Natural Prenatal Care

for a Happy and Healthy Pregnancy

“A baby will make love stronger, days shorter, nights longer, bankroll smaller, home happier, clothes shabbier, the past forgotten and the future worth living for.”             

-Unknown

Acupuncture and Eastern Medicine have long played a role in maintaining health during pregnancy and the postpartum period. These healing techniques are both effective and incredibly safe for mother and baby. These techniques are effective for a variety of pregnancy-related complaints and prepare mothers for childbirth and the newborn phase.

The childbearing year is a window of opportunity to prepare the child for a lifetime of health and vitality and also to prepare the woman for her life as a mother. Eastern medicine plays a preventative and preparatory role during pregnancy as well as managing any problems as the arise.

*Individual results vary. We provide no offer or guarantee of immediate or permanent results. Your individual experience will depend on numerous factors.

Natural Support for All Your Pregnancy Needs

  • Back Pain
  • Headaches & Migraines
  • Indigestion
  • Swelling
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Leg Cramps
  • Carpal Tunnel

Your Initial Consultation is Free.

Come in and meet us in person. Learn more about our approach and what we do. The free consultation is an opportunity to review your health history and goals and see if you’re comfortable with our philosophy and recommendations.

Book Now

Morning Sickness

Every woman I know anticipates nausea and morning sickness as a miserable but necessary part of pregnancy. While not every pregnant woman experiences this malady, many do, but acupuncture and herbs can help reduce the severity and frequency of symptoms. Research shows that weekly acupuncture treatment lessens nausea, retching, and vomiting in early pregnancy. In more severe cases, acupuncture and herbs can help women avoid the use of medication to manage their symptoms.

Muscular & Skeletal Pain

For many women, the later stages of pregnancy are difficult because of pain. As the baby grows and puts increasing pressure on the mother’s body, she may develop muscular or skeletal pain, such as back pain, sciatica, or symphysis pubis (pubic bone) pain. Acupuncture and shiatsu massage can be a much-needed form of relief, lessening pain and discomfort, and without the dangers of pain medications during pregnancy.

Breech Position

Towards the end of pregnancy, most babies will rotate into a head down position in preparation for birth. Breech, or head-up position, occurs in 3-5% of pregnancies at term, and typically indicates a cesarean birth. Acupuncturists may use both needles and a moxibustion technique to encourage baby to move into optimal position for delivery. Read all about Breech Position and Eastern Medicine here.

Why Our Holistic Approach to Prenatal Care is So Effective

We Focus on Gentle Care that Benefits Mother and Baby

We understand that your baby is your top priority, but that mothers need to feel healthy and comfortable, too. Our techniques can relieve mom’s illness and discomfort, but also support you in having a healthy pregnancy for your baby.

Our Holistic Tools Give You Control Of Your Pregnancy

There is so much you can do to improve your health and comfort during pregnancy. Acupuncture and simple herbal remedies are both powerful tools to relieve all of your pregnancy ailments. Other small shifts we will recommend will also help you experience the pregnancy and birth you’re dreaming of.

We See You as a Whole, Unbroken Person

We know that you’re more than just your pain or your diagnosis, so that’s how we treat you. We also know that you aren’t broken and in need of fixing. Our approach takes into account your mind and your whole body. This means that you not only get the best holistic care that gently guides you back into balance, but that our approach also helps you feel better along the way. 

A Comprehensive Approach to Pregnancy Care

Root Imbalance Assessment

We conduct a detailed health history and examination to determine the root imbalances that are leading to pregnancy challenges.

A Simple Plan

We provide you with an easy to follow treatment plan to guide you throughout the process. Your plan may include food remedies, lifestyle adjustments, meditations, and movement guidance that will support your healthy pregnancy while relieving your discomforts.

Structural, Hormonal, and Nervous System Balancing

Regular acupuncture sessions bring your body back into alignment to better support your growing baby, balance your hormones, and regulate your nervous system. You’ll not only feel better, but be healthier, too.

Personalized Supplement Guidance

Personalized herbal formulas and supplements can play an important role in managing morning sickness, preparing your body for labor and delivery, promoting a swift recovery, and help many other pregnancy related concerns. Our philosophy is guided by safety and caution first, but using the best tools for the job.

