Abstract INTRODUCTION Ear acupuncture carried out in primary care by trained midwives, with no specialist training in acupuncture, may be effective in alleviating pregnancy-related lower back and/or posterior pelvic girdle pain (LBPGP). The objective of this study was to assess the effect of ear acupuncture associated with standard obstetric care, in the primary-care setting, on LBPGP experienced by pregnant women. MATERIAL AND METHODS This four-group, multicenter, randomized controlled trial was conducted at 18 public primary care centers in three regions in Spain, with the participation of 220 pregnant women at 24-36 weeks of gestation, aged 18 years or more, diagnosed with pregnancy-related...Weiterlesen

Abstract BACKGROUND Postnatal scanty milk secretion is a common complaint. Some physical and medical interventions were advocated to help milk production. These interventions should be effective and safe for the mother and the infant. OBJECTIVE To compare the effects of low-level laser therapy and electroacupuncture on postnatal scanty milk secretion. STUDY DESIGN A randomized controlled study conducted on 60 healthy primiparous mothers with insufficient lactation. They were randomly divided into three equal groups: group A (control), group B (those who received low-power He-Ne laser beam on both breasts), and group C (those who received faradic current stimulation at Spleen 6,...Weiterlesen

Abstract Background Acupuncture is widely used for infertile women without undergoing assisted reproductive techniques (ART) in China but its effect is unclear. We aim to assess whether acupuncture and its combined therapy exert a positive influence on the outcome of female fertility. Methods We searched 6 databases, including Medline, EMBASE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), the China Science and Technology Journal Database (VIP), and Wan-Fang Data, from inception to June 2018. Studies of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on women with infertility treated by acupuncture or its combined therapy were included. A meta-analysis...Weiterlesen

Acupuncture reduces the time to discharge following anaesthesia and gynaecological laparoscopy, reports a research team based in Switzerland and Germany. A randomised trial involving 75 women evaluated the effects of acupuncture combined with a standardised anaesthetic regimen compared to either acupressure, or standard anaesthesia alone. At the time of the pre-anaesthetic visit, 12–24 hours prior to surgery, patients in the intervention groups received a standardised treatment with either 12 press needles or adhesive press plasters at Renzhong DU-26, Shanzhong REN-17 and bilateral Hegu L.I.-4, Shenmen HE-7, Taichong LIV-3, Zusanli ST-36 and Neiguan P-6. Needles or plasters were left in place for...Weiterlesen

Abstract Objective To investigate the efficacy of a standardised brief acupuncture approach for women with moderate-to-severe menopausal symptoms. Design Randomised and controlled, with 1:1 allocation to the intervention group or the control group. The assessor and the statistician were blinded. Setting Nine Danish primary care practices. Participants 70 women with moderate-to-severe menopausal symptoms and nine general practitioners with accredited education in acupuncture. Intervention The acupuncture style was western medical with a standardised approach in the predefined acupuncture points CV-3, CV-4, LR-8, SP-6 and SP-9. The intervention group received one treatment for five consecutive weeks. The control group was offered treatment...Weiterlesen

Eine Kurzakupunktur hat in einer pragmatischen randomisierten klimakterische Beschwerden gelindert. Die meisten Frauen Anfang 50 leiden über mehrere Jahre unter Wechseljahres­beschwerden, die die Lebensqualität beeinträchtigen können. Seit bekannt ist, dass die Hormontherapie – über viele Jahre die bevorzugte Behandlung – das Risiko auf Brustkrebs und Thromboembolien erhöht, suchen viele Betroffene nach Alternativen. Dazu gehört auch die chinesische Heilmethode der Akupunktur, die mittlerweile in europäischen Varianten und als Kurztherapie angeboten wird, die sich mit dem Alltag von Menschen aus westlichen Kulturen vereinbaren lassen. Die Wirksamkeit der Akupunktur wurde in den letzten Jahren in mehreren Studien untersucht, die jedoch unter methodischen Schwächen...Weiterlesen

Acupuncture applied at term may be effective in reducing the rate of labour induction performed for post-dates pregnancy, according to Italian researchers. Three-hundred and seventy five women at 40 weeks gestation received either acupuncture or routine care. Acupuncture (Hegu L.I.-4, Sanyinjiao SP-6, Zusanli ST-36, Taichong LIV-3, Zhiyin BL-67, Jianjing GB-21, Fengshi GB-31) was applied every other day from 40 weeks plus two days up to 41 weeks plus four days. Results:Women who underwent acupuncture experienced a higher rate of spontaneous delivery (75 per cent versus 52.8 per cent) and delivered earlier than controls (289 days versus 291 days). The rate...Weiterlesen

Abstract OBJECTIVES: To assess pain-management using auricular acupuncture as an adjunct to ibuprofen and paracervical block during first trimester uterine aspiration, and to assess auricular acupuncture’s effect on anxiety. STUDY DESIGN: This randomized, double-blinded, three-arm trial enrolled women undergoing uterine aspiration for spontaneous or induced abortion. Study participants were randomized 1:1:1 to receive auricular acupuncture, placebo, or usual care alone. Participants in all groups received ibuprofen and paracervical block (usual care). The main outcome was maximum pain reported at the end of the procedure measured using a Visual Analog Scale; we compared those receiving auricular acupuncture to those receiving usual...Weiterlesen

Original Titel: Effectiveness of Laser Acupoints on Women With Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial DGP – Die Studie zeigte einen Effekt der Laserakupunktur auf Hormone und Insulinresistenz. Begleitet wurde die Laserakupunkturtherapie durch Ernährung- und Bewegungstipps. Für aussagekräftigere Ergebnisse müssen allerdings Studien mit mehr Teilnehmerinnen durchgeführt werden. Die Akupunktur soll die Lebensenergie, die den Körper durchfließt, wieder ordnen, da ein gestörter Fluss zu Krankheiten führt. Eine Studie aus Ägypten untersuchte jetzt die Effizienz von Lasertherapie beim PCO-Syndrom. Laserakupunktur arbeitet ohne Nadeln Laserakupunktur ist eine moderne Variante der Akupunktur. Anstatt Nadeln wird ein Laser benutzt, um die Akupunkturpunkte zu stimulieren. Akupunktur wird vor allem bei Schmerzen, Magen-Darm-Problemen, aber auch...Weiterlesen

Original Titel: Effects of acupuncture for the treatment of endometriosis-related pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Die traditionelle chinesische Medizin (TCM) umfasst chinesische Arzneimitteltherapie, Akupunktur, Massagen, Bewegungsübungen und Ernährungslehre. Obwohl die Wirksamkeit der alternativen Heilverfahren immer wieder hinterfragt und angezweifelt wird, hat sich vor allem die Akupunktur auch in Deutschland etabliert. Eine Studie aus China hat jetzt die Wirksamkeit von Akupunktur bei Schmerzen durch Endometriose untersucht. Die Akupunktur liegt der Vorstellung der Traditionellen Chinesischen Medizin zu Grunde, bei der der Mensch entlang von Leitbahnen durch die Lebensenergie Qi durchflossen wird. Wird dieser Qi-Fluss gestört, können Schmerzen und Krankheiten auftreten. Bei der Akupunktur werden...Weiterlesen