Ice Massage Reduces Labor Pain

RosyDoula · 04-25-2007, 05:05 PM

Ice Massage Reduces Labor Pain
By Darin Ingels, ND
http://www.wildoats.com/redesign/hn....03_12_18_3.cfm

Quote:

Pregnant women in early labor who use ice massage at specific acupuncture points on the hand may experience less pain, according to a new study in the Journal of Midwifery and Women's Health (2003;48:317 21). This study suggests ice massage is a safe, non-invasive method of decreasing a woman's labor pain.

In the new study, 49 pregnant women between the ages of 16 and 38 years in early labor received ice massage on a specific acupuncture point on the hand (called Large Intestine 4 or LI-4 in Traditional Chinese Medicine) at the beginning of a contraction, continuing until the contraction stopped...

Intensity of labor pain and memory of pain were both significantly reduced by ice massage. Pain-intensity scores were lowered by 19% after ice massage in the right hand and by almost 50% in the left hand. It is unknown why there was such a difference between each hand. Memory of pain intensity following delivery was reduced from "distressing" to "discomforting."

LI-4 is located in the webbing between the thumb and index finger on the back of the hand. Traditional Chinese medical texts describe the stimulation of LI-4 to reduce labor pain and to strengthen contractions...

emmabella · 04-25-2007, 06:07 PM

That is stinking cool! I'm going to try that at my next birth for sure.

Rachel G. · 04-25-2007, 06:09 PM

for the article I never thought about that and it would be interesting to see it working for someone. Might try that myself and see what happens.

dreamharderila · 05-02-2007, 12:58 PM

When I was having my son (almost 7 yrs ago!), my dh rubbed my hand a lot, mostly because he was nervous, and I honestly think it helped my pain. So the ice might help as well. I'm gonna try it too!

Ila

DoulaCBE · 05-06-2007, 11:12 PM

I attended a conference with Polly Perez many years ago and she taught us that cold blocks the messages to the brain more effictivly than heat. Ever since, ice is one of my best doula tools that I tend to use, or at least try to use at every single birth!

earthgirl · 05-19-2007, 10:14 AM

I took a labor massage class last week from an area LMT, and she went over this. She suggested that you fill a dixie cup half way and freeze it. Put some in a lunch bag with ice packs for when your client goes into labor, you can transport it. The bottom of the dixie cup protrudes a little bit, and the wax on it also helps when using it on that point (the web between the thumb and pointer)in a circular motion. As the ice melts, you just peel away at the dixie cup.

It worked really well, and I thought it was a great idea.

MyDreamDoula · 05-19-2007, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by earthgirl

I took a labor massage class last week from an area LMT, and she went over this. She suggested that you fill a dixie cup half way and freeze it. Put some in a lunch bag with ice packs for when your client goes into labor, you can transport it. The bottom of the dixie cup protrudes a little bit, and the wax on it also helps when using it on that point (the web between the thumb and pointer)in a circular motion. As the ice melts, you just peel away at the dixie cup.

It worked really well, and I thought it was a great idea.

In massage school I was taught the same thing using the dixie cups. they are the perfect size and work great!!!

douladot · 05-20-2007, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by earthgirl

I took a labor massage class last week from an area LMT, and she went over this. She suggested that you fill a dixie cup half way and freeze it. Put some in a lunch bag with ice packs for when your client goes into labor, you can transport it. The bottom of the dixie cup protrudes a little bit, and the wax on it also helps when using it on that point (the web between the thumb and pointer)in a circular motion. As the ice melts, you just peel away at the dixie cup.

It worked really well, and I thought it was a great idea.

Stacie -- I am having a little trouble "visualizing" how you do this

. Could you just use ice wrapped in a washcloth??? (or something similar?)

earthgirl · 05-20-2007, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by douladot

Stacie -- I am having a little trouble "visualizing" how you do this

. Could you just use ice wrapped in a washcloth??? (or something similar?)

Yes you could definitely use a washcloth, but the bottom of the dixie cup protrudes as the ice forms and makes it like a roll-on deodorant. It's the perfect size to use at the web of the hand, and there is also wax-like substance on the dixie cup so it will smoothly slide on the skin, instead of rubbing. She used it in a circular motion, as opposed to just holding it there. I hope that helps