Graduate Research Papers
Availability
Open Access Graduate Research Paper
Abstract
The process of giving birth is one of the most natural and instinctual processes in the animal world. Although natural, it is often a painful experience that the explanation for differs from culture to culture. Women have been giving birth naturally all over the world since the beginning of time even though there have been methods of pain management for many years. In Western society, we have used biomedical methods such as anesthesia and epidurals to relieve this pain since at least the 1960s (Rooks, 2000). Although the most generally accepted method of pain management, epidurals may not be the best option for mother or fetus due to the possible complications of epidural managed pain and other emotional and physiological factors. Alternative therapies, such as acupuncture, widely used since ancient times in Chinese medicine for the treatment of pain, are being effectively used for pain management during pregnancy and childbirth today (Allaire et al., 2000: Gibson et al., 2001) This method allows for both a natural and pain managed labor experience. So (2002) states that, as the future of public health unfolds, it is important to recognize the potential contribution of complementary and alternative treatments such as acupuncture. Studies have found 65-80% of the world's population use traditional medicine as their primary form of health care (Forster, Denning, Wills, Bolger, & McCarthy, 2006). Alternative medicine refers to an assortment of traditions and practices of mixed ancestry, content and conceptual rigor, and includes the medicine of ancient China-generally regarded as having raised important landmarks in the evolution of world science and medicine (Fabrega, 2002). This kind of pain management addresses the whole person (holistic) versus a separation of mind and body (biomedicine or mind-body dualism) and allows for the natural miracle of childbirth to occur as it has for thousands of years-without chemicals or other invasive procedures (Fabrega, 2002). The use of these alternative methods may indeed show that there is a better option than the use of chemical pain management during childbirth. It is important to examine this possibility in order to make one of the most natural and miraculous times in the lives of most people safe, affordable, accessible, and effective. By doing research on acupuncture and its use during labor, a new "best" method may be found. Informed critique accompanied by additional research also needs to be done to show the benefits and risks of acupuncture versus anesthesia in labor pain management.
Year of Submission
2007
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Department
School of Health, Physical Education, and Leisure Services
First Advisor
Catherine Zeman
Date Original
9-2007
Object Description
1 PDF (45 pages)
Copyright
©2007 Sarah Brainard
Language
en
File Format
application/pdf
Recommended Citation
Brainard, Saraj, "Acupuncture for Labor Pain Management a Review of the Literature" (2007). Graduate Research Papers. 4408.
https://scholarworks.uni.edu/grp/4408
Comments
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