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Chronic pelvic inflammation is a condition commonly experienced by women of childbearing age. It is characterized by a variety of ailments, including pain and distention in the lower abdomen, headaches, and leucorrhea. While many cases of pelvic inflammation can be treated with antibiotics, a study published in the Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine suggests that acupuncture, used in conjunction with moxibustion and herbal medicine, may also be an effective remedy.

In the study, 36 women diagnosed with chronic pelvic inflammation received a combination of acupuncture (including points zhong ji, guan yuan, zi gong, zu san li, san yin jiao, and di ji), indirect moxibustion with medicated cakes performed at the shen que point, and a modified herbal formula (long dan xie gan tang, consisting of gentiana root, bupleurum root, baical skullcap root, danshen root, Chinese angelica, rehmannia root, Szechwan chinaberry fruit, corydalis rhizome, crataegus fruit, turtle shell, and Chinese honey locust) once every other day, with 10 appointments constituting a course of treatment. Treatment was delivered for three consecutive courses, with a five-day interval between courses.

The combination either cured or was effective in treating symptoms in approximately 89 percent of the patients. Nine women were completely cured, with a disappearance of all symptoms and no relapse at a one-year follow-up visit. The researchers noted in their conclusion that based on its effects, the treatment is "worth applying" to patients despite the time and effort involved in the procedure.

Reference

Jin Y. A combined used of acupuncture, moxibustion and long dan xie gan tang for treatment of 36 cases of chronic pelvic inflammation. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine December 2004;24(4):256-258.

Dragon's blood comes from the sangre de drago, a tree found in the Amazon rain forest. When the trunk of the tree is cut, it exudes a red, resinous sap, giving dragon's blood its distinctive name. The resin is known throughout South America for its healing properties, and has become popular among practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine.

Dragon's blood is typically used to treat cuts, scrapes, abrasions, skin ulcers and insect bites. It can be applied directly to the skin, creating a sort of protective "second skin" that stops bleeding and allows the underlying skin to regenerate without any additional risk of infection. Other studies have shown that a compound in dragon blood can inhibit excess water flow to the intestines, helping to stop diarrhea.

Dragon's blood is typically available as an ointment, which can be applied to the skin. Dragon's blood can also be steamed or heated into a solid resin, which is then pounded into a fine powder.

While there are no known drug interactions or side-effects associated with dragon's blood as of this writing, it should not be used in the absence of signs of blood stagnation, and should be used with extreme caution by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. As always, make sure to consult with a licensed health care provider before taking dragon's blood or any other herbal remedy or dietary supplement.

References

Bensky D, et al. Chinese Herbal Medicine Materia Medica, revised edition . Seattle: Eastland Press, Inc., 1993.
Mabberley DJ. The Plant Book: A Portable Dictionary of the Vascular Plants, second edition. Cambridge, Great Britain: Cambridge University Press, 1997.
Wang Z. A New Latin, Chinese, English Botanical Nomenclature. Beijing: Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Botany. Aviation Industry Publisher. 1996.

Acupuncture Q & A: This Month's Highlights from the "Ask an Acupuncturist" Forum

The "Ask an Acupuncturist" forum provides a place for interested parties to ask questions about acupuncture and Oriental medicine and have them answered by a licensed acupuncturist. This month's questions:

Question #1: What kind of treatment would you recommend for a male 20-year-old experiencing pain in the mid-back area? It has caused a lot of pain in the spine area, and about three inches to the right and left of the spine. It has been this way since a car wreck five months ago. What is your best suggestion on this? What type of doctor he should see, and what can he do in the mean time to help with some of the pain? Do you think massage would help? If so, could you offer some different massage techniques that you think would help?

Answer: Acupuncture and massage would help, but he needs to see someone who knows how to do it. Moxibustion – heat from burning herbs - is another technique of Chinese medicine that may be helpful.

Question #2: I just started getting auriculotherapy treatments in January. I feel no difference and my appetite is the same. My question is: How much time do I need to give before I see/feel some results? I need to loose about 30 pounds.

Answer: I advise my patients to give it about six to 10 treatments before judging whether there is any improvement or not. I would also suggest coupling this treatment with a change in diet. Dr. Richard Niemztow found that auriculotherapy with a low-carb/high-protien diet had a 78% success rate, in a study he did personally.

Have a question about acupuncture and Oriental medicine? Visit AcupunctureToday.com's "Ask an Acupuncturist" forum at www.acupuncturetoday.com/ask.

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