546 Health Care Skills
Acupressure Massage
Pressing on special ‘points’ on the body can help relieve some of the common health
problems of women. These points come from an ancient Chinese way of healing called
acupressure. Local healers may know other kinds of massage.
Use your own sense of how long and how often to press on these points (an average
amount of time is 3 to 10 minutes). Many women feel tender at these points. If a point
is very tender, be careful not to irritate it. If there is an injury, do not use acupressure in
that area.
Sometimes there are several points to help the same problem. You can try all these
points. If one seems tender or makes you feel better, focus on that point. If not, use all
of the points in any order.
IMPORTANT Pressing on some of these points can cause problems during
pregnancy. If you are pregnant, watch for the warnings mentioned below.
General pain from monthly bleeding
(For information about monthly bleeding, see page 48.)
1. To help prevent general discomfort
during monthly bleeding, such as
sore breasts, feeling tired, and a full
feeling in the lower abdomen:
2. To lessen pain and cramps during
monthly bleeding, firmly hold and
massage the tender place on your
hand you will find between your
thumb and first finger. Pressing hard
on this spot can ease many kinds of
pain.
press
here
You can also
press on these
points on the
inside of the
foot and leg.
Where Women Have No Doctor 2012
But do not press too hard
on this point or it will
cause injury. Do not press
on this point if a woman
is pregnant. This point can
cause labor to begin.