t has been a very exciting time at the Kokin Healing Center: in the past three weeks we have induced seven labors!

Most patients ask me, "what exactly does that mean?"

Often, when women are around 38 – 40 weeks pregnant, I will get calls telling me they are in great discomfort, and are READY to deliver. They may be ready mentally, but physically they need a little “push.”

At the Kokin Healing Center we offer acupuncture and acupressure to assist in labor induction. We will do acupuncture with electrostimulation along the spleen channel/meridian as well as other points to create a complete treatment plan to induce. With acupuncture treatment, patients will usually go into labor anywherefrom within one day to one week of treatment!

The most wonderful aspect of Chinese medicine is that it does not interfere with, nor have any negative side effects during the last stages of pregnancy. Patients will feel comfortable and relaxed during their treatment that just feels “natural." Acupuncture offers a place for women to rest, relax, and feels so good at a time that can be so difficult and exhausting.

Not only will acupuncture and acupressure be effective with labor induction, they are essential for labor and delivery itself. Acupuncture will help with dilation and effacement, as well as reduce the amount of time in labor.

Some patients select acupressure alone if they have a fear of needles. The therapist will work along the acupuncture channels that will help to induce labor by applying specific pressure to the points. It is incredibly relaxing and a wonderful experience. Other patients will use the combination of acupuncture and acupressure to induce.

We remain in constant contact with our patients, and their physicians to make sure that everything is going well. It is a great gift to have the privilege to treat women in their final stages of pregnancy, and the Kokin Healing Center does everything to make our patients 100% comfortable during such an exciting time!