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Bringing a little life into the world is a beautiful thing to behold and an experience that should be comfortable for both Mom and baby. If you’re experiencing severe headaches during pregnancy, you’ve come to the right place. This article will highlight how to use acupressure for headaches during pregnancy the right way.
Acupressure is an excellent method for relieving stress, anxiety, lower back pain, and nausea during labor. Not to mention, it can also help induce labor. This got me curious about the effects of acupressure on headaches during pregnancy.
In my research, I uncovered a study supporting acupressure as a credible method to easing discomfort during pregnancy. The study consisted of 15 women who underwent acupressure treatment during their pregnancy. Results showed that acupressure is best implemented during prenatal care and positively affects back and neck pain, fatigue, and headaches.
Is Acupressure Safe During Pregnancy?
Hormonal changes often trigger headaches during pregnancy and most commonly occur during the early to mid-stages of pregnancy. One of the best and most natural alternative therapies to relieve headaches is acupressure. Not only is it highly effective, but it is also one of the safest for alleviating headaches during pregnancy.
The effects of acupressure during pregnancy can vary depending on the person. I suggest consulting with your doctor or midwife to be sure acupressure is a suitable option.
Pressure Points For Pregnancy Headaches
Acupoint: PC-6 (Other Names: Pericardium-6/Nei Guan/Inner Pass)
PC-6 is an acupoint located three fingers above the wrist crease. It is especially beneficial for reducing stress headaches. When it comes to the top acupressure points for emotional release, PC-6 is a good acupoint to explore.
Acupoint: EM-5 (Other Names: /Tai Yang/)
EM-5 is another popular acupressure point for headaches due to acidity. It’s common for acidity to build up during pregnancy which can cause some discomfort and result in a headache. Pressure point EM-5 is located near the temples in the depression between the end of your eyebrow and the start of your ear. It naturally releases pressure to reduce acidity headaches.
Acupoint: GB-20 (Other Names: Gallbladder-20/Feng Chi/Wind Pool)
GB-20 is one of the most effective pressure points for gastric-related headaches. To find this pressure point, clasp your hands at the back of your neck. Using your thumbs, find the depression at the nape of your neck, where the neck muscles join at the skull. GB-20 is an excellent acupressure point for neck pain too. If you have both neck pain and headaches at the same time, you must not miss our article about acupuncture points for headaches and neck pain.
Pressure Points To Avoid During Pregnancy
Acupoint: LI-4 (Other Names: Large Intestine-4/He Gu/Joining Valley)
Also known as He Gu, pressure point LI-4 is located between the base of the thumb and index finger. While this particular pressure point effectively relieves pain and tiresome headaches, it is known to cause contractions.
Acupoint: SP-6 (Other Names: Spleen-6/San Yin Jiao/Three Yin Intersection)
While SP-6 is another critical acupoint that can reduce labor pain, it can induce early labor. It is located about four fingers width above the inner ankle on the backside of the lower calf. It is also known to help with depression, insomnia, and edema, to name a few.
Precautions With Acupressure
Acupressure surely has its great benefits, including minimizing symptoms of vomiting, nausea, and many others. This article covers how to use acupressure for headaches during pregnancy the right way, but for the safety of Mom and baby, it’s best to consult with a doctor to ensure this method ties well with the birth plan. Keep reading for a list of precautions to take with acupressure during pregnancy.
Avoid acupressure during the 3rd trimester
The 3rd trimester is one of the most critical during pregnancy. Many women opt-in for the treatment because they are past their initial birth date. However, inducing labor before Mom and baby are ready might not be a good idea. It solely depends on each woman, so be sure it is entirely safe to move forward with acupressure before taking any action.
Always consult with your doctor first
First and foremost, ask your doctor if acupressure makes sense. Every woman’s body is different, so some areas may be more sensitive than others. Common places to avoid acupressure include wrists, stomach, hands, and feet.
Be prepared for acupressure to work
If done correctly, acupressure can work like a charm. On average, It can take potentially 1 to 4 days to take effect. It’s best to be prepared as much as possible for the upcoming labor as the effects of acupressure can happen quickly.
Don’t do it alone
It’s best to be safe and have a friend, family member, or significant other around to help with the acupressure treatment if early labor starts.
Related Reading
Acupressure Points for Headaches – Transitioning from understanding acupressure during pregnancy, it’s essential to know that specific points can directly target headaches. By visiting this guide, you’ll gain practical insights into managing headache discomfort using acupressure, ensuring a comprehensive toolkit for holistic pain relief.
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