Acupressure & Shiatsu
Here's a summary of the benefits of these processes
๐ Acupressure & Shiatsu = hands-on ways to involve partner in labor
๐ Purpose = to ripen cervix (stimulation of hormonal changes/nervous system > stimulation of uterus/labor)
๐ Acupressure:
Reduced pain intensity and anxiety
Lower cesarean rates
Less need for Pitocin
Shorter labors
๐ Shiatsu:
Lower rates of Pitocin
Main Research Findings:
โ๏ธ Important to wait until term to use acupressure (Evidence on Acupressure, Acupuncture and Breast Stimulation 30:08)
โ๏ธ Not understood exactly how it influences labor, but thought to involve stimulation of uterus by stimulation hormonal changes or nervous system (Evidence on Acupressure, Acupuncture and Breast Stimulation 5:42)
More research needed before we can be confident in effectiveness for cervical ripening
โ๏ธ Purpose is to ripen the cervix to prepare for labor rather than induce labor itself (Evidence on Acupressure, Acupuncture and Breast Stimulation 8:40)
โ๏ธ โAcupressure during labor has been linked to reduced pain intensity and anxiety, lower cesarean rates, less need for Pitocin augmentation and shorter laborsโ (Evidence on Acupressure, Acupuncture and Breast Stimulation 13:09) from a Cochrane review
โMost of these studies used acupressure points spleen six and large intestine fourโ
Risk of bias in most studies was high so evidence may not be efficient
Trials tend to be protocolised, whereas individual humans would need individualised or โdifferent acupressure techniques in response to what is happening in laborโ
โ๏ธ Shiatsu: similar to acupressure
Studies found lower rates of Pitocin for those who received shiatsu but there was no placebo group (Evidence on Acupressure, Acupuncture and Breast Stimulation 13:54)
Studies may have been subject to bias
Need more efficient studies for better evidence, including studies using placebo/sham treatment
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