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The Effect of Acupressure Method Applied in the Postpartum Period on Pain and Breastfeeding: Review

Year 2025, Volume: 6 Issue: 3, 132 - 138, 30.12.2025

Abstract

During the postpartum period, undesirable health problems such as anxiety, fatigue, depression, pain, and breastfeeding problems may be observed in the mother. During this period, problems related to pain and breastfeeding are more common. In order to manage these problems, the use of integrated and alternative methods, unlike pharmacological methods, is increasingly increasing today. One of the methods, acupressure, is a complementary treatment that uses fingers and hands to stimulate acupuncture points and maintain energy balance. This traditional review aims to present current evidence on the effects of acupressure, a safe and non-invasive method in the postpartum period, on pain and breastfeeding. It appears that acupressure is effective in the management of postpartum uterine or perineal pain experienced by women in the postpartum period and reduces the level of pain. It has been determined that acupressure used during breastfeeding, which has positive effects on both the mother and the baby, is effective in increasing breast milk production and reducing the thought of breast milk insufficiency. It is recommended that obstetric and women's health nurses who deal with pain in the postpartum period and breastfeeding receive training on the use of acupressure and apply it to mothers based on evidence.

References

  • Kuo SY, Tsai SH, Chen SL, Tzeng YL. Auricular acupressure relieves anxiety and fatigue, and reduces cortisol levels in post-caesarean section women: A single-blind, randomised controlled study. International Journal of Nursing Studies. 2016;53:17-26.
  • Cheng HY, Shieh C, Wu BY, Cheng YF. A randomized controlled pilot study: The effects of acupressure on postpartum low back pain, salivary cortisol, physical limitations, and depression. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine. 2020;40(1):128-136.
  • Fang X, Huan Y, Tao Y, Song Y, Du W, Liu Z, et al. Incidence, severity, and determinants of uterine contraction pain after vaginal delivery: a prospective observational study. International Journal of Obstetric Anesthesia. 2021;46:102961.
  • Masuzawa Y, Yaeko K. Uterine activity during the two hours after placental delivery among low-risk pregnancies: an observational study. The Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine. 2017;30(20):2446–2451.
  • Sultan P, Carvalho B. Pain after vaginal delivery and during breastfeeding: underexplored and underappreciated. International Journal of Obstetric Anesthesia. 2021;46:102969.
  • Wen L, Hilton G, Carvalho B. The impact of breastfeeding on postpartum pain after vaginal and cesarean delivery. Journal of Clinical Anesthesia. 2015;27(1):33–38.
  • Aksoy SD, Odabas RK, Gül DK. Acupressure application to relieve postpartum uterus pain during breastfeeding: A randomized controlled study. Explore, 2023;19: 710-717.
  • Sulymbona N, As’ad S, Khuzaimah A, Miskad UA, Ahmad M, Bahar B. The effect of acupressure therapy on the improvement of breast milk production in postpartum mothers. Enfermeria Clinica. 2020;30:615-618.
  • Indrayani T, Nurani I, Kurniati D. The effect of acupressure on breast milk production in post-partum mothers. Jurnal Keperawatan. 2022;14(4):1053-1058.
  • Rahnemaie FS, Zare E, Zaheri F, Abdi F. Effects of complementary medicine on successful breastfeeding and its associated ıssues in the postpartum period. Iranian Journal of Pediatrics. 2019;29(1):1-10.
  • Atkins KL, Fogarty S, Feigel ML. Acupressure and Acupuncture Use in the Peripartum Period. Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2021;64(3):558-571.
  • Esfahani MS, Berenji-Sooghe S, Valiani M, Ehsanpour S. Effect of acupressure on milk volume of breastfeeding mothers referring to selected health care centers in Tehran. Iranian Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Research. 2015;20(1):8-11.
