Bird & Bee Acupuncture
Tristin McLaren, L.Ac., MSA
425.478.3019
Bellevue, WA

Providing compassionate acupuncture services in prenatal, postpartum, and reproductive health for today's women and tomorrow's generation.

New Bellevue/Redmond location coming in May.

What is Acupuncture?
 
A system of healing, believed to have originated in China over 2000 years ago, that utilizes very fine needles in specific points on the body to align energy patterns and restore energy and harmony throughout the body. The Acupuncture points lie on pathways called Meridians that cover the body and direct the flow of energy through the many body systems. Chinese Medicine provides a customized diagnosis and treatment plan developed for each individual patient based on the signs and symptoms present. Acupuncture works well as an adjunctive therapy to many other modalities of healing including: western medicine, naturopathic medicine, chiropractic, massage, reiki, yoga, meditation and many others. By gently aligning the body’s natural energy flow, a subtle yet powerful healing effect is possible.

Acupuncture, herbs, sound healing, and flower essences alleviate a variety of conditions by addressing the underlying cause of imbalances within the body. However, these treatments are not a substitute for medical care. Please consult a licensed physician for serious medical conditions. I would be happy to make a recommendation to an appropriate health care provider if necessary. Please inform your other healthcare providers of any additional care you are receiving and all supplements you are taking, including Acupuncture, herbs, sound healing, and flower essences you receive from Tristin McLaren, L.Ac. -Thank you

How can Acupuncture help pregnancy?

Just as each individual human being is different, and each newborn baby is different, each woman’s pregnancy is its own unique experience. There are many discomforts that may arise for women during this time. Most conditions associated with pregnancy receive little help from Western Medicine due to its reliance on pharmaceuticals to alleviate the symptoms, and as we know, most of these drugs are unsafe to use during pregnancy. Therefore, many women are told these conditions are a “normal” part of pregnancy. However, treatment may exist for a range of these conditions, many women are now seeking alternative medicines to find relief and are finding acupuncture to be one of the most effective modalities available.  In addition, prenatal acupuncture is considered safe during pregnancy by the World Health Organization (WHO), if performed by a licensed, board certified practitioner. So if you’re experiencing uncomfortable conditions during your pregnancy, acupuncture may bring you relief.   

• Common First Trimester conditions:
• Morning sickness, nausea, vomiting
• Fatigue/Low energy
• Threatened miscarriage

• Common Second and Third Trimester conditions:
• Heartburn 
• Constipation
• Varicose veins, hemorrhoids, vulval varicosities
• Urinary Tract Infections
• Musculo-skeletal conditions: rib pain, pain of symphysis pubis, neck and back pain, sciatica, carpal tunnel syndrome, leg cramps
• Fatigue and exhaustion 
• Anemia
• Insomnia
• Vaginal discharge
• Itching
• Sinusitis
• Pregnancy-induced hypertension
• Edema
• Breech positioning
• Labor Induction
• Pain control during labor
• Stalled labor 
  
  
• Common Fourth Trimester or Postpartum conditions:
• Persistent uterine bleeding
• Depression
• Afterpains
• Perineal discomfort, hemorrhoids
• Insufficient lactation
• Fatigue and exhaustion
  
  Though it’s never a pleasant moment in a woman’s life, miscarriage and stillbirths are always a possibility in any pregnancy. In instances when this unfortunate event occurs, many women find physical, emotional, and spiritual relief from acupuncture treatments.

Conditions associated with reproductive health

• dysmenorrhea/amenorrhea
• irregular menstrual cycles
• spotting between periods
• leukorrhea
• pre-menstrual/menstrual:
  • breast tenderness
  • irritability
  • bloating
  • constipation
  • food cravings
  • low back pain
  • leg pain
  • headaches
  • fatigue
  • scanty or excessive menstrual flow

Not sure if acupuncture is for you? I'm happy to provide a free phone consult to discuss whether acupuncture may help your condition.  If I feel acupuncture may not be a good choice for your current condition, I will do my best to provide you with appropriate referrals.

"Tristin & her daughter
Nikki at 14 days old"

I am a licensed Acupuncturist in Washington state and board certified by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. I hold a Master's Degree in Acupuncture from Bastyr University. Prior to my graduate studies, I attended the University of Washington where I studied Anthropology with an emphasis on Medical Anthropology. I have extensive clinical training from the Bastyr Center for Natural Health in Wallingford and Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. I have addressed a variety of health conditions under the supervision of some of the leading Acupuncturists in the Seattle area. I believe by using therapies that treat all aspects of the human being, spirit, body, & mind, we can achieve more effective, long-term healing results.