Gaynor (38y, Stockport) suffered postnatal depression, anxiety, insomnia when her daughter was about 16 weeks old. Due to her daughter’s colic, she developed insomnia first, then depression and anxiety. All of sudden, everything seemed dull in her eyes. In her own words: “Don’t get me wrong. I love my daughter to bits. It just feels like I am not enjoying this any more. I worry all the time. I can’t get into sleep, I am exhausted.”

I gave her weekly acupuncture. My selection of points included Ying Tang, Bai Hui, Ben Shen, Shen Ting, Dou Lin Qi, Si Shen Chong, Zu San Li, San Yin Jiao, Tai Chong, He Gu, ear Shen Men, ear Heart, ear sympathetic nerve. Around 6-8 points were used each time.

She reported on her second visit that her sleep was better and she was less anxious. On her fourth visit, she described her life “brighter” again. She had altogether seven sessions of acupuncture. She feels the joy of motherhood again.

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Image source – nipic.com

Acupuncture is now a positive part of my life. I came to see Lin as a ball of stress, knotted up, exhausted and sleeping badly. My GP wanted to put me on anti-depressants. I was at a low ebb.

Lin listened to me. She took on board everything that was affecting me, without judgment. Within a few sessions my sleeping pattern returned to normal, my energy levels were raised and I felt able to cope with my stressful job once more.

I can’t say how great acupuncture is, but really the difference is the practitioner. Lin exudes warmth, compassion, knowledge, patience and understanding. She isn’t the first acupuncturist I’ve tried, but she is the best.

Effects of Auricular Acupressure on Menstrual Symptoms and Nitric Oxide for Women with Primary Dysmenorrhea

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of auricular acupressure on relieving menstrual symptoms and decreasing nitric oxide (NO) for women with primary dysmenorrhea.

Design: This was a randomized clinical trial comparing the effects of auricular acupressure by seed-pressure method and placebo adhesive patch.

Setting: Settings included colleges in northern and central Taiwan.

Subjects: Serum CA-125 testing was used as a screening test for primary dysmenorrhea (<35 mg/dL). The study included 36 college females randomized to acupressure group, 35 to control group.

Interventions: The acupressure group received auricular acupressure by seed-pressure method on liver (CO12), kidney (CO10), and endocrine (CO18) acupoints. The control group had a plain adhesive patch placed on the same acupoints with no seed attached. Acupressure protocol included massaging 15 times on each acupoint, 3 times a day, for a total of 20 days.

Outcome measures: Primary: Short-form Menstrual Distress Questionnaire (MDQs). Secondary: blood sample of NO. Assessments of MDQs and NO were performed at baseline and within the first 2 days of their next menses (after completion of 20 days of acupressure).

Results: In the acupressure group, the overall menstrual symptoms (95% confidence interval [CI] = -49.8 to -6.5, effect size [ES] = 0.43, p = 0.01) and two subscales, menstrual pain (95% CI = -16.4 to -2.2, ES = 0.45, p = 0.01) and negative affects (95% CI = -11.9–2.0, ES = 0.38, p = 0.04), revealed that menstrual symptoms decreased significantly after auricular acupressure by the seed-pressure method. The ES for the MDQs were in favor of the auricular acupressure by seed-pressure method. NO level increased in the acupressure group, although this difference did not achieve statistical significance (p > 0.05).

Conclusions: This study supports the effects of auricular acupressure by seed-pressure method in improving menstrual symptoms, and offers a noninvasive complementary therapy for women with primary dysmenorrhea.

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Effects of Acupuncture During Labor and Delivery in a U.S. Hospital Setting: A Case–Control Pilot Study   (Abstract)

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess clinical effects and logistical feasibility of acupuncture given during labor and delivery in a U.S. hospital setting.

Design: A case–control pilot study was conducted with 45 parturients receiving acupuncture during labor and delivery alongside standard care. Primary outcome endpoints were incidence of cesarean section, amount of parenteral opioids used, use of epidural anesthesia, and duration of labor. Secondary endpoints included patient satisfaction and nursing staff acceptance as assessed by postpartum questionnaire, maximum flow rate of oxytocin, incidence of instrumental delivery, Apgar score, and incidence of adverse event.

Results: Forty-five (45) patients receiving acupuncture were compared to 127 historical controls matched for maternal age, gestational age, parity, and use of oxytocin (augmentation and induction were matched separately). Acupuncture patients underwent significantly fewer cesarean sections (7% versus 20%, p?=?0.004). No significant differences were noted in other clinical endpoints. Seventy-eight percent (78%) of nurses reported a subjective perception of improvement in patients’ comfort with acupuncture, while 83% reported that the acupuncturists’ presence never interfered with their work. Eighty-seven percent (87%) of patients reported that acupuncture had helped them.

Conclusions: Acupuncture during labor and delivery is well tolerated by patients and medical staff. It should be further evaluated for its promise in potentially reducing the incidence of cesarean section.

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