Chronic pelvic inflammatory disease often occurs after childbirth, miscarriage, or lack of hygiene during menstruation. It can also be caused by the invasion of cold, wind, and dampness, the accumulation of blood stasis in the uterus, or the invasion of weak constitution, dampness, or viral pathogens. It can occur when the qi and blood of the Chong and Ren channels are in conflict. Moderate massage can regulate blood circulation in the pelvic cavity and relieve symptoms. Below is an introduction to self-massage therapy for chronic pelvic inflammatory disease.
Classification and differentiation of chronic pelvic inflammatory disease
Damp-heat stagnation: Occurs during menstruation, after childbirth, or when the uterine blood vessels are deficient. It can also occur due to surgery, which may cause invasion of damp-heat pathogens. If the pathogen is not completely expelled and the body's qi is not fully restored, qi and blood stagnation, damp-heat and blood stasis can accumulate in the uterus, damaging the Chong and Ren channels and causing the disease.
Qi stagnation and blood stasis: Occurs due to emotional stress, liver qi stagnation, or invasion of damp-heat pathogens. If the residual toxins remain in the Chong and Ren channels, qi and blood circulation will be obstructed, and blood stasis will occur.
Cold and dampness stagnation: Occurs during menstruation or postpartum period, when exposed to rainwater, swimming, cold drinks, or sitting in wet areas. It can also occur due to weak constitution and the generation of cold and dampness internally. Cold and dampness can accumulate in the uterus, leading to disease when in conflict with qi and blood.
Massage principles for chronic pelvic inflammatory disease
Treatment principles: Promote blood circulation, dissolve stasis, reduce inflammation, and relieve pain.
For those with damp-heat stagnation, it is advisable to clear heat, promote diuresis, dissolve stasis, and relieve pain.
For those with qi stagnation and blood stasis, it is advisable to regulate qi, promote blood circulation, soften hardness, and disperse stagnation.
For those with cold and dampness stagnation, it is advisable to warm yang, dissolve dampness, disperse cold, and dissolve stasis.
Basic massage techniques for chronic pelvic inflammatory disease
Abdomen and lower limbs
Acupoints: Qihai, Guanyuan, Zhongji, Sanyinjiao, Shuidao, Guilai.
Massage technique: The patient lies supine, and the masseur palms the abdomen in a clockwise direction for about 5 minutes. Acupressure or kneading is applied to acupoints such as Qihai, Guanyuan, Zhongji, Sanyinjiao, Shuidao, and Guilai, with each point massaged for about 1 minute.
Lumbar sacral region
Acupoints: Shiqi Dazhui, Guanyuan, Mingmen, Xiaochangshu, Baliao.
Massage technique: Apply gentle rubbing to the lumbosacral region repeatedly for about 5 minutes. Press and knead acupoints such as Shiqi Dazhui, Guanyuan, Mingmen, Xiaochangshu, and Baliao. Finally, rub horizontally across the lumbosacral region and rub directly along the Du meridian to generate heat.
Differentiated massage techniques for chronic pelvic inflammatory disease
1. Damp-heat stagnation: Add massage to acupoints such as Xuehai, Xingjian, Yinlingquan, Taichong, Zhangmen, Quchi, and Hegu, with each point massaged for about 1 minute.
2. Qi stagnation and blood stasis: Add massage to acupoints such as Taichong, Zhangmen, Qimen, Xingjian, Ganyu, Geyu, and Yinlingquan, with each point massaged for about 1 minute. Tap and flick the abdominal masses for 5 minutes.
3. Cold stagnation and qi stagnation: Add massage to acupoints such as Shenyu, Zhongwan, Zusanli, and Changqiang, with each point massaged for about 1 minute. Rub horizontally across the lumbar region at acupoints such as Shenyu, Mingmen, Baliao, and generate heat.
Daily care for chronic pelvic inflammatory disease
1. Maintain a regular lifestyle during treatment, ensure proper nutrition, and pay attention to a balance between work and rest. Avoid excessive fatigue.
2. Engage in appropriate physical exercise, pay attention to keeping warm, improve physical fitness, and enhance the body's resistance.
3. Pay attention to personal hygiene and moderate sexual activity.
4. If pelvic inflammatory disease is accompanied by large masses or severe symptoms, or if it recurs frequently, seek timely medical treatment.
