A recent research trial shows that six-month acupressure therapy benefits female adolescents with dysmenorrhoea, a condition that includes severe pain during menstruation.
Primary dysmenorrhoea is a major cause of temporary disability, with a prevalence ranging from 60-93 percent, depending upon the population and study, according to a report published on www.pubmed.gov.
Researchers in Taiwan set out to examine a comparison between Hegu and Sanyinjiao matched points and Hegu, Zusanli single point on adolescent girls’ menstrual distress, pain and anxiety perception. A single-blind, randomised experimental study was used.
During the six-month follow-up, acupressure at matched points Hegu and Sanyinjiao reduced the pain, distress and anxiety typical of dysmenorrhoea, the www.pubmed.gov report noted. Acupressure at single point Hegu was found, effectively, to reduce menstrual pain during the follow-up period, but no significant difference for reducing menstrual distress and anxiety perception was found. Zusanli acupressure had no significant effects of reducing menstrual pain, distress and anxiety perception.
“Acupressure is an effective and safe non-pharmacologic strategy for the treatment of primary dysmenorrhoea,” the researchers noted. “We recommend the use of acupressure for self-care of primary dysmenorrhoea at Hegu and Sanyinjiao matched points and single point Hegu, as pressure placement at these points is easy for adolescent girls to learn and practice.”
The research was published in Journal of Clinical Nursing.