting side effects. Also, because no pharmaceuticals are involved in its administration, there are no medications involved that might affect the development of the unborn child.
Why L.I. Spine Rehabilitation Medicine is the Place to Come for Acupuncture
There are many reasons our patients prefer to have their acupuncture administered at our offices. For one thing, our acupuncturists are not just skilled practitioners of this ancient art; they are physicians who have studied all systems of the human body thoroughly. We have the ability to understand the effects pregnancy has on all parts of the body and have undergone special training that enables us to coordinate traditional and complementary methods of healing.
Moreover, our doctors are well-respected throughout Nassau and Suffolk Counties both as talented professionals and caring human beings. It’s no surprise that pregnant women, who want to take extra special care of themselves during pregnancy, turn to us for comfort and relief.