A few months back I posted this pregnancy tip on using Vitamin B6 to decrease nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. I have been getting lots questions about nausea during my webinars, and the Nausea and Vomiting module is a popular one inside of my pregnancy coaching program – it is certainly an issue that many pregnant women struggle with. I thought I would use this week’s tip to share another safe and effective option for addressing nausea during pregnancy – stimulating an acupuncture point called PC-6.
As the picture demonstrates, the acupuncture point PC-6 is found three finger-widths up from the wrist crease, in the spot between the two tendons that are side-by-side in the middle of your wrist (palmaris longus and flexor carpi radialis).
Stimulation of this point has been shown to significantly reduce nausea and vomiting in pregnancy, without any reported adverse effects.
There are three ways to stimulate this point, all of which are backed by research:
- Manual acupressure: simply press firmly with your thumb or fingernail, at PC-6, for 2-3 minutes, as needed
- “Sea-bands” (known especially for motion sickness prevention – for sale even at Walmart): these wristbands have a plastic stud that, when placed on PC-6, is able to apply continuous pressure on the point
- Acupuncture: this point can also be needled in treatments from an acupuncturist or naturopathic doctor
I hope you have found this helpful, and do let me know if you have any questions!
If you are hungry for more evidence-based information in your pregnancy, sign up for my free webinar: 7 Pregnancy Myths Debunked – and get the information you need to have a healthy pregnancy and a thriving baby.
And if you are a care-provider looking for evidence-based resources for your pregnant patients, please get in touch with us at support@myhealthypregnancyplan.com.
In health,
Dr Jocelyn Land-Murphy, ND
Terra Life
Disclaimer: The information and content provided is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not professional medical advice, nor is it intended to be a substitute therefore. Please consult the Disclaimer and Terms of Use for full details.
References:
Carlsson, C. et al. (2000). Manual acupuncture reduces hyperemesis gravidum. Journal of pain and symptom management, 20(4): 273-279.
Herrell, H. (2014). Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy. American Family Physician, 89(12): 965-970.
Smith, C. et al. (2002). Acupuncture To Treat Nausea and Vomiting in Early Pregnancy: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Birth Issues in Perinatal Care, 29(1): 1-9.
Wentoft, E. & Dykes, A.K. (2001). Effect of acupressure on nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. A randomized, placebo-controlled, pilot study. Journal of Reproductive Medicine, 46(9): 835-839.