Before we begin this article, we would like to emphasize that we do not recommend using the ShaktiMat during pregnancy, as certain acupressure points can cause premature labor. If you want to find out more about this, you should always consult your gynecologist. But now let's get started with the article.
There is hardly a greater challenge for the body than giving birth to a child. However, in addition to all the fascinating achievements that our body produces during birth and pregnancy, this major physical event also often poses unpleasant challenges. Nausea in the morning, pain in the back and legs and unpleasant feelings of pressure often become everyday companions that you would rather do without.
How to overcome these challenges more easily with the method of acupressure, we will tell you today with many examples. In addition to the helpful tips, there will also be a small chapter with a warning for the expectant mothers, because some acupressure points are taboo during pregnancy, while they can be powerful helpers during childbirth. So we ask you to read thoroughly before you eagerly start pressing the points.
Of course, you should also regularly consult with your doctor or midwife and openly ask all questions. Pregnancy, especially the first, brings so many new experiences that it is better to ask and understand more than too little.
Content
1. acupressure during pregnancy - you can help yourself with these points
2. acupressure during childbirth - easing labor and supporting the birth
3. cross points for a more relaxed uterus
4. how to use your acupressure mat after pregnancy
Acupressure during pregnancy - you can help yourself with these points
As the baby grows inside them, many pregnant women notice a stronger need to engage with their body than they normally feel in everyday life. This is mainly due to the fact that we are following a completely natural urge to get to know ourselves not only emotionally but also physically - a first step towards becoming a mother and, above all, a signal that we want to take good care of ourselves.
Anyone who informs themselves and consults literature will quickly realize that there are countless exercises, methods, massages and so much more to learn in order to expand their own repertoire of skills for self-support during pregnancy. Acupressure is one such method. Not sure what acupressure actually is? Then take a look here, where we have explained it in detail.
We have compiled some acupressure points for pregnancy and also tell you right away how to best apply them:
P6 - the point against morning sickness
The point is located on the inside of the arm, three finger widths above the bend of the wrist. Massage the point for about three minutes with a little pressure repeatedly over this point in the direction of the palm. Then switch hands and repeat the exercise on the other side. It is possible that the point will hurt at the beginning, this pain should quickly subside after you have performed the massage a few times.
In addition to massaging the point, you should get enough sleep and rest and make sure that an empty stomach promotes the uncomfortable feeling. Eating a small meal in bed before getting up can be a good remedy for nausea on particularly unpleasant days. Food supplements containing iron and fatty foods also often cause increased nausea. Reducing these can be helpful in many cases.
B10, Yin Tang and CV17 - Goodbye insomnia, restless feeling and stress
The two points B10 are located to the left and right of the spine approximately in the middle of the back of the neck. Here too, instead of applying pressure to one point, use a pressing massage in the direction of the skull. Stimulate the points in this way either simultaneously or one after the other for one minute.
Yin Tang is located exactly in the middle between the eyebrows. Again, a massaging movement with pressure is performed across the point: The massaging finger starts at the root of the nose and strokes vigorously across Yin Tang toward the forehead. Two minutes is a good time for this exercise.
CV17 is a stress-reducing acupressure point that lies in the middle of the imaginary line between the nipples exactly on the breastbone. Again, massage this point vigorously from bottom to top. Note that the point can be quite painful at first, especially for pregnant women who are strongly affected by emotional fluctuations. This pain will disappear during the massage. Take three minutes for this exercise.
SP12 & SP13 - Strong against unpleasant feeling in the abdomen
Point SP13 is located exactly in the middle of the crease where the leg and lower abdomen meet. SP 12 is located slightly lower on the pubic bone, about three finger widths from the center. Press both acupressure points simultaneously or one after the other for about two minutes while breathing deeply.
Stop: You must not press these points during acupressure in pregnancy
During your pregnancy, your body is particularly sensitive. You can imagine it as if you are usually only attuned to eighty percent perception and suddenly a whole hundred percent is available to you. This sensitivity not only affects your sense of smell and feelings, but also the way pressure affects your tissue.
Some acupressure points stimulate your body to go into labor. Of course, you definitely don't want to do this too soon. To avoid putting your body through too much, please refrain from pressing the following points during your pregnancy:
LI4 - On the muscle that protrudes where the thumb and index finger meet on the hand when the fingers press against each other.
Sp6 - Three fingers wide above the inner ankle.
St36 - A hand's breadth below the kneecap, on the outer side of the palpable bone that sits in extension just below the kneecap.
