Acupressure is an excellent way to support your fertility journey, not only can it bridge the gap
between weekly visits in our office, but it provides an opportunity to bring calming, intentional
energy and focused breathwork to your reproductive organs.
In this blog, I will share with you what acupressure is, why it is helpful for fertility, and how you
can use it at home.
The “What” and “Why” of Acupressure
What is it? Acupressure is similar to acupuncture, but acupuncture uses tiny, single use
needles to stimulate specific points on the body, and acupressure uses the firm pressure of your
own fingers. These points sit along “meridians,” which you can think of as energy highways.
The network of meridians work together synergistically and each meridian corresponds to
different organ systems in the body.
Why does it work for fertility? Acupressure can help reduce stress, calm the mind, improve
blood flow, reduce pain and boost mood by the release of dopamine. Stress in our modern day
lives is abundant and its negative impact on fertility is well known. Not to mention the stress that
trying to conceive causes. If your body senses stress, or perceives a threat, it will pump out
cortisol (a steroid hormone) and prioritize survival (breathing, heart rate) sending us into fight or
flight. This sympathetic response by the autonomic nervous system serves us well in the
presence of an actual threat, but when activated constantly it can work against us. While fertility
is a primary function of our reproductive system, our body will prioritize survival over
reproduction. The more we can bring our body into the parasympathetic, or rest and digest
state, the better we are able to handle and manage our stress. Acupuncture and acupressure is
an excellent way to promote this. See these three major ways it can benefit you:
- Shifting the Nervous System: It moves you out of Sympathetic Dominance (the
“Fight or Flight” stress mode) and into the Parasympathetic state (“Rest and Digest”).
Your hormones function best when you are relaxed. - Boosting Blood Flow: It encourages blood to flow to the pelvic organs. This improves
Endometrial Receptivity—which means making the lining of your uterus thick,
nutrient-rich, and “sticky” so an embryo can implant there optimally. - Hormonal Harmony: By stimulating specific points, you are sending signals to your
brain to support your hormones and bring balance to your body.
How to Perform Your At-Home Acupressure Session
To get the best results, focus on consistency.
The Touch: Use your thumb or index finger to apply firm, deep pressure. It should feel “heavy”
or slightly tingly, but never painful.
● The Timing: Hold each point for 3 to 5 minutes. Aim for 3 times a week.
● The Setting: Find a quiet spot. Put your phone away. Put on some soft music. By
creating a ritual, you tell your body, “It is safe to relax now.”
Your Cycle Point-by-Point
Our bodies have different needs depending on where we are in our cycle. Remember, you want
to hold these points for 3-5 minutes at least 3 times a week. Here is your roadmap:
1. The Menstrual Phase (~Days 1–4)
Goal: Smooth flow and letting go.
● Conception vessel 6: Located about 1 inch below your belly button. This is your “Sea of
Qi” (energy).
● Stomach 36: On the outside of your shin, just below the knee. It builds your blood,
supports immune function, and boosts energy.
● Liver 3: On the top of your foot between the big and second toe. It helps with “stuck”
emotions and PMS.
● Large intestine 4: The web between your thumb and pointer finger. It helps the body
move things along smoothly.
2. The Follicular Phase (Day 5 to Ovulation)
Goal: Growing the egg and building the uterine lining.
● Yin Tang: Directly between your eyebrows. This “Third Eye” point calms the mind and
reduces anxiety.
● Spleen 4: On the inner arch of your foot at the base of the 1st metatarsal bone. It helps
“build” the resources your body needs.
● Kidney 6: Just below the inner ankle bone. This supports your “Kidney Essence,” which
is the foundation of fertility in Chinese Medicine.
3. Ovulation
Goal: Supporting the transition from yin to yang in the menstrual cycle and the release of the
egg from the ovary.
● Spleen 6: On the inner leg, three finger-widths above your ankle bone. This is a
magnificent point that supports the Uterus, Kidney, Liver, and Spleen.
● Heart 7: On the pinky-side of your inner wrist crease. It keeps your heart calm during
this high-energy time.
4. The Luteal Phase (Post-Ovulation to Period)
Goal: Encouraging implantation, progesterone production, and grounding.
● Governing vessel 20: The very top of your head. This point helps “lift” energy to keep a
potential pregnancy secure.
● Kidney 1: On the bottom of the foot, in a depression at the base of the metatarsals. It is
the most grounding point on the body—perfect if you are feeling the “Two Week Wait”
anxiety.
● Kidney 27: Just below your collarbone in a depression next to your sternum. This helps
you take deep, nourishing breaths.
The Follicular Phase Massage
Done from the end of your period until you ovulate.
During the first half of your cycle, we want to physically move blood and energy in the lower
belly. Using Castor Oil (which is great for reducing inflammation and increasing circulation)
makes this even more effective.
- The Starting Point: Apply the oil to your lower belly.
- The Pressure: Lightly press the inguinal area (the crease where your legs meet your
torso). This is where many lymph nodes and blood vessels live. - The Pattern: Use broad strokes moving from your hips diagonally up toward your belly
button. Repeat 3 times. Then, stroke straight up from your pubic bone to your belly
button 3 times.
Consistency is the key to seeing changes. By consistently using these points to balance your
hormones and calm your nervous system, you are actively nourishing your womb or “hearth”
and creating a receptive environment for new life. Remember, big changes often come from
these small, intentional moments of self-care.
We are so honored to support you on this journey, and we’re here for you every step of the way.