Needles combat pregnancy indigestion

Tuesday June 9th, 2009

Pregnant women suffering from indigestion may benefit from a course of acupuncture, researchers report today.

Acupuncture may reduce the amount of medicine women need to take and reduce the misery of heartburn, according to the Brazilian study.

Researchers found women reported improved eating and improved sleep after the treatment.

Some 42 women took part in a study, reported in the journal Acupuncture in Medicine.

Researcher Professor Joao Bosco Guerreiro da Silva, of the Rio Preto Medical College, Sao Jose do Rio Preto, involved more than 40 women aged between 15 and 39 in the research.

About half of the women received acupuncture once or twice a week for eight weeks and the other half received conventional treatments with antacid medicines.

The researchers write: "It (acupuncture) is simple to apply and if used in an appropriate manner, can reduce the need for medication."

Acupunct Med 2009; 27: 50-3

Tags: Alternative Therapy | Childbirth and Pregnancy | Gastroenterology | Women’s Health & Gynaecology | World Health

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