My name is Julie Meyer. I’m an acupuncturist in Bath Maine, actively engaged in the healing of our broken world, one hurting human at a time. My website is http://www.radiantme.com. I graduated from the New England School of Acupuncture in 1998 where I studied Traditional Chinese Medicine, Japanese Meridian-Style acupuncture, and Chinese herbs. Prior to that, I trained in Shuri-Ryu Karate and Modern Arnis (a Filipino stick-fighting style), receiving black belts in both styles in 1992. I no longer train in martial arts but continue exploring the energetics of the body through middle eastern dance, and by exploring the relationships and shared vocabulary between dance and the martial arts with colleagues who are both (either) dancers or martial artists and who are also body-workers (massage therapist) or healers (acupuncturists). Our collaborative efforts have opened my eyes to the possibilities inherent in Team-work, and I hope to blog more about that in the future… So far (as of late January 2008) I’ve only told a few family members about this blog. I wanted to get the hang of how to do this before spreading the word. When I went into labor with my first child I had the same need to persevere alone for awhile before calling in the team (just after transition!). I think I may be transitioning soon, and therefore, contacting those I know and love and asking for your participation, feedback, questions, and any additional type of support for this blog you would like to offer.
Thanks for reading…
January 27, 2008 at 3:44 am
Just thinking of you tonight & decided to check 5 minds. Is this a new year (for you) resolution? I looked at it just after you told us (both of them were then mostly recipies & I was very impressed. Maybe you’ll get me back on gluten free yet. Keep it up. Again, Love & best wishes for the day now almost past & the year with love, Mom
January 27, 2008 at 3:13 pm
Hi Mom, Don’t see many bloggers communicating with their moms on line, but why not? You’ve given me an idea for a new post about familial trends in health and the wisdom of pathology! coming soon. love, Julie
February 23, 2008 at 3:52 am
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October 17, 2008 at 7:10 pm
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February 18, 2009 at 9:52 pm
Hello Julie,
I m a Nursing student in Daytona, FL. I am in my last year and currently in the OB portion of our program. I am preparing for an oral presentation on “Alternative Birthing methods” and am very interested in the use of acupuncture during labor. I loved your article and was wondering if you might know of any studies or other resources that I might be able to site in my presentation? Any help would be appreciated. thanks Melissa
February 19, 2009 at 12:34 pm
Hi Melissa,
I’m not sure if there are studies out there or not. The standardized random control trials are difficult to apply to the individualized assessment and treatment approach of a holistic paradigm such as acupuncture, at least as I practice it. If I were looking for such studies I would probably use google, perhaps medscape as well. There are books on acupuncture for OB, which you may be able to find in the library of an acupuncture school near you. I don’t know if there are any schools near you, but you could look into that. For instance, Acupuncture in Pregnancy and Childbirth by Zita West is a good one, although it’s written for acupuncturists not lay people, and for that reason probably would not be a book you would necessarily want to own. But it may help you to look over it. Books in general are quite formulaic in their approach to a subject, which limits their usefulness somewhat. The best acupuncture treatment, in my mind, during labor or for any other circumstance is not based on a protocol but on the unique needs and predispositions of the patient. Especially during labor, when emotions are intense, a good treatment will respond appropriately to whatever is most important in the moment; even if it says in a book that you can do x, y, and z to facilitate labor, you may end up doing p, q, r, s, instead.
Hope this helps. Good luck.
Julie
April 28, 2009 at 5:02 am
Thank you so much for your 7 tips during labour. I am an acupuncturist in Queensland Australia. I have recently got a propersition to work with women during labour in a private hospital helping to reduce pain.
Your expeariance has given me a little insight into what its like being in a room with a women who is giving birth.
Thank you so much!!!
It extreamly exciting to be part of this divine natural process we call birth.