More Than Needles: The Importance of Explanations and Self-Care Advice in Treating Primary Dysmenorrhea with Acupuncture

Michael Armour,Caroline A Smith,Hannah G Dahlen

doi:10.1155/2016/3467067

Michael Armour, Caroline A Smith + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/3467067

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Abstract

Background. Primary dysmenorrhea is a common gynaecological condition. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) acupuncturists commonly treat primary dysmenorrhea and dispense specific self-care advice for this condition. The impact of self-care advice on primary dysmenorrhea is unknown. Methods. 19 TCM acupuncture practitioners from New Zealand or Australia and 12 New Zealand women who had recently undergone acupuncture treatment for primary dysmenorrhea as part of a randomised controlled trial participated in this qualitative, pragmatic study. Focus groups and semistructured interviews were used to collect data. These were recorded, transcribed, and analysed using thematic analysis. Results. The overarching theme was that an acupuncture treatment consisted of “more than needles” for both practitioners and participants. Practitioners and participants both discussed the partnership they engaged in during treatment, based on openness and trust. Women felt that the TCM self-care advice was related to positive outcomes for their dysmenorrhea and increased their feelings of control over their menstrual symptoms. Conclusions. Most of the women in this study found improved symptom control and reduced pain. A contributing factor for these improvements may be an increased internal health locus of control and an increase in self-efficacy resulting from the self-care advice given during the clinical trial.

Highlights

Primary dysmenorrhea is defined as painful uterine cramps of menstrual origin in the absence of any organic cause and is most common in women under the age of 25, with pain usually starting within three years of menarche [1, 2]
Acupuncture practitioners in the focus groups emphasised the unique nature of the Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theoretical framework that allowed them to practice from a holistic outlook
The findings from this study show that both acupuncture practitioners and women who have received acupuncture treatment for primary dysmenorrhea feel that their treatment encompasses more than just needles

Summary

Introduction

Primary dysmenorrhea is defined as painful uterine cramps of menstrual origin in the absence of any organic cause and is most common in women under the age of 25, with pain usually starting within three years of menarche [1, 2]. Lack of satisfactory pain relief and effective medical interventions in primary dysmenorrhea leads to an uptake of self-care strategies by women [23]. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) acupuncturists commonly treat primary dysmenorrhea and dispense specific self-care advice for this condition. 19 TCM acupuncture practitioners from New Zealand or Australia and 12 New Zealand women who had recently undergone acupuncture treatment for primary dysmenorrhea as part of a randomised controlled trial participated in this qualitative, pragmatic study. Women felt that the TCM self-care advice was related to positive outcomes for their dysmenorrhea and increased their feelings of control over their menstrual symptoms. A contributing factor for these improvements may be an increased internal health locus of control and an increase in self-efficacy resulting from the self-care advice given during the clinical trial

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