Pregnant Women and Critical Acupressure Points to Avoid During Massage

Massage for Pregnant Women: Critical Pressure Points to Avoid

Many pregnant women experience muscle aches and body discomfort as pregnancy progresses. This is primarily due to several physiological changes in the body, including:

Hormonal Changes
During pregnancy, hormonal changes cause the joints and ligaments—especially around the pelvic area—to become more relaxed in preparation for childbirth. This can lead to aches and joint instability.

Increased Weight
As body weight increases, more pressure is placed on the spine and joints, which can lead to back pain, leg discomfort, and pelvic pain.

Changes in Body Structure
A growing belly shifts the body's center of gravity, affecting posture and balance. This places additional strain on muscles and joints.

Pregnancy-related Stress
Emotional stress can cause muscle tension and contribute to physical discomfort.

Tuina Massage as a Relief Option
Because of the common occurrence of aches and pains, many expectant mothers seek relief through Tuina massage—a form of traditional Chinese therapeutic bodywork. However, certain precautions must be taken, and some specific points on the body should be strictly avoided during pregnancy.

Who Should Avoid Tuina Massage During Pregnancy?
Tuina is not recommended for pregnant women who:
- Are less than 12 weeks pregnant
- Have a history of miscarriage or preterm labor
- Have cervical insufficiency or placenta previa
- Have gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, or preeclampsia
- Have severe varicose veins

Times to Avoid Massage:
- On an empty stomach or immediately after eating
- When experiencing extreme emotional distress

Acupressure Points That Must Be Avoided During Pregnancy
While Tuina can offer relief, certain acupressure points must never be stimulated during pregnancy as they may trigger uterine contractions or increase the risk of miscarriage.

Forbidden Acupoints:
Jianjing (肩井 - GB21) Location: Midpoint of the shoulder, between the neck and shoulder bone

Quepen (缺盆 - ST12) Location: Supraclavicular fossa (just above the collarbone, in the middle)

Hegu (合谷 - LI4) Location: Dorsal hand, between the thumb and index finger (where the muscle bulges when fingers are pressed together)

Sanyinjiao (三阴交 - SP6) Location: Inside of the leg, four finger-widths above the medial ankle

Kunlun (昆仑 - BL60) Location: In the hollow between the outer ankle bone and the Achilles tendon

Stimulating these acupressure points during pregnancy can cause uterine contractions and potentially increase the risk of miscarriage or preterm labor.

References
[1]赵萌编著.经络穴位按摩大全[M].天津:天津科学技术出版社,2018. 
[2]曹力编著.自我按摩保健指南 图文白金版[M].北京:中医古籍出版社,2016.  

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Article by:
TCM Dr. Paphawarin Asawadethmetakul (TCM License No. 1188)
Department of Tuina and Orthopedics
Huachiew Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinic