A miscarriage takes an emotional, spiritual and physical toll on a woman’s body. It is a painful and difficult process for everyone who experiences it and because many women feel they are unable to share the heartbreak openly, they experience this difficult process privately, compounding the grief. However, a woman blessed with a strong support system in place, a supportive partner, compassionate family members or closest friends will ultimately fare better.
How does acupuncture support you through the grief process? Acupuncture can help to ease the emotional pain associated with miscarriage as well as support your reproductive health in future pregnancies. In Chinese medicine the lungs represent the emotion of grief. Have you noticed during times of grieving you may have experienced symptoms such as shortness of breath, an asthma attack or even sinus problems? Bowel changes may also show up. The digestive system is impacted because the lung has a strong relationship with the large intestine, representing difficulty ‘letting go’, thus, constipation. Not only can your acupuncturist support you through this process physically, by supporting the lungs and large intestine (metal element), treating the physical symptom helps to alleviate some of the emotional pain associated with miscarriage.
Acupuncture will also work to support your kidneys through their strong relationship with reproductive health to achieve a healthy pregnancy in the future. Additionally, allowing your body to rest during this time is incredibly important as your body begins to heal after suffering a miscarriage. Nourishing your body with warm foods and gentle exercise such as qigong or yin yoga are other steps which will allow your menstrual cycle to regulate afterward. This will help make you feel whole again, and know that you can reach out for the help you need.