The effect of applying pressure to the third liver point on the symptoms of involved liver channel in girls with primary dysmenorrhea: A randomized clinical trial

Primary dysmenorrhea is one of the most prevalent disorders in women which results in their decreased efficacy. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of pressure on the third liver point on involved liver channel symptoms in patients with primary dysmenorrhea.

This clinical trial was conducted on 194 students that met the inclusion criteria. In the first cycle, symptoms of involved liver channel were identified. Accordingly, participants were randomly allotted to either treatment or control groups. In the second, third and fourth cycles, acupressure was applied to the third liver point and placebo point for 20 minutes 3-7 days before menstruation. With bleeding in the fourth cycle, the symptoms of involved liver channel were determined.

In the first cycle, there were no significant differences in symptoms of involved liver channel between the two groups; however, in the fourth cycle, the results of Chi2 test showed significant differences between the two groups in all symptoms of involved liver channel except the tongue with red spots (p<0.05). In the treatment group, a comparison of the first and the fourth cycle revealed significant differences in all symptoms of involved liver channel except for tongue with red spots (p<0.05).

In this study, applying pressure to the third liver point was effective in the improvement of the majority of involved liver channel symptoms; therefore, acupressure is suggested as a practical, effective, non-expensive, and available method in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea.