Researchers from Iran have found that acupuncture is significantly associated with decreased duration of labour. They randomised 63 nulliparous women to receive either verum acupuncture at Sanyinjiao SP-6 and Hegu L.I.-4, or sham acupuncture at the same points. No significant variations in pain scores or serum cortisol levels were observed between the two groups. However, the duration of labour was found to be significantly lower in the group receiving real acupuncture.
Effects of LI-4 and SP-6 Acupuncture on Labor Pain, Cortisol Level and Duration of Labor. J Acupunct Meridian Stud. 2015 Oct;8(5):249-54
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