Science Behind Acupressure
Acupressure is generally considered to be a safe and effective way to relieve symptoms of nausea, without the use of prescription drugs or invasive techniques. It has been shown to be effective in 16 randomized controlled clinical trials.*
Sense Relief App™ uses acupressure to stimulate the median nerve, which quickly and effectively relieve your nausea and vomiting associated with morning sickness and motion sickness. The acupressure is delivered through the Apple Watch’s Taptic Engine and Sense Relief’s nerve stimulation technology. The App applies pulsating acupressure on the underside of the user’s inner wrist, to stimulate the median P6, or Nei-Kuan, nerve acupoint.
Median Nerve Stimulation
Stimulating the median nerve in your wrist sends a signal through your nerves to the gastric center in your brain, the part of the brain that controls nausea. The gastric center system then sends another signal through the vagus nerve to your stomach that helps reduce feelings of nausea.
The Sense Relief App™ may be suitable for you if you are suffering from pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting, known as morning sickness, (PRNV), motion sickness, virtual reality (VR) related nausea, hangover induced nausea, or any feelings of vomiting, queasiness, or retching. Studies have found that up to 75% of patients treated with P6 acupressure gained relief from morning sickness symptoms.
Research on Acupuncture and Nausea
The Efficacy of Acupressure for Symptom Management: A Systematic Review
Lee EJ, Frazier SK. The efficacy of acupressure for symptom management: a systematic review. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2011;42(4):589-603. doi:10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2011.01.007
“Acupressure may be a useful strategy for the management of multiple symptoms in a variety of patient populations, but rigorous trials are needed. Inclusion of acupressure as an intervention may improve patient outcomes.”
A Randomized Controlled Trial of Nerve Stimulation for Relief of Nausea and Vomiting in Pregnancy
Rosen T, de Veciana M, Miller HS, Stewart L, Rebarber A, Slotnick RN. A randomized controlled trial of nerve stimulation for relief of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy. Obstet Gynecol. 2003;102(1):129-135. doi:10.1016/s0029-7844(03)00375-2
“Nerve stimulation therapy is effective in reducing nausea and vomiting and promoting weight gain in symptomatic women in the first trimester of pregnancy.”
Nausea: A Review of Pathophysiology and Therapeutics
Singh P, Yoon SS, Kuo B. Nausea: a review of pathophysiology and therapeutics. Therap Adv Gastroenterol. 2016;9(1):98-112. doi:10.1177/1756283X15618131
“Evolving understanding of the central as well as peripheral pathophysiology underlying nausea will be crucial for the development of novel treatment options, whether they are new agents, novel uses of older agents, or combination therapies. For now, atypical agents such as TCAs, olanzapine, gabapentin, alternative therapies such as acupuncture and hypnosis, and the potential role of dietary modification hold significant promise for the future and should be studied rigorously in clinical trials.”