Helix Clinic blog

In March 2009, the results of a study on acupuncture for pain relief during delivery was published in the journal Birth. The study was carried out by researchers at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark.

The researchers conducted a randomized, controlled trial with 607 healthy women in labour. The objective of the trial was to compare the results of acupuncture with TENS (electrical stimulation) or more traditional pharmacological interventions.

The researchers found that the group of women who received acupuncture required significantly less pharmacological or invasive treatment during labour compared to the non-acupuncture groups.

The acupuncture was found not to affect the duration of labour, but the researchers did find that mean Apgar scores at 5 minutes were significantly higher among infants in the acupuncture group compared to infants in the other groups.

The Apgar score was devised in 1952 by Dr. Virginia Apgar as a simple and repeatable method to quickly assess the health of newborn children immediately after birth. The results of this study therefore seem to suggest that the use of acupuncture during pregnancy and particularly during labour can lead to healthier newborn babies!

Tags: Apgar, labour, newborn babies, pain, TENS

Previously we looked at some of the natural approaches to treating IBS, but many people are not aware that hypnotherapy can also be a very useful treatment in the management of IBS. In fact, hypnotherapy, relaxation training and CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) have all been shown to help alleviate the symptoms of IBS considerably.

The National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) has published guidance for GPs and consultants saying there is good evidence that hypnotherapy can be effective in the treatment for IBS.

At Manchester University, Professor Peter Whorwell conducted research that demonstrated a high level of effectivness for hypnotherapy, showing that it could relieve many of the normal symptoms of IBS. In addition he found that the improvements were holding over time, not just in the period immediately after treatment.

Hypnotherapy for IBS works by lowering the body’s general levels of anxiety, and also by lowering the body’s perception of pain and discomfort. Part of the treatment also involves directing positive images and suggestions to the gut.

Interestingly, the gut has it’s own separate nervous system (the Enteric Nervous System (ENS)). It has a full set of neurons and neurotransmitters normally found only in the brain itself, so it is able to function seperately from the main central nervous system, although it is well connected to the brain by special large nerve fibres.

In many ways hypnotherapy is an ideal treatment for IBS. It is great at lowering general levels of stress and anxiety and also any hypersensitivity to stressful situations. Hypnotherapy is also very powerful and effective for the reduction of IBS-related pain.

Tags: hypnotherapy, IBS, pain