| Acupressure can be extremely helpful during | | | | increase the release of endorphins which are |
| childbirth and has been effectively used by millions | | | | extremely effective in relieving pain. |
| of people for thousands of years. This holistic and | | | | Using this technique is actually nothing more than |
| non-invasive technique is practiced all around the | | | | prompting the body to work more efficiently. |
| world. | | | | There are certain points that can be pressed on |
| Acupressure is a Traditional Chinese Medicine | | | | to help release the endorphins, relieve labor pains, |
| technique that is based upon the same principles | | | | dilate the cervix, increase the efficiency of the |
| as acupuncture. The only difference is that it uses | | | | contractions, improve the body's performance |
| fingers and thumbs to stimulate specific points | | | | and promote positive feelings. |
| instead of needles. This specific points or | | | | Unlike medical labor induction and pain relief that |
| acupoints are located along the lines called | | | | involve certain risks for both the mother and the |
| meridians that run along the body. | | | | baby, acupressure is completely safe because no |
| Traditional Chinese medicine theory divides the | | | | pharmaceuticals are being introduced into the |
| body into 14 meridians. It is believed that | | | | body. |
| acupressure points or acupoints are areas of | | | | The benefits of using acupressure before and |
| higher concentration of energy and most of them | | | | during childbirth are many: effective childbirth pain |
| are located along the meridians. Acupressure | | | | relief, induce labor naturally, encourage regular |
| technique involves the use of fingers or hands to | | | | contractions, dilate better, ease the delivery of |
| apply gentle, but firm pressure to acupoints, which | | | | baby and placenta, keep the mother calm and |
| stimulates the body's natural self-curative abilities. | | | | relaxed, turn a posterior baby, stop nausea and |
| Acupressure is known to be beneficial for a great | | | | vomiting, and maximize the probability of having |
| number of health related issues and can also be | | | | problem-free and natural birth. |
| extremely helpful before and during childbirth, | | | | On top of all that, this technique is also very easy |
| especially as a natural way to bring on labor and | | | | to master and can be used with no prior |
| alleviate childbirth pain. Stimulation of specific | | | | knowledge of anatomy or traditional Chinese |
| acupoints has been scientifically shown to be very | | | | medicine. Mothers who have used it have been |
| effective related to labor pain and the total length | | | | incredibly satisfied with the results. |
| of delivery time. Acupressure has been known to | | | | |