PREGNANCY and REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH
I am inspired and passionate about working with women, men and babies in the field of reproductive health and the journey from conception through pregnancy, birth and postpartum. I have worked with many women during this time to help their bodies open and adjust to the physiological and emotional changes that this precious time entails, and I am in the process of receiving a Post-Partum Doula Certification. Oriental Medicine, Massage and Craniosacral Therapy greatly enhance the health of a woman and a developing baby from conception through birth, increasing her ability to conceive, baby's healthy growth and smooth passage through the birth canal, and the harmonic resonance and communication between baby and Mama.
Oriental Medicine plays a vital role in promoting reproductive health and fertility, and have been documented in Chinese medical literature dating back to 11AD. Clinical studies in China and the United States have proven the efficacy of Chinese Medicine in improving men's and women's reproductive health, as well as highly increased rates of success with procedures such as IVF when Chinese Medicine treatment is concurrent. These studies have shown acupuncture to improve erectile function, as well as sperm count, motility and morphology. It has also been shown to improve uterine blood flow, which increases the chances of an ovum implanting in the uterine wall. Hormones released during stressful situations can interrupt normal reproductive hormonal activity, and markedly decrease fertility. Oriental Medicine can regulate the endocrine system, reduce stress, and these hormones, thus supporting sperm production, ovulation and regular menstrual cycles, while enhancing the overall functioning of the whole body.
Oriental Medicine has also been proven to be of great benefit to mothers and babies throughout pregnancy, birth, and post-partum, with acupuncture points and herbs that focus on alleviating morning sickness, strengthening the mother to have a healthy pregnancy, calming a restless fetus, alleviating sciatic pain, inducing labor, turning a breach baby, alleviating mastitis, strengthening milk production, and resolving postpartum difficulties.
Craniosacral Therapy helps to free patterns of restriction, specifically physiological and emotional patterns held around the womb and ovaries, the coccyx, and even the pituitary glands that generate the healthy balance of hormones in the body that supports fertility. Once baby is in utero, Craniosacral Therapy can be used to connect with the baby's cerebrospinal fluid to enhance healthy development, and also to harmonize the rhythms of Mama and Baby, which enables more communication and connection.
Oriental Medicine plays a vital role in promoting reproductive health and fertility, and have been documented in Chinese medical literature dating back to 11AD. Clinical studies in China and the United States have proven the efficacy of Chinese Medicine in improving men's and women's reproductive health, as well as highly increased rates of success with procedures such as IVF when Chinese Medicine treatment is concurrent. These studies have shown acupuncture to improve erectile function, as well as sperm count, motility and morphology. It has also been shown to improve uterine blood flow, which increases the chances of an ovum implanting in the uterine wall. Hormones released during stressful situations can interrupt normal reproductive hormonal activity, and markedly decrease fertility. Oriental Medicine can regulate the endocrine system, reduce stress, and these hormones, thus supporting sperm production, ovulation and regular menstrual cycles, while enhancing the overall functioning of the whole body.
Oriental Medicine has also been proven to be of great benefit to mothers and babies throughout pregnancy, birth, and post-partum, with acupuncture points and herbs that focus on alleviating morning sickness, strengthening the mother to have a healthy pregnancy, calming a restless fetus, alleviating sciatic pain, inducing labor, turning a breach baby, alleviating mastitis, strengthening milk production, and resolving postpartum difficulties.
Craniosacral Therapy helps to free patterns of restriction, specifically physiological and emotional patterns held around the womb and ovaries, the coccyx, and even the pituitary glands that generate the healthy balance of hormones in the body that supports fertility. Once baby is in utero, Craniosacral Therapy can be used to connect with the baby's cerebrospinal fluid to enhance healthy development, and also to harmonize the rhythms of Mama and Baby, which enables more communication and connection.
PEDIATRICS
Babies and children are extremely receptive and sensitive to both Craniosacral Therapy and the techniques and herbs of Chinese Medicine. These are used to treat conditions from common colds to eczema and epilepsy with effective results, making the use of antibiotics and other harsh drugs and treatments unnecessary. Specific Infant Tuina massage techniques are used only for babies and toddlers to affect all of the internal organs. These techniques are done on the left hand and fingers as well as along the arms, legs, back, and belly. In addition to Tuina massage, small tools called Shonishin are used on the surface of the skin to stimulate the meridians, harmonize and fortify the child’s vital energy, and strengthen the child’s constitution. Shonishin techniques involve rhythmic stroking, rubbing, tapping, and pressing the skin to give different kinds of gentle stimulation. Cupping and Moxibustion may also be used in a treatment depending on the child's condition.
