With all the poking and prodding that comes along with pregnancy, you may wonder whether getting stuck with needles voluntarily is something you’d want to add to the list. But when trying to manage some pregnancy woes like morning sickness, lower back pain and headaches, many moms-to-be sing the praises of acupuncture.
In fact, scientific research has found that both acupuncture and acupressure may help ease some common aches and discomforts of pregnancy.[1]
Here, everything moms-to-be need to know about acupuncture during pregnancy, including what symptoms it may help improve and how to make the most of your session.
What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a thousand-year-old healing art that originated in China. Traditional Chinese medicine views the body as two opposing forces, yin and yang. When an imbalance occurs between these two forces, it blocks what Chinese medicine refers to as qi (pronounced CHEE), or the flow of vital energy along internal pathways (known as meridians) in our bodies.
During acupuncture, a practitioner inserts hair-thin needles through the skin at points along the meridians, which is believed to correct imbalances and restore health.[2]
While we don’t fully understand how acupuncture works, there are studies that support its benefits. Acupuncture points correspond to deep-seated nerves, so some researchers believe that when the needles are twirled or electrically stimulated (known as electroacupuncture), the nerves are activated. That, in turn, may trigger the release of several brain chemicals, including endorphins, which block pain signals and may help relieve a number of pregnancy symptoms.
Acupuncture may also work by affecting the connective tissues at the points where the needles are inserted. And other research suggests that even a patient’s belief in the treatment may help ease pain.[3]
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Benefits of acupuncture during pregnancy
Many people credit acupuncture for easing a wide range of pregnancy symptoms, including heartburn, swelling in the legs, carpal tunnel syndrome, sciatica, other back pain, headaches, and morning sickness. And since pregnancy limits the types of pain medications you can take, it doesn’t hurt to have another tool in your arsenal when Tylenol isn't enough.
While most studies seem to indicate that people receive some beneficial effect with a low risk of side effects, make sure you see a well-trained practitioner who comes recommended.[4]
Here are some of the pregnancy symptoms acupuncture may help treat:
Morning sickness
Some studies have shown that traditional acupuncture that targets the wrist can reduce the nausea and vomiting associated with morning sickness, though other studies have found no effect.[5]
Lower back and pelvic pain
Some research suggests that acupuncture can reduce pregnancy-related pain in the lower back along with pelvic pain.[6]
Depression
Depression during pregnancy is surprisingly common, affecting nearly 1 in 10 women, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)[7] — but a targeted form of acupuncture may help.
One study found that women who had acupuncture that was tailored to improve their depression experienced a drop in the severity of their symptoms — even more so than women who received general acupuncture or massage.
Headaches
Research suggests that acupuncture may also reduce pregnancy-induced headaches. While it’s not completely clear how acupuncture eases pain or decreases headaches, one systematic review of studies on acupuncture for migraine prevention found that the frequency of severe headaches was halved in some of the study participants. Headache frequency was also somewhat reduced compared to placebo acupuncture.[8]
Sleep problems
Getting to sleep and staying asleep is trickier than ever during pregnancy — but some research has shown that moms-to-be who get acupuncture may sleep better. In one small study, acupuncture significantly improved the quality of sleep for pregnant participants.[9]
Moxibustion during pregnancy
Moxibustion is based on the same basic principles as acupuncture, but instead of inserting needles, long sticks of the mugwort herb are burned near certain acupuncture points along your body. Both the heat from the burning and properties of the herb itself are thought to provide physical benefits.
Some studies have shown that daily sessions of moxibustion (either alone or combined with acupuncture) may increase fetal activity and therefore help turn a baby from a breech position to the more delivery-friendly heads-down position. However, other studies have found moxibustion not to be effective.[10]
Acupressure during pregnancy
The points treated in acupressure are usually the same areas used in acupuncture — but instead of using needles, pressure is applied through a firm massage. Fingers (especially thumbs), hands, elbows, knees and feet are used as tools to rub, knead, drum on and vibrate against the skin on certain parts of the body.
Shiatsu, the most well-known style of acupressure, is fairly vigorous. The therapist may apply firm pressure to each trigger point for three to five seconds. Studies have shown that acupressure may help ease lower back pain, labor pain, nausea and headaches, as well as help naturally induce labor and reduce stress and anxiety during labor.
A word of caution: Since the practitioner has to press and massage very deeply to reach the acupuncture points during acupressure, it’s often more painful than acupuncture, and it can cause discomfort or leave bruises. Discuss any concerns with your practitioner prior to your session.
Possible risks of acupuncture during pregnancy
When done properly by a trained professional, acupuncture during pregnancy is considered safe and has few risks. One review found that acupuncture wasn’t likely to be associated with miscarriage or other major complications.
Instead, most risks associated with acupuncture seem to be fairly minor. They can include soreness, redness or infection at the insertion sites and injury from needles placed too deeply. There are also possible risks if practitioners use non-sterile needles, which is why it’s so important to choose a reputable therapist (more on how to find one below).
The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) regulates acupuncture needles as medical devices and says all needles need to be labeled for single use and sterile.
A bigger concern during pregnancy is where the acupuncture is performed. There are several acupuncture and acupressure points (like those in the ankle) that are said to induce contractions — which is why they should be avoided until after you deliver.
Acupuncture tips for pregnant women
Interested in acupuncture to relieve pregnancy symptoms? A few rules of the road:
- Check with your doctor. If you’re considering acupuncture, talk about it with your practitioner first. Though many complementary and alternative therapies are generally considered safe during pregnancy, it’s always best to discuss any health conditions, medications or other issues to determine if acupuncture is right for you.
- Choose an acupuncturist wisely. Look for a practitioner who’s licensed by their state and certified by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM). Make sure your therapist has extensive experience dealing with pregnant women. If you need help finding an acupuncturist, try asking your local doula association for recommendations or using the NCCAOM practitioner search page.
- Consider costs. Before you begin the treatment, ask the acupuncturist about the number of treatments you may need and how much each one costs. And check with your insurer — some cover the cost of acupuncture — to determine if you’ll have to pay out of pocket.
- Watch for signs of trouble. Unless you’re specifically hoping to induce labor at term at your doctor’s recommendation, you shouldn’t feel any unusual contractions during or after a session. If you do, or you notice any other concerning symptoms, contact your doctor immediately.
More research is needed on the benefits of acupuncture and acupressure during pregnancy. But the studies we do have suggest that these treatments may indeed help ease pain from certain symptoms and aid mood and sleep for some moms-to-be. And since side effects are rare, you may find that it’s worth trying acupuncture to see if it helps any uncomfortable pregnancy symptoms you’re experiencing.
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