Turning Your Baby Naturally
- Stephanie Haney
- Jul 21
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 27
Acupuncture, Moxibustion, and Arvigo® Therapy, for Breech Presentation
Finding out your baby is in a breech position late in pregnancy can feel overwhelming. While many babies turn on their own before delivery, some need a little extra support. That’s where holistic therapies like acupuncture, moxibustion, and Arvigo® Abdominal Therapy can make a meaningful difference.
At East West Integrative Medicine, we offer gentle, non-invasive approaches that blend Traditional Chinese Medicine with abdominal therapy traditions to help create optimal conditions for fetal positioning.
What Is Breech Presentation?
A breech baby is positioned with their feet or bottom facing downward rather than the ideal head-down (vertex) position. This occurs in approximately 3–4% of pregnancies at term. While breech presentation isn’t always a cause for concern, many care providers recommend trying to turn the baby before delivery to reduce the risk of complications and avoid a cesarean birth.

Acupuncture and Moxibustion for Turning your Baby Naturally: What the Research Says
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, a breech position may indicate an imbalance in the body’s energy, especially in the lower abdomen and pelvis. Acupuncture can help restore balance by stimulating specific points—most notably UB67 (Zhi Yin, meaning "Reaching Yin"), located on the outer corner of the pinky toe—which is traditionally used to encourage fetal movement and support the baby naturally turning into a head-down position.
Moxibustion, the warming of acupuncture points with an herbal stick made of mugwort, is often applied to UB67. It gently stimulates energy flow and promotes fetal activity, usually used between 32–36 weeks when there’s still room for the baby to move.
What Studies Show:
A 2023 Cochrane Review found that moxibustion between weeks 33–35 reduced the number of breech presentations at birth.
A JAMA study (1998) showed that 75% of babies turned in the moxibustion group, compared to 48% in the control group.
The Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine 2004 study showed that combining acupuncture with moxa show higher success rates, especially when done early and consistently.
Arvigo® Abdominal Therapy: Providing Space for Baby to Move
In addition to acupuncture, Stephanie Haney offers Arvigo® Abdominal Therapy, a gentle external massage technique rooted in traditional Maya healing. This therapy supports reproductive and digestive health by improving blood flow, lymphatic drainage, and nerve communication to the pelvic and abdominal organs.
When it comes to breech babies, Arvigo® Therapy can be an incredible complement by:
Releasing tension in the uterus and surrounding ligaments
Aligning the pelvis and sacrum
Improving circulation to the uterus and placenta
Gently creating more space for baby to move into an optimal position
This hands-on approach also includes self-care massage instruction, empowering you to continue treatment at home between sessions. Many clients find the experience deeply nurturing and grounding, especially during the frequent changes in late pregnancy.
What to Expect at East West Integrative Medicine
At our San Francisco clinics, we create customized treatment plans that may include:
Acupuncture and moxibustion sessions focused on fetal positioning
Arvigo® Abdominal Therapy to support pelvic alignment and circulation
At-home moxa instruction for continued daily treatment
Optional herbal or nutritional guidance based on your individual needs
Most treatments begin between weeks 32–36, but every body and every pregnancy is unique.
Empowering Natural Solutions for Birth
One of the most powerful aspects of holistic care is its ability to support the body’s natural intelligence. Whether through acupuncture, moxa, or abdominal massage, these gentle therapies work by restoring balance, reducing tension, and encouraging optimal positioning, without force or intervention.
If your baby is breech—or you’re simply looking for mindful, body-centered care during your pregnancy—our team at East West Integrative Medicine is here to support you every step of the way.
We’re honored to support you and your baby with compassion, skill, and evidence-based care. Reach out to schedule your acupuncture or Arvigo® session today.

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