In pediatric acupuncture, needles as fine as a hair are inserted quickly and removed immediately, giving stimulation to the points that will best treat their condition. Once the child is old enough to sit still, the needles may be retained for five minutes or longer. Herbal remedies for children are given in very small amounts or through the mother's milk. The use of Chinese Medicine to treat babies and children is an important alternative or complement to Western medical treatment, as Chinese Medicine both alleviates symptoms while balancing disharmonies and strengthening the constitution of the child.
In pediatric acupuncture, needles as fine as a hair are inserted quickly and removed immediately, giving stimulation to the points that will best treat their condition. Once the child is old enough to sit still, the needles may be retained for five minutes or longer. Herbal remedies for children are given in very small amounts or through the mother's milk. The use of Chinese Medicine to treat babies and children is an important alternative or complement to Western medical treatment, as Chinese Medicine both alleviates symptoms while balancing disharmonies and strengthening the constitution of the child.
PLACENTA PREPARATION
Placenta is one of the most powerful herbal medicines used in Chinese Medicine. It is an invaluable part of postpartum healing for both the mother and child, as it helps to balance hormones, increase milk supply, recover from childbirth, increase the mother's energy, replenish Blood and Qi lost during childbirth, and prevent "postpartum depression". It is also believed to help build the baby's immune system, and in China, it is used at other times in life to help with chronic illness, fatigue, trauma and life transitions, healing bone breaks, anti-aging, and regulating hormones during menopause.
Almost every mammal ingests their own placenta after birth. Scientific studies show that placenta is extremely nutrient rich--high in iron, protein, vitamins, and minerals, and the mother's own natural hormones, including :
Prolactin, promotes lactation
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone, boosts energy and helps manage stress
Cortisone, combats stress, reduces inflammation and pain
Interferon, stimulates the immune system, is antiviral, and fights tumors
Oxytocin, facilitates breastfeeding and bonding
Hemoglobin, replenishes iron and transports oxygen to the cells
Gamma globulin, boosts immune system to protect against postpartum infections
Urokinase Inhibiting Factor and Factor XIII, stops bleeding and helps wound healing
These nutrients and hormones are easily absorbed by the mother, as they are made in her body, and thus are the most efficient way of rebalancing her body into vital health.
How is placenta prepared?
There are several ways a mother can ingest her placenta. These include cooking it and eating it in a soup; cleaning it, freezing it raw and shaving some of it off daily into a smoothie; or having it prepared into a tincture or capsules.
To prepare the placenta into capsules, the placenta is rinsed by hand for 20-30 minutes until it runs clean of blood, then steamed with herbs, sliced and dehydrated for 5-8 hours, powdered and encapsulated. These capsules are ingested by the mother several times daily in the first few weeks postpartum. The remainder of the capsules may be consumed if the mother feels she wants the continued support, or they can be saved in the freezer for future use.
It is best to process the placenta within the first 48 hours of childbirth. The placenta is best kept on ice or in the refrigerator if the processing cannot be done immediately. For any period longer than 48 hours, the placenta can be frozen and thawed when ready for processing.
Almost every mammal ingests their own placenta after birth. Scientific studies show that placenta is extremely nutrient rich--high in iron, protein, vitamins, and minerals, and the mother's own natural hormones, including :
Prolactin, promotes lactation
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone, boosts energy and helps manage stress
Cortisone, combats stress, reduces inflammation and pain
Interferon, stimulates the immune system, is antiviral, and fights tumors
Oxytocin, facilitates breastfeeding and bonding
Hemoglobin, replenishes iron and transports oxygen to the cells
Gamma globulin, boosts immune system to protect against postpartum infections
Urokinase Inhibiting Factor and Factor XIII, stops bleeding and helps wound healing
These nutrients and hormones are easily absorbed by the mother, as they are made in her body, and thus are the most efficient way of rebalancing her body into vital health.
How is placenta prepared?
There are several ways a mother can ingest her placenta. These include cooking it and eating it in a soup; cleaning it, freezing it raw and shaving some of it off daily into a smoothie; or having it prepared into a tincture or capsules.
To prepare the placenta into capsules, the placenta is rinsed by hand for 20-30 minutes until it runs clean of blood, then steamed with herbs, sliced and dehydrated for 5-8 hours, powdered and encapsulated. These capsules are ingested by the mother several times daily in the first few weeks postpartum. The remainder of the capsules may be consumed if the mother feels she wants the continued support, or they can be saved in the freezer for future use.
It is best to process the placenta within the first 48 hours of childbirth. The placenta is best kept on ice or in the refrigerator if the processing cannot be done immediately. For any period longer than 48 hours, the placenta can be frozen and thawed when ready for processing.
