Acupuncture relieves back and pelvic pain during pregnancy, study suggests

According to a new global data analysis of the available evidence, it is possible to relieve lower back and pelvic pain with the use of acupuncture.

The findings show that there were no major side effects for babies whose mothers chose to have the procedure. There was a meta analysis in the journal.

The quality of life for women with lower back/pelvic pain improved after they had a baby. The researchers concluded that there were no observable adverse influences on the newborn babies. There are still more large-scale and well-designed trials that are needed to confirm the results.

It does not involve the need for drugs and is considered safe, which is why it is emerging as a potential treatment for pain.

A treatment derived from Chinese medicine is called anaphylactics. Needles are inserted into the body for a variety of reasons. It is used in pain clinics in the UK.

It isn't clear how it might ease pain, but it is thought to involve the release of the body's innate "happy" chemicals. The substances that are naturally released are believed to be responsible for the benefits associated with acupuncture.

As many as nine in 10 women experience lower back or Pelvic pain during their pregnancies, but whether it can be alleviated is a question that is still being debated.

To add to the evidence base, the team of Chinese researchers combed through research databases from around the world for relevant clinical trials that looked at the pain relief afforded to pregnant women givenAcupuncture, alone or when combined with other therapies, as well as the potential impact on their newborns.

More than 1000 women were involved in 10 randomized controlled trials. Between 2000 and 2020 every study was published in a number of countries.

The mothers-to-be were all healthy, 17 to 30 weeks into their pregnancies, and had lower back or Pelvic Pain. Trained therapists delivered the treatment. There were seven trials and three auricular ones.

According to the data analysis, the trials showed that acupuncture alleviated pain during pregnant women. The results show that the potential of acupuncture to restore physical function was improved.

The quality of life was recorded. The results of these were pooled and it was found that the treatment improved this too.

According to the pooled data analysis, there was no difference in the health scores of the babies when they were compared with other interventions or no interventions at all.

There were seven studies that recorded minor side-effects for the mothers-to-be. Most of the participants were willing to do it again if necessary.

The number of included studies was relatively small. They said that the design, methodology, outcomes, and participant characteristics were vastly different.

At a time when it is preferable to avoid drugs because of the potential side-effects for mother and baby, they concluded that acupuncture merits closer attention.