Cystitis (inflammation of the bladder) is often due to a bacterial infection of the lower urinary tract. Each year, around 5% of women go to their GPs with typical symptoms of cystitis, such as pain when passing urine and increased frequency, about half of whom are found to have a urinary tract infection (Hamilton-Miller 1994).

Typical symptoms of cystitis include pain when passing urine, and frequency and urgency of urination. They often experience pain, cloudy or foul-smelling urine and sometimes with blood.

Antibiotics are the usual treatment of cystitis due to a bacterial infection. Other recommendations to include drinking more to increase urinary output or taking cranberry.

Research has indicated that acupuncture may be an alternative treatment in the prevention of frequently recurring cystitis in women (Aun 1998; Alraek 2002). It’s believed to help by reducing inflammation and reducing bladder irritation.

I’ve successfully helped many people suffering with cystitis. If you’d like to book you can do so online here. Alternatively, you can email or contact me via my contact form here.

Source: British Acupuncture Council. More information is available from the British Acupuncture Council about cystitis here

Photo Credit: Jan Padilla