We often receive questions about how community-style acupuncture at Vital Qi can offer support during pregnancy, and it is a topic we are passionate in talking about.

Relief from pregnancy-related conditions can be difficult to achieve as providers are often wary of conventional medications or therapies for fear of adverse effects. Acupuncture, on the other hand, offers a safe and effective treatment alternative for many of the most common issues experienced throughout the course of pregnancy.

Below are some of the most commonly asked questions we receive, and our answers:

Q: Is acupuncture safe to receive during pregnancy?

A: When working with a licensed practitioner, acupuncture has been shown to be safe to receive during pregnancy. Recent studies published by researchers in Korea and the UK show a low incidence of minor adverse events (such as tenderness or bruising at the needle insertion site) and concluded that serious adverse events were both extremely rare and highly unlikely to have been caused by acupuncture.

Q: What are the most common conditions treated during pregnancy?

A: Studies have shown favorable outcomes when receiving acupuncture for common pregnancy-related issues such as back pain, depression and nausea. From an Eastern medical perspective, acupuncture helps to alleviate these types of conditions by moving stagnant energy in the body and allowing for the free-flow of Qi.

The following conditions are ones we commonly see and treat in our clinic, though there are many other conditions that can be supported with acupuncture. Our acupuncturists review your health intake prior to arrival and can answer any specific questions about your condition during your appointment.

nausea and vomiting (including hyperemesis gravidarum — severe nausea and vomiting)
stress, anxiety and depression
gastrointestinal issues such as indigestion, heartburn, and constipation
swelling and water-retention
varicose veins presenting in the legs and pelvic region including hemorrhoids
musculoskeletal pain related to pregnancy such as pelvic, hip, back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome and sciatica
birth preparation & labor induction
breech presentation of the fetus

Q: Are all of the acupuncturists at Vital Qi trained in supporting pregnancy conditions?

A: Yes. Licensed acupuncturists receive extensive training in cautions and contraindications when working with pregnant patients and have the tools to treat common conditions that arise during pregnancy. Safety considerations are considered during every treatment. Especially in community acupuncture settings, providers will typically employ a “less-is-more” approach, out of an abundance of caution.

Q: I am in my third trimester, will I be comfortable receiving acupuncture in your clinic?

A: One benefit of receiving acupuncture in our clinic during pregnancy is our use of reclining chairs, which allow for a custom amount of “lean”. Unlike receiving treatment on tables which typically require a side-lying or propped reclined position, our chairs allow for low-hassle positioning and a more accessible entry and exit into the treatment. During the treatment, you will have access to warm & weighted body, eye, and neck pillows to support rest and relaxation.

Q: How often should I plan to receive acupuncture during pregnancy?

A: The answer to this question is specific to each person and should be discussed with your provider during your initial session. Treatment frequency may depend on many factors such as present-symptom resolution, pre-existing conditions, budget considerations, and availability.

With that said, our general recommendation for a “maintenance” plan during pregnancy is to follow the OB/Midwife appointment schedule, which is typically (though not always) monthly through the first and second trimester, increasing to bi-weekly and then weekly in the third trimester. This will allow the body time to acclimate to treatments and feel comfortable in the space in preparation for the final weeks leading up to delivery.

Q: Can community-style acupuncture treat pregnancy-related back pain?

A: Because treatments offered in a community setting are typically “face up” in reclining chairs, it is not possible to insert needles directly into areas on the back, hips, and gluteal muscles that are often affected by pregnancy. In community acupuncture, a series of points and protocols, typically directed on the arms and legs, are used to reduce pain in these areas instead. If necessary, our providers can offer a referral for private acupuncture treatment or alternative modalities to further support in pain relief.

Q: Do you offer pre-birth or labor induction acupuncture at Vital Qi?

A: Yes. Pre-birth acupuncture begins around 36 weeks and continues through the end of pregnancy with the intention of supporting the body in the final stages leading up to delivery. The phrase “labor induction acupuncture” is sometimes used to describe treatments during this phase of pregnancy. When discussing pre-birth or labor induction acupuncture, we emphasize that the intention is to gently encourage the body and mind to prepare for labor, rather than use methods which force the body to do something it is not ready to do. For more on this topic, please check out Elizabeth’s post here.

If you have specific questions related to acupuncture and pregnancy (or another condition), please use our contact page to get in touch.

Written by Elizabeth Fuqua, L.Ac.

Sources:

Moon, H. Y., Kim, M. R., Hwang, D. S., Jang, J. B., Lee, J., Shin, J. S., Ha, I., & Lee, Y. J. (2020). Safety of acupuncture during pregnancy: a retrospective cohort study in Korea. BJOG : an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology, 127(1), 79–86. https://doi.org/10.1111/1471-0528.15925

Park, J., Sohn, Y., White, A. R., & Lee, H. (2014). The safety of acupuncture during pregnancy: a systematic review. Acupuncture in medicine : journal of the British Medical Acupuncture Society, 32(3), 257–266. https://doi.org/10.1136/acupmed-2013-010480

Kvorning, N., Holmberg, C., Grennert, L., Åberg, A. and Åkeson, J. (2004), Acupuncture relieves pelvic and low-back pain in late pregnancy. Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica, 83: 246-250. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.0001-6349.2004.0215.x

Smith, C., Crowther, C. and Beilby, J. (2002), Acupuncture To Treat Nausea and Vomiting in Early Pregnancy: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Birth, 29: 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1523-536X.2002.00149.x

Manber, R., Schnyer, R. N., Allen, J. J. B., Rush, J., Blasey, C. M. (2004) Acupuncture: a promising treatment for depression during pregnancy. Journal of Affective Disorders, 83: 89-95. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2004.05.009

frequently asked: acupuncture + pregnancy