  • Kirca AŞ, Gül DK. The effect of acupressure applied to points LV4 and LI4 on perceived acute postpartum perineal pain after vaginal birth with episiotomy: a randomized controlled study. Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics. 2020;301:473-481.
  • Arumsari DR, Indrawan IWA, Wahyuni ES. The combination of acupressure and affirmation relaxation as an alternative method to ıncrease breast milk production and breastfeeding self-efficacy. Research Journal of Life Science. 2018;5(1):66-76.
  • Jung GS, Choi IR, Kang HY, Choi EY. Effects of meridian acupressure massage on body composition, edema, stress, and fatigue in postpartum women. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 2017:1-7.
  • Yazdanpanahi Z, Ghaemmaghami M, Akbarzadeh M, Zare N, Azisi A. Comparison of the effects of dry cupping and acupressure at acupuncture point (bl23) on the women with postpartum low back pain (plbp) based on short form mcgill pain questionnaires in Iran: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Family and Reproductive Health. 2017;11(2):82-89.
  • Akgün M, Boz İ. The effects of acupressure on post-cesarean pain and analgesic consumption: a randomized single-blinded placebo-controlled study. International Journal for Quality in Health Care. 2020;32(9):609–617.
  • World Health Organization, Infant and young child feding, Erişim: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/infant-and-young-childfeeding#:~:text=WHO%20and%20UNICEF%20recommend%3A,years%20of%20age%20or%20beyond. Erişim Tarihi: 08.10.2024.
  • Sarı E, Satılmış İG. The effect of acupressure on lactation in non-breastfeeding mothers after preterm cesarean delivery. Health Care for Women International. 2022;44(3):361-373.
  • Tureanu L, Tureanu V. A clinical evaluation of the effectiveness of acupuncture for insufficient lactation. American Journal of Acupuncture. 1994;22(1):23-27.
  • Neri I, Allais G, Vaccaro V, Minniti S, Airola G, Schiapparelli P, et al. Acupuncture treatment as breastfeeding support: Preliminary data. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 2011;17(2):133–137.
  • Zhao Y, Guo H. The therapeutic effects of acupuncture in 30 cases of postpartum hypogalactia. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine. 2006;26(1):29–30.
  • Erfina, Ahmad M, Usman AN, Sinrang AW, Alasiry E, Bahar B. Potential of acupressure to be complementary care by midwives in postpartum women's breast milk production. Enfermeria Clinica. 2020;30(2):589–592.
  • American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Breastfeeding challenges: ACOG Committee Opinion, No. 820. Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2021;137(2):394–395.
  • Liu J, Chen H, Wang W, Zhao D. Application of traditional chinese medical science characteristic nursing mode based on evidence-based medicine to puerperal breast tenderness and pain. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2022.
  • Anita N, Ahmad M, Usman AN, Sinrang AW, Alasiry E, Bahar B. Potency of back massage and acupressure on increasing of prolactin hormone levels in primipara postpartum; consideration for midwifery care. Enfermeria Clinica. 2020;30(2):577–580.
  • Lu P, et al. Research advance on Tuina and postpartum milk secretion. Journal of Acupuncture and Tuina Science. 2009;7(6):375–378.
  • Husna N, Zheng JJ, Zhao Y, Chen JQ, Huang LY. The effect of acupressure massage on breast milk explosion in breastfeeding mothers. Proceedings OPTIMAL. 2024;1(1):1-5.
  • Hakiki M, Widiyastuti NE. The effect of acupressure administration on the smooth flow of breast milk ın postpartum mothers on days 1–7. Jurnal Kebidanan Malahayati. 2025;11(1):33-41.
  • Rosa EF, Aisyah A, Oktavia D, Rustiati N. Combination of breast care and acupressure ınterventions to ıncrease milk production and breast care in breastfeeding mothers. Lentera Perawat. 2025;6(1):96-106.

Postpartum Dönemde Uygulanan Akupresur Yönteminin Ağrı ve Emzirme Üzerine Etkisi: Derleme