Fine-tuned Food and Lifestyle Recommendations

Food remedies and fine-tuning nutrition can give you relief from pregnancy related concerns. Simple changes to lifestyle, including stress management and movement, can bring significant changes to your health and comfort.

Continual Progress Evaluation

By continually re-evaluating as your pregnancy progresses, we stay on track to ensure the most effective support possible.

Your Initial Consultation is Free.

Come in and meet us in person. Learn more about our approach and what we do. The free consultation is an opportunity to review your health history and goals and see if you’re comfortable with our philosophy and recommendations.

Request Now

Common Questions

Is acupuncture safe during pregnancy?

Yes, absolutely! Acupuncture is perfectly safe for both mother and baby. We have extensive training in acupuncture for pregnancy so you can be sure we know exactly where and how to place each point in the safest way.

What about taking herbs during pregnancy?

While we also have extensive training is the safe usage of herbs and supplements during pregnancy, we also lean towards caution. Your comfort level is our main concern, so the choice to take (or not to take) herbs is always yours.

How many sessions will I need?
The number of treatments needed to provide complete relief from a symptom varies significantly from person to person, and from situation to situation.  Most patients receive 1 to 2 treatments per week. Some simple and acute complaints may resolve within 2-3 sessions, while more chronic or complex conditions may require regular treatment for 3 months or longer. After learning more about you and your health history, we will discuss a treatment plan and initial course of treatment to suit your symptoms and health goals.
East Asian Medicine addresses both the underlying imbalance (the root) and the symptom (the branch), so it isn’t a quick fix, but does deliver lasting results.

How Megan Kept Her Blood Pressure in Check and Had Her Successful Home Birth

Megan and I first began working together when I was still in acupuncture school and working as an intern in the student clinic. Over the years, we had the chance to work together on a number of issues- digestion, support while trying to conceive, and coughs and colds. Then when Megan was nearing the end of her first pregnancy, her blood pressure began to creep up, and we worked together to keep those numbers in check, and allow Megan the home birth she was planning.  Read more…

I was able to be vulnerable and honest with Ashley right away...

“I was able to be vulnerable and honest with Ashley right away, which made my acupuncture session really incredible. Ashley is calm, welcoming, empathetic, and very easy to understand. She is exactly what you want to be around when you want this experience. Thank you!”

-Emily

I am very pleased with the deep healing and increased energy...

“I am seeing Ashley for acupuncture and herbal treatments regularly. In just 3 treatments my symptoms are resolving and I feel better. She is fully present and takes the time to listen to me at each appointment. Her healing presence, years of experience and knowledge of the healing arts is bringing my body into harmony and wholeness. I am very pleased with the deep healing and increased energy. May you and your loved ones receive blessings upon blessings. Thank you, Ashley.”

-Harmony

Ashley not only listens to your concerns but to your body as well...

“Ashley not only listens to your concerns but to your body as well. Last visit I had a cold that was gone within 24 hours of treatment. A relaxing environment and a soothing treatment. I love her recommendations of herbs upon leaving each visit. I highly recommend! Today Ashley got out a knot in my shoulder that has been affecting my range of motion with her magic needles. She is the best!”

-Lori S

Ashley is a wonderful acupuncturist...I appreciate every single visit I have with her...

“Ashley is a wonderful acupuncturist. She is a great listener, and is very focused and technique driven during her session. When coming to see her you definitely feel that she is really actively finding all the pieces of the puzzle and working through them so you get the best results. I appreciate every single visit I have with her.

Regular sessions with her have helped my acne, anxiety, stress, menstrual cycle, and best of all- sleep! Most of my life I’ve spent tossing and turning, waking up every few hours. I now sleep much more soundly, consistently. I highly recommend!”

-Kat A

You must do this. It can be life changing!

