HGTV Star Credits Acupuncture for Her Third Pregnancy

In a clip from her new show Christina on the Coast, HGTV star Christina Anstead said, “I know some people are going to think that all of this is a bit out there, but let me tell you, it works.”

What was she talking about? Acupuncture, of course.

Yep, Christina credits acupuncture for helping her to achieve her third, healthy pregnancy that resulted in her soon-to-be one-year-old son, Hudson.

In a recent article from People Magazine, Christine previously told them she “ 'didn’t think I could get pregnant anymore” ‘ because of her PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) diagnosis Her first child was conceived naturally with her ex-husband, Tarek El-Moussa, but her second came after two failed IVF treatments and a miscarriage. She added that while she can’t be 100% sure acupuncture was the solution her body needed, People reports she said that she found the practice’s stress-reducing effects “fascinating.”

She also said, “‘When I first worked with Sheila [her acupuncturist'] I told her I was having a lot of trouble getting pregnant, and then I had polycystic ovaries, and Sheila told me she could get me pregnant, and six days later I conceived Hudson.’”

In the episode, Christine tries to convince her best riend Cassie Zebisch to give acupuncture a try, and after a bit of convincing, she obliges.

The end result? She was relaxed and quiet within a few minutes.

We love helping women achieve their fertility goals, as well as turning non-believers into believers!

Call us or email us today to schedule your appointment!

What You'll Feel at your First Acupuncture Appointment

Yes, acupuncture uses needles. But no, acupuncture doesn’t hurt. We promise!

But if you can’t take our word for it, this week MindBodyGreen did an excellent feature that explains what to expect, and what you might feel at your first appointment.

Writer Sarah Reagan recounted her first acupuncture encounter where she was pleasantly surprised there was no pain. She explains, “First, it's worth noting that everyone responds to acupuncture differently. For me, certain needles, or filaments, caused a dull ache, but beyond that I didn't really feel them at all—partially because they are so thin. There were occasionally sensitive spots, like my knees and hips, but I've since been told that there was a purpose to those sensations.”

A licensed acupuncturist in Buffalo, NY, Toni Haugen, L.Ac, explains that while the acuneedles are inserted and adjusted, “I explain to the patients they may feel a mild, dull, and achy sensation that will immediately begin to fade," Haugen says. "It's a feeling that exists on the interior of the body and feels more like the body responding to stimulus and not like something has been inserted into the skin.”

Once inserted, the patient lays down and relaxes for 10-30 minutes while the healing happens. During this time, it’s not uncommon to feel slight tingling or heaviness, relaxation, warmth in the extremities, or relaxing or previously contracted or tight muscles.

As far as after the treatment? The writer explains, “After the filaments are removed, many people report feeling a bit dreamy—myself included. It doesn't feel like much at all to have the needles quickly pulled out at the end, and once you're done, you'll begin feeling the actual effects of the treatment (though not always immediately).”

Eager to experience acupuncture for the first time? Call us or book your first appointment online, today!

Expecting? Here's How Acupuncture Can Help Your Pregnancy Symptoms

Whether you’re newly pregnant or are in the throes of an uncomfortable third trimester, you know all too well the ups and downs of pregnancy.

Sure, it’s a total miracle that we are grateful for. But that doesn’t mean it is easy on our bodies!

Whether you’re struggling with prenatal anxiety, aches and pains from the added weight and pressure of your baby, pregnancy-related insomnia, nausea, restless leg syndrome, or a few other symptoms, we’re here to help.

Yes, acupuncture can and does help relieve many of the physical and mental woes that come along with the pregnancy territory.

According to the famed What to Expect website, science has studied that can relieve the following pregnancy symptoms:

• Morning sickness (acupuncture points around the rest can be targeted. to help reduce unpleasant nausea and vomiting that might come along, especially in the first trimester.) 

• Lower back and pelvic pain (You're bound to have some aches and pains as your uterus expands and you're gaining weight. According to the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, acupuncture can help relieve this by targeting points on the ear. In fact, a study revealed that 80% of women in a group who had this type of treatment had a clinically significant reduction in pain, compared to 56$ of women who had "fake" acupuncture, and 36% of women who received no treatment.) 

• Depression (Hormones are bound to make your emotions feel a little out of whack, but actual depression while preggo is fairly common too, affecting nearly 25% of women. In a study from the journal titled Obstetrics & Gynecology, a clinical trial revealed that 65% of  clinically depressed pregnant women who received acupuncture specifically for depression responded to treatment, while only 44% of women who received general acupuncture or massage responded.) 

• Headaches (Restoring the balance of qi and blood flow can help to relieve the pain brought on by pregnancy-induced headaches.)

• Sleep Problems (Though pregnancy is exhausting, many women find it difficult to sleep. Acupuncture can help people restore their sleep cycles and get meaningful rest, whether they are pregnant or not.) 

There is a slew of other supportive articles too.

Here, WebMD outlines how acupuncture can help with pregnancy-related pelvic pain,

And here, Shape magazine discusses the safety of acupuncture while pregnant — where our very own Ani Baran, LaC is quoted!

If you’re looking to ease some of your pregnancy aches, pains, and symptoms, give us a call or click here to book today.

Wrist Pain? Let Acupunture Help

With most of us spending more and more time on our laptops, tablets, smartphones and other devices, it’s no wonder we may be experiencing a surge in wrist and hand pain.

After-all, the curved and repetitive motions of typing and texting are unnatural to our bodies and can cause significant wear and tear.

Whether you’ve developed carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis, arthritis, or are simply in discomfort — we’re here to help.

When seeking relief for wrist pain, your license acupuncturist will insert acuneedles at specific acupoints (located along the body’s internal meridians) and will restore the flow of qi — the energy that lies within your body. In doing so, circulation in the area will improve which means that blood flow will be restored, lessening inflammation and swelling and improving range of motion. Muscle spasms may soon begin to fade, too. Internal healing will begin within the first few minutes of treatment and will continue with subsequent appointments.

One of the most important factors, pain relief, will soon follow suit.

In addition to acupuncture, proper posture (maintaining a natural curvature of the wrist while typing), stretching, and hydration should be practiced as well. A hand and wrist massage daily is always a great idea too, as is avoiding overuse. (Which is easier said than done these days!)

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