PID is a general term that describes an acute or chronic infection in the uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, or surrounding tissue. PID can be caused by STDs and potential infection is highest when women are ovulating, menstruating, or giving birth. When the infection is acute, it is usually symptomatic and is treated with a coarse of antibiotics. When PID becomes chronic, it can be resistant or unresponsive to western conventional treatment. PID can cause several complications such as infertility or ectopic pregnancy. If treatment is not given in a timely manner, PID can become chronic. Women with chronic PID usually do not know they have PID, as most women have minimal symptoms.

Signs of PID

· Heavy menstrual bleeding
· Spotting in between periods
· Abundant vaginal discharge
· Flu like symptoms
· Pain in the lower back, abdomen, or legs
· Pain with intercourse or urination
· Poor appetite

Acute PID is treated with antibiotics, but as stated above, PID does not normally respond well to a course of antibiotics if it has become chronic. If an abscess forms due to the infection, surgery may be needed.

Acupuncture & Treatment of PID

Acupuncture works to stimulate the immune system to help deal with the infection. In conjunction, it works to restore a calmer and less inflamed state in the uterus and reproductive organs. Traditional Chinese Medicine has been shown to be very effective in treating many different inflammatory conditions. When a condition becomes chronic, it can take a course of treatment to bring the body back into balance. Acupuncture works to increase blood flow to the reproductive organs to help to nourish the tissue and organs to heal and repair. Acupuncture and Chinese herbs can also help prevent adhesion’s and scar tissue from forming.

Research on Acupuncture & PID

A study published in the Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine in March 1989, showed that out of 95 patients with chronic PID that used acupuncture and moxibustion as a course of treatment had an 88.4% reduction in symptoms and felt cured. This effective rate was superior to the control group using antibiotics. Research has also shown that acupuncture can affect changes in serum concentrations of IgG, IgA and IgM which are immune system markers (Wozniak et al., 1994). Other studies noted the decrease in ESR value, a strong marker of inflammation.

On the therapeutic efficacy of electric acupuncture with moxibustion in 95 cases of chronic pelvic infectious disease (PID).
J Tradit Chin Med. 1989 Mar;9(1):21-4.
PMID: 2788236 [PubMed – indexed for MEDLINE]

Anti-phlogistic and immunocompetent effects of acupuncture treatment in women suffering from chronic pelvic inflammatory diseases.
Am J Chin Med. 2003;31(2):315-20.
PMID: 12856870 [PubMed – indexed for MEDLINE]

Read more about Shannon and her offerings here, or schedule now.