Article Thumbnail

What Nobody Talks About During Pregnancy: Your Postpartum Health

August 31, 2018

Prenatally, we tend to focus on mom and how she can optimize her health for her benefit and the benefit of the baby. However in the postpartum period, our culture seems to completely focus on baby and mom’s well-being is forgotten. This attitude is also reflected in postpartum medical care in the USA. Generally, the baby goes for their first pediatrician visit just a few days after birth, but mom’s first visit with her OB isn’t until a whopping 6 weeks after the delivery!

Thankfully, recently there has been more media attention to this problem (see this great guide in the New York Times). The American Academy of Pediatrics has even recommended that new moms be screened by their child’s pediatrician for postpartum anxiety and depression. In my and many others’ opinion, this is a positive step, but more support for new moms is needed. Until healthcare systems in the USA begin providing appropriate levels of support to new parents, you must develop a plan for your postpartum health during pregnancy. After the baby is born it will likely feel much too overwhelming. Read more

Article Thumbnail

Acupuncture and Moxibustion for Turning Breech Babies: An Update

March 04, 2018

My Approach As a Practitioner…

In my practice I’ve had really good success with turning breech babies using moxibustion in combination with acupuncture. It’s something that I see very regularly and I’m always happy that women and their health care providers are becoming more aware that moxa can help, and recognize the importance of using any intervention possible to try and turn the breech baby and increase chances of a vaginal birth. When a woman comes to me with this issue, on the first visit I perform an acupuncture session to try and facilitate movement and space in the hips and pelvis as well as address any other issues such as anxiety, insomnia, back pain or digestive issues in pregnancy. After the acupuncture comes moxibustion. I teach the patient in great detail how to perform this technique and send her home with written instructions and the moxa sticks. 4-5 days later, she returns for another acupuncture session to try and help the process.

This is something that’s great to try before your doctor attempts an ECV Read more

Article Thumbnail

Is Acupuncture Safe During The First Trimester? Here’s The Evidence…

January 21, 2018

Many women who are newly pregnant ask me whether acupuncture is safe during pregnancy- specifically during the first trimester. They really want to try or continue acupuncture for a variety of reasons, but are quite mindful of avoiding anything that could put the pregnancy at risk.  I can say it is safe without hesitation, not only from my nearly 10 years in practice but from all the years of experience of my teachers and mentors. However I completely understand that women, their doctors and midwives want more than just anecdotal evidence. So without further ado- here are the studies which I feel should put your mind at ease. Read more

Article Thumbnail

Special Event: Acupuncture To Benefit Planned Parenthood

March 04, 2017

On Saturday, March 25th from 11-3pm, you’ll get a relaxing acupuncture treatment at my midtown office in exchange for your donation to Planned Parenthood. The recommended donation is $50-$150 per session.

Event FAQ’s:

Sign me up! How do I get on the schedule?

Awesome! Click here to make an appointment. I’m expecting that all slots will fill up, so unfortunately won’t be able to accept walk-ins that day.

How do I make my donation?

I won’t be accepting donations directly- instead, you have a few options:

  1. Go to my Planned Parenthood Fundraiser page and donate online. I’ll be able to see that you donated, and you will then be all set for the day of your acupuncture session.
  2. On Saturday the 25th, I will have donation forms that you can fill out at the office. You can write in your credit card info OR bring a check, and I will mail all these forms together to Planned Parenthood.

Since you are making the donation directly to Planned Parenthood, you are able to get a receipt from them for tax purposes.

I can’t make it for an appointment that day, but still want to donate!

Thank you! Please go to my Planned Parenthood Fundraiser page where you can donate online.

Article Thumbnail

Acupuncture For Sciatica And Low Back Pain in Pregnancy

March 02, 2017

In my practice, I see a lot of women who are experiencing either sciatica or lower back pain in pregnancy. It’s a very common condition, and it’s actually one of my favorite things to treat using acupuncture because it works so well! Acupuncture can help you to take the focus off of being in pain, and instead enjoy the last few months of pregnancy while gathering your strength for the birth.

Sciatica refers to pain which is usually in the glute and to some extent radiating down the back of the leg. Read more