A prospective randomized study comparing acupuncture with physiotherapy for low-back and pelvic pain in pregnancy

Background. The aim of this study was to describe the effects of acupuncture in the treatment of low‐back and pelvic pain during pregnancy and compare it with physiotherapy. Methods. Sixty pregnant women were allotted to acupuncture or physiotherapy. The women estimated the severity of their pain using a visual analog scale (VAS) from 0 to 10 and disability in performing twelve common daily activities using a disability‐rating index (DRI) from 0 to 10. Results. In the acupuncture group all 30 women completed the study (two exclusions), in the physiotherapy group only 18. Before treatment the two study groups were rather similar with respect to pain and disability. After treatment the mean morning VAS had declined from 3.4 to 0.9 (p