Acupuncture for Labor Pain and Acupressure for Menstrual Pain

Two new studies suggest that acupuncture and acupressure may ease labor pains and menstrual discomfort, respectively. A British review of three studies of acupuncture showed that women receiving acupuncture during labor requested less pain medication than those who got conventional care, were satisfied with treatment and, in one study, were more relaxed in the birthing process than women in a comparison group. However, the reviewers concluded that additional studies are needed to confirm that acupuncture can reliably control labor pains. Results were published in the November 2004 issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology . Another study, from Taiwan, published in the November 2004 issue of the Journal of Advanced Nursing , found that 20 minutes of acupressure eased acute menstrual pain better than 20 minutes of bed rest. The acupressure was applied with the thumb at a point the width of three fingers above the bone on the inside of the ankle. Pressure was applied for six seconds and released for two seconds repeatedly during two five-minute cycles on each leg.

Sources:

American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology , November 2004

Journal of Advanced Nursing , November 2004