| What exactly is acupressure? | | | | How can maternity or labor acupressure help |
| Acupressure is an ancient healing art developed in | | | | pregnant women? |
| Asia over 6,000 years ago that deals with the | | | | Maternity or labor acupressure is a holistic method |
| human body and the flow of natural energy within | | | | that can have a remarkably beneficial effect in |
| the body. Acupressure treats the body as an | | | | preparing the mother and the baby for the birth. |
| energy system and works to relieve a persons | | | | It helps to induce labor naturally and is very |
| individual symptoms by releasing blocked energy | | | | effective in giving relief from labor pains without |
| centres in the body. These centres are called | | | | drugs and medications. During childbirth, it can be |
| acupoints and are found on energy pathways | | | | used to strengthen contractions, help the cervix |
| called meridians. | | | | to dilate and help to relax and stay calm. |
| Acupressure is somewhat similar to acupuncture, | | | | A large number of pregnant women are using |
| only it uses fingers and thumbs to stimulate | | | | labor acupressure technique to induce labor |
| specific points instead of needles. Acupressure is | | | | naturally, if the pregnancy is overdue. Using |
| actually considered to be the mother of | | | | acupressure to induce labor is as simple as locating |
| acupuncture, as it was used long before needles | | | | sensitive spots on your skin and stimulating them |
| came into the equation. | | | | by pressing the points with your thumb. Labor |
| Acupressure is usually applied by hand, but can | | | | acupressure uses only application of pressure on |
| also be applied by elbow or by various hand-held | | | | specific spots on the skin, so it can be safely |
| devices. By using deep but gentle finger pressure | | | | used at home with basic instructions. Labor |
| on specific acupoints the blocked energy starts to | | | | acupressure is a very simple hands-on technique |
| release, allowing the body and mind to relax. | | | | and extremely safe to use. |
| Acupressure is known to help in a number of | | | | Studies show that over 80% of pregnant |
| positive ways - by reducing stress and tension, | | | | mothers using acupressure to induce labor |
| increasing blood circulation, aiding in the removal of | | | | naturally experience a normal and natural childbirth |
| toxic wastes, providing relief from head, neck and | | | | with significantly less complications than others |
| shoulder aches, increasing energy levels, | | | | who are not familiar with this technique. The use |
| stimulating speedy healing of injuries, increasing | | | | of labor acupressure also significantly shorten the |
| general well-being and last but not least - helping | | | | total labor time. Women who have used |
| pregnant women to have a normal and safe | | | | acupressure during pregnancy and childbirth have |
| birthing experience. | | | | been incredibly satisfied with the results of this |
| The latter is also called maternity acupressure or | | | | method. |
| labor acupressure. | | | | |