The Blog
A Solution for the Aches & Pains of Pregnancy? By Guest Blogger, Kaitlin Cleary
“Yea, that’s normal.”
A common, though not comforting, refrain pregnant women often hear when they tell a doctor or a midwife about the ever-changing symptoms they experience throughout the 9 months they’re sharing their body with another human. As a first-timer, I was particularly upset when I heard this from my midwife as I described the sharp, shooting pain running down my backside any time I moved. I had heard it in my other visits when I answered the question, “so, how are you feeling?” but this time was different – this was completely debilitating, and it being normal wasn’t going to cut it.
Year of the Dog
The day I landed in Shanghai was the first day of the Year of the Ox. It was 1997, I was 20, and I had absolutely no idea what I was getting myself into. We were staying at dorms at East China Normal University and the whole campus had poured out onto the back streets. Everywhere I turned someone was lighting off fireworks, banging a loud drum, drinking a large bottle of Becks (the only choices in the whole country were Becks, Tsingtao and Tiger) and eating up a storm. Groups of people tucked into a dragon costume were wandering down the streets. Unlike in the west, this New Year celebration lasted for 2 weeks! Families came together, often bringing oranges for luck, and shared long noodles and the kids got little red envelopes filled with money.
15 Years of Acupuncture and IVF at the Healing Arts Center
Increasing Success Rates for our Patients Through Cutting Edge Research.
One year after I began practicing acupuncture, a patient wanted help trying to conceive. Shewas about to go through IVF and brought me a recent study showing acupuncture treatmentsboth before and after embryo transfer significantly increased the success rates of live birth – inother words, taking home a healthy baby, not just achieving pregnancy.
An Evening to Remember
Last month, I had the honor of having so many of my friends, family and colleagues gather in one place to celebrate the launch of a project I'm incredibly passionate about - my new podcast, Waiting For Babies. Listening to intensely emotional stories of infertility and loss over drinks may not be everyone's idea of a party, but for me, it was an amazing experience to share the reason behind why I do what I do with people I care about.
A Reflection on Women's Equality Day
The acupuncture field is filled with women who are leading the way to better health. In honor of Women's Equality Day, we wanted to talk with one of our own, Vashni Nilon, L.Ac. about her experience. We interviewed Vashni about her career in acupuncture and how it contrasts to her previous work experience in the corporate world.
Visit Our New Exton Office!
If you live in the Philly suburbs, we're happy to announce a new office to visit us. Our Acupuncture and Massage practice is spreading further west, to Exton, and managed by Kelly Boggs and Lisa Lauer. We sat down recently to learn more about each practitioner, their wellness journeys and the services they offer.
Waiting for Babies: A Podcast Exploring the Human Side of the World of Infertility
When I first started practicing acupuncture 15 years ago, I didn’t set out with an intention to work with couples or individuals struggling to bring a child into their lives. But in my first month on the job, a new patient brought me a study done in Germany detailing how using acupuncture before and after the embryo transfer of an IVF procedure raised its success rates. She asked me to come to her fertility clinic and replicate what was in the study.
Risk Factors for Male Infertility
Infertility is a common problem for both men and women. The latest statistics show that one in eight couples in America and one in six in Canada will experience some sort of difficulties conceiving. Currently, we think that one-third of these cases are due to a problem with the man. There are a number of risk factors that are linked to male infertility.
Self-Care During Pregnancy
When you are expecting a baby, your mental and physical well-being is often considered secondary to that of the life growing inside of you. However, taking the time to nurture yourself will have many positive effects on both you and your baby’s health. Pregnancy is a perfect opportunity to indulge and engage in self-care; all while doing what is also best for your baby. Here are some tips to help you maintain your balance throughout your pregnancy.
Acupuncture for Fertility and the Cortisol Connection
One of the many reasons my patients come for acupuncture during their fertility treatments is to reduce the stress that accompanies infertility treatments. Patients often tell me it’s the one time in their week they get to vent their frustrations, bounce ideas of what to do next off of me, and then lay quietly in a dark room uninterrupted with soothing music for twenty minutes. One recently said it’s like getting therapy and a massage all at once.
Four Strategies to Keep Your Health and Wits About you over the Holiday Season
It’s that time of year…amongst the positives can also be some negatives. The likeliness of getting colds and flus, going off your regular diet, stress, busy days and an overabundance of good cheer or the opposite – isolation or loneliness over the holidays – can wreak havoc on your health and wellbeing. Here are a few strategies to get the most enjoyment out of the holidays without paying a high price in health, energy and emotions!