Quick Answer
Acupuncture may help pregnancy-related pelvic pain, and it is one of several gentle options for back pain during pregnancy. A Cochrane review of 34 studies with 5,121 pregnant women found evidence that acupuncture improved pelvic pain more than usual prenatal care, with side effects that were minor and short-lived. It should be done by a practitioner trained in prenatal care.
Key Takeaways
- More than two-thirds of pregnant women have low back pain, and almost one in five has pelvic pain.
- The 2015 Cochrane review found evidence from individual studies that acupuncture improves pregnancy-related pelvic pain more than usual prenatal care.
- Exercise also helps: the same review found it can reduce back pain and pain-related sick leave.
- Reported side effects of the treatments studied were minor and temporary.
- Always tell your OB/GYN or midwife you are having acupuncture, and choose a practitioner experienced with pregnancy.
In This Article
- Why is back and pelvic pain so common in pregnancy?
- What is the difference between pregnancy back pain and pelvic girdle pain?
- What does the research say about acupuncture for pregnancy pain?
- Is acupuncture safe during pregnancy?
- What does prenatal acupuncture for pain involve?
- What else helps between sessions?
- Can acupuncture help after the baby arrives?
- When should pregnancy pain be checked right away?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- About Longevity Acupuncture
Why Is Back and Pelvic Pain So Common in Pregnancy?
Back and pelvic pain are among the most common discomforts of pregnancy. According to the Cochrane review Interventions for preventing and treating low-back and pelvic pain during pregnancy, more than two-thirds of pregnant women experience low back pain and almost one-fifth experience pelvic pain. Both tend to increase as pregnancy advances and can interfere with work, daily activities and sleep.
Several changes happen at once:
- Pregnancy hormones loosen the ligaments around the pelvis to prepare for birth.
- The growing belly shifts your center of gravity and increases the curve of the lower back.
- Abdominal muscles stretch and provide less support.
- Sleep positions become limited, and fatigue makes everything feel harder.
Common does not mean you have to simply put up with it. For many of our patients who conceived after fertility treatment, staying comfortable and active through pregnancy is part of the same journey.
What Is the Difference Between Pregnancy Back Pain and Pelvic Girdle Pain?
They often overlap, but they feel different, and knowing which you have helps guide care.
| Pregnancy low back pain | Pelvic girdle pain | |
|---|---|---|
| Where it hurts | Lower back, above the waist and buttocks | Back of the pelvis (sacroiliac joints), pubic bone at the front, sometimes the hips or inner thighs |
| What makes it worse | Long periods of standing or sitting, bending, lifting | Walking, climbing stairs, standing on one leg, turning over in bed, getting in or out of the car |
| How it feels | Dull ache or muscle tension | Stabbing, deep or catching pain; sometimes clicking at the pubic bone |
Your OB/GYN, midwife or a pelvic health physical therapist can confirm which pattern you have.
What Does the Research Say About Acupuncture for Pregnancy Pain?
The best summary of the evidence is the 2015 Cochrane review, which looked at 34 randomized trials involving 5,121 pregnant women. All treatments were added to usual prenatal care.
- Pelvic pain: moderate-quality evidence from individual studies suggested that acupuncture improved pelvic pain more than usual prenatal care.
- Exercise: low-quality evidence that exercise on land or in water may reduce low back pain, and moderate-quality evidence that exercise programs reduced back and pelvic pain and related sick leave.
- Safety: when side effects were reported, they were minor and temporary.
The reviewers noted that many studies were small and differed in design, so results could not always be combined. That is why we describe acupuncture as a reasonable, gentle option to try alongside exercise and your prenatal care, rather than a guaranteed fix.
Is Acupuncture Safe During Pregnancy?
In the trials reviewed by Cochrane, side effects of the treatments studied were minor and short-lived. Safety in pregnancy depends heavily on the practitioner. A practitioner trained in prenatal care will:
- Ask about your pregnancy history and any complications, and how many weeks along you are
- Avoid acupuncture points that are traditionally not used during pregnancy
- Position you comfortably on your side with pillows, rather than flat on your back or stomach later in pregnancy
- Use sterile, single-use needles and gentle technique
- Coordinate with your OB/GYN or midwife when needed
Dr. Vivian has supported women through fertility treatment, pregnancy and the postpartum period in South Miami since 2004.
What Does Prenatal Acupuncture for Pain Involve?
- Your story. Where the pain is, what triggers it, how you are sleeping, and what your prenatal provider has said.
- A comfortable position. Side-lying with supportive pillows is common, especially in the second and third trimesters.
- Gentle treatment. Very thin needles are placed at selected points, often away from the belly, and you rest for about 20 to 30 minutes.
- A simple plan. Many women come weekly while pain is active, then less often as they feel better.
Learn more about our prenatal and postpartum care, or read what to expect at your first appointment.
What Else Helps Between Sessions?
- Stay active with pregnancy-safe exercise your provider approves, such as walking, swimming or prenatal yoga.
- Sleep on your side with a pillow between your knees.
- Keep your knees together when getting in and out of the car or bed.
- Take stairs one step at a time and avoid standing on one leg to dress.
- Ask your provider about a pelvic support belt or a pelvic health physical therapist.
Can Acupuncture Help After the Baby Arrives?
For many women, back and pelvic pain ease after birth, but recovery takes time, and feeding, lifting and broken sleep add new strain. Traditional Chinese Medicine places special emphasis on rest and nourishment after birth. Postpartum acupuncture can be part of that recovery plan alongside your postpartum checkups.
When Should Pregnancy Pain Be Checked Right Away?
Call your OB/GYN or midwife, or seek urgent care, for back or pelvic pain that comes with:
- Vaginal bleeding or fluid leaking
- Regular tightening or cramping that could be contractions, especially before 37 weeks
- Fever, chills or pain or burning when urinating
- Severe or sudden pain, or pain that does not ease with rest
- Numbness or weakness in the legs
Frequently Asked Questions
When in pregnancy can I start acupuncture for back pain?
Many women begin when pain starts, which is often in the second trimester. Talk with your prenatal provider first and tell us how far along you are so we can plan treatment safely.
Is acupuncture during pregnancy covered by insurance?
Coverage varies by plan. Check your benefits and ask us what documentation you may need.
Will acupuncture affect my baby?
In the studies reviewed by Cochrane, reported side effects were minor and temporary. A practitioner trained in prenatal care avoids points traditionally not used in pregnancy and adapts treatment to each stage.
I conceived with IVF. Can I still have acupuncture?
Yes, many of our patients continue care after a positive pregnancy test. Let your fertility clinic and OB/GYN know, and we will adjust treatment for pregnancy.
Can acupuncture help pelvic pain after birth?
Many women find it a helpful part of postpartum recovery. Persistent pelvic pain after birth should also be checked by your provider or a pelvic health physical therapist.
About Longevity Acupuncture
Longevity Acupuncture is a Traditional Chinese Medicine and acupuncture practice in South Miami serving Coral Gables, Coconut Grove, Pinecrest, Kendall and the greater Miami area. Dr. Vivian Shou-Litman, AP, DAOM, has been in private practice since 2004, specializing in fertility, pregnancy, women’s health and healthy aging. Meet Dr. Vivian.
Expecting and Uncomfortable?
If back or pelvic pain is making pregnancy harder than it needs to be, request an appointment with Longevity Acupuncture. Preparing for pregnancy? Read how to prepare your body for IVF.