Appendicitis is a common yet often urgent medical condition that typically requires surgical intervention. However, for those seeking alternative or complementary treatment options, acupuncture presents a promising approach to managing the symptoms and enhancing recovery. In Tokyo, acupuncture has become an increasingly popular choice for individuals dealing with appendicitis, as it not only helps relieve pain but also supports the body’s natural healing processes. By promoting circulation, reducing inflammation, and balancing the body’s energy, acupuncture offers a holistic treatment method for managing appendicitis, whether as an adjunct to conventional care or for those looking for a more natural approach. In this article, we will explore how acupuncture can assist in the treatment of appendicitis, its benefits, and why it may be worth considering as part of your treatment plan in Tokyo.
Appendicitis
Appendicitis occurs when your appendix gets clogged, infected and inflamed. Your appendix is a small, tube-shaped organ attached to your large intestine. Nobody knows what its purpose is — but we do know that appendicitis is serious. The standard treatment is surgery to remove your appendix.
What is appendicitis?
Appendicitis is an inflamed appendix. It can cause acute (sudden, intense) pain in your lower abdomen. Your appendix is a small, tubular pouch, about the size of a finger, that protrudes from the lower right end of your large intestine. Poop (feces) moving through your large intestine can block or infect your appendix, leading to inflammation. Inflammation causes your appendix to swell, and when it swells, it can burst.
A burst appendix is a medical emergency. It spreads bacteria from inside your bowels throughout your abdominal cavity. This infection (peritonitis) can then spread to your bloodstream, which can lead to life-threatening complications (sepsis). Because of this risk, the standard treatment for appendicitis is to remove your appendix (appendectomy). Your appendix isn’t an essential organ, and you won’t miss it.
What is acute appendicitis vs. chronic appendicitis?
Appendicitis is almost always an acute condition, which means it begins suddenly and worsens quickly. Most of what we know about appendicitis refers to acute appendicitis, which is very common. Chronic appendicitis is a rare condition that we don’t know as much about. It appears to occur when something irritates your appendix in an on-and-off sort of way over a long period, but it never gets worse.
Chronic appendicitis may go unrecognized because the symptoms don’t escalate the way they do in acute appendicitis. But any type of appendicitis is serious. If you have chronic abdominal pain and you don’t know what causes it, it’s important to see a healthcare provider about it. Chronic appendicitis may worsen or become acute at any time. Because of this risk, healthcare providers treat it the same way.
How common is appendicitis?
Acute appendicitis is common, especially between the ages of 10 and 30. Appendicitis in children is most common during the teen years, but younger children also get it. In the U.S., about 5% of the population will get acute appendicitis in their lifetime. It’s the leading cause of abdominal pain leading to emergency abdominal surgery. Chronic appendicitis occurs in approximately 1% of the population.
Symptoms and Causes
What are the symptoms of appendicitis?
The most common symptoms of appendicitis are abdominal pain, nausea and loss of appetite. There’s a typical way these symptoms may present that can make it easier to recognize appendicitis. But unfortunately, only about half of people with appendicitis have the classic presentation of symptoms. Kids, elderly adults and those who are pregnant may be less likely to present with typical symptoms.
In the typical presentation, abdominal pain begins in the middle of your abdomen, around your belly button. It may hover or may come and go for several hours. Eventually, the pain intensifies, and nausea and vomiting develop. Several hours later, the nausea passes, and the pain shifts to your lower right abdomen, where your appendix is. The pain becomes more focused and continues to worsen.
Additional symptoms may develop later in some people. These can include:
- Fever. Up to 40% of people develop a fever. This means your immune system is kicking into a higher gear. It may also mean inflammation is increasing or it may mean infection is spreading.
- Malaise. You may just notice that you feel generally unwell. You may lack energy or motivation and feel like staying in bed, the way you do when you’re sick.
- Swollen belly. Your abdomen may look distended or feel bloated. This is usually an advanced symptom and may indicate your appendix has ruptured.
- Urinary symptoms. You may feel like you have to pee more often or more urgently. This can happen if appendicitis irritates nerves connected to your bladder.
- Bowel paralysis. When your body redirects blood flow from your bowels to your appendix, your bowels can temporarily stop moving. Some people develop constipation and feel that they can’t pass gas. You may have the sense that a bowel movement would relieve your symptoms.
- Diarrhea. Some people may have overactive bowels and more frequent poops. This may be because inflammation from your appendix is irritating the end portion of your colon beside it.
If you suspect appendicitis, you should always have a healthcare provider check for it. But if you’re looking for a sign, there are a few that healthcare providers use to check for appendicitis. Pain location can be a helpful clue, especially if it begins around your navel and then moves to your lower right abdomen in the typical fashion. But some people feel the pain elsewhere. Providers may look for:
- McBurney’s sign. McBurney’s point is the most typical location of the appendix, and tenderness there is the first thing healthcare providers check for in a physical exam. They find it by drawing a line from your ASIS (a bony projection near your hip) to your belly button and measuring the distance. The point is about two inches along the line, or one-third of the distance.
- Blumberg’s sign. Pressure applied to the sore area feels worse when it’s released (also known as rebound tenderness).
- Dunphy’s sign. Coughing makes the pain worse.
