5 Acu-points for Pregnancy

If you are pregnant congratulations is a must! Below you will find 5 acupuncture points that will help make your pregnancy a little more enjoyable especially if you are suffering from fatigue, nausea, heartburn, hemorrhoids, constipation, or low back pain.

#1 Du20 Baihui "Hundred Meetings"
Found at the vertex of your skull Du20 is an uplifting point. It can be useful in lifting your mood, energy levels and can even help prevent a threatened miscarriage and hemorrhoids. Du20 can also help keep your pelvic floor muscles toned to avoid prolapse later on.

#2 CV17 Shanzhong "Chest Center"
Found on the midline of the body at the same line as the nipples. This is an important point for gathering qi (energy). It can help alleviate a feeling of fullness in the chest as well as acid reflux, vomiting, and indigestion. CV17 is also helpful for distention and pain of the breasts and insufficient lactation.

#3 PC6 Neiguan "Inner Pass"
Just above the wrist on the palmer side of the forearm. This point has many functions. Sometimes known as the seasickness point for its effectiveness for nausea, PC6 is helpful with vomiting, hiccup, and fullness of the abdomen. It can also assist with insomnia, poor memory (preggo brain), apprehension, fear, and depression. Amazingly, PC6 can also offer relief from carpal tunnel pain associated with pregnancy. (Many drug stores sell bands for acupressure for seasickness, consider "self medicating" PC6 if you are having trouble with any of the above or talk to an acupuncturist)

#4 St36 Zusanli "Leg 3 Miles"
Known as Leg 3 miles because soldiers used to burn moxa over this point to give endurance to walk 3 more miles even if exhausted. St36 is one of the most tonifying points in the body and Qin Cheng-zu of the Song dynasty declared using St36 "all diseases can be treated." St36 is the command point of the abdomen and is especially helpful harmonizing the stomach and strengthening digestion. St36 is also known to help dizziness, especially post partum dizziness and hypertension. Breast pain and abscess can also be treated using ST36.

#5 GB41 Zulinqi "Foot governor of tears"
On the outside top of the foot in between the 4th and 5th metatarsal bones, lateral side of the tendon. GB41 is the confluent point of the girdling vessel a channel that wraps around the waist helping to alleviate pain of the hip, lower leg, swelling of the feet, and contraction of the toes. GB41 also helps with fullness of the chest, headaches, distention and pain of the breasts. GB41 is also a great point to help assist conception.

Sarah Zender LAc

Neighborhood Acupuncture Place (NAP)
230 Florence St
Crystal Lake IL 60014
815.983.9825
www.clnap.com