Basic pressure is applied to pressure points on the mother's body, bringing drug-free relief to the pregnant woman. This technique has been used successfully by thousands of women, with a high rate of safety reported for the mother and child. While this birthing technique has been evaluated and deemed safe for pregnant women, women should discuss this technique with their doctors before deciding on this course of action.

Many pregnant women have heard of acupressure, but they don't know a whole lot about it or how it can help them with their pregnancy. Maternity acupressure is a safe, comfortable, yet very effective method of bringing on labor.

Acupressure is an ancient healing art proven to be responsible for healing more than 3,000 health issues. Unlike Acupuncture, which uses the same energy principles of Acupressure, but uses needles instead of pressure points, Acupressure a natural therapeutic therapy, which can be used to relax the muscles, improve circulation, relieve pain and reduce stress levels.

Maternity acupressure points are different than actual acupuncture points in that only the fingers and thumbs are used on specific points instead of needles. Maternity acupressure has been proven time and time again to be effective in medical labor. There is no need for patients to take harmful drugs and medicines to prevent pain.

When a woman is past her due date, or when the water has broken but contractions have not started, acupressure is a perfect method to use. Working with the pressure points of the body, uterine contractions can be started or strengthened, cutting down on the actual time spent in labor.

Some women find it useful to practice finding these points before the actual birthing process begins, but they should never practice on themselves, since these points can start contractions at any point in the pregnancy. Women should always practice on their birthing partners.

Another useful point used to perform maternity acupressure is the point above the ankle. This point is located on the inside of the ankle, about four finger widths above the anklebone. These finger widths should be measured by the mother's fingers, not those of the birthing partner. This point should be rubbed in a circular pattern for about a minute.

Acupressure is a holistic approach to medicine that compliments what your body already does naturally; it is an ancient Chinese technique that refers to use of points on the body (acupressure points). It is believed that these points are energetic channels that run from the skin through to the internal organs of ones body. Acupressure is the means of putting pressure on these specific points on the body using the hands, elbows or other devices to elicit a specific response.

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