When Morning Sickness Becomes More Than "Morning" — How Acupuncture Can Help
If you're reading this at 2am, hunched over the toilet for the third time tonight, unable to keep water down — I want you to know you're not alone, and there is help.
Severe morning sickness, known medically as hyperemesis gravidarum, affects far more pregnant women than most people realize. And for many of my patients here in El Segundo, it nearly broke them before they found relief through acupuncture.
What My Patients Were Going Through
I see pregnant women in their first trimester who describe the same nightmare:
Vomiting 5, 8, even 10+ times a day
Unable to keep water down, let alone food
Losing weight during a time when they should be gaining
Exhausted, dehydrated, and frightened for their baby
Feeling like they simply cannot survive nine months of this
One patient told me: "I couldn't even sip water without throwing it back up. I was so weak I could barely get off the couch. I was terrified."
Another said she had tried every remedy — ginger candies, vitamin B6, sea bands, prescription anti-nausea medication — and nothing gave her lasting relief.
This is what brought her to my clinic.
What Happens After Acupuncture Treatment
Within a few sessions, the changes my patients describe are often remarkable:
They can drink water again. This sounds simple, but for someone who has been severely dehydrated, being able to sip — and then gulp — water without immediately vomiting is life-changing.
Food becomes possible. First crackers. Then toast. Then real meals. The return of appetite, even in small ways, brings enormous relief and peace of mind.
The constant nausea begins to lift. Most patients describe moving from a constant, overwhelming 9/10 nausea to something manageable — a background hum rather than a consuming wave. Many days feel almost normal again.
They have energy to live their lives. Going back to work, caring for other children, sleeping through the night — the things that felt impossibly far away start coming back.
Why Does Acupuncture Work for Morning Sickness?
From a Traditional Korean and Chinese Medicine perspective, severe nausea and vomiting in pregnancy often reflects an imbalance in the digestive system's energy — what we call Stomach Qi rebellion, where energy flows upward when it should flow downward.
Acupuncture works by:
Regulating the nervous system — calming the body's stress response, which can worsen nausea
Stimulating specific acupuncture points (particularly Pericardium 6, or "Nei Guan") that have been shown in research studies to reduce nausea and vomiting
Restoring digestive balance — helping the stomach settle so food and fluids can stay down
Reducing inflammation and supporting overall hormonal balance during the first trimester
This isn't just traditional wisdom — a growing body of research supports acupuncture as a safe and effective option for pregnancy nausea, including studies published in medical journals.
Is Acupuncture Safe During Pregnancy?
This is one of the first questions every patient asks, and it's a great one.
Yes — when performed by a licensed, trained acupuncturist, acupuncture is considered safe during pregnancy. I hold a Doctorate of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, am California Board licensed, and have extensive experience treating pregnant patients. There are specific points we avoid during pregnancy, and I always tailor every treatment to where you are in your pregnancy.
I also work collaboratively — if your OB or midwife has concerns, I'm happy to communicate with them.
What to Expect at Your First Visit
You don't need to come in feeling well. Many of my morning sickness patients arrive exhausted and nauseated — that's okay. Here's what happens:
We talk — I listen to exactly what you're experiencing, your pregnancy history, your symptoms, and what you've already tried
I assess your body — using traditional diagnostic methods including pulse and tongue diagnosis
Treatment begins — you lie down comfortably, needles are placed gently, and most patients fall into a deep, relaxed state
Most patients feel a difference the same day — not always complete relief, but a noticeable shift in how their body feels
Most patients see significant improvement within 1-3 sessions, with many feeling relief much sooner.
You Deserve to Enjoy Your Pregnancy
Severe morning sickness can steal the joy from what should be one of the most exciting times of your life. You deserve to feel well enough to be present — to enjoy your pregnancy, to take care of yourself, and to take care of the little life growing inside you.
If you're in El Segundo, Manhattan Beach, Hawthorne, Torrance, or the surrounding South Bay area, I'd love to help you.
Call us or book online — same-week appointments are often available.
Dr. Chun is a licensed Acupuncturist and Herbalist serving pregnant patients throughout the South Bay area of Los Angeles. She holds a Doctorate of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine and has a special focus on fertility and women's health.
