Auricular acupuncture as effective pain relief after episiotomy: a randomized controlled pilot study

Area of Science:

• Integrative Medicine
• Pain Management
• Obstetrics

Background:

• Episiotomy pain management traditionally relies on NSAIDs, posing risks during breastfeeding due to infant transfer.
• Limited safe and effective pain relief options exist for postpartum women, especially those who are breastfeeding.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of auricular acupuncture for pain relief following episiotomy.
• To assess the safety and impact of auricular acupuncture on postpartum pain intensity.

Main Methods:

• Pilot randomized parallel single-center study involving 60 women post-episiotomy.
• Participants were allocated to auricular acupuncture or a control group.
• Pain intensity was measured using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) over the first three postpartum days.

Main Results:

• The auricular acupuncture group experienced significantly reduced pain on postpartum days two and three (P=.004, P=.005).
• No adverse effects associated with auricular acupuncture were reported.
• Oral analgesics were available upon request for all participants.

Conclusions:

• Auricular acupuncture shows promise as an effective adjunct therapy for postpartum pain after episiotomy.
• This non-pharmacological approach may offer a safe alternative for breastfeeding mothers.
• Findings suggest potential for improving current postpartum pain management protocols.