Introduction

Cystitis is a bacterially caused inflammation of the internal wall of the urinary bladder. Acute cystitis is clinically marked by sudden onset of lower abdominal pain and frequent, dripping, and painful urination, accompanied by macroscopic blood in the urine and pyuria. The manifestations of chronic cystitis are similar to or milder than those of acute cystitis, and reoccur frequently. According to TCM cystitis belongs to the category of Lin Zhen (stranguria), and is caused by attack of exogenous damp-heat or internal production of damp-heat, leading to accumulation of damp-heat in the lower Jiao.

I. STANDARD TCM ACUPUNCTURE TREATMENT OF CYSTITIS

Cystitis is generally divided into two types --- damp-heat in the Lower Jiao and deficiency of the spleen and kidney. Acupuncture points of the Bladder, Gallbladder, Ren and Spleen Meridians are frequently selected in its treatment.

1. Damp-Heat in the Lower Jiao

Manifestations of cystitis: Frequent, painful, and dripping urination with burning sensation, dark or turbid urine.

Tongue: Red body with yellow and sticky coating.

Pulse: Soft and rapid.

Treatment Principle: Clear heat, promote diuresis and relieve stranguria.

Acupuncture Point Prescription & Manipulation:

Primary acupuncture points:

RN-3 Zhongji -

BL-28 Pangguanshu -

SP-6 Sanyinjiao -

SP-9 Yinlingquan -

BL-39 Weiyang -

KI-2 Rangu -

GB-34 Yanglingquan -

Explanation:

• RN-3 Zhongji, KI-2 Rangu and BL-28 Pangguanshu clear damp-heat from the urinary bladder;

• SP-6 Sanyinjiao and SP-9 Yinlingquan promote the spleen’s function of transportation of water to drain dampness;

• BL-39 Weiyang and GB-34 Yanglingquan clear damp-heat in the lower jiao.

Secondary acupuncture points according to conditions:

1. Difficulty in urination--- BL-32 Ciliao [-] and BL-33 Zhongliao [-];

2. Hematuria--- SP-10 Xuehai;

3. High fever--- LI-11 Quchi [-];

4. Sandy urine--- LI-4 Hegu [-], LR-4 Zhongfeng [-];

5. Turbid urine--- KI-6 Zhaohai [-].

2. Deficiency of Spleen and Kidney

Manifestations of cystitis: Intermittent dripping urination with dull pain, which is induced by exertion, fatigue, listlessness, soreness and weakness of the loins and knees, poor appetite, loose stools.

Tongue: Pale tongue.

Pulse: Weak or feeble.

Treatment Principle: Reinforce the spleen, invigorate the kidney and relieve stranguria (cystitis).

Acupuncture Point Prescription & Manipulation:

Primary acupuncture points:

BL-20 Pishu + ^

BL-23 Shenshu + ^

RN-3 Zhongji + ^

RN-4 Guanyuan + ^

ST-36 Zusanli + ^

SP-6 Sanyinjiao + ^

DU-4 Mingmen + ^

Explanation:

• BL-20 Pishu, ST-36 Zusanli and SP-6 Sanyinjiao reinforce the spleen and tonify qi;

• BL-23 Shenshu, RN-4 Guanyuan and DU-4 Mingmen reinforce the kidney and tonify yang;

• RN-3 Zhongji regulates the urinary bladder to relieve stranguria.

Secondary acupuncture points according to conditions:

1. Poor appetite and abdominal distention--- RN-12 Zhongwan [/]