Acupuncture for Indigestion During Pregnancy
June 23rd, 2009
Maintaining healthy digestion is an essential component of general health and well being. Acupuncture can restore healthy functioning of the digestive system. Acupuncture also treats the symptoms associated with digestive imbalance, such as dry skin, fatigue, concentration difficulties, muscle cramps, and low energy.
A new study indicates that acupuncture can be beneficial in reducing symptoms of indigestion which are common in pregnant women. The study, which appears in Acupuncture Medicine, produced findings showing that acupuncture can ease the hormonal changes in the body during pregnancy which cause heartburn, stomach pain and discomfort, reflux, bloating, and belching.
Between 45 to 80 percent of pregnant women experience these symptoms, which often increase as the pregnancy advances. Although the discomfort is not severe it can affect quality of life. Often, pregnant women resist taking medicine to avoid harming the developing fetus.
In the study, forty-two pregnant women experiencing indigestion symptoms were randomly assigned to either conventional care, such as nutritional counseling, or conventional care and weekly or biweekly acupuncture treatments.
All women participating in the study were between fifteen to thirty weeks of pregnancy, and aged fifteen to thirty-nine. The study evaluated symptoms at baseline and then every two weeks until the research concluded after eight weeks.
Compared to the women in the conventional care group, the women receiving acupuncture required less medication and experienced less severe indigestion symptoms. Heartburn, the most frequent symptom, was reduced in intensity by 50 percent in the women receiving acupuncture.
Women receiving acupuncture also reported that their diet had improved by 50 percent, compared to 33 percent in the conventional care group. Fourteen of the women in the conventional care and acupuncture group stated that their sleep had improved by 50 percent, compared to 25 percent in the conventional care group.
“Acupuncture is simple to apply and if used in an appropriate manner, can reduce the need for medication,” the authors note.
In addition to indigestion, acupuncture can effectively treat many digestive conditions including: Peptic ulcers, lactose intolerance, gastrointestinal tract bleeding, hiatus hernia syndrome, bacterial infections, and inflammatory conditions. In conjunction with Chinese herbal medicine, acupuncture for digestive disorders can nourish related organs, improve energy and decrease stress.
For information about acupuncture for indigestion and digestive disorders call Dr. Richard Browne, Acupuncture Physician, at (305) 595-9500.
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