When experiencing pain from back labor, how should you apply pressure?

Applying pressure to the sacrum is particularly effective for alleviating the discomfort associated with back labor during childbirth. This technique targets the lower back area, where the pain is often intense due to the baby's position and pressure on the pelvic nerves. By exerting pressure on the sacrum, you can help counteract the pain and provide relief to the laboring person.

This method aligns well with the principles of counterpressure, where focused physical pressure is used to ease pain in specific areas of the body. The sacral area is an ideal target because it can help reposition the baby or ease tension on surrounding muscles and tissues.

Choosing to apply pressure in other areas, such as the abdomen, the lower back without specific targeting of the sacrum, or using elbow pressure on thighs, may not provide the same level of relief for back labor as effectively as direct pressure on the sacrum does.