Acupuncture for labour pain

A recent research suggests that acupuncture may help control pain during childbirth.Previous studies have found that acupuncture may be helpful in treating low back pain, acute dental pain and recurrent headaches. Acupuncture has also been used to treat morning sickness and to induce labour. To evaluate, researchers from the Universities of Exeter and Plymouth, UK conducted a computerised literature search of several databases. They identified three trials that fitted their quality standards. In the first trial, 106 women who received acupuncture along with conventional medication were compared with 92 women who were given only conventional care. It was found that the acupuncture group was less likely to request for pain medications than those who did not receive acupuncture. Almost all women treated with acupuncture said they would use the complementary treatment again for labour pain.

The second trial involved 90 women who were randomly assigned to a group that received acupuncture or a group that received conventional care. Both groups were also given the requested pain medication or non-pharmacologic pain management techniques such as a bath or shower. It was found that women in the acupuncture group requested less of one pain medication, but similar levels of other pain medications than those in the comparison group. The acupuncture group also reported a higher level of relaxation than their peers and was less likely to request non-pharmacologic pain treatment. In the third trial, 106 women received acupuncture and 102 women received placebo acupuncture, in which superficial needles were applied to non-acupuncture points. None of the women knew whether they received acupuncture or the sham treatment. The acupuncture group reported less pain up to two hours after acupuncture and two hours after giving birth than those who received the sham treatment. The women who received acupuncture requested less pain medication than their counterparts.

Overall, the data suggest that acupuncture can be another option for pregnant women for labour pain management if future trials support acupuncture's effect.

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