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Pregnancy Pregnancy can be an exiting yet daunting experience for all. For some, getting pregnant is an issue, for others it is staying healthy through pregnancy and ensuring an uncomplicated delivery. Body Logic Health has an extensive team of practitioners qualified to meet all your various needs and requirements. Acupuncture Reflexology Massage Nutrition Sophrology Antenatal and Postnatal Exercise
Acupuncture - Our Therapist Morning sickness - Nausea and vomiting during pregnancy From the moment of conception the body undergoes profound changes. From a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) point of view, the Penetrating vessel (which has a close relationship with the uterus and the stomach channel) is required to nourish the uterus (foetus), and therefore weaken the descending action of the Stomach, causing rebellious Qi, leading to nausea and vomiting. Treatment aims to harmonise the Penetrating vessel and tonify Stomach Qi. Heartburn Acupuncture treatment is consistently effective in treating this condition by strengthening the Stomach and Spleen’s transforming and transporting function and clearing Stomach heat. Constipation TCM considers that constipation can be caused by a variety of underlying conditions, such as Blood deficiency, Kidney Yin deficiency, Liver Qi stagnation and Stomach fire blazing. These are all common conditions in pregnant women. It is therefore important to check that Spleen-damaging cold substances, such as copious cold water or dairy drinks, are not consumed excessively. Also the heating of food such as ginger tea needs to be monitored as this can contribute to Stomach heat. Haemorrhoids In TCM, Haemorrhoids are due to an inability of the Spleen to raise Qi, as the veins are not being maintained in their proper position. Local swelling also reflects additional Qi stagnation. Bleeding and itching may indicate some heat in the blood or a manifestation of damp-heat. Acupuncture treatment can either raise Qi, regulate the flow of Qi or clear damp-heat according to the patient’s underlying conditions. Lower back pain In TCM, musculoskeletal pain is caused by a disruption to the flow of Qi or Blood in the channels passing through a specific area. This can arise from an invasion of pathogenic factors: wind, cold, damp and heat), overuse, trauma or disharmony of an internal organ. Treatment aims to regulate Qi and nourish Blood, clearing pathogenic factors if there are any. Exhaustion / Fatigue In TCM, exhaustion and fatigue causes are due to an extensive range of disharmonies – such as Qi deficiency (Lung, Spleen, Heart), Liver Blood deficiency or Liver Qi Stagnation. By checking other presenting symptoms, TCM diagnosis can be confirmed. There is a deeper level of exhaustion which is more likely to involve disharmonies such as Yin deficiency (Heart and Kidney), and Yang deficiency (Spleen and Kidney). Acupuncture treatment can either supplement deficient elements or regulate the smooth flow of Liver Qi, according to patient’s underlying condition. Insomnia From the TCM point of view, insomnia can also be caused by both excess (since an increase in interior heat is normal at this time) and deficiency patterns (due to the demands placed on those organs in producing blood and Qi to nourish the foetus). Acupuncture treatment plan is designed depending on what conditions are presented. Anxiety and Depression In TCM, all the organs have an effect on a balanced emotional life. The Heart and the Liver are particularly important. The Heart houses the mind or spirit. If the Heart is strong, there will be normal mental activity. The Liver ensures the flow of Qi, and if it becomes constrained, there is the potential for feelings of depression. Acupuncture treatment can benefit psychological problems by strengthening the Heart function and regulating the smooth flow of Liver Qi.
Maternity Reflexology - Our Therapist Reflexology does not get babies ‘to be born on demand’, but it can in some instances…, if lucky!! Receiving Reflexology treatments before and during pregnancy can be extremely beneficial. Reflexology has been proven to minimise the length and intensity of labour, benefit babies on a physical and even emotional level, reduce anxiety and facilitate recovery after birth. However, in order to guarantee such results and encourage the baby to be born at term and thus avoiding induction, it is necessary to bear the following in mind: For conception:
To guarantee the safest and best delivery possible it is important to start weekly treatment 6 weeks before the due date, this would maximise chances of babies being born as close to due date as possible! Sometimes, two treatments during the last week might be necessary.
"I had been trying to get pregnant for 6 months when I went to see Françoise for reflexology treatments. It immediately became clear that she is very experienced and knows what she is doing. Two months later I was pregnant! I continued to have treatments throughout my pregnancy and avoided unwanted symptoms. Most important was that for one hour in my busy life I was getting time out for me and much needed ‘R&R’. I recommend Françoise to anyone who is trying to conceive. Even if you’re not, reflexology is also is a great way to spring clean your body."