Year 2025, Volume: 6 Issue: 3, 132 - 138, 30.12.2025

Abstract

Postpartum dönemde annede anksiyete, yorgunluk, depresyon, ağrı, emzirme sorunları gibi istenmeyen sağlık sorunları görülebilmektedir. Bu dönemde özellikle ağrı ve emzirme ile ilgili sorunlar daha sık görülmektedir. Bu sorunları yönetebilmek amacıyla farmakolojik yöntemlerden farklı olarak bütünleşik ve alternatif yöntemlerin kullanılması günümüzde giderek artmaktadır. Yöntemlerden biri olan akupresur, akupunktur noktalarını uyarmak ve enerji dengesini korumak için parmakları ve elleri kullanan tamamlayıcı bir tedavidir. Bu derleme, postpartum dönemde kullanılması güvenli olan akupresur yönteminin ağrı ve emzirme üzerine etkisini güncel bilgiler ışığında sunmak amacıyla geleneksel derleme şeklinde gerçekleştirilmiştir. Postpartum dönemde kadınların yaşadığı doğum sonu uterus veya perine ağrılarının yönetiminde akupresurün etkin olduğu ve ağrının düzeyini azalttığı görülmektedir. Özellikle hem annenin hem de bebeğin üzerinde olumlu etkileri olan emzirme sürecinde kullanılan akupresurün ise, anne sütünün üretimini arttırmada ve anne sütü yetersizlik düşüncesini azaltmada etki ettiği belirlenmiştir. Postpartum dönemde ağrı ve emzirme ile ilgilenen doğum ve kadın sağlığı hemşirelerinin akupresurün kullanımı hakkında eğitim alarak annelere kanıta dayalı olarak uygulaması önerilmektedir.

