Pulling Down the Moon

Acupuncture, Depression and Pregnancy

February 25, 2010

A new study was published this week in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology which showed that acupuncture can help treat symptoms of depression in pregnant women. In the study, depressed women were placed into three groups:


  • 52 women received acupuncture for the specific purpose of relieving depression
  • 49 women received acupuncture without a stated purpose and served as a control group
  • 49 women received massage therapy and served as a second control group


Groups underwent 12 treatments over an eight-week period of time and were then asked to take the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression. Results showed the severity of depression in the acupuncture specific group to be significantly lower than that in both of the control groups.   


This was encouraging news since we are often asked at Pulling Down the Moon what holistic therapies might be available to patients who become depressed during pregnancy or what patients can do if they do not want to take their anti-depressants while TTC or pregnant. Understandably, many women are concerned about taking or starting medications during their pregnancy due to potential risk to their babies. Interestingly, research has shown that women with depression tend to have a greater likelihood of developing postpartum depression and they are more likely to have babies with lower birth weights. For these reasons, it is important to talk with both your doctor and your acupuncturist about integrating their care to make your treatment plan as seamless as possible. 


For information about the study, check out this Wall Street Journal Article:


http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704454304575081753471294546.html

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Tips for Spring Restoration

February 18, 2025
Despite the snow, spring has officially arrived this month! March brings the promise of new life. We love this time of year. The ground starts to smell fresh and ripe. Small green buds begin to swell from the earth reaching up, up, up. Birds chatter in the trees. The sun stays in the sky a little longer each day. After a long, cold winter of hibernation, spring restores nature’s beauty. Spring inspires us to restore ourselves, too and these self-care techniques will lead you to restoration of mind, body and spirit. Hydrate. Drink a glass or two of water first thing in the morning. Keeping yourself hydrated helps boost your mood, improves brain power and protects you against disease. Make a gratitude list. Spending just a few minutes a day writing down what you are grateful for can dramatically shift your day. The more gratitude you have, the more open to abundance you become. Breathe. Set aside a few minutes each day to practice breathing. There are so many benefits! Among them, diaphragmatic breathing alleviates stress, reduces pain, strengthens internal muscles and moves blood to organs and tissues. If you aren't sure how to get started, then try our next drop-in yoga class, Circulate Uterine Blood Flow Practice with PDtM co-founder Beth Heller on our Fully Fertile App, or schedule an Soothe the Senses: Calm the Nervous System Fertility Enhancing Massage™ to receive some hands-on breath work coaching. Stretch. Five to 10 minutes of stretching in the morning increases energy levels, enhances circulation, reduces injury and centers your mind. Even better is a regular yoga practice. Get started by downloading the Fully Fertile App today to give you a jump start! Our next Signature Yoga for Fertility Series begins on March 29th to reduce anxiety and stress by 20% or more in just six weeks. Eliminate something from your diet that isn’t serving you. I nstead of overhauling your entire diet, start by taking out one food that doesn’t nourish your body. Replace it with a different item that supports your desire for restoration. Learn even more by working with scheduling a nutrition consult ! We look forward to seeing you virtually or in-person at one of our centers to help you get started. Many wishes for a beautiful spring!
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