Forty-five pregnant women in the first stage of labour presenting with lower back pain were randomized into 2 groups. One group received intracutaneous injections of sterile water in the lumbosacral region, while the other group was given corresponding subcutaneous injections of isotonic saline, regarded as a placebo treatment. In the group that received intracutaneous sterile water injections the mean VAS score was significantly more reduced compared to the placebo group at 10 min (P less than 0.001), 45 min (P less than 0.02), and at 90 min (P less than 0.05) after the treatment. The midwives' blind estimation of the effectiveness of treatment was consistent with the VAS assessment. However, the requirement of pethidine (meperidine) was similar in the 2 groups. The analgesic method presented was found to be an effective treatment against lower back pain during the first stage of labour and it is speculated that the mode of action resembles acupuncture.