Acupuncture for lower back and pelvic pain in late pregnancy: A retrospective report on 167 consecutive cases

Adverse and analgesic effects of acupuncture during the second and third tr imesters of pregnancy were studied retrospectively in an observational stud y including 167 consecutive patients with lower back pain, pelvic pain, or both. In each patient acupuncture was given on at least two different occas ions by three manual stimulations of two or more acupuncture or tender poin ts, mainly LR-3 and LI-4 together with local tender points, at 15-min inter vals. Possible adverse and analgesic effects were assessed by the midwife r esponsible for the acupuncture given in each patient. There were no abortio ns and no influence on the delivery course of the infants, but transient pr emature labor was observed during the fourth stimulation carried out in the 15th gestational week in one woman. Other possible adverse effects, like t ransient dizziness or tiredness, were reported in 35 patients (21%). Analge sia, as assessed by midwives involved, was good or excellent in 72% of pati ents. Acupuncture seems to be safe and effective for pain relief in lower b ack pain, pelvic pain, or both during the second and third trimesters of pr egnancy. Nevertheless, prospective randomized studies are needed to confirm these findings.