Most Effective Pressure Points for Menstrual Cramps
Not every woman goes through menstrual cramps every month. However, when you are one of those who do get it every month, it becomes unbearable.
So, how can you heal cramps and PMS related to your menstrual cycle? We are here to help with the most effective pressure points for relieving your menstrual cramps.
For taking care of your premenstrual syndrome, acupressure is the best solution to use without side effects. Best of all, it costs nothing as you can do it yourself.
Valid Acupressure Points for Menstrual Cramps
Are you a man reading this article? Count yourself lucky that you do not get PMS or menstrual cramps. However, if you know someone who gets severe premenstrual cramps, refer her to this page to help.
What is Premenstrual Syndrome?
Every woman goes through a menstrual cycle every month. For some, it is expected, while others have complications as they get different symptoms appearing to get the body ready for the menstrual cycle.
Premenstrual syndrome can start up to two weeks before you get your menstruation, and some of them are life-threatening at times.
Some of the PMS signs are mood swings, tiredness, depression, tender breasts, irritability, and food cravings. Furthermore, the symptoms recur surprisingly, leaving a woman feeling emotional. However, you do not have to let PMS control your life.
You can find different treatments to help relieve the symptoms by making lifestyle adjustments. While the above symptoms, from mood swings to feeling emotional, are some examples, there are others:
- You get headaches
- Your joints and muscles pain
- Fluid retention and weight gain
- Feel bloated in the abdominal area
- Acne can flare up
While these are normal, some woman gets physical pain affecting their daily life, known as PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder), which leads to depression, anxiety, and anger.
Therefore, if you are not able to manage your PMS, it is time to see a doctor.
What causes it?
The cause of PMS is unknown as several factors contribute to your condition:
- Changes taking place in your hormones
- A chemical change in your brain
- Depression
So, how do you prevent it from happening?
Some women can prevent PMS by making lifestyle changes, while others may find it does not help. However, before taking medication, you can do the following to stabilize your mood swings weeks before your menstruation:
- Do a physical activity to improve your depression as it helps with releasing the feel-good brain chemical endorphin.
- Instead of eating three meals a day, you can eat small, frequent meals throughout the day, which helps keep your blood sugar levels steady.
- Try supplementing your diet with calcium twice daily, as it helps ease your mood.
- Avoid eating sweets and drinking caffeine or alcohol at least two weeks before your period.
- Stress management can be achieved by doing yoga or any other form of relaxation. You can even try the acupressure points discussed further in the article to help relax your body.
By doing the above, you can lessen the effects of PMS. Combined with the following pressure points, you can also get relief from menstrual cramps.
Helpful Acupressure Points for Menstrual Cramps
With the help of the following pressure points, you can overcome PMS and menstrual cramps.
Acupressure Points on Hand
L14 – Large Intestine 14 Point
The Union Valley Point is between your thumb and index finger on both hands. Holding your left/ right hand with the opposite hand, apply gentle pressure to the spot described in the image. You can keep it for up to three minutes and do the same with the opposite side. Massaging the acupoint helps relieve headaches, shoulder and abdominal pain associated with PMS.
Acupressure Points Feet and Legs
LV3 – Liver 3 Point
The Bigger Rushing Point is found on your feet ½ an inch away in line with your big and second toe. Place your hand under your left/ right foot and your thumb on the spot. Apply gentle pressure for 30 seconds up to one minute and release. Do the same with the opposite foot. Doing this relieves anger, headaches, tiredness, anxiety, and dizziness.
SP6 – Spleen 6 Point
The Three Yin Crossing Point is another effective point that helps with PMS. It is 4cm above your anklebone near the shinbone. Apply pressure with your thumb on the spot for three minutes or as needed. Do this on both legs to reduce menstrual cramps in the genital area and abdomen and for bloating or swelling.
SP4 – Spleen 4 Point
The Grandfather Grandson Point you find on the side of your foot in line with your big toe. Alternatively, it is one centimeter away from the ball of your foot or three centimeters away from the base of your big toe. Apply pressure lightly to the spot using your thumb for up to two minutes and repeat on the other foot. Stimulating the place helps relieve anxiety, diarrhea, bloating, and abdominal pain.
Acupressure Points on Stomach and Back
CV 6 – Conception Vessel 6 Point
The acupoint is about one inch below the belly button. Gently press the Sea of Energy Point and hold for a minute. Applying pressure to the spot helps heal headaches, cramps, irregular period cycles, and constipation.
CV 4 – Conception Vessel 4 Point
Further down the naval, you find the Gate Origin Point approximately four centimeters downwards from the previous acupressure point. Place one or two fingers on the spot and apply mild pressure for one minute. Doing this helps with irregular periods, vaginal discharge, and cramps.
Mansion Cottage Point
The pressure point is situated on both sides of your pelvic region. The acupoint is in the center of the fold of the joint between your leg and your body. Apply tender pressure to both these points together for up to a minute and release. Stimulating the spot is excellent for relieving abdominal pain, discomfort, and cramps.
Rushing Door Point
The acupressure point you find in your pelvic region below the previous pressure point. The acupoint is available on both sides, but you must apply gentle pressure to both for a bit. Massaging the spot provides quick results for bloating, discomfort, and cramping.
Womb and Vitals Point
Similar to the previous two acupoints, the Womb and Vitals Points are on both sides of the body on the outside of the sacrum. They are 2 cm away in the huge part at the bottom of your spine. Apply smooth pressure for 30 seconds to a minute, as they help with lower back pain, cramps, pelvic pain, PMS, and urinary issues.
Sacral Points
The pressure point for menstrual cramps you find on your lower back of the body. You can find a cluster of 16 pressure points on both sides of your buttocks. Two of the acupoints are found above the Womb and Vitals Points. Massaging these points for three minutes will make you feel relaxed in your uterus, which helps with cramps and pelvic pain.
Final Thoughts
The following tips can help prevent PMS from happening, and applying pressure to the following acupoints can help relieve different symptoms related to menstruation. Your menstrual cycle does not need to be painful, and if it is unbearable regularly, we recommend you see your doctor.