Michelle Hughes, doctor of traditional Chinese medicine (TMC) and the owner of Comox Valley Acupuncture & Traditional Chinese Medicine clinic, has just returned from a volunteer trip to Chiapas, Mexico with the Obstetrical Acupuncture Association and the Global Acupuncture Project.
Hughes was accompanied by three other Acupuncturists, all members of the Obstetrical Acupuncture Association – two from the United States and a fellow Canadian. The purpose of this trip was to train midwives, doctors and birth practitioners in evidence-based and clinically proven methods for prenatal care, labour preparation, childbirth and postpartum.
Acupuncture is a low-expense method to help women with some of the effects of pregnancy such as back, hip, neck and pelvic pain relief, nausea and morning sickness, digestive complaints, low energy and the emotional aspect of pregnancy and childbirth.
Acupuncture and acupressure training allow these practitioners to also offer support during childbirth to help with the progression of labour, pain relief, and preparation of the cervix, all of which can help prevent further medical intervention. The trainees came from all areas of Chiapas to learn acupuncture in order to help women in their area including the local indigenous communities, sex workers and Guatemalan immigrants.
Hughes was honoured to work with such a diverse and caring group of women.
“During our time in Chiapas we were able to take part in a few of the local ceremonies such as a temazcal, a traditional sweat ceremony and a Mayan fire ceremony,” she said. “We were also shown the Rebozo, which is a technique used by the women to help support labour and used in postpartum care.”
For more information on acupuncture and TMC, visit comoxvalleyacupuncture.com/