Acupressure for Stomach Cramps

MedlinePlus describes abdominal pain as pain anywhere between the chest and the groin. Nearly everyone has it at some point, and most of the time it is not serious. But how bad it hurts does not tell you how serious the cause is: early appendicitis can feel mild, and a stomach virus can hurt a lot.

MedlinePlus sorts belly pain into four kinds:

• Cramp-like pain is most often not serious. It is likely from gas and bloating, and is often followed by diarrhea. It is more worrying if it comes more often, lasts more than 24 hours, or comes with a fever.
• Generalized pain, over more than half the belly, is typical of a stomach virus, indigestion or gas. If it becomes more severe, it may be a blockage of the intestines.
• Localized pain, in one area, is more likely a sign of a problem in one organ, such as the appendix, gallbladder or stomach.
• Colicky pain comes in waves, often starts and ends suddenly, and is often severe. Kidney stones and gallstones are common causes.

Less serious causes include constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, food intolerance, food poisoning and stomach flu. More serious ones include appendicitis, diverticulitis, kidney stones, a trapped hernia and pancreatitis. This post is about the first kind: cramping that is mild and passing.

The Stomach Cramps page is the reference; this post explains the routine and the evidence behind it. Related pages: Constipation, IBS, Heartburn and PMS and Period Pain.

MedlinePlus says to call your local emergency number or get medical help right away if you:

• have sudden, sharp belly pain;
• have a tender belly, or a belly that is rigid and hard to the touch;
• vomit blood, or have blood in your stool (bright red, maroon, or dark and tarry black);
• cannot pass stool, especially if you are also vomiting;
• have chest, neck or shoulder pain, or pain between or in your shoulder blades with nausea;
• have trouble breathing;
• recently injured your belly;
• are pregnant or might be pregnant;
• are being treated for cancer.

Do not stop to try acupressure first.

We found no Cochrane review of acupressure or acupuncture for stomach cramps or general belly pain, so little high-quality research exists to say what pressing these points does. The points below are tradition, labelled as such.

Traditional use: in TCM, points such as CV-6, SP-6 and ST-36 are traditionally used for abdominal cramping. Each point's page shows where to find it and when to skip it.

• Main points: CV-6 Sea of Qi (Qì hǎi) below the navel, SP-6 Three Yin Intersection (Sān yīn jiāo) on the inner lower leg, and ST-36 Leg Three Miles (Zú sān lǐ) below the knee.
• For muscle spasms: GB-34 Yang Mound Spring (Yáng líng quán) below the outer side of the knee.
• When stress plays a part: LR-3 Great Rushing (Tài chōng) on the top of the foot.
• For cramping with a period: CV-4 Gate of Origin (Guān yuán) below CV-6. The period pain post covers it in more detail.

The Stomach Cramp routine has the order and timings, 5 to 10 minutes, as needed. The idea behind it: lying with the knees bent lets the belly relax. The only belly points, CV-6 and CV-4, are touched lightly and in slow circles, never pushed deep into the belly. The firmer pressure goes on the leg and foot points, away from the sore area.

1. Lie down with your knees bent, or sit with your knees drawn up.
2. Massage CV-6 in slow, light circles for 1 to 2 minutes, pressing as you breathe out.
3. Press SP-6 with steady pressure for 1 to 2 minutes on each leg.
4. Press ST-36 for 1 minute on each leg.
5. For muscle spasms, add GB-34 with moderate pressure for 1 minute on each leg.
6. If stress is part of it, add LR-3 for 1 minute on each foot, pressing beside the pulse rather than on it.
7. For cramping with a period, add CV-4 with steady, comfortable pressure, never deep.

If you are new to it, hold each point for 15 to 30 seconds and work up to 1 to 2 minutes. Pressure should be firm but never painful. If pressing the belly hurts, stop: a belly that is tender to the touch is one of the signs above.

Pregnancy: belly pain during pregnancy needs medical help right away, and CV-6, CV-4 and SP-6 are not pressed during pregnancy.

Skip: CV-6 and CV-4 with sudden or severe belly pain, and CV-4 after abdominal surgery. SP-6 and ST-36 after leg surgery; ST-36 with an injury or infection of the lower leg. GB-34 with a severe leg injury or a blood clotting disorder. LR-3 after foot surgery or with very low blood pressure. Don't press on broken, irritated or blistered skin, bruises or new scars. If you have a bleeding or clotting disorder or low platelets, press more lightly and for less time, or ask your doctor first.

For mild pain, MedlinePlus suggests:

• sipping water or other clear fluids;
• avoiding solid food for the first few hours;
• after vomiting, waiting 6 hours, then trying small amounts of mild foods such as rice, applesauce or crackers, and avoiding dairy;
• not taking any medicine without talking to your provider first.

To lower the chance of some kinds of belly pain: drink plenty of water each day, eat small meals more often, exercise regularly, limit foods that give you gas, and eat well-balanced meals high in fiber, with plenty of fruits and vegetables.

MedlinePlus says to contact your provider if you have:

• belly discomfort that lasts 1 week or longer;
• belly pain that does not improve in 24 to 48 hours, or becomes more severe and frequent and comes with nausea and vomiting;
• bloating that lasts more than 2 days;
• burning when you urinate, or urinating often;
• diarrhea for more than 5 days;
• a fever over 100°F (37.7°C) for adults, or 100.4°F (38°C) for children, with the pain;
• a poor appetite for a long time;
• vaginal bleeding that goes on for a long time;
• weight loss you cannot explain;
• food or liquids you cannot keep down.

A provider will ask where the pain is, whether it spreads, what it feels like, when it comes and what makes it better or worse, so it helps to notice these before the visit. Acupressure is not a reason to wait. See also when not to self-treat.