Acupuncture can provide constipation relief while maintaining a healthy pregnancy. A combination of San Jiao 6 (Zhi Gou) and Stomach 36 (Zu San Li) is excellent for treating constipation during pregnancy. San Jiao 6 is the shu-stream and fire point of the San Jiao channel. It can regulate the qi of the three jiaos, unblock the qi of the fu organs, descend counterflow fire, open the orifices, activate the collaterals to disperse stagnation, and eliminate distention to stop pain.
Barbra Esher, AOBTA CI. Dipl. ABT & Ac. (NCCAOM), LAc
Barbra Esher is the senior instructor and curriculum coordinator for the professional program in shiatsu and Asian bodywork at the Baltimore School of Massage. She is the past president of the American Organization for Bodywork Therapies of Asia (AOBTA), and an AOBTA-certified instructor. This series of articles is based on information from her forthcoming textbook, Shiatsu and Chinese Medicine.