Acupuncture During Pregnancy: What Does the Research Say?

It is a continuous joy to have former, trying-to-conceive patients return for new and often challenging prenatal complaints. Acupuncture has benefits for fertility as well as prenatal conditions occurring in all three trimesters. Nausea, headaches, carpal tunnel, low back pain, sciatica, and heartburn are all common pregnancy-related conditions that typically respond well to acupuncture.

Additionally, third trimester concerns including breech presentation and labor induction when past due respond very well to acupuncture and moxibustion. While both of these scenarios can be very stressful for moms-to-be, the good news is that acupuncture is an effective and safe modality to try according to research.

What does the current research say about acupuncture and all of these pregnancy-related conditions? The studies are overwhelmingly positive and confirm what acupuncturists have known for centuries. Here is a research summary featuring the most common prenatal conditions that I see in my office every week:

Acupuncture & Fertility Research

Before we discuss the research on acupuncture and pregnancy, what about fertility? Studies have indicated since 2002 that acupuncture improves IVF outcomes and pregnancy rates. Dozens of research articles have been published all over the world since this groundbreaking study. The data consistently suggests that acupuncture improves pregnancy rates and many fertility-related conditions such as PCOS.

Additionally, acupuncture reduces the risk of miscarriage and other pregnancy-related complications such as tubal pregnancies. When acupuncture is combined with other integrative medicine modalities, such as nutritional counseling, or targeted supplement support, research outcomes improve further.

Nausea, Vomiting, & Hyperemesis

Hyperemesis gravidarum is the medical term for severe and frequent vomiting. While most women experience some form of nausea during their first trimester, hyperemesis gravidarum occurs in less than 2% of pregnancies.

Pericardium 6 (PC 6) is a classic acupuncture point found on the inside of the wrist. This point is typically used to treat nausea and vomiting. It has also been established in research for its effectiveness in treating chemotherapy-induced nausea. Research on Pericardium 6’s effect on nausea, vomiting, and hyperemesis gravidarum, found that more women stopped vomiting when receiving acupuncture and had a significantly faster reduction in nausea.

Another study compared the effectiveness of acupuncture to standard pharmacological interventions such as metoclopramide (Reglan) and Vitamin B12. Both interventions improved nausea and vomiting. However, acupuncture was significantly more effective in improving the overall functioning and activities of daily living in pregnant women.

Acupuncture & Moxibustion Research for Breech Presentation

For centuries, acupuncture and moxibustion have been used to correct breech presentation during pregnancy. Moxibustion is the process by which the Chinese herb known as Artemisia (mugwort), is heated over an acupuncture point, Bladder 67 (BL 67). Bladder 67 is located on the lateral edge of the pinky toe nail. When described, this practice of heating moxa wool over the foot sounds archaic. However, I see breech babies respond to this ancient therapy every week, and the research confirms its effectiveness.

Other research studies have shown the use of electroacupuncture to be effective in turning breech babies as well. Additionally, it seems that moxibustion alone is successful in treating breech presentation according to other studies. Moxibustion is a relatively easy technique to learn. Moms-to-be can complete a moxa tutorial from a licensed acupuncturist, so that they can perform the technique from the comfort of their home on a regular basis.

If you would like more guidance on how and when to begin moxa and acupuncture treatment for breech presentation, read our: Breech Presentation, Labor Induction, and 8 More Reasons to Choose Acupuncture During Pregnancy.

Acupuncture & Carpal Tunnel Studies

One of the most common side effects of increased swelling during pregnancy is carpal tunnel. Studies estimate that approximately 62% of pregnant women experience carpal tunnel at some point during their pregnancies. Symptoms include pain, numbness, tingling, and sometimes weakness or reduced hand-grip strength.

Research also suggests that many women go on to have continued symptoms or a propensity for developing carpal tunnel in the future. Other studies show that acupuncture can improve carpal tunnel symptoms, as well as protecting the integrity of the nerve as measured by nerve conduction velocity tests.

Research on Acupuncture for Low Back & Pelvic Pain

During the second and third trimesters, low back pain is an all-too-common condition for pregnant women. Additional weight gain, decreased stability of core muscles, as well as postural changes, create the perfect conditions for low back pain and sciatica. For many moms-to-be, treating low back pain and sciatic nerve root pain can feel like a losing battle.

Multiple research studies have established acupuncture to be an effective treatment for low back pain. Studies have also suggested that acupuncture not only decreases pain, but improves function to give long-term relief. As you may have guessed, research on acupuncture and pelvic during pregnancy has similar findings.

Studies suggest that approximately 14% of women will develop pelvic pain during pregnancy. Research also shows that acupuncture is effective for both pregnancy-related low back pain and pelvic pain. In one study, findings indicated that acupuncture is more effective for pelvic pain relief than traditional treatments such as physical therapy. My experience is that the combination of these modalities results in the best outcomes for pregnant patients with low back and pelvic pain.

Acupuncture Research on Labor Induction

Similar to a breech presentation, an overdue baby can have moms-to-be feeling under significant pressure. If you are approaching your due date or you are overdue, research suggests that a trip to your local acupuncturist will be extremely beneficial! Studies on just two acupuncture points, Large Intestine 4 (LI 4) and Spleen 6 (SP 6) show that acupuncture assists with cervical ripening, and shortens the time between estimated and actual due dates.

Other research suggests that acupuncture can shorten the first stages of labor, assisting mom during delivery. Last but not least, other literature reviews suggest that acupuncture reduces labor pain, decreases the need for pharmacologic pain reduction, decreases forceps and vacuum-assisted births, and reduces labor length. In conclusion, if you are approaching your due date, try acupuncture as you prepare for birth as it is a wonderful tool benefitting both mom and baby.

For more guidance about when to start acupuncture as you approach your due date, visit our: Breech Presentation, Labor Induction, and 8 More Reasons to Choose Acupuncture During Pregnancy.

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