Premium
The sharp end of medical practice: the use of acupuncture in obstetrics and gynaecology
Author(s) -
Ewies Ayman A.A.,
Olah K.S.J.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
bjog: an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.157
H-Index - 164
eISSN - 1471-0528
pISSN - 1470-0328
DOI - 10.1111/j.1471-0528.2002.01003.x
Subject(s) - obstetrics and gynaecology , medicine , obstetrics , gynecology , family medicine , pregnancy , biology , genetics
Acupuncture is being increasingly adapted for use in Western medical clinics. The use of acupuncture in medicine is being promoted by organisations such as the British Medical Acupuncture Society, and as a result of demand by patients. However, there is still a vast amount of prejudice with regard to acupuncture and techniques regarded as ‘complementary’ to traditional Western medicine. Because the mechanisms of action are not fully understood in physiological terms, the treatments are considered by many clinicians to be of no value. However, there is increasing evidence to support the use of acupuncture in medicine, including obstetrics and gynaecology. The various uses of acupuncture in obstetric and gynaecological practice are discussed in this paper in the hope that some interest will be stimulated in this fertile area for future research.