Accupuncture, PregnantPregnancy does generate a lot of paper. Though pregnancy is not a sickness but an integral part of a woman’s life, it does sometimes pose a problem in carrying out everyday tasks. While someone women face morning sickness, a few others make tend to swell up. Not quite noticeable others may bring alive their nesting instincts and inability to concentrate on activities.

In these trying times a to-be-mum is normally advised to stay calm and stress free. It now appears that that alternative treatment like acupuncture might also help mums to be. A new study by experts at the Sahlgrenska Academy in Gothenburg, Sweden, reveal that acupuncture can help women who suffer from crippling pain particularly pelvic girdle pain (PGP) allowing them carry on with their daily lives.

“The results of this study are encouraging as it shows that acupuncture could improve the lives of women with PGP. Complementary therapies like acupuncture may help relieve certain types of pain but their efficacy remains to be proven and more research is needed. For some women the hope of pain relief is enough reason for them to undergo alternative treatments. However, women should consult their doctors and midwives and not abandon traditional medicine”, mentioned Professor Philip Steer, editor-in-chief of the BJOG.

To understand the effects of acupuncture on pregnant women about 58 pregnant women suffering from PGP were tested. These women had been suffering the painful condition since two months. In addition to this another 57 women were subjected to sham acupuncture. This type of acupuncture is a method in which needles are placed only partly into the skin and away from recognised pressure points. Women in both groups were given acupuncture for the same time period.

The test results showed that the women who received acupuncture found it easier to move about more freely. They also had no problems in doing everyday routine tasks, like going up and down a flight of stairs. The researchers reveal that though these women did not actually suffer less pain than the placebo group, one can look to acupuncture as a future treatment for pregnant women with PGP.

PGP is a crippling pain mostly affecting pregnant women and worsened by standing, sitting or even turning in bed. It’s like a constant stabbing sensation or shooting pain down the back of the leg. Affecting nearly one in five pregnant women PGP makes these women nearly incapable of performing even simple tasks. Reports suggest that around 7% women struggle with the pain even after they give birth. Sometimes it is so severe that they are forced to take time off work.

Experts associated with the study are now hopeful that acupuncture may prove to be a promising treatment alternative for those suffering from the painful condition.

These findings are published in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology