A 2014 systematic review of 105 studies found acupuncture safe during pregnancy. Researchers published the results in the Journal of the British Acupuncture Medical Society. The review’s objective was to identify whether there were any adverse events associated with acupuncture treatment during pregnancy. Findings revealed there were no adverse effects and that acupuncture was a safe therapy for women during pregnancy.
Acupuncture Safe During Pregnancy
Acupuncture has become a mainstream form of care for pregnant women. Conditions suitable for acupuncture treatment during pregnancy include morning sickness (nausea, vomiting), labor induction, bloating and reflux, sciatic nerve pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, neck and back pain, headaches, depression, and insomnia name a few.
At Raleigh Acupuncture, we treat pregnant women with these conditions all the time, with no adverse effects. Most common is our treatment for morning sickness and labor induction. Typically nausea and vomiting associated with first-trimester pregnancy can be resolved with acupuncture in just four treatments. Labor induction treatment helps women past their due date to stimulate labor safely and naturally. The results are amazing.
Study Methodology
Researchers searched multiple databases, including Medline, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Allied and Complementary Medicine Database, and five Korean databases up to February 2013. The review included studies that collected original data and involved acupuncture treatment for any conditions in pregnant women. This focus made them relevant to investigate whether acupuncture safe during pregnancy.
Study Results
There were no severe or even moderate adverse effects in any of the 105 studies reviewed. The only minor adverse effects encountered involved needle sensitivity in just 1.3% of all cases. This systematic review found that the only adverse effects associated with acupuncture during pregnancy were mild and transient. Needling discomfort was the most commonly reported adverse effect.
Conclusions – Safety of Acupuncture
Researchers definitively found acupuncture safe during pregnancy. There were no adverse effects. This finding confirms our own experience at Raleigh Acupuncture. We have been safely treating pregnant women for over 15 years without incident.
Next Steps
If you are pregnant and in need of acupuncture, have no fear. This comprehensive study found acupuncture safe during pregnancy. Whether you have morning sickness, sciatica, or want help with labor induction, acupuncture will relieve you. It’s also great for stress reduction! Treatments are so relaxing that many of our patients fall asleep during their sessions.
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References
Park, J., Sohn, Y., White, A. R., & Lee, H. (2014). The safety of acupuncture during pregnancy: a systematic review. Acupuncture in medicine: journal of the British Medical Acupuncture Society, 32(3), 257–266. https://doi.org/10.1136/acupmed-2013-010480
Keywords: Acupuncture Safe During Pregnancy
