Acupuncture for Breech Presentation: Myth or Reality?

With an all time high rate of 32.8% for cesarian birth in our country, Acupuncture has recently gained popularity as a method of turning a breech baby or inducing labor naturally.  This article seeks to demystify this ancient approach as I have seen it work time and time again. Traditionally, the point named Zhi Yin or UB-67 , located on the lateral side of the pinky toe is used to turn a baby in breech presentation. Zhi Yin translates to “Reaching Yin.”  For those of you with some working knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine, one can understand how a fetus would be the utmost Yin (fluid, soft tissue, or very center) of a woman’s body as the fetus does not obtain its own Yang energy until it takes its first breath outside of the womb.

To offer assistance with breech presentation, often only one acupuncture appointment is needed. Typically the mother is instructed to continue using a technique called moxabustion at home for 10-20 minutes a day until her next sonogram or physical examination.

                                                                           ----> Read More on Hillary's Blog, The Wellness Well

Explaining Myofascial Release Therapy

Myofascial Release is a therapeutic massage modality that can reduce pain by freeing restrictions in soft tissue due to stress, unnatural posture (computer work, driving, etc.), injury, prior surgery/scarring, poor form in athletic activities, and other causes.  It affects the deep tissue and can produce results that last longer than a regular massage or trigger point therapy alone.

Myofascial work releases restriction in the fascia.  Fascia wraps every muscle fiber cell, muscle, organ, bone; it is a three dimensional web-like structure of connection throughout the body.   

Rather than gliding over the skin, the therapist engages the deeper layers of soft tissue in a sort of “pull” or “drag.”  When done properly, it should feel like a medium stretch in the muscle (rather than light or heavy).  It should not be painful.  Most people find it feels pleasant.  Myofascial treatment also may consist of a light, static, stretch-hold from 5-15 minutes when the muscle “gives up,” releasing the tension and extending to its normal (rather than tightened) length.  This release is very subtle and not usually recognized when it happens although clients usually report excellent results following myofascial treatment.

If you are experiencing any pain in your body, myofascial release can help eliminate it.

Let our massage therapist, Jean Riccio work her majic on you!

Click here to schedule your appointment 

Natural Labor Induction: Does it Really Exist?

It’s all too often that I get a phone call from a frantic Mom-to-be or Father for that matter, desperate for labor to start. Reasons range from fear of the impending doom of a forced induction with pharmaceuticals to a scheduled C-section because they are overdue or high-risk, to just simply being ready to get the show on the road.  Many people are under the assumption that by taking a few herbs or doing a couple acupuncture points that are traditionally contraindicated during pregnancy, that you can make labor happen instantly.  This couldn’t be further from the truth!

The fact of the matter is that there is very little known about the mechanism of birth or what makes a baby decide that it is in fact time to make his or her grand introduction into the world.  Here are a few of the most commonly asked questions I get on the phone. Can acupuncture cause contractions? Yes sometimes. Can it help to make contractions more regular if they are already randomly occurring? Yes. Can you cause someone’s water to break? Probably not! Will you leave my office in labor? Highly unlikely, although the chance for naturally going into labor in the next 48 hours seems to jump significantly after you are over 40 weeks of gestation...

                                                                              ----> Read more on Hillary's Blog, The Wellness Well

Happy Valentine's Day! Be Good to Your HEART

Happy Valentine's Day!

Wishing you all be extra good to your heart today:

- Give someone a hug

- Take a long walk

- Drink some beet juice

- Forgive someone who hurt you

- Tell someone you LOVE them!

We also want to take this time to thank all of our dear friends and patients who have shown us so much love these past months as we've built our clinic.  

Thank you lovely friends!

What is PCOS? And how did my ovary end up with a pearl necklace??

image source

Our first post is an oldie but goodie.  Hillary explains some causes and symptoms of PCOS, along with providing some natural solutions to help you.  

Please check out Hillary's post on PCOS on her blog, The Wellness Well.

Stay healthy, friends!

We're Live!

Welcome to our blog!

Art of Acupuncture is a clinic located in sunny St. Petersburg, Florida.  We have years and years of experience between our three acupuncturists, and two massage therapists.  The clinic was born in August of 2012 in a renovated bungalow.  We offer extraordinary care in peaceful environment.  

This blog is our outlet to provide resources to optimize your health.  Everything from healthy eating and living tips to information about Chi Kung (Gi Gong) and massage therapy.  

We look forward to chatting with you!