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Effects of acupuncture for chronic pelvic pain syndrome with intrapelvic venous congestion: Preliminary results
Author(s) -
HONJO HISASHI,
KAMOI KAZUMI,
NAYA YOSHIO,
UKIMURA OSAMU,
KOJIMA MUNEKADO,
KITAKOJI HIROSHI,
MIKI TSUNEHARU
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
international journal of urology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.172
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1442-2042
pISSN - 0919-8172
DOI - 10.1111/j.1442-2042.2004.00868.x
Subject(s) - medicine , venography , pelvic pain , acupuncture , therapeutic effect , prostatitis , magnetic resonance imaging , surgery , prostate , anesthesia , radiology , pathology , alternative medicine , cancer , thrombosis
Background: The present study was designed to reveal the usefulness of acupuncture for chronic pelvic pain syndrome with intrapelvic venous congestion as evaluated by symptom scores, transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) and magnetic resonance (MR) venography. Methods: Ten male patients suffering from non‐inflammatory chronic pelvic pain syndrome (NIH category IIIB) with intrapelvic venous congestion were treated using acupuncture. Eight patients had previously received pharmacotherapy, which was unsuccessful. Acupuncture was performed using disposable stainless steel needles, which were inserted into the bilateral BL‐33 points and rotated manually for 10 min. The treatment was repeated every week for 5 weeks without other therapeutic maneuvers. Results from TRUS and MR venography, as well as clinical symptoms based on the NIH chronic prostatitis symptom index (NIH‐CPSI) and the international prostate symptom score (IPSS), were compared before and after the treatment. Results: No side‐effects were recognized throughout the treatment period. The average pain and QOL scores of the NIH‐CPSI 1 week after the 5th acupuncture treatment decreased significantly ( P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively) compared with the baseline. The maximum width of the sonolucent zone 1 week after the 5th treatment also decreased significantly ( P < 0.01, compared with the baseline). Intrapelvic venous congestion demonstrated by MR venography was significantly improved in four patients. Conclusion: This study provided novel information concerning the therapeutic effects of acupuncture on non‐inflammatory chronic pelvic pain syndrome.