The uncomfortable symptoms of cystitis, which may include abdominal cramping and painful urination, typically occur as a result of a bacterial infection. While a doctor may prescribe oral antibiotics for cystitis, acupuncture also has been used to relieve the symptoms of the disease. According to a 2003 study in “Journal of Complementary and Alternative Medicine,” acupuncture may also help to prevent recurrences. As with any new form of treatment, consult your doctor before using acupuncture.
Cystitis Causes and Symptoms
The bacteria that cause cystitis enter the body through the urethra and multiply until they are established in the urethra and bladder. This infection can result in changes in urine’s appearance, making it cloudy or bloody, sometimes with a foul odor. Pain or pressure in the lower abdomen and an urge to urinate more frequently are also characteristic of the condition. Urination may be painful or cause a burning sensation, and some patients experience a low fever. Because of anatomical differences such as a shorter urethra, cystitis occurs more often in women than in men.
Acupuncture Points for Cystitis
According to the Yin Yang House acupuncture clinic in Chattanooga, Tennessee, several acupuncture points may be useful for the treatment of cystitis. One common point used for this condition, as well as for general urination issues, is Liver 8, located on the inside of the knee. Yin Yang House also notes that the Conception Vessel 3 point on the lower abdomen can be used for cystitis and for symptoms including dark or burning urine. Urinary Bladder 27, a point on the lower back, is also noted as a possible point for treatment of cystitis.
Preventing Recurring Cystitis
The authors of the 2003 “Journal of Complementary and Alternative Medicine” study compared the results of different acupuncture protocols in women who had a history of recurrent cystitis. Most of the patients were divided into three different groups, which received acupuncture treatments based on traditional Chinese medicinal diagnoses of imbalances in the kidneys, liver or spleen. A fourth group received no treatment at all. The researchers found that the women in the kidney imbalance group showed the most benefit, with 78 percent of the patients free of cystitis during the six-month study. Approximately 45 percent of both the liver and spleen groups were cystitis-free, while only 17 percent in the group that received no treatment were free of cystitis.
Considerations and Precautions
When administered by a qualified practitioner, acupuncture is generally accepted as a safe treatment in the medical community. In fact, thousands of physicians, dentists, and other medical professionals in the United States practice acupuncture. However, some serious adverse effects may occur when acupuncture is practiced incorrectly, including infections and punctured organs. To ensure safe care, check your acupuncturist’s credentials, and never rely on a diagnosis from an acupuncturist who does not have formal medical training.
References
- MedlinePlus; Cystitis -- Acute; September 2010
- Yin Yang House: LV 8 Acupuncture Point - Qu Quan - Liver Meridian
- Yin Yang House: CV 3 Acupuncture Point - Zhong Ji - Conception Vessel Meridian
- Yin Yang House: UB 27 Acupuncture Point - Xiao Chang Shu - Bladder Meridian
- "Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine"; The Effect of Prophylactic Acupuncture Treatment in Women with Recurrent Cystitis: Kidney Patients Fare Better; Terje Alraek; October 2003
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Acupuncture -- An Introduction
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