Pain or sickness during pregnancy can be quite cumbersome as pregnant women have to debate whether to take pain medicine or other medical modalities. Medical side effect is the major concern and most of people would like to go acupuncture or cupping to alleviate their pain or sickness.
Acupuncture and cupping as treatments for lumbopelvic pain during pregnancy have to be cautious, however, are safe and effective if conducted correctly. Researchers conducted an observational study at a hospital-based community antenatal clinic in New Zealand. The result concluded that acupuncture produces significant positive patient outcomes, including reductions in lumbopelvic pain levels:”Lumbopelvic pain is in the lower torso, lower back, and pelvic girdle and is frequently experienced by pregnant women. Acupuncture provides an important alternative treatment option because many common prescription drugs and over-the-counter analgesics are not recommended during pregnancy.”
In the study, a total of 245 pregnant women attended. 144 (56.5%) of women reported lumbopelvic pain as their primary or secondary complaint. Sixty-three women were excluded from the study as none confirm to the entry criteria. 81 women were included in the final results. Of the women involved in the study, 45 were first time pregnancy(nulliparous) (55.5%). The majority of women were in the third trimester of pregnancy (49.3%), women in the second trimester (38.2%), and 10 were in the first trimester (12.3%).
Treatment Approach
Acupuncture and cupping treatments were provided according to the principles of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Not all points were used on all of the women as points were selected on an individual basis. The most commonly used points were Yanglingquan (GB34) and Zulinqi (GB41), which were used in over 50% of all women. Report said “Ashi points on the lower back were used in 25–50% of the women, excluding direct needling of Ciliao (BL32) and Zhongliao (BL33). Ashi points surrounding Huantiao (GB30) and ashi points on, near, or between Qiuxu (GB40), Shenmai (BL62), and Taichong (LV3) were also used in 25–50% of women. Ashi points between Neiting (ST44) and Lidui (ST45) and ashi points on, near, or between Chengshan (BL57), Feiyang (BL58), Yintang (MHN3), Baihui (GV20), Kunlun (BL60), Fengshi (GB31), and Waiguan (TB5) were used in fewer than 25% of women. ”
In addition, cupping were applied to the lower back for over 50% of women. (cupping is normally contraindicated on the abdomen and lower back during pregnancy).
Report said:”Upon insertion of the needles, deqi was obtained manually and needles were retained for 20 minutes. Treatment was given once weekly, with each woman receiving a minimum of three treatments. The mean number of treatments was 3.85. Ear press needles were also offered to the women to place on the foot acupoints if desired. They were advised to retain these for 2–3 days and to remove them if they became uncomfortable or itchy.”
Results and Discussion
Of the 81 women included in this study, total of 72 women (88.9%) reported clinically significant improvements following treatments with acupuncture and cupping.
There shall be more research and data to demonstrate that acupuncture and cupping are effective treatment options. The points selection has purposely excluded contraindicated points like Sanyinjiao, hegu, jianjing, tianshu, guanyuan and tailbone points. However, acupuncture and cupping shall be practiced carefully for pregnant women, observing any reactions, or even stop/remove the needles.
Recent Comments