Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) refers to the inflammation of pelvic organs in women, including endometritis, salpingitis, oophoritis, pelvic connective tissue inflammation, and pelvic peritonitis. PID is a common gynecological disease, with acute and chronic forms. Now let's take a look at whether massage therapy can be used for PID in traditional Chinese medicine.
Can Massage Therapy be Used for PID?
According to traditional Chinese medicine theory, PID is mostly caused by damp-heat, qi stagnation, or invasion of cold and dampness pathogens into the uterus. It can also be caused by stagnation of liver qi, obstruction of qi circulation, blood stasis, and blockage of meridians. The treatment should focus on promoting blood circulation, resolving stasis, clearing heat and dampness, softening and dispersing masses, and relieving pain. Massage therapy can help regulate qi and blood circulation, dispel cold and dampness, and dredge meridians, thus playing a certain role in the treatment of PID.
Massage Techniques for PID
Treatment principles: promote blood circulation, resolve stasis, regulate qi, and relieve pain. Treatment should be based on the etiology and pathogenesis, and individualized treatment should be provided.
1. The patient lies supine and the abdomen is massaged in a clockwise direction for about 3 minutes.
2. Use the One-Finger Zen technique to massage from Qihai along the Ren Meridian to Zhongji, back and forth, with a focus on Guanyuan and Zhongji, for about 3 minutes.
3. Use palm kneading to knead Qihai and the bilateral waterways, and massage Guilai and Sanyinjiao for about 5 minutes.
4. Use finger pressure to massage Zhongji and the bilateral Dai Meridians, as well as the Sanyinjiao and Ligou on both lower limbs.
5. Use light and fast rubbing technique to massage the waist and sacrum for about 3 minutes.
6. Use finger pressure on Shiqizhui, Guanyuan Shu, Xiaochang Shu, and Dabazhui points.
Differentiation and Treatment of PID with Massage Therapy
1. For patients with severe lower abdominal distension and pain: rub the waist and sacrum horizontally to allow heat to penetrate the lower abdomen, then rub the Du Meridian vertically to allow heat to penetrate the abdomen, and simultaneously rub the sides of the lower abdomen with both hands, with a mild warm sensation as the standard.
2. For patients with excessive vaginal discharge: additionally press the Bilateral Xuehai points and rub the inner sides of both lower legs to promote heat penetration.
3. For patients with liver depression and damp-heat pattern: point pressure on Xuehai, Sanyinjiao, Qiuxu, Taixi, Shuiquan, and Taichong for half a minute each; lightly tap both sides of the spine and sacroiliac region.
4. For patients with blood deficiency and cold-dampness pattern: point pressure on Baihui, Hegu, Wenliu, Fushu, Guilai, Qichong, Xuehai, Zusanli, and Sanyinjiao for half a minute each; shake the lower abdomen with palms for about 2 minutes.
5. For patients with qi stagnation and blood stasis pattern: knead Fushu, Guilai, Qichong, Xuehai, Yinlingquan, Diji, Sanyinjiao, Qiuxu, and Taichong for half a minute each; tap the abdominal masses lightly for 5 minutes; lightly tap both sides of the spine and the waist and sacrum.
Etiology and Pathogenesis of PID
This disease often occurs after childbirth, miscarriage, or improper hygiene during menstruation. It can also be caused by the invasion of wind, cold, dampness, heat, or accumulation of blood stasis in the uterus. In addition, it can occur due to constitutional weakness, invasion of dampness or heat pathogenic viruses, and accumulation in the uterus, resulting in a conflict between the Chong and Ren meridians.
Clinical Manifestations of PID
General symptoms are not obvious, mainly manifested as lower abdominal distension and pain, lumbosacral soreness, sometimes accompanied by anal distension and discomfort. The symptoms often worsen during fatigue, sexual intercourse, bowel movements, and before and after menstruation. Other symptoms may include increased frequency of urination, increased vaginal discharge, abnormal menstruation, dysmenorrhea, and infertility.
Daily Care Tips for PID
1. Stick to appropriate physical exercise and pay attention to nutrition.
2. Maintain a regular lifestyle, control sexual activity, and avoid exposure to cold stimuli.
3. If a large mass has formed in the pelvic cavity, conservative treatment has been ineffective for a long period of time, or there are obvious symptoms of repeated acute attacks, surgical removal should be considered.
