Acupressure Basics

• Acupressure has its roots in Chinese medicine. In Chinese medicine, healers believe that every individual has a unique energy coursing through her body. By stimulating certain points on the body, healers believe that they can stimulate a person's energy and enhance it to promote healing. Applying pressure topically also helps to relax muscle tension and promote circulation, both of which can ease pain and discomfort from cramps associated with ovulation.
  
  Because acupressure uses topical pressure, it is something that you can do on your own, and it's completely safe.
  
  

Energy Flow and Reproductive Cramps

• According to Chinese healing traditions, cramps affecting the female reproductive system are often caused by poor blood flow to the abdomen or by an overworked liver that's producing too much estrogen. In addition to poor blood flow, sluggish energy flow through the abdomen leading up to ovulation can trigger cramping during ovulation and throughout the menstrual cycle. Acupressure can help correct these imbalances and put an end to cramping during ovulation.
  
  

Acupressure for Pain Relief

• Performing this simple acupressure exercise can provide immediate relief from ovulation pain. Doing this exercise two or three times a week can help prevent the cramps from occurring in the first place.
  
  Begin the exercise by tying a knot in a hand towel. Place the towel on the floor and lie down on it, face up, with the knot right between your shoulder blades. Keep your knees bent and just relax into the knot for two minutes.
  
  After two minutes, cross your arms over your chest. At the crease of your elbow on the outside of each arm, there is a pressure point. Apply pressure to this point on each arm for two minutes. You'll know when you've found the point because it will feel a little tender.
  
  Next, use one hand to put pressure on the point at the base of your sternum. At the same time, use the other hand to apply pressure to the point in the hollow at the base of your skull. Hold these points for two minutes. Again, you'll know you've found the points because they will feel slightly tender or painful when you apply pressure.
  
  Finally, clasp your hands across your body right below your breasts and press into your rib cage with your fingers. Continue applying pressure for two minutes.