References

  • Kuo SY, Tsai SH, Chen SL, Tzeng YL. Auricular acupressure relieves anxiety and fatigue, and reduces cortisol levels in post-caesarean section women: A single-blind, randomised controlled study. International Journal of Nursing Studies. 2016;53:17-26.
  • Cheng HY, Shieh C, Wu BY, Cheng YF. A randomized controlled pilot study: The effects of acupressure on postpartum low back pain, salivary cortisol, physical limitations, and depression. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine. 2020;40(1):128-136.
  • Fang X, Huan Y, Tao Y, Song Y, Du W, Liu Z, et al. Incidence, severity, and determinants of uterine contraction pain after vaginal delivery: a prospective observational study. International Journal of Obstetric Anesthesia. 2021;46:102961.
  • Masuzawa Y, Yaeko K. Uterine activity during the two hours after placental delivery among low-risk pregnancies: an observational study. The Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine. 2017;30(20):2446–2451.
  • Sultan P, Carvalho B. Pain after vaginal delivery and during breastfeeding: underexplored and underappreciated. International Journal of Obstetric Anesthesia. 2021;46:102969.
  • Wen L, Hilton G, Carvalho B. The impact of breastfeeding on postpartum pain after vaginal and cesarean delivery. Journal of Clinical Anesthesia. 2015;27(1):33–38.
  • Aksoy SD, Odabas RK, Gül DK. Acupressure application to relieve postpartum uterus pain during breastfeeding: A randomized controlled study. Explore, 2023;19: 710-717.
  • Sulymbona N, As’ad S, Khuzaimah A, Miskad UA, Ahmad M, Bahar B. The effect of acupressure therapy on the improvement of breast milk production in postpartum mothers. Enfermeria Clinica. 2020;30:615-618.
  • Indrayani T, Nurani I, Kurniati D. The effect of acupressure on breast milk production in post-partum mothers. Jurnal Keperawatan. 2022;14(4):1053-1058.
  • Rahnemaie FS, Zare E, Zaheri F, Abdi F. Effects of complementary medicine on successful breastfeeding and its associated ıssues in the postpartum period. Iranian Journal of Pediatrics. 2019;29(1):1-10.
  • Atkins KL, Fogarty S, Feigel ML. Acupressure and Acupuncture Use in the Peripartum Period. Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2021;64(3):558-571.
  • Esfahani MS, Berenji-Sooghe S, Valiani M, Ehsanpour S. Effect of acupressure on milk volume of breastfeeding mothers referring to selected health care centers in Tehran. Iranian Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Research. 2015;20(1):8-11.
  • Kirca AŞ, Gül DK. The effect of acupressure applied to points LV4 and LI4 on perceived acute postpartum perineal pain after vaginal birth with episiotomy: a randomized controlled study. Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics. 2020;301:473-481.
  • Arumsari DR, Indrawan IWA, Wahyuni ES. The combination of acupressure and affirmation relaxation as an alternative method to ıncrease breast milk production and breastfeeding self-efficacy. Research Journal of Life Science. 2018;5(1):66-76.
  • Jung GS, Choi IR, Kang HY, Choi EY. Effects of meridian acupressure massage on body composition, edema, stress, and fatigue in postpartum women. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 2017:1-7.
  • Yazdanpanahi Z, Ghaemmaghami M, Akbarzadeh M, Zare N, Azisi A. Comparison of the effects of dry cupping and acupressure at acupuncture point (bl23) on the women with postpartum low back pain (plbp) based on short form mcgill pain questionnaires in Iran: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Family and Reproductive Health. 2017;11(2):82-89.
  • Akgün M, Boz İ. The effects of acupressure on post-cesarean pain and analgesic consumption: a randomized single-blinded placebo-controlled study. International Journal for Quality in Health Care. 2020;32(9):609–617.
  • World Health Organization, Infant and young child feding, Erişim: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/infant-and-young-childfeeding#:~:text=WHO%20and%20UNICEF%20recommend%3A,years%20of%20age%20or%20beyond. Erişim Tarihi: 08.10.2024.
  • Sarı E, Satılmış İG. The effect of acupressure on lactation in non-breastfeeding mothers after preterm cesarean delivery. Health Care for Women International. 2022;44(3):361-373.
  • Tureanu L, Tureanu V. A clinical evaluation of the effectiveness of acupuncture for insufficient lactation. American Journal of Acupuncture. 1994;22(1):23-27.
  • Neri I, Allais G, Vaccaro V, Minniti S, Airola G, Schiapparelli P, et al. Acupuncture treatment as breastfeeding support: Preliminary data. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 2011;17(2):133–137.
  • Zhao Y, Guo H. The therapeutic effects of acupuncture in 30 cases of postpartum hypogalactia. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine. 2006;26(1):29–30.
  • Erfina, Ahmad M, Usman AN, Sinrang AW, Alasiry E, Bahar B. Potential of acupressure to be complementary care by midwives in postpartum women's breast milk production. Enfermeria Clinica. 2020;30(2):589–592.
  • American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Breastfeeding challenges: ACOG Committee Opinion, No. 820. Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2021;137(2):394–395.
  • Liu J, Chen H, Wang W, Zhao D. Application of traditional chinese medical science characteristic nursing mode based on evidence-based medicine to puerperal breast tenderness and pain. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2022.
  • Anita N, Ahmad M, Usman AN, Sinrang AW, Alasiry E, Bahar B. Potency of back massage and acupressure on increasing of prolactin hormone levels in primipara postpartum; consideration for midwifery care. Enfermeria Clinica. 2020;30(2):577–580.
  • Lu P, et al. Research advance on Tuina and postpartum milk secretion. Journal of Acupuncture and Tuina Science. 2009;7(6):375–378.
  • Husna N, Zheng JJ, Zhao Y, Chen JQ, Huang LY. The effect of acupressure massage on breast milk explosion in breastfeeding mothers. Proceedings OPTIMAL. 2024;1(1):1-5.
  • Hakiki M, Widiyastuti NE. The effect of acupressure administration on the smooth flow of breast milk ın postpartum mothers on days 1–7. Jurnal Kebidanan Malahayati. 2025;11(1):33-41.
  • Rosa EF, Aisyah A, Oktavia D, Rustiati N. Combination of breast care and acupressure ınterventions to ıncrease milk production and breast care in breastfeeding mothers. Lentera Perawat. 2025;6(1):96-106.
There are 30 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language Turkish
Subjects Obstetrics and Gynocology Nursing
Journal Section Review
Authors

Simge Öztürk 0000-0002-9309-4530

Burcu Küçükkaya 0000-0002-3421-9794

Submission Date May 26, 2025
Acceptance Date December 18, 2025
Publication Date December 30, 2025
Published in Issue Year 2025 Volume: 6 Issue: 3

Cite

Vancouver Öztürk S, Küçükkaya B. Postpartum Dönemde Uygulanan Akupresur Yönteminin Ağrı ve Emzirme Üzerine Etkisi: Derleme. CPHS. 2025;6(3):132-8.