Aim: The aim of the study was to compare experienced painrelief of treatment with acupuncture and pelvic support (trocanter-belt) for pelvic pain. A second aim was to look for differences according to sick leave and consumption of analgesia. Metod: The population consisted of 61 pregnant women with pelvic pain. The women were included between 23+6 and 31+6 weeks of their pregnancy, and were allocated to either acupuncture or pelvic support. A midwife gave an average of 6.3 acupuncture treatments. A trocanter-belt and pain relief advice was given by physiotherapists. The treatment lasted for five weeks with a follow up two weeks later.
Results: Better pain relief in the acupuncture group than in the pelvic support group. In the acupuncture group the consumption of analgesia decreased significantly. The pelvic support group showed no significant decrease in consumption of analgesia but showed a significant increase in sick leave.
Conclusion: The study confirmed that acupuncture can relieve pelvic pain and thereby increase mobility. It also confirms other studies showing that back pain prior to pregnancy or back pain in a previous pregnancy increases the risk of pelvic pain during pregnancy. It is therefore important to give individual advice and preventive measures early in next pregnancy to avoid or minimise pelvic pain.