Stress During Pregnancy
May 17th, 2010
During pregnancy, stress can have detrimental effects on both mother and child. Stress during pregnancy may raise the risk of asthma in children, according to a new Brigham and Women’s Hospital study.
A mother’s stress during pregnancy may influence the infant’s immune system, starting in the womb. Study author Rosalind Wright, M.D. and colleagues assessed differences in immune function markers in cord blood of infants born to mothers in high stress environments and those born to mothers with lower stress.
“Current findings suggest that psychological stress is involved in programming of the infant immune response and that this influence begins during pregnancy,” said Dr. Wright. “As these infants mature, these factors manifest later in terms of the development of asthma and allergy.”
According to the American Institute of Stress, between 75 and 90 percent of visits to primary care physicians are for stress-related ailments and conditions, such as pregnancy-related stress, headaches, back and neck pain, fatigue, poor concentration, insomnia, digestive problems, depression, and chronic pain syndromes.
All of these stress-related conditions can be effectively treated with acupuncture. Acupuncture can treat the physical changes produced by stress, such as high blood pressure, muscle tension, rapid heartbeat, and increased breathing rate.
Acupuncture reduces stress by:
· Promoting deeper, relaxed breathing.
· Reducing bodily pain.
· Strengthening the digestive system.
· Regulating sleep patterns.
· Enhancing well being.
Acupuncture facilitates oxygen and blood flow to muscles and nerve channels and balances the nervous system. By lowering blood pressure and heart rate, acupuncture decreases the sympathetic nerve activity which occurs during stress. Often, individuals experiencing stress feel more energetic after their first acupuncture treatment.
For more information about acupuncture for stress call Dr. Richard Browne, Acupuncture Physician, at (305) 595-9500.
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