Acupuncture : Its Place in Western Medical Science

Reviews Cardini F, Weixin H. Breech presentation may be corrected by moxibustion. JAMA 1998; 280: 1580-4. Primigravidas with breech presentation demonstrated by ultrasound at the 33rd week were treated with moxibustion at BL.67 for 7 days, with a second 7 day course if breech persisted. Foetal movement was more active in the 130 treated with moxibustion than in the 130 controls (p<0.01). By the 35th week, 75% of babies in the moxibustion group were cephalic in presentation vs 48% of controls: a statistically significant difference. Those treated twice daily rather than once achieved a higher rate of conversion. At birth 62% of controls were cephalic, still less than the continued 75% with moxibustion. The rate of Caesarian section, however, appeared equal in the two groups. Comment: An earlier, similar study reported from Italy 2 or 3 years ago had similar results. The only worrying finding there was a high incidence of nuchal cords, though they did not report increased neonatal distress. Again, in that prior report, there was an astoundingly high rate of Caesarian sections in both treated and control mothers. Huang C, Chen H, Fan J, Qin X, Zhou L, Liu J. Effects of acupuncture on the hypothalamuspituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis of the aged rats. World Journal of Acupuncture-Moxibustion