Use
of Acupuncture during Pregnancy and Birth
by
Andrew Orr
(Adv
Dip Health Sc(Acup & Ch Herbs),Ac China(Guangxi),Dip Rem Ther)
Introduction
to Traditional Chinese Medicine
Prenatal Care
Use of Chinese
Medicine In Pregnancy
Introduction
to Traditonal Chinese Medicine (TCM)
Theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine is totally different from
that of modern medicine and has a unique system of its own. Some
of the terms are rather difficult to express in other languages,
nor is it easy to find an exact translation of the original. Some
of the words that convey the concept of the Chinese Terms convey
only part of it.
To
present Traditional Chinese Medicine factually and faithfully, and
as clearly as possible, we have to observe the following points
in its translation. Some of the terms with extensive implications
and basic meaning, such as Yin, Yang, Xu, Shi, Zang Fu, Qi, Sanjiao,
Etc. are latinised and printed in Italics. This is done in order
not to distort the original expression and to preserve its traditional
significance.
Such
terms as blood, body fluid, phlegm, pericardium, heart, liver, spleen,
lung and kidney are translated literally though they carry a much
broader meaning in the Chinese than in the context of modern medicine
and the reader should not limit them to their strict anatomical
meaning.
Acupuncture
and moxabustion are important component procedures in TCM which
prevent and treat disease by puncturing certain points of the body
with needles or applying heat with ignited moxa wool. Of marked
efficiency and requiring simple equipment, they’ve been widely used
for thousands of years. As early as the Stone Age, people used needles
fashioned of stone for curative purposes. These are known as bian.
When we entered the bronze and Iron Age needles were made of metals.
With the development of social technology, needling instruments
were constantly improved, providing conditions for further refinement
of Acupuncture.
Moxabustion
originated after the introduction of fire into man’s life. It is
assumed that while warming themselves by the fire, people in ancient
times accidentally found relief and disappearance of certain pain
or illness when definite areas of the skin were subjected to burning.
Moxa leaves were later chosen as the material for use as they were
easily lit and the heat produced is mild and effective in removing
obstruction of channels and collateral’s. And so moxabustion was
established.
PRENATAL
CARE
Fetal education (Tai Jiao) was mentioned in TCM over a thousand
years ago. Its aim was to ensure the healthy development of the
fetus through its ten (Lunar) months in the womb. This pertains
to the prenatal care, as we know it and to the making of a strong
healthy child.
The
fetus is connected to the mothers Kidneys and is supported by the
mothers Qi and Blood. The growth and development of the fetus is
mainly dependent on the harmony of the mother’s kidneys, spleen
and stomach. Besides, the mothers should maintain a good mood, eat
nutritious food, live a regular daily life style, and avoid external
pathogenic factors from the moment of conception.
Positive
mood
Harmony of the mothers Qi and Blood gives the fetus vitality. Adverse
flow of Qi and Blood may jeopardise its safety and cause miscarriage.
The expectant mother should therefore avoid excessive emotions such
as over joy, fright, anger, tension, depression, or sorrow, and
must not become unduly worried about the sex of the child.
Adequate
diet is important during pregnancy but it should not be too rich.
Greasy cold foods should be avoided. One should not be partial to
any particular kind of food. All these excesses can harm both mother
and baby. Overwork injures the mothers Qi and Blood while inactivity
slows down the flow of Qi and Blood. Adequate activity is therefore
suggested throughout pregnancy, not only to maintain a sufficient
supply to the fetus, but also to prepare the mother for a smooth
delivery. Loose clothing is recommended during pregnancy, to avoid
obstruction to the flow of Qi and blood or the growth of the fetus.
USES
OF CHINESE MEDICINE IN PREGNANCY
To
understand Chinese Medicine and its use in Pregnancy, we must first
look at some major players in its use.
Chinese
medicine does not classify any disease under a fixed classification.
They use a theory called, "The Five Element Theory" to Classify
diseases.
Each element has a corresponding Organ, Season, Orifice, Taste,
Emotion, Sense etc.
Each
element even has its own musical note and number.
Also Yin and Yang are the two important energies used in Chinese
Medicine.
YIN = Female energy
Fluids
Water
Damp
YANG = Male energy
Fire
Movement
The Main Energy in Chinese Medicine is QI (pronounced Chee)
Also
Chinese Medicine has Internal and External Pathogens that can cause
Disease: -
1.Wind
2.Fire/Heat
3.Cold
4.Damp
5.Phlegm
Each
of these corresponds to: -
|
Element
|
Organ
|
Orifice
|
Taste
|
Season
|
Emotion
|
Sense
|
Organ
|
1.WOOD |
Liver
|
Eyes
|
Sour
|
Spring
|
Anger
|
Vision
|
Eyes
|
|
2.FIRE
|
Heart
|
Ears
|
Bitter
|
Summer
|
Joy
|
Speech
|
Tongue
|
|
3.EARTH
|
Spleen
|
Mouth
|
Sweet
|
Late
Summer
|
Reflection
|
Taste
|
Mouth
|
4.METAL |
Lung
|
Nose
|
Pungent
|
Autumn
|
Grief
|
Smell
|
Nose
|
|
5.WATER
|
Kidney
|
Lower
Orifices
|
Salty
|
Winter
|
Fear
|
Hearing
|
Ears
|
In
pregnancy the main Organs that come into play according to Chinese
medicine are: -
1.Spleen
2.Kidney
3.Liver
SPLEEN
-The Spleen is the origin of Birth and Development. This refers
to the central role that the Spleen plays in nourishing the body
and promoting development.
KIDNEYS
-Store Essence and Govern Birth, Growth, Reproduction and Development.
The Kidneys store the Pre-Heaven Essence, ie. the inherited Essence
given to us by our parents, which before birth nourishes the Foetus
and after birth controls growth, sexual maturation, fertility and
development. Insufficient Essence may be the cause of infertility,
impotence and underdevelopment in children, retarded growth and
premature senility.
LIVER
- Stores the Blood. Insures the smooth flow of Qi. Controls the
Sinews. Houses the Ethereal Soul.
Pregnancy
is seen as a damp condition in Chinese Medicine. This is due to
the dominance of Yin (Body Fluids). Also Pregnancy is seen as the
marriage of Yin and Yang energies (Male and Female). So in essence,
the Yin and Yang symbol that we know so well is a perfect model
of Birth. It even looks like a Foetus in a Womb, if you look closely.
Chinese
Medicine is the Primary treatment for Pregnancy and Birth in China.
It has been that way for thousands of years and will remain that
way for many thousand years more. The results that Chinese Medicine
produces are too good to ignore.
Read
another article by Andrew Orr
discussing his research into
Natural Induction Using Acupuncture
Andrew
Orr is a fully Qualified Practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine
and is a member of the Australian Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine
Association LTD (Membership No.1283). Andrew has just returned from
Guangxi, China, where he has been working extensively in two major hospitals.
Andrew also specialises in care for pregnant women and writes an article
for the Natural Birthing Centre, at the Royal Women's Hospital (Brisbane),
every two months. Andrew has great success in treating the many common
ailments caused by pregnancy. Andrew has had great success using Acupuncture
during childbirth and has even used Acupuncture to turn babies in breech.
All care is done while keeping close contact with the patients family
Doctor or Midwife.
Andrew
has an excellent knowledge of traditional Chinese Medicine and is involved
in research both here and in China.
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