Tai Chi Qigong : An Ancient Chinese Slow Motion Technique

There are more than eighty massage techniques, but the safest one to indulge in during pregnancy is Swedish Massage. It uses long, gentle strokes to soothe and relax tightened muscles. Swedish massage helps the mom relax, eases tension, and promote a calm, peaceful inner self. It is also preferable – and more comfortable – for the client to avoid lying face down – even on specially designed pregnancy massage tables. Instead, you should lay on one side supported comfortably by pillows.

The baby begins to breathe through its nose and use its lungs. The hole in the heart begins to close. The digestive system boots up with the baby beginning to feed.

Another important factor is doing daily activities as tolerated. Exercise in moderation, and incorporate stretching lower and upper extremities with rest period. Also monitor daily weight daily and notify physician if any critical change. The pregnant woman will be encouraged to practice deep breathing exercises and this can be used to minimize anxieties and promote energy. This will also prepare the pregnant woman for proper fitness and endurance during delivery and caring for the newborn. These regimens mentioned will minimizes fatigues both on the mother and the developing fetus.

In recent years, western civilization has adopted Tai Chi as not only a physical activity, but also a highly recommended rehabilitation method. Within physical therapy, Tai Chi is looked upon as an intervention to improve balance and reduce the risk of falls.1 Since the aging adult experiences a decline in balance and more than one-third of those 65 years and older experience a fall related incident each year, it is logical to purport that regular participation in Tai Chi may be an ideal exercise program for the geriatric population.2 However, is Tai Chi physically and cognitively suitable for all elderly individuals? What factors should the Physical Therapist consider before recommending Tai Chi? Though the initial idea

Anything a mother consumes will affect her baby’s health, either positively or negatively. After the sperm enters into the egg, instantly, the baby begins to grow inside of the placenta, which is inside of the mothers’ uterus. “The placenta has been described as a pancake-shaped organ that attaches to the inside of the uterus and is connected to the fetus by the umbilical cord.” As the placenta produces the hormones for the baby, it also supplies the blood to the fetus from the mother. The most important element that allows the fetus to grow is the umbilical cord. The umbilical cord is composed of three blood vessels that attach to the placenta and the fetus. All of these components help the baby’s growth, but the amniotic sac, which is composed of amniotic fluid, helps protect the fetus. The amniotic fluid helps the baby maintain a regular body temperature that

While exercise may not be able to eliminate all of the discomfort associated with pregnancy, it can help with circulation, digestion, and constipation, as well as improve posture and muscle tone, which you will need to support joints that are loosened by various hormones as your body prepares for childbirth. Additionally, exercise can counteract the changes in body image and self-esteem that you possess. Most importantly, an appropriate exercise program can help prepare for the mental and physical demands of labor and delivery.

The umbilical cord drops in front of the baby's head or breech part (prolapsed cord).

Along with back pain relief, they also get relief from circulation problems and heartburn. Research shows that many women who regularly see a chiropractor during pregnancy have less painful and shorter deliveries.

Acupuncture as we all know can be defined as a restorative art that actually got started originally in China many years ago and it is well-known to many parts of the world. They have a common belief that being sick is mainly dependent because of the imbalance that is occurring in the body; thereby blocking the easy and free flow of important vigor through the body systems. This process of acupuncture involves very tiny needles which passes through

Providing continuous physical and emotional support during labour can reducing maternal fear, stress, and anxiety and protect physiological birth (Steen, 2012). Research shows that fear and anxiety during labour and birth can be detrimental to physiological birth. An environment that women feel unsafe in may stimulate a surge of neuro-hormones that can influence both fetal and maternal physiology, causing irregularity of contractions, fetal distress and subsequent medical inteverntions (Fahy & Parratt, 2006). Conversly, maintaining an environment where women feel safe, protected and supported can facilitate favourable physiological performance (Fahy & Parratt, 2006). Midwives can do this by giving women one-on-one continuous support and placing her at the centre of care throughout childbirth (Steen, 2012). As observed in practice, by constantly reassuring the woman about her progress, her baby’s health and addressing any of her concerns, the midwife can provide a calm and relaxing environment that is conducive to the labouring woman (Buckley, 2015; Steen, 2012). The midwife worked with the woman, encouraging her throughout labour and birth by telling her that she was doing extremely well. The midwife also breathed in-tune with the woman while giving her a back massage, inducing a sense of comfort. The atmosphere was calm and this contributed to the woman garnering confidence in her ability to avoid medical pain relief. Downe (2008) noted that the positive impact of

This results in many restrictions for the pregnant Chinese woman. Some of these restrictions for the pregnant woman include; not being able to attend funerals or sad events, not lifting anything over her head, not handling scissors on the bed, not eating certain foods, and not wearing all black and white (Sullivan, 2012). Sex is also forbidden during pregnancy (Brown, 2008). The diet of a pregnant woman is guided by the idea that yin is for cold and yang is for hot (Murray, 2014). Pregnancy is considered to be a “hot” condition, so women typically consume “cold” food to keep yin and yang in balance (Raitisoja, 2008). Examples of yang (cold) food include bean sprouts and bananas and examples of yin (hot) food include bird’s nest soup and fermented pork feet with ginger (Sullivan, 2012). This is something that nurses need to understand, to be able to modify their food choices as much as possible during their hospital stay so they are able to continue with their traditions and rituals even in the hospital. It is also a common practice to wait until after the delivery of the child to throw a baby shower or even name the baby because it is considered bad luck to do so before the baby is born (Brown, 2008).

monitor fetal heartbeat. In the first stage of labor , the neck of the uterus,

It is good for any woman to be physically fit throughout her life. However, being in good physical condition before becoming pregnant is substantial. Being fit helps a woman’s body meet the physical demands of carrying and delivering a baby. Regular exercise reduces the occurrence of common pregnancy ailments. Unless a doctor decides against it for medical reasons, pregnant women can and should be active before, during and after pregnancy.      

Tai Chi is a major branch of Chinese martial arts that is primarily practiced for it's health benefits, including tension and stress, relaxation and as a form of self-defense. The name Tai Chi comes from the Chinese words meaning "great ultimate." It is also known as Tai Chi Chuan meaning, "great ultimate fist."

Tai chi is a centuries-old Chinese martial art that descends from qigong. According to some records, tai chi dates back as far as 2,500 years. It contains a sequence of slow, thoughtful body movements that were initially designed for self-defense, today it has evolved to help encourage inner peace and calm. At a high level of skill, a defender can use a minimal amount of energy to neutralize the greater external force of their attacker. Tai chi is also called chi Chuan and has many different styles. Each of these styles focuses on various methods and principles of tai chi, also there for further variations within each style.