Pain Relief

Acupuncture shows promise for labor pain
Source: American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 2004; 191: 1573-9
A systematic literature review of randomized controlled trials of acupuncture for adjunctive pain relief.
Acupuncture may be a useful adjunct to conventional analgesia for labor pain, conclude the authors of a systematic review.
Hyangsok Lee (Kyung Hee University, Yongin, Korea) and team say that the evidence supporting acupuncture for labor pain is "promising" but, in view of the paucity of randomized controlled trials (RCTs), "not yet convincing."

Acupuncture for low back pain in pregnancy--a prospective, quasi-randomised, controlled study.
Acupunct Med. 2004 Jun;22(2):60-7., Guerreiro da Silva JB, Nakamura MU, Cordeiro JA, Kulay L Jr.
This study was undertaken to investigate the effects of acupuncture in low back and pelvic pain during pregnancy under real life conditions, as compared with patients undergoing conventional treatment alone. A total of 61 conventionally treated pregnant women were allocated randomly into two groups to be treated or not by acupuncture. Twenty-seven patients formed the study group and 34 the control group. They reported the severity of pain using a Numerical Rating Scale from 0 to 10, and their capacity to perform general activities, to work, and to walk. We also assessed the use of analgesic drugs. Women were followed up for eight weeks and interviewed five times, at two-week intervals. All women completed the study. In the study group the average pain during the study period showed a larger reduction (4.8 points) than the control group (-0.3 points) (P < 0.0001). Average pain scores decreased by at least 50% over time in 21 (78%) patients in the acupuncture group and in five (15%) patients in the control group (P < 0.0001). Maximum pain and pain at the moment of interview were also less in the acupuncture group compared with the control group. The capacity to perform general activities, to work and to walk was improved significantly more in the study group than in the control group (P < 0.05). The use of paracetamol was lower in the acupuncture group (P < 0.01). These results indicate that acupuncture seems to alleviate low back and pelvic pain during pregnancy, as well as to increase the capacity for some physical activities and to diminish the need for drugs, which is a great advantage during this period.

Acupuncture in the management of pain in labor.
Skilnand E, Fossen D, Heiberg E., Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, County Hospital of Oestfold, Fredrikstad, Norway.
BACKGROUND: To assess if acupuncture could be a reasonable option for pain relief in labor and to look at possible effects of acupuncture on the progress of labor.
METHODS: In a controlled, single blind study, 210 healthy parturients in spontaneous, active labor at term were randomly assigned to receive either real acupuncture or false acupuncture. Visual analog scale assessments were used to evaluate subjective effect on pain. The objective parameter of outcome was the need for analgesic medication in each group.

Pelvic Pain Relief for Pregnant Women
British Medical Journal, published online March 17, 2005
A new study shows acupuncture and strengthening exercises may help relieve pelvic girdle pain experienced by pregnant women.
The pelvic girdle is a complex of bones that connects the trunk and legs. Pain in the pelvic girdle is very common among pregnant women. The study authors explain this pain inhibits the ability to stand, walk and sit, but there is no cure.