Acupressure is the application of firm, continuous pressure to stimulate an acupoint in order to achieve a specific, patient-centered goal. Most commonly it is performed using the thumbs but you can also use other fingers, the elbow, knuckles or an instrument that doesn’t pierce the skin such as the end of a large wooden spoon. Acupressure during labor would ideally be performed by someone with training in using a variety of points and knowledge of which points help with particular symptoms or situations. They have the ability to slightly adjust the point location, the pressure or even the point selection based on feedback from the birthing person and what makes the most difference for them. This can be your spouse or partner or any other support person such as a doula. At a basic level, it doesn’t require extensive training but it is certainly ideal for the birthing person and their support person to have practiced correct location and stimulation of the points before labor gets started. 

Acupuncture is performed by a person with extensive training and licensure who stimulates acupoints via inserting fine needles. It is one of the primary modalities used in East Asian Medicine. Many times since labor is an active process where the birthing person is moving around quite a bit, only a few needles are used at a time or they can be securely taped in place to increase safety. As with acupressure, an expert method of practice in using acupuncture during labor and delivery is for the point selection and method of stimulation to be adjusted to the birthing person’s feedback and the situation at hand. 

There is a wide range of depth and complexity of how acupressure and acupuncture might be used during labor and delivery- it can be as simple as a support person knowing one or two acupressure points to stimulate or as advanced as having a licensed acupuncturist primarily working in a hospital labor and delivery unit with decades of experience in utilizing many different points and channels. Both methods can be helpful; the method used is a matter of the birthing person’s preference, the setting (hospital, birthing center or home) and the availability of a Licensed Acupuncturist experienced in labor support. 

Claudia Citkovitz PhD, LAc is an advanced hospital acupuncturist who has authored a book on acupuncture and acupressure during birth which serves as a guide to acupuncturists and other birth professionals (midwives, doulas, etc.) (5). Her comprehensive text illustrates the possibilities of depth and breadth of the field of using physical East Asian Medicine techniques (such as acupuncture and acupressure) during labor and delivery as well as postpartum.