Have you ever considered acupressure as a way to relieve uncomfortable menstrual cramps?

Well, maybe you should. Traditional Chinese medicine has used this technique to provide women with relief for centuries – and best of all you can do it yourself!

Before we break down how to perform acupressure, let’s take a closer look at exactly what it is.

Acupressure is an alternate version of acupuncture that does NOT use needles to stimulate the points selected on the body. The acupressure spots are the exact same ones that are used in acupuncture and they may also be called acupoints.

Here are the acupressure points for cramps during period:

Front of the Body

The points to relieve menstrual cramps are located in a two to three inch line between your belly button and the outer lips of the vagina.

There are six points in all and here is how to find them:

1. For the first two, go to your belly button and drop down one inch – this is the first point. The second point is approximately 1 ½ to 2 inches below the first point.

2. The next two are located in the crease where your leg meets your body. Both are located in the middle of the crease, about one to 1-1/2 inches apart from each other.

3. The last two are located in the crease where your opposite leg meets the body about 1-1/2 inches apart from each other.

You may need to try a few different pressure points in these locations to find what works best for you as all people are different – but the general area should be right.

Just press on the points until you feel a response.

Back of the Body Acupoints for Menstrual Cramp

The back of the body also contains several pressure points that can be pressed to relieve menstrual cramps.

All the points are located in one major area – directly over the sacrum and on the sides of the sacrum in about a three inch diameter from the crease where the cheeks of the buttocks meet.

To make this simple, just start pressing on the skin near the sacrum in a logical manner, following the shape of the sacrum. When you press on the skin, hold the point for at least 30 seconds, preferably more, or until you feel the point release a little.

Additional Period Relief

To gain further relief from uncomfortable menstrual cramps and other PMS symptoms, you may want to consider taking a period vitamin that contains vitamins and minerals that your body needs during your period.

Vitamin and mineral deficiencies can be a major cause of cramps and by ensuring your levels are replenished you may be able to avoid discomfort and feel better.

Combining a period vitamin with acupressure can be a very effective way to get rid of cramps and get on with your life.