Self-care for pregnancy pain

PregnancySelf Care

Dec 13

Written By Embrace Acupuncture

There is no doubt pregnancy can be a physical and emotional challenge, that’s for sure!

A lot of these challenges in pregnancy can be managed with regular treatments such as Pregnancy Acupuncture.

There’s also things you can do at home to help.

Like some help with pain in your pregnancy?

Work with us

Cupping for glute & back pain

Cupping is a technique used to loosen muscles and encourage blood flow. It feels wonderful and can make tight muscles soften, reducing pain and pulling on your nerves.

There are different ways of creating negative pressure inside a cup, and getting it to stay attached to the skin. You may have seen Traditional Chinese Med Flame Cupping - We are not going to ask you to try that one at home!! Another method is using silicon rubber cups.

To use these you simply apply some oil and then squeeze the cup and place it on the area.

You can purchase individual cups through us or get cupping sets from China Books

Important rules for Cupping in Pregnancy

Have a partner, family member or friend help you out

Lie on your left side for cupping in pregnancy (if the pain is in the left Glute then it's fine to lie on the right side for a 20 mins or less)
Make sure you've eaten recently and are well hydrated
Don't cup blisters or broken skin.
Don’t cup if you're on blood-thinning medication (inc Asprin or Clexane)
You can leave the cup in one place for up to twenty minutes or rotate it every few minutes. You might do this on your gluteal (bum) area or up and down the muscles on either side of the spine - until you get to the tops of your hips
If you're really tired, do less than 20 mins cupping

If you are less than 38 weeks pregnant, AVOID these areas
(They are used to induce labour)

The tops of your traps (midway between your neck and shoulder joint)
Your sacrum (the bony part at the bottom of your spine) - the fleshy part of your bum is ok to cup