"I first started reflexology treatments with
Françoise in October 2004 as part of alternative therapy
after major breast surgery. Reflexology helped pinpoint areas of
imbalance whilst being extremely relaxing. Françoise used
all her expertise, including kinesiology techniques to balance any areas of imbalance found, which always
resulted in providing a deep feeling of well-being. I had weekly,
then fortnightly treatments with Françoise for about a year
and now see her on a monthly basis as her very personalised treatments
have become invaluable in maintaining my health." Reflexology to induce labour: "Hi Francoise, All went well and the induction worked (pains started in the evening after you did the reflexology session). It wasn't all plain sailing (it never is). After a 24h labour in the birth center I went to St George Hospital and my daughter was born with ventouse after 3 pushes. A big baby, 3.94 kg that decided in the end to come face up. Considering all that, the labour went really well and with minimal damage. I am extremely grateful for your help Francoise, many many thanks :)"
Pregnancy Massage - Our Therapist This gentle massage has been specifically adapted to suit the needs of pregnant women. It is a soothing and relaxing massage that will help relieve muscular tension as well as other physical and emotional discomforts resulting from the body going through the physiological changes of pregnancy as the baby grows. The treatment consists of a back massage (the client is in a comfortable side-lying position) working particularly on the postural muscles of the back, as well as the shoulders and hips followed by a leg massage and optional arm and ‘bump’ massage. This is a special treatment for the ‘mother to be and’ is suitable from 12 weeks (after the first scan) right up until birth time.
Nutrition - Our Therapist
Once you are pregnant, good nutrition is even more important so that your baby is healthy and has normal growth. Most of us have heard that folic acid can prevent spina bifida in your baby but did you know that you should actually start taking it well before you know you are pregnant? Nutritional advice also helps support you through any problems you many encounter in your pregnancy such as morning sickness and the emotional ups and downs of the normal hormonal changes. Current estimates suggest that up to 20% of all couples have trouble conceiving a child, so don’t leave things to chance. Come for a nutritional MOT while you are still trying to conceive then gradually add in the vital nutrients for your baby through the different stages of pregnancy, and once you are facing the stresses and strains of being a mum.
Antenatal Sophrology - Our Therapist Sophrology is a simple and easy to learn dynamic relaxation technique. It consists of a series of both mental and physical exercises that, when practised regularly, lead to a healthy and relaxed body, and a calm and alert mind. Sophrology helps to prepare you physically, mentally and emotionally for childbirth. It helps throughout pregnancy and for the actual labour process too. During pregnancy, it is useful to adapt to physical changes, to become more familiar with what is going on in the body and to bond with the baby, tuning in with his/ her soul. Specific projection techniques are used to prepare for labour, to learn how to let go during contractions so that they are more efficient and easier to cope with. Sophrology can also help with the mother/baby relationship once the baby is born – a factor of considerable significance for the future happiness & success of both concerned. A comprehensive preparation ideally includes 5 to 8 one-hour sessions, starting as early as 1 month into pregnancy (although it is possible to start later). Practising 10 to 20 minutes every day between sessions is essential. Sophrology is also a great help when conceiving is a problem - although no physiological reasons have been found. It can help activate ovulation, help with the egg settling in the womb and start a relaxed pregnancy. Antenatal and Postnatal Exercise - Our Therapist However, due to continuous research across the world the specific recommendations of ante and postnatal exercise are frequently changing and improving. Whilst this is of great benefit to women, it can leave many of you unsure as to the right kinds of exercise and activities to be undertaking. It makes separating fact from myth difficult and the subsequent effects and benefits of exercise unclear. Regular cardiovascular activity lasting between 30-60minutes and specific postural and strengthening exercises can lead to substantial benefits:
Areas we cover: Tulse Hill
Tooting Bec
West Norwood
Norbury
Clapham Park
Streatham Common
West Dulwich
Dulwich
Croydon
Tooting
Balham
Earlsfield
Wandsworth Town
Battersea Vauxhall
Oval
Chelsea Herne Hill Crystal Palace Lambeth Wandsworth South London South West London Southfields Wimbledon Mitcham Crystal Palace
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Benefits:
Nutrition has proved to be of great benefit to couples hoping to become pregnant, and at all other stages of the pregnancy and beyond. It is particularly helpful for those who are having trouble conceiving. Both men and women can benefit from cleaning up their diet and adding in some specific nutrients to give a greater chance of conceiving a child.