Pregnancy complaints

Since ancient times, maintaining the health of mother and child has been a central domain of Chinese medicine.

Pregnancy is a time of significant transformation, which is natural and occurs only during this period. According to the theory of Chinese medicine, pregnancy in the mother primarily involves the meridians Chong Mai (Sea of Blood) and Ren Mai (Sea of all Yin Meridians), the uterus (Chamber of Blood), Yin-Yang and Blood-Qi, as well as the Shen (Kidney) essence, the Gan (Liver), and the Pi (Spleen) from the Chinese organ system. Under optimal circumstances, pregnancy causes no issues. However, if the mother has a pre-existing imbalance in one of the above systems, in addition to headaches, migraines, and sleep disturbances, the following pregnancy-related problems may also occur:

Morning Sickness: The severity of morning sickness can range from mild nausea to severe, frequent vomiting, which may last through the first three months or throughout the entire pregnancy. Despite its name, it can occur at any time of day.

Constipation: Constipation is a common complaint during pregnancy and can be quite burdensome. From a biomedical perspective, it is due to the relaxing effect of progesterone on smooth muscle, increased blood flow in the pelvic area, and pressure from the enlarged uterus. In Chinese medicine, a diet not aligned with dietary principles, emotional stress, lack of physical activity, and overwork can all contribute to constipation during pregnancy.

Heartburn: Heartburn is also a very common complaint during pregnancy. It typically occurs in the later stages, but it can also appear as early as the first trimester, presenting as a burning sensation and sometimes accompanied by vomiting. Depending on the underlying cause, acupuncture may provide only temporary relief. However, for women experiencing persistent heartburn, even a few symptom-free days can be a significant relief.

Back Pain and Sciatica: Back pain and sciatica are also frequent issues and are often regarded as unavoidable. They may result from various factors, such as changes in posture, fatigue, loosened joints due to relaxed ligaments in the pelvis, stagnation of Qi and blood, or weakness of the Shen (Kidney) Qi.

When treating pregnant women, the first step is always to assess their current state of health in order to determine the best treatment strategy for the individual. Regardless of whether acupuncture, Chinese dietary principles, or lifestyle counseling is desired, the goal is always to alleviate the patient’s symptoms and address underlying imbalances, thereby supporting the woman throughout pregnancy and preparing for childbirth from week 32 onwards.

We would be happy to advise you on your individual symptoms and the possible therapies.