ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate whether acupuncture at term can influence cervical ripening, induce labor and thus reduce the need for postdates induction. METHODS On the estimated date of confinement (EDC) women were prospectively randomized to an acupuncture group (AG) or a control group (CG). Data of 45 women were evaluated (AG, n = 25; CG, n = 20). Inclusion...Weiterlesen

One in three women suffer potentially severe and disabling pelvic girdle pain during pregnancy. Now a Swedish study has demonstrated that acupuncture is more effective than either standard or specialised exercises in relieving the pain. 386 pregnant women were assigned to a six-week treatment programme involving either standard home exercise, standard exercise plus acupuncture or specialised exercises designed to improve mobility and strength. Pain levels...Weiterlesen

A systematic review from Holland has concluded that acupuncture-type interventions (moxibustion, acupuncture, or electro-acupuncture) on Zhiyin BL 67 are effective in correcting breech presentation, compared with expectant management. Of 65 citations retrieved from various databases, six RCTs and three cohort studies fulfilled the reviewers’ inclusion criteria. In the RCTs the pooled proportion of breech presentations was 34% following treatment versus 66% in the control group....Weiterlesen

Acupuncture is an effective treatment for depression during pregnancy, according to a new American study. A hundred and fifty pregnant women with a diagnosis of major depression were randomised to receive 12 sessions of acupuncture consisting of a standardised point prescription specific for depression, or one of two active controls – control acupuncture or massage – over eight weeks. Women who received specific acupuncture experienced...Weiterlesen

A Chinese study has shown that acupuncture at Sanyinjiao SP-6 can decrease the amount of analgesia required in the first 24 hours after caesarian section. Sixty women who had spinal anesthesia during caesarian section were randomly assigned to receive either acupuncture or electro-acupuncture at bilateral Sanyinjiao SP-6, or to a control group. Women in the acupuncture and electro-acupuncture groups delayed the time of requesting morphine...Weiterlesen

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...Weiterlesen

Researchers find acupuncture more effective than hormone drug therapy for the treatment of endometriosis. Acupuncture relieves menstrual pain due to endometriosis, reduces the size of pelvic masses, lowers CA125 levels, and reduces the recurrence rate of endometriosis. CA125 a is biomarker for several types of cancer and benign conditions including endometriosis and menstrual disorders. Researchers at Tongji University hospital compared acupuncture with standard drug therapy....Weiterlesen

ABSTRACT Objectives This article investigates the efficacy of acupuncture for the maintenance of breastfeeding during the first 3 months of a newborn’s life. Subjects and interventions After written informed consent was obtained, 90 women were randomly divided into two groups: acupuncture treatment or observation. Acupuncture sessions were performed twice weekly for 3 weeks (total six sessions). The control group made weekly visits to the clinic...Weiterlesen

Researchers from Nanjing Traditional Chinese Medicine University and Haian Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital find acupuncture combined with herbs effective for the alleviation of endometriosis. Two patient groups were compared in a six month clinical trial. One group received Traditional Chinese Medicine (acupuncture and herbs) and the other group received mifepristone (RU-486®, a synthetic steroid that inhibits progesterone action, used for the treatment endometriosis or as...Weiterlesen

Vulvar vestibulitis is a disease of unknown aetiology involving inflammation of the skin and the mucous secreting glands found in the skin of the vulvar vestibule. It can occur in women of all ages, whether sexually active or not, can persist for years, and gives rise to symptoms such as severe pain on pressure (for example cycling, exercise or tight fitting clothes), intercourse or insertion...Weiterlesen