“Ashley is excellent at what she does. She is professional, knowledgeable, clear and compassionate. I have tried several types of bodywork in my life, and I very strongly recommend Shiatsu with Ashley. I chose to do a series of Shiatsu sessions to get my body and mind off to the right start. So I did one session every week for 4 weeks, and then moved to one session a month to maintain. It is worth the money, and in fact, is a bargain considering how much my life has changed since I first tried Shiatsu. I noticed immediate and huge benefits following the very first session, and in each session afterwards. Some key benefits I noticed were: immediate and long-term relief from TMJ (I had surgery for jaw clenching, and this is a severe issue for me), decreased stress levels, better focus on my work and personal goals, a balanced overall feeling of wellness and happiness, increased circulation, and a huge increase in flexibility in my shoulders, back, hips and legs. You must do this. It can be life changing! Especially if you look at it as investment in your health and future!“

-Laura H

Every time I leave her office I feel completely relieved of my stress and ailments...

“I’ve gone to Ashley Flores for acupuncture on a regular basis.  Every time I leave her office I feel completely relieved of my stress and ailments.  She has helped relieve my back pain, stomach pain, female “issues” and the stress brought on by my every day life.   Ashley is extremely calming in her nature, she asks thorough questions and has a way of making me feel very relaxed.  Extremely professional with a caring nature.“

-Stephanie M

My Shiatsu session with Ashley yesterday was simply amazing...

“My Shiatsu session with Ashley yesterday was simply amazing. I still feel the effects of it. Today, I feel free in my own body; I feel free of pain. I feel taller, looser and in general, much happier and stress free. Additionally, I can feel muscles I haven’t felt in years, and have regained flexibility. I have already booked another appointment, as I see Shiatsu as a way to create real and permanent change in my body, and improve my overall health. Don’t hesitate. Work with Ashley NOW.“

-LD

The acupuncture itself was amazing and my body felt like it was in another world...

“Ashley is extremely knowledgeable and I immediately felt like I could really open up to her. I was not rushed at all and she followed up with me after a few days. The acupuncture itself was amazing and my body felt like it was in another world – if you’re interested in Acupuncture definitely see Ashley.“

-LP

I will absolutely be returning to Ashley at Four Flowers Wellness!

“I really enjoyed my first acupuncture experience. Ashley has a calm, knowledgable way about her that made me feel comfortable. The consultation was not rushed, it felt like she was truly absorbing my history and goals. I didn’t immediately feel a “change” that I can describe, but as days go by I feel tension patterns dissipating, which is thrilling. I will absolutely be returning to Ashley at Four Flowers Wellness!.“

-CB

*Individual results vary. We provide no offer or guarantee of immediate or permanent results. Your individual experience will depend on numerous factors.

Don’t Press There! Acupuncture’s Forbidden Points for Pregnancy

As the popularity of acupuncture has grown, so has the notoriety of the so-called ‘forbidden points’ of pregnancy. As someone who’s been through a couple of pregnancies, I know well the anxiety it can provoke to have such a small and vulnerable person so reliant upon your care. Pregnancy can make the most benign of daily encounters feel dangerous-turkey sandwiches, canned tuna, hair dye, pedicures, massages. Read more…

About Your Practitioner

I am a licensed acupuncturist in Chicago, Illinois, and nationally certified in Chinese herbal medicine and shiatsu massage. I studied at Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in Chicago, and earned a Masters of Science in Traditional Oriental Medicine and a Certificate in Asian Bodywork Therapy. I continued my bodywork education at Zen Shiatsu Chicago, completing a Certificate in Zen Shiatsu.  I am nationally certified in Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine (NCCAOM).  Before finding my way to East Asian Medicine, I earned my BA in Linguistics from the University of Washington in sunny Seattle.

As part of my Masters training at Pacific College in Chicago, I spent over 1000 hours in a clinical setting. This included internships in the on-site clinic, as well as 2 years at the Chicago Women’s Health Center, where I gained invaluable experience with women’s health. I completed additional internships in Asian bodywork therapy and zen shiatsu. After graduation, I began my shiatsu practice and added acupuncture and herbal medicine in 2010. I have attended numerous continuing education courses on women’s health and fertility, psycho-emotional disorders, advanced herbal medicine and acupuncture techniques, and the treatment of pain.

Read my whole story here…