In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), acupuncture has been practiced for thousands of years to restore balance, promote healing, and enhance well-being. While acupuncture is generally safe and highly beneficial, certain acupuncture points are considered “forbidden” during pregnancy due to their powerful effects on the body.
These 5 forbidden points are:
- LI4 (Hegu) – located on the hand, between the thumb and index finger.
- SP6 (Sanyinjiao) – found on the inner leg, above the ankle.
- BL60 (Kunlun) – located near the ankle, behind the lateral malleolus.
- GB21 (Jianjing) – found on the shoulder, midway between the neck and the edge of the shoulder.
- BL67 (Zhiyin) – located at the tip of the small toe.
Why Are These Points “Forbidden”?
These points are not “forbidden” in the sense that they are harmful in general. In fact, outside of pregnancy, they are commonly used for a variety of therapeutic purposes such as relieving pain, reducing stress, or regulating energy flow. However, during pregnancy, these points are contraindicated because:
- They can stimulate uterine contractions, which may lead to miscarriage or premature labor.
- They strongly move qi and blood, creating effects that may destabilize the delicate balance required for a healthy pregnancy.
- Their stimulation can be too intense for the body during this sensitive time.
Safe and Supportive Acupuncture in Pregnancy
While these five points are avoided, many other acupuncture points are safe and even highly beneficial during pregnancy. Acupuncture therapy can help:
- Ease morning sickness and nausea
- Relieve lower back and hip pain
- Support healthy digestion and sleep
- Reduce stress and anxiety
- Prepare the body for labor in the final weeks (using safe techniques and points)
At The Han Institute, Dr. Angelica Kokkalis carefully considers each patient’s health history, stage of pregnancy, and overall constitution when creating a treatment plan. Safety and holistic support are always at the forefront.
