Acupuncturists: An Essential Part of the Pregnancy Team?
Acupuncture Today Staff
A new analysis published in the open-access research journal BMJ Open suggests acupuncture is an effective method for reducing pregnancy-related back and pelvic pain and other variables. Findings follow a PubMed, EMBASE databases, Web of Science and Cochrane Library search of randomized, controlled trials.
The pooled data analysis relied on 10 previously conducted RCTs published between 2000 and 2020, and involving just over 1,000 women experiencing lower back and/or pelvic pain at 17-30 weeks gestation, but otherwise healthy. Average age of study participants was age 35 or younger in most cases.
In seven of the 10 trials, women were treated with body acupuncture; in the three other trials, auricular acupuncture was used. (Seven studies used "forbidden points" that are often contraindicated during pregnancy.)
In all but one study, acupuncture significantly relieved pain. In addition, four studies that evaluated physical function showed significant improvement with acupuncture, while quality of life improved significantly in five studies that assessed this variable. Analysis also suggested that "there was a significant difference in overall effects when acupuncture was compared with other interventions or no intervention."
The review authors conclude: "Acupuncture significantly improved pain, functional status and quality of life in women with LBPP during the pregnancy. Additionally, acupuncture had no observable severe adverse influences on the newborns. More large-scale and well-designed RCTs are still needed to further confirm these results."
Source: Yang J, et al. Acupuncture for low back and/or pelvic pain during pregnancy: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. BMJ Open; 202212(12):e056878. Click here for full-text access.
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