1er February 2005 – Incorporating notions of traditional Chinese medicine and classical medicine at the same time, the injection of vitamin K at a specific acupuncture point would relieve painful periods in young women.
This technique, used since the 1980s in China, consists of injecting vitamin K at the acupuncture point called “San Yin Jao / Rate 6”. Located on the inside of the ankle, this point is frequently used in acupuncture to treat gynecological problems, such as menstrual disorders, dysmenorrhea and urinary retention, as well as during labor through childbirth. As for vitamin K injection, it seems to relax uterine muscle spasms.
For the purposes of the study1 conducted in parallel in China and Italy, the researchers chose 40 women, half of whom were Chinese and the other half were Italian. aged between 14 and 25, all suffered from severe dysmenorrhea at the start of their period, which was only partially relieved by usual treatments, such as taking painkillers.
From the first day of their period pain, they had to go to a clinic where they received an injection of 4 mg of vitamin K3 (in China) and 5 mg of vitamin K4 (in Italy).
The intensity of the menstrual pain felt was then evaluated after 2 minutes, 5 minutes and 30 minutes.
All subjects reported relief from pain. On average, the pain had dropped by two points (on a scale of 0 to 12) with each measurement. In Italy, four women said they felt no pain after 30 minutes. In addition, the treatment allowed all of the participants to spend less time in bed due to the pain, and to reduce the need for pain relievers.
The authors therefore come to the conclusion that the injection of vitamin K at this acupuncture point can provide appreciable relief from severe dysmenorrhea, although they believe that further studies have yet to be carried out on the subject, in particular. regarding the effect of this technique over time.
Jean-Benoit Legault and Martin LaSalle – PasseportSanté.net
According to Medscape.
1. Wang L, Cardini F, Zhao W, Regalia AL, Wade C, Forcella E, Yu J, Vitamin K Acupuncture Point Injection for Severe Primary Dismenorrhea: An International Pilot Study, Medscape General Medicine, Flight. 6, No 4, 2004. Electronic version of the study available at http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/494022?src=search.
