Acupuncture Relieves Baby's Colic? Scientists Warn Of Flawed Findings In Recent Study Supporting Method

A recent study has revealed that acupuncture could be helpful in relieving baby's colic. The age-old needling technique from China is supposed to ease the baby's cries. Following the research's publication, however, a group of scientists have spoken out to say that the study might actually be flawed.

Swedish researchers did the study that was and published in the Acupuncture in Medicine journal. They rounded up 147 babies under 8-weeks-old who have had colic episodes. They were divided into three groups and were brought by their parents to a health center for twice-a-week acupuncture sessions.

One group underwent 5-second acupuncture stimulations between a specific spot -- the index finger and thumb. Another group had 30-second acupuncture stimulations in different areas on the hands and feet. The third group, however, did not have acupuncture sessions but regular baby check-ups for colic.

The babies' parents were also asked to keep track of the progress of the treatments in a journal. The experts learned that the groups that had acupuncture resulted in the babies crying less, regardless if this was the 5-second for 30-second session.

"A definite benefit is that acupuncture shortens the strenuous period of colic," lead study author Kajsa Landgren said, according to CNN. The study implied that parents might want to consider acupuncture as a safe option especially if the baby's colic has resulted in excessive discomfort and crying fits.

What To Expect cites that acupuncture for babies won't tear their skin. The needles do not prick as deep as a typical vaccination injection.

But the site also states that the American Academy of Pediatrics has no official stand about this practice. Parents must consult with their pediatricians first before considering acupuncture for babies.

Other scientists, however, are warning parents not to be swayed by the new study. Several experts have expressed via Buzzfeed that the methodology and analysis undertaken in the research was flawed.

They cited that it would be impossible for both acupuncture study groups to have the same results, not varying results. "This elaborate TCM [traditional Chinese medicine] acupuncture [the five jab, 30-second-per-jab version] did no better than what they call minimal acupuncture," Edzard Ernst told the news outlet.