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This article is proudly sponsored by Red Tent Health Centre in partnership with Australian Birth Stories
Written over 2200 years ago, the “Huang Di Nei Jing” (Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine) is considered to be the most important text mentioning acupressure, and details specific acupressure points and their associated health benefits.
Acupressure involves applying gentle pressure to specific points on the body to stimulate energy flow, promote relaxation and alleviate discomfort. With a history spanning thousands of years, it’s a safe, non-invasive technique that helps align body with mind.
Chinese medicine views the body as having “meridians” – pathways through which energy (Qi) flows, and acupressure points are located along these meridians.
Acupressure can address common challenges including nausea and morning sickness, back pain and sciatica, anxiety and stress relief and sleep issues.
During labour, acupressure may help manage pain, encourage contractions and support a smoother delivery.
Post surgery it can help to reduce pain, encourage good sleep, improve circulation and reduce stress.
Postnatally it assists with reducing uterus pain, breastfeeding challenges, back pain and fatigue.
Taking a guided course or consulting a trained pracitioner can ensure you use proper techniques for maximum benefit. Each of the points has a “personality” and feels a certain way when pressed. Red Tent has put together a course for couples that is freely available on their homepage. It takes you through the points below and more.
Here are some key pressure points to explore:
Research supports acupressure’s effectiveness in reducing labour pain, shortening delivery times and enhancing maternal well-being. Many mothers report feeling more in control and less anxious when incorporating acupressure into their birth plan. See examples of research below*
While acupressure is generally safe, it’s crucial to follow these guidelines:
“The acupressure helped with keeping me in my body. When birthing I found it was so important for me to surrender to the whole experience.
When my husband was using acupressure, it allowed me to feel connected to him, and trust in our partnership. I already felt like a team with my baby and trusted we knew what to do, so to bring in my husband was extra helpful.
He shared later how hard it can be for partners to watch their birth partners in pain, so it was great for him to be able to feel like he could assist with my pain relief.
My two births were truly the most empowering experiences of my life. I’m addicted to giving birth. We were filled with so much joy and happiness and I have never felt more powerful.”
Acupressure offers a natural way to enhance your pregnancy and prepare for childbirth. By integrating this ancient practice into your routine, you can enjoy a more comfortable pregnancy and a confident, supported birthing and postnatal experience.
If you’re keen for changes to be more deep-rooted, then consider acupuncture, as it has longer lasting benefits. It’s particularly useful in the lead up to birth to relax muscles and tendons, calm the mind and start to ripen and soften the cervix. It is also super helpful to improve energy, breastfeeding, sleep and to reduce pain in the postpartum period.
For more information on acupuncture see www.redtent.com.au
Article by Rebecca Mar Young 20 years in practice AHPRA registered Acupuncturist and Chinese herbalist BA (TCM) Health Science (UTS) Senior member of Obstetrical Acupuncture Association
*Research: Aksoy SD, Odabas RK, Gul DK. (2023). Acupressure application to relieve postpartum uterus pain during breastfeeding: A randomized controlled study. Explore (NY). 2023 Sep-Oct;19(5):710-717.
Odabas RK, Sökmen Y, Taspinar A. (2023). The effect of acupressure on postpartum fatigue in women delivering by caesarean section: A randomized controlled study. Explore (NY). 2023 May-Jun;19(3):293-299.
Miguel Ángel Carmona-Rodríguez, Salvador Martínez-Flores, Rubén Morilla-Romero-de-la-Osa, Manuel Luque-Oliveros (2023). Effects of Acupressure on Maternal and Neonatal Obstetric Outcomes during Labor: Study Protocol. Healthcare (Basel). 2023 Jul 24;11(14):2111
Solt Kirca A, Kanza Gul D.(2022). Effects of acupressure and shower applied in the delivery on the intensity of labor pain and postpartum comfort. European Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Biology. 2022 Jun;273:98-104.
Firoozeh Mirzaee, Fatemeh Esmaeilinejad Hasaroeih, Moghaddameh Mirzaee, Masumeh Ghazanfarpour, (2021). Comparing the effect of acupressure with or without ice in LI-4 point on labour pain and anxiety levels during labour: a randomised controlled trial. Journal Obstetrics and Gynaecology. 2021 Apr;41(3):395-400
Kristin L Atkins, Sarah Fogarty, Melissa L Feigel (2021). Acupressure and Acupuncture Use in the Peripartum Period. Clinical Obstetrics & Gynaecology. 2021 Sep 1;64(3):558-571
Hamideh Torkiyan, Sedigheh Sedigh Mobarakabadi, Reza Heshmat, Alireza Khajavi, Giti Ozgoli. (2021). The effect of GB21 acupressure on pain intensity in the first stage of labor in primiparous women: A randomized controlled trial. Complement Therapies Med. 2021 May:58:102683
Ayça Şolt Kirca, Derya Kanza Gül, (2021). Effects of self-acupressure on pregnancy-related constipation: A single-blind randomized controlled study. Explore (NY). 2021 Sep-Oct;17(5):463-468
Fatemeh Tara, Hamidreza Bahrami-Taghanaki, Masoud Amini Ghalandarabad, Ziba Zand-Kargar, Hamideh Azizi, Habibollah Esmaily, Hoda Azizi, (2020). The Effect of Acupressure on the Severity of Nausea, Vomiting, and Retching in Pregnant Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Complementary Medicine Research. 2020;27(4):252-259
Haj Najafi Raana, Xiao-Nong Fan, (2020). The effect of acupressure on pain reduction during first stage of labour: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Complementary Therapy Clinical Practice. 2020 May:39:101126
Ayça Solt Kirca, Derya Kanza Gul (2020). Effects of Acupressure Applied to P6 Point on Nausea Vomiting in Pregnancy: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled. Altern Ther Health Med. 2020 Nov;26(6):12-17
Derya Kanza Gul, Ayça Solt Kirca (2020). Effects of Acupressure on Preoperative Acute Anxiety in Cesarean Section Under Spinal Anesthesia: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Study. Holistic Nursing Practise. 2020 Nov/Dec;34(6):356-364
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