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by Madison Dempsey
Pain relief during labor
What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a form of traditional Chinese medicine created over 2,500 years ago. This treatment is performed by a series of extremely fine metal needles placed into the skin at specific points called acupoints. The needles can be heated or have mild electric shocks sent through them to decrease the patient's pain levels. (Dekker, 2018) Acupuncture clinics can be located all around the world and can easily be found over the Internet. Some may require a consultation before your first appointment but others may be open to take walk-ins.
What does it feel like?
The needles are very thin and placed shallowly in the skin, so the needles' insertion feels more along the lines of pressure than pain. After treatment, patients claim to feel either more relaxed or more energized. Otherwise, techniques involving the pressure points are referred to as acupressure and do not require a professional to be done. Acupoints are simply points where you can place pressure to release some tension or pain in your own body.
Where are the pressure points located?
As described by both Healthline (Scaccia, 2022) and Health Enews (Burns, 2022), a few of the pressure points are located in simple locations which are easily accessible for different ailments:
Nausea and stomach aches- apply pressure with your index finger and thumb to the middle of your palm and about two inches above the wrist for 2-3 minutes to decrease discomfort.
Whole body pain- press with index finger and thumb in between the index and big toe for about 2-3 minutes to limit body aches and pains
Headaches- apply pressure to muscular webbing between thumb and index finger for 2-3 minutes to reduce headache pain
WARNING- do not use this method for headaches while pregnant
The above points can be helpful for all including pregnant patients but the following are more specifically directed toward women going through or about to go through labor:
BL32- this is a section right above the gluteus muscles on the lower back where you could describe it as the back dimples. Apply pressure downwards toward the buttock and massage that area for gynecological tissue pain relief and possible labor induction
S6- this is the spleen 6 point which is helpful for inducing labor and limiting pain. It is located above the ankle near the lower calf and the goal is to use the index finger and thumb to apply pressure for about one minute.
How does it work to relieve pain in labor?
Pressure points can be around 4-10 times nearing labor and delivery to decrease the pains that may accompany the process. Researchers claim it is more about how acupuncture affects the patient's pain perception rather than preventing pain (Dekker, 2018). The pressure points are located near the pathways of the nervous system and descriptions of a few are listed in the above section. Johns Hopkins Medicine explains that the needles used in acupuncture stimulate the nervous system sending signals to the brain and spinal cord causing the production of chemicals like endorphins. Endorphins are a chemical that helps reduce pain and stress so the excess of this hormone would be considered a natural form of pain relief (Johns Hopkins, 2023). The release of the endorphins will help block the feelings of pain or at least lessen them when the time comes for a woman to begin labor.
References:
Acupuncture. Acupuncture | Johns Hopkins Medicine. (2023, March 13). Retrieved March 17, 2023, from https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/acupuncture
Burns, D. J. (2022, July 7). 3 acupressure points that can relieve body pain. health enews. Retrieved April 28, 2023, from https://www.ahchealthenews.com/2022/07/07/3-acupressure-points-that-can-relieve-body-pain/#:~:text=Acupressure%20point%20to%20relieve%20stomach,big%20toe%20and%20second%20toe.
Dekker, R. (2018, December 14). Acupuncture or acupressure for pain relief during Labor. Evidence-Based Birth®. Retrieved March 17, 2023, from https://evidencebasedbirth.com/acupuncture-and-acupressure-for-pain-relief-during-labor/
Scaccia, A. (2022, October 7). The acupressure points for inducing labor: Where to target. Healthline. Retrieved April 28, 2023, from https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/acupressure-points-inducing-labor#bladder-32-point
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