Acupressure for Morning Sickness
Topic Overview
Acupressure may help relieve or shorten the duration of your morning sickness symptoms. Acupressure is based on Eastern medicine practices used to open up blocked energy pathways in the body. Instead of using acupuncture needles, you or a practitioner presses on a small area of the body to treat a given ailment.
Constant pressure on the P6 point is used to prevent or reduce nausea. The P6 point is on the inner side of your arm, in line with your middle finger. It is close to your wrist, one-sixth of the way between your wrist and elbow. You can press on your arm with a thumb or finger or try wearing wristbands (such as Sea-Bands) that press a plastic disc on the P6 point on each arm.
Several studies suggest that acupressure reduces nausea and vomiting.footnote 1
There is no risk in trying acupressure for morning sickness.
References
Citations
- Festin M (2014). Nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy. BMJ Clinical Evidence. http://clinicalevidence.bmj.com/x/pdf/clinical-evidence/en-gb/systematic-review/1405.pdf. Accessed June 23, 2014.
Credits
Current as ofMay 29, 2019
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review: Sarah A. Marshall, MD – Family Medicine
Adam Husney, MD – Family Medicine
Kathleen Romito, MD – Family Medicine
Kirtly Jones, MD – Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Endocrinology
Current as of: May 29, 2019
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:Sarah A. Marshall, MD – Family Medicine & Adam Husney, MD – Family Medicine & Kathleen Romito, MD – Family Medicine & Kirtly Jones, MD – Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Endocrinology
Festin M (2014). Nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy. BMJ Clinical Evidence. http://clinicalevidence.bmj.com/x/pdf/clinical-evidence/en-gb/systematic-review/1405.pdf. Accessed June 23, 2014.