Acupuncture and urinary tract infections

Women who have recurrent urinary tract infections (UTI or cystitis) might consider going under the needle.

After I sent you the e-Alert “Stuck on You” (4/7/04) about the effectiveness of acupuncture in treating back and neck pain (as well as several other health problems), I came across a Norwegian study that helps confirm that the effectiveness of acupuncture is not just a placebo reaction. In addition, this study offers an alternative treatment for women who cope with chronic cystitis.

The Norway study tested 67 women with acute urinary tract infection. The subjects were divided into three groups: one received acupuncture; one received sham-acupuncture (placing the needles at non-acupressure points); and a control group received no care. At the end of the 6-month study period, 85 percent of the subjects in the acupuncture group were completely free of cystitis. In the sham-acupuncture group 58 percent of the women were free of the disorder, compared with 36 percent in the control group.

About 11 million people in the U.S. – mostly women – suffer from UTI. The most common course of treatment is antibiotics. Needless to say, for those who experience chronic cystitis, constant antibiotic use puts them at risk of even more serious health problems.

If you have persistent UTI, discuss the subject of acupuncture treatments with your doctor. Many MDs are becoming more open to the idea of alternative therapies, especially when it means avoiding excessive use of antibiotics.

To Your Good Health,

Jenny Thompson
Health Sciences Institute

Sources:
“Acupuncture in the Prophylaxis of Recurrent Lower Urinary Tract Infection in Adult Women” Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care, Vol. 16, No. 1, March 1998, ingenta.com
“Alternative Treatments for Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections” Life Extension Foundation, 5/28/03, lef.org
“Acupuncture May Break Cycle of Urinary Tract Infections” Michael Devitt, Acupuncture Today, actupuncturetoday.com