Acupuncture
Traditional Chinese Medicine has a long and rich history of using acupuncture to treat problems from depression, weight loss, pain, stress management to labour support.
Acupuncture is an incredibly relaxing treatment as you will have a room to relax for 25-40min after the needles have been set. The needles themselves are of extremely small size so are barely felt by the skin.
Dr. Bean primarily uses acupuncture for fertility and labour induction (36 weeks onward) or even helping with the breech position.
How does Acupuncture Support Labor?
Acupuncture can encourage proper positioning, moving baby down into the birth control along with cervical ripening by way of activating strong acupuncture points.
A study conducted by Harper TC and Others, published in The Journal of Maternal Fetal and Neonatal Medicine (2006) found “70% of women who received acupuncture went into labor on their own, compared to 50% who received standard care. The women who received acupuncture were also less likely to deliver by cesarean section — 39% compared to 17%.”
When used appropriately, acupuncture is a safe therapy that can help you and your baby progress naturally towards labour and delivery. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, acupuncture works to move Qi and blood and by way of activating these acupuncture points, we are moving Qi within the body.
Is Acupuncture covered under your extended benefits?
Yes it is. Please be aware that when you see a Naturopathic Doctor, you are using Naturopathic benefits to receive acupuncture. You cannot claim your acupuncture visit under "acupuncturist." You must claim under Naturopathic Medicine.