If you are pregnant, you need to know that acupressure can help make your labor a lot less arduous. This natural therapy can be useful in relieving pain and in the inducement of labor.
Listed below are five questions that pregnant women may have regarding acupressure:
1. Have there been any studies done on acupressure therapy for labor?
Yes, there are. One noted study performed in Korea’s Dankook University showed that 30 minute acupressure treatment on the Sp 6 point on pregnant women led to a shortened labor time compared to women in the control group not given acupressure.
2. Can a person with no experience in using acupressure perform the procedure on another person?
Even if you are not a specialist, you can administer acupressure effectively. No special training or massage technique is required although you may need to have some knowledge and skills to perform this procedure well. The important thing to remember is the pressure points needs to be palpated and then press them with your elbows, hands, thumbs, or fingers. NOTE: Pressure to the point needs to be sustained until the woman feels fine. Never overdo because it may harm the person.
3. Are any special tools needed to perform acupressure?
You don’t need any tools to perform acupressure. Your own massage procedures and your hands are the only tools you need. The things you need to consider are: the treatment’s effect on each pressure point; and the skills of applying pressure with your elbows, hands, thumbs, or fingers.
4. When is the best time to have acupressure if you want to induce labor through it?
Several studies prove acupressure is a great way to induce labor before the due period. Some doctors believe that acupressure is one of the best natural ways to bring about labor. Hence, it is vital that one needs to select very carefully the time of labor induction. Experienced acupressure therapists believe that three to four days before the due time is the safest time to use acupressure for the induction of labor.
5. When is the right moment to start receiving acupressure to relieve labor pain?
During the onset of labor is the right time to get acupressure to alleviate pain during labor. According to researchers, when acupressure is performed on a woman at the start of labor, it led to a significant decrease in her labor pain. It really helps when the correct acupressure points are stimulated because this will result in the maximal reduction of labor pain.
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