| According to Webster`s Dictionary, acupuncture is a | | | | In another study, One hundred and forty-four |
| Chinese medical practice or procedure that treats | | | | healthy nulliparous women in active phase were |
| illness or provides local anesthesia by the insertion of | | | | randomised into the study and control group, |
| needles at specified sites of the body. In a recent | | | | receiving real and minimal acupuncture, respectively. |
| study published in Arthritis Today (Jul/Aug 2007), the | | | | Visual analogue scale was used to assess pain. |
| report showed that acupuncture can relieve pain and | | | | Objectives were to evaluate acupuncture effect on |
| improve function in people with osteoarthritis (OA) | | | | pain and labour duration and patients' willingness to |
| and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). | | | | receive acupuncture for subsequent pregnancies. |
| According to the study, more than 2,000 | | | | The result was visual analogue scale pain score in the |
| acupuncture points connect to the meridians, and | | | | study group was lower after two hours. Active |
| stimulating those points with needles may correct the | | | | phase duration and the oxytocin units administered |
| flow and alleviate pain. Cleveland Clinic acupuncturist | | | | were lower in the study group. Study group patients |
| Tim Rhudy says that the procedure helps regulate | | | | had greater willingness to receive acupuncture again. |
| the nervous system which can stimulate the release | | | | No adverse effects were detected. Researchers |
| of the body`s endorphins. | | | | concluded acupuncture could reduce pain experience, |
| Published in the May 2007 issue of BioMechanics, | | | | active phase duration and oxytocin units. Patients |
| studies suggest that the use of needles for | | | | were satisfied and no adverse effects were noted. |
| acupuncture may be an effective treatment for | | | | More and more research is coming out that |
| chronic pain. A survey of members of the American | | | | acupuncture can be used in many areas to reduce |
| Academy of Podiatric Sports medicine recommends | | | | and relief the amount of pain one feels. Currently, |
| treatments for plantar heel pain syndrome. In a | | | | acupuncture is considered an alternative medicine, |
| study, plantar pressure and three-dimensional gait | | | | however, as more research gets completed with |
| kinematics in students were measured as they ran | | | | positive findings, it may become, mainstream. |
| while wearing shoes and injuries were monitored. | | | | |