Ice Massage for the Reduction of Labor Pain

Abstract

The current study investigated the use of ice massage of the acupressure energy meridian point large intestine 4 (LI4) to reduce labor pain during contractions. LI4 is located on the medial midpoint of the first metacarpal, within 3 to 4 mm of the web of skin between the thumb and forefinger. A one‐group, pretest, posttest design was chosen, which used 100‐mm Visual Analog Scales (VAS) and the McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ) ranked numerically and verbally to measure pain levels; the pretest served as the control. Study participants were Hispanic and white Medicaid recipients who received prenatal care at a women's clinic staffed by certified nurse‐midwives and obstetricians. Participants noted a pain reduction mean on the VAS of 28.22 mm on the left hand and 11.93 mm on the right hand. The postdelivery ranked MPQ dropped from number 3 (distressing) to number 2 (discomforting). The study results suggest that ice massage is a safe, noninvasive, nonpharmacological method of reducing labor pain.

The Effect of LI4 Acupressure on Labor Pain Intensity and Duration of Labor: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…Studies by Enjezab et al, 7 and Waters et al 13 showed that using ice massage on the Hugo point decreased pain intensity 30 minutes after intervention. , In addition, Fan Qu studied the effect of electro-acupuncture on points L14 and SP6 on the intensity of labor and concluded that the technique could cause reduction in pain during the active phase.…”

What’s new and novel in obstetric anesthesia? Contributions from the 2003 scientific literature

“…Alternative labor analgesia techniques such as water birth, 141 acupuncture and acupressure, 142,143 and ice massage at acupressure points 144 have been suggested to reduce labor pain and the use of analgesics. To date, few reports compare these alternative modalities to central neuraxial analgesia.…”

Effectiveness of ice massage in reduction of labor pain during first stage of labor among primigravida mothers

“…The comfort measures like ice massage at energy meridian point called large intestine 4 pathway moves from the tip of the fore finger to the face and then it encircles the teeth. Later, it bifurcates at the shoulder and moves downward wrapping around the entire colon [4]. During pregnancy term, the colon practically encircles the upper portion of the uterus.…”