GB34 - On the outside of the right lower leg, about half a hand's width below the knee, where you can feel the outer bone of the lower leg end.
CV6 - In the indentation three fingers wide directly below the navel.
GB21 - On the shoulder muscle, exactly halfway between the shoulder and the base of the neck.
Also, it is better not to include all the points on the sacrum in the acupressure exercises with strong pressure during pregnancy.
Acupressure during childbirth - easing contractions and supporting the birth
Now we would like to give you a few acupressure points that many women find very helpful during childbirth. If you have someone by your side who wants to support you with acupressure, then show them the right points before the birth, but without pressing them. This is really important as described above, because you don't want to induce labor prematurely.
GB21 Shoulder presses
The point is located on both sides of the shoulder muscle, exactly halfway between the shoulder and the base of the neck. The person helping you can press both points at the same time. Most women find the point to be pain-relieving and stress-reducing during childbirth.
LI4 (also: Di4) Take this, labor pain!
Li4 lies exactly on the muscle where the thumb and index finger meet on the hand. It emerges when the fingers press against each other. The acupressure point is traditionally used to relieve labor pain and can be pressed again regularly throughout the birth. However, care must be taken to give the body a break and never press so hard that the hand is injured.
Cross points for a more relaxed uterus
Have the person helping you press gently and firmly on the points of your sacrum where you feel the most pain. If you find it comfortable, the pressure can be increased. Pressure in this area helps the uterus of many women in labor to relax between contractions.
Distant point K3 (also: N3) - Supporting the contractions
The point is located in the middle between the inner ankle and the Achilles heel. This point can be held firmly during labor and helps the expectant mother to cope better with the pain of labor.
How to use your acupressure mat after pregnancy
An acupressure mat can be a great support especially after pregnancy. It is a simple tool with which you can achieve very pleasant pain and pressure relief with two simple movements.
Neck and back relaxation with acupressure mat after pregnancy
It is not uncommon for mothers to complain of back pain, after all, there is an unusual new strain on the back. Here, your ShaktiMat can provide relief and give you moments of relaxation.
To do this, simply place the mat in bed or on the sofa and either lie on it with your bare back or with a thin shirt so that the pressure only feels very gentle. Put onsome nice music or an audio book and let the mat relax your neck.
If you want a little more pressure on your neck, you can of course go straight for our neck pillow, which we have developed especially for this area.
Make feet strong and relieve them with ShaktiMat
After pregnancy, your feet have to bear much more weight than they are used to. To compensate for the resulting tension, the acupressure mat is a good helper, which can usually be placed at work after consultation to provide relief in between.
The exercise is very easy: Place the mat in front of a seat on which you can sit comfortably and firmly with both feet on the floor. Now carefully place your feet on the mat - either barefoot or with socks. Slowly start to apply more and less pressure to different parts of your feet. Take five minutes and lean back and relax during the foot massage.
If you are currently pregnant, then we wish you an eventful time in your pregnancy and hope that you were able to take away something from our article that will also help you. The birth of a new life is an exciting time that can be wonderfully supported with acupressure - we wish you all the best for this time.
If you would like to discuss the topics of acupressure and acupressure mats during pregnancy and give other expectant mothers tips or ask questions, visit our acupressure group on Facebook.
Antje Wickboldt is a freelance writer from Berlin. She has been working with the body's self-healing powers for over 10 years and, as a lecturer, explains in interactive presentations for companies and offices how tension can be released with the help of acupressure and massage.
In the article "Preparing for birth with acupressure - a personal experience report" Annie shares her very personal experiences with you and describes which exercises, acupressure points and treatments did her good.
Sources for this article
Andrews, Synthia and Dempsey, Bobbi: Acupressure & Reflexology for Dummies. Wiley Publishing, Indianapolis 2007. p. 58 ff.
Dr. Stein, Aaron: Acupressure Guide. Alleviate Headaches, Neck and Joint Pain, Anxiety Attacks and Other Ailments. Mobile Reference, 2nd edition, Canada 2009. p. 274 ff.
Dr. Stein, Aaron: Acupressure Guide. 2nd edition, Mobile Reference, Canada 2009 p. 124 ff.
Reed Gach, Michael: Healing Points. Acupressure for self-treatment of diseases. Knaur, Munich 1992. p 328 ff and 355 ff.
Schwind, Peter: Fascia. Tissue of life. 2nd edition, Irisiana, Munich 2015 p. 136 ff.