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Natural Awakenings National

Acupuncture Alleviates Menstrual Pain: An Alternative Way to Keep Discomfort at Bay

Mood swings, bloating and cramping—symptoms of menstrual discomfort—can range from mild to severe, and have a serious impact on a woman’s quality of life. Yet, while most women resort to an over-the-counter pain killer to find relief, a German study now has shown that acupuncture may offer a valid alternative.

New research, conducted at Charité University Medical Center in Berlin, studied 201 women who agreed to randomly receive acupuncture or no treatment. After three months, which included an average of 10 acupuncture sessions, 63 percent of the women receiving this treatment reported at least a 33 percent improvement in their symptoms, compared with 24 percent of women in the control group. Researchers concluded that acupuncture can render benefits to women suffering from menstrual discomfort and should be considered by health insurance companies as a viable option for treatment.


Source: American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, 2008

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