Acupuncture Helps Fight Pain, Depression During Pregnancy, and Reduces Joint Swelling in Women Taking Aromatase Inhibitors

Research Shows Acupuncture Helps Fight Pain, Depression During Pregnancy, and Reduces Joint Swelling in Women Taking Aromatase Inhibitors

The latest research on acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine shows what we already know—that acupuncture can treat many serious conditions, including pain, depression during pregnancy and reduce joint swelling.
A recent paper by Neuroscientists from the University of York and Hull York Medical School shows that acupuncture has specific effects within areas of the brain associated with pain. Having successfully treated many people for various types of pain and knowing that the brain is a fundamental part of how people perceive pain, we were not surprised by the results of this study.

A recent trial at Stanford University examined the use of acupuncture to reduce the frequency and severity of depression symptoms during pregnancy2. The trial, which involved 150 women, found that the women who had acupuncture had a significant improvement in their depression symptoms. In our experience, acupuncture can help with many of the emotional changes that occur during pregnancy.

Another recent trial looked at using acupuncture to reduce joint swelling in women taking aromatase inhibitors for breast cancer3. Join pain is a common side affect from the aromatase inhibitors, and many women discontinue the treatment because of the pain. The study enrolled 43 women at Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center. The patients who received acupuncture in this trial reported a significant decrease in the severity of their pain as well as a significant improvement in their overall physical well-being. When treating patients who are undergoing chemotherapy we've also seen them have an overall improvement. Other side effects from cancer medications that we've treated include hot flashes, nausea and digestive issues.

If you or someone you know suffers from any of these conditions, please call us today for a free phone consultation to discuss how acupuncture can relieve your pain, depression and/or suffering.
1. Asghar et al. Acupuncture needling sensation: The neural correlates of deqi using fMRI. Brain Research, 2010

2. Manber et al. Acupuncture for Depression During Pregnancy: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 2010

3. Crew et al. Randomized, Blinded, Sham-Controlled Trial of Acupuncture for the Management of Aromatase Inhibitor–Associated Joint Symptoms in Women With Early-Stage Breast Cancer Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2010