Researchers find warm needle acupuncture combined with herbal medicine safe and effective for the alleviation of menstrual cramping and pain. In a controlled clinical trial, administration of acupuncture plus moxibustion obtained a 90.7% total effective rate for the relief of primary dysmenorrhea (menstrual cramps and pain). The group receiving acupuncture plus herbs outperformed a drug control group receiving the NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) flufenamic acid. The NSAID is classified as an analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic drug. The group receiving NSAID pain management achieved a 72.1% total effective rate. Acupuncture plus moxibustion with herbs outperformed the NSAID by 18.6%.
A total of 86 patients with primary dysmenorrhea were randomly divided into a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) treatment group (i.e., acupuncture, moxa, herbs) and a drug control group (i.e., flufenamic acid). A one month follow-up confirmed the results. TCM achieved a 90.7% total effective rate and the drug therapy had a 72.1% rate. Recurrence of symptoms was significantly lower in the TCM group than the drug group. Additionally, levels of plasma PGF2-alpha (prostaglandin F2 alpha) and PGE2 (prostaglandin E2) improved significantly in the TCM group. The biochemical improvements were significantly greater in the TCM group than changes achieved in the drug group.
from Acupuncture and Herbs News and Research https://ift.tt/2tuLFlT
