How can acupuncture turn a breech baby?

Moxibustion is a Traditional Chinese Medicine treatment which uses heat to stimulate acupuncture points. When stimulated in this way, the acupuncture point Zhiyin, Bladder 67 causes the baby to turn. The Bladder Meridian runs through the pelvis, and so applying heat  to the Zhiyin point creates a warming energy in the womb, encouraging movement of the baby. In western terms this could be explained as stimulation of the neural pathway leading to increased blood circulation and muscle relaxation of the uterus, which in turn facillitate moving or turning of the baby. This is a non -invasive procedure which needs to be carried out over the course of five consecutive days, preferably at the same time each day, with the mother in a reclining position. Moxa sticks are made up of dried Mugwort plant, which burns slowly, very much in the way a cigarette or cigar does. Moxa sticks are available in smokless form, and these would be preferable for use where a strong smell needs to be avoided, or where the mother suffers from any breathing difficulty or asthma. In order to carry out this treatment with ease at home, Dr Deborah Betts, specialist in  pregnancy and obstetric acupuncture suggests supporting the moxa sticks in a potato which has a groove hollowed out to hold them level with the mothers little toes. Alternatively, having a partner hold the sticks is a good way to approach treatment. The  burning sticks need to be held as close as comfort will allow to BL 67, which is on the lateral corner of the little toenail, for 15 minutes. A word of caution, moxa sticks are difficult  to quench, and lit ends need to be stubbed or cut off so that the stick can be re-used. Even when it seems to have quenched, keep the stick on an ash tray at the sink just to be sure. This treatment is best carried out from 34- 37 weeks. It is important to discontinue treatment if the baby is felt  to have moved, as it could resume the malposition with further stimulation. Research on the effectiveness of this therapy can be found here, on the Pub Med: Cost-effectiveness of breech version by acupuncture-type interventions on BL 67, including moxibustion, for women with a breech foetus at 33 weeks gestation: a modelling approach. supports the use of this treatment 

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