5 Acupuncture Points To Avoid During Pregnancy

In my early days in practice, it took me some time to acquire the confidence to treat gestational patients. I remember my first patient I treated after going to school and finally working in a professional clinic. They were so confident in my ability to treat than I was in my own self initially. But as a licensed acupuncturist in the state of California, you must know what to do. Rose to the occasion I did, and years later, I’ve treated a number patients during pregnancy offering a natural, safe, treatment when other treatment options were not viable, including pain medication.

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In TCM we have a few points which are contraindicated during pregnancy.

By understanding which points to avoid, practitioners can safely select alternative points and treatment strategies.

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In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), special attention is given to acupuncture points contraindicated during pregnancy for various reasons.

Points To Avoid During Pregnancy:

• LI 4 (Hegu): Stimulating this point on the hand is believed to promote the flow of Qi and blood to the uterus, which could induce contractions or may stimulate uterine activity.
• SP 6 (Sanyinjiao): This point is located above the ankle and is thought to influence the lower abdomen and pelvic cavity. Stimulation here might affect the uterus and potentially induce premature labor.
• BL 60 (Kunlun): Found on the ankle, this point is associated with stimulating labor and is therefore avoided.
• BL 67 (Zhiyin): Located at the tip of the little toe, this point is traditionally used to correct breech presentations. Its stimulation is thought to affect the uterus and not advisable to use until near end.
• GB 21 (Jianjing): This shoulder point is traditionally used to facilitate labor and is thus avoided during pregnancy as it may stimulate uterine activity.

Commonly Used Points in Clinical Practice

In clinical practice, there are quite a few acupuncture points that I have found to provide effective treatment outcomes while providing the best safety and peace of mind to patients in gestation. With over 10 years of experience and increasing research, the following points have been commonly used to address concerns such as headache, fatigue, nausea and vomiting, low back discomfort, and other concerns.

Treatments are typically performed with the patient in a comfortable position, such as supine or side-lying, to ensure relaxation throughout the session.

• DU 20 (Baihui): Traditionally used to raise Yang and support overall energy and circulation. Commonly applied for fatigue, mental clarity, and general wellbeing.
• Yintang: Located between the eyebrows, this point is often used to promote relaxation and support stress reduction.
• PC 6 (Neiguan): Frequently used for nausea and vomiting (including pregnancy-related symptoms), as well as for calming the mind and regulating the chest and abdomen.
• ST 36 (Zusanli): A commonly used point to support digestion, energy, and overall vitality. Often utilized in cases of nausea, fatigue, and general weakness.
• LV 3 (Taichong): Commonly used to promote the smooth flow of Liver Qi. Often applied in cases of stress, tension, and headache, with consideration of appropriate technique and clinical context.
• Auricular Acupuncture: Points such as Shenmen have been shown to provide pain relief.¹

Point selection and treatment approach should always be individualized and performed by a qualified practitioner trained in acupuncture and pregnancy care.

Research on Acupuncture During Pregnancy

Published clinical literature suggests that scalp and auricular acupuncture may be used safely in appropriately selected pregnancy cases, particularly for pain-related complaints, when administered by trained practitioners.²

A randomized controlled trial of 72 pregnant women conducted in Sweden found that acupuncture significantly reduced pelvic and low back pain in late-stage pregnancy, with no serious adverse effects reported. According to the study, the pain intensity decreased over time in 60% of patients in the acupuncture group and in 14% of those in the control group.³

Pregnant individuals should consult their primary care provider or obstetric provider regarding any medical concerns related to pregnancy. For those considering acupuncture, a licensed acupuncturist can provide guidance and treatment while taking into account appropriate precautions, including points that are traditionally avoided during pregnancy.

Refences

1. Wang SM, Dezinno P, Lin EC, Lin H, Yue JJ, Berman MR, Braveman F, Kain ZN. Auricular acupuncture as a treatment for pregnant women who have low back and posterior pelvic pain: a pilot study. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2009 Sep;201(3):271.e1-9. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2009.04.028. Epub 2009 Jun 26. PMID: 19560110; PMCID: PMC2768290. ↩︎
2. How Do You Treat Pregnancy, Fertility, Labor and Delivery, and Postpartum Issues in Your Practice? Part II. Med Acupunct. 2019 Dec 1;31(6):416-425. doi: 10.1089/acu.2019.29129.cpl. Epub 2019 Dec 13. PMID: 32952804; PMCID: PMC7497970. Retrived on April 4th, 2026from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7497970/ ↩︎
3. Kvorning, N., Holmberg, C., Grennert, L., Åberg, A. and Åkeson, J. (2004), Acupuncture relieves pelvic and low-back pain in late pregnancy. Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica, 83: 246-250. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.0001-6349.2004.0215.x ↩︎

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