Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on July 2010

Acupuncture clinic Theracua specializes in maternity care, from “womb warming” infertility treatment to alleviating morning sickness and fatigue to getting ready for the big event. Owner Yuko Sugeta, who has been practicing for 15 years, notes that acupuncture has a high success rate at turning breech babies and may even help prevent miscarriage. “We check the basal body temperature, the pulse and the tongue, and look for problems before they occur,” she says.

“When you come for the first time, they do a very careful evaluation of your whole body,” confirms Cynthia Fischer, who visited Theracua for treatment for a painful loosening pelvis during pregnancy. “Once I started the treatments, I didn’t want to stop because it was so relaxing.” Her weekly appointments over two months helped ease—though didn’t entirely erase—her discomfort.

“If a woman has never had acupuncture before, we will go slowly and start with very mild stimulation, with just one or two needles,” Sugeta explains. “The rest of the treatment will be massage.”

Depending on each patient’s needs, Theracua employs a combination of acupuncture, bodywork and moxibustion. Therapists can also instruct women (and their partners) in home massage techniques, correct posture and, for those who are interested, how to wear a sarashi—the 10m-long white cotton belt traditionally used for stomach support. All therapists at Theracua are women in their 30s and 40s, many of whom have lived overseas and speak English.

3F Shimada Bldg, 2-24-10 Kamiosaki, Shinagawa-ku. Tel: 03-3491-4589. Open Mon-Sat 10am-8pm, closed Sun & hols. Nearest stn: Meguro. www.theracua.com/index2.html