- Rovsing’s sign. Pressure on your lower left side produces pain on your lower right side.
- Psoas sign. If your appendix is behind your colon rather than in front, appendicitis might irritate your psoas muscle. You might find yourself flexing your right hip to shorten the muscle, which relieves pain. A healthcare provider might try extending your right hip or rotating it outward. If this hurts, it’s called the psoas sign. If rotating it inward hurts, it’s called the obturator sign.
What other conditions might be confused with appendicitis?
Symptoms of appendicitis can resemble many other conditions. This is especially true for females. Your lower abdomen lies close to your pelvic cavity, and conditions affecting your pelvic organs may feel very similar to appendicitis. These organs include your urinary system and female reproductive system. Other lower abdominal organs may also be involved.
Some common conditions that might be easily confused with appendicitis include:
- Pelvic inflammatory disease.
- Endometriosis.
- Ovarian cyst.
- Kidney stone.
- Urinary tract infection.
- Pancreatitis.
- Inflammatory bowel disease.
- Diverticulitis of the colon.
- Gastroenteritis.
- Intestinal obstruction.
What causes appendicitis?
The size and location of your appendix make it easy for it to become clogged and infected. Your large intestine is home to many bacteria, and if too many become trapped in your appendix, they overgrow and cause an infection. Sometimes, appendicitis begins with an infection, and sometimes, the infection is secondary. Swelling in your appendix can reduce or close the opening and trap more bacteria inside.
Common causes of inflammation, swelling, obstruction and infection in your appendix include:
- Hardened poop (appendix stones). Hard, calcified fecal deposits known as fecaliths, appendicoliths or appendix stones can get stuck in the opening to your appendix. They carry bacteria and can also trap bacteria that was already there inside your appendix.
- Lymphoid hyperplasia. Your lymphatic system, which is part of your immune system, helps fight infections by producing and releasing white blood cells into your tissues. This can cause the lymphoid tissue in your appendix to swell, even when the original infection is elsewhere in your body. The swollen tissue in your appendix can obstruct it and lead to infection inside.
- Colitis. Inflammation in your colon from an infection or inflammatory bowel disease can affect your appendix. The infection may spread, or the inflammation itself may irritate it.
Other factors that could block the opening to your appendix include:
- Tumors.
- Parasites.
- Cystic fibrosis.
- What causes chronic appendicitis?
The theory of chronic appendicitis is that something causes mild inflammation on and off for a long time. It might be a chronic condition like inflammatory bowel disease or mild bacterial overgrowth. Or it might be an obstruction that moves in and out of the opening to your appendix. Chronic inflammation can lead to lymphoid hyperplasia or even scar tissue in your appendix if it lasts a very long time.
Acupuncture for Appendicitis in Tokyo
How Acupuncture Helps with Appendicitis
In Traditional Oriental Medicine (TOM), appendicitis is seen as a disorder caused by stagnation of vital energy and blood, which then transforms into heat or inflammation. Acupuncture is used to stimulate specific points on the body to restore the smooth flow of energy and alleviate inflammation. By addressing these imbalances, acupuncture helps to reduce pain, promote healing, and support the body’s natural ability to fight infection.
The study conducted by Fujian University researchers explored the outcomes of combining Non-Operative Treatment for Acute Appendicitis (NOTA) with acupuncture and herbal medicine. The treatment group, which received acupuncture along with standard drug therapy, showed a total treatment effectiveness rate of 94.74%, a significant improvement over the 71.05% effectiveness rate of those who received only drug therapy. These findings suggest that acupuncture and herbs play a crucial role in enhancing the healing process and reducing the need for invasive surgery.
The Acupuncture Process for Appendicitis
For patients suffering from appendicitis, acupuncture is typically administered through daily sessions, with each session lasting around 30 minutes. The specific acupuncture points targeted for appendicitis treatment include:
- ST36 (Zusanli): Located on the front of the leg, this point strengthens the digestive system and boosts the body’s immunity.
- EX-LE7 (Lanweixue): A key point located near ST36, it is specifically used to treat appendicitis. This point is often tender when inflammation of the appendix is present and helps to move vital energy and blood while clearing heat and toxins from the large intestine.
- LI11 (Quchi): Located at the elbow, it is used to reduce inflammation and help alleviate pain.
- LI4 (Hegu): Situated on the hand, this point is used to treat acute conditions, particularly pain.
- ST37 (Shangjuxu): Located on the leg, this point supports digestion and helps clear heat from the intestines.
In addition to acupuncture, moxibustion may be used to warm the acupuncture points and stimulate the body’s healing process. Moxibustion involves applying heat to specific acupoints, often using dried mugwort. This technique is especially helpful in treating conditions associated with cold or stagnant energy, like appendicitis.
Herbal medicine also plays a vital role in the treatment process. For appendicitis, a combination of herbs such as Da Huang, Mu Dan Pi, Chi Shao, and Dong Gua Ren is used to alleviate inflammation, reduce swelling, and help expel toxins. The herbal formula, often known as Da Huang Mu Dan Decoction, has been used for centuries to treat conditions related to abdominal pain, swelling, and infection, such as appendicitis.
The Results and Benefits
The integration of acupuncture and herbal medicine with drug therapy led to impressive results in the study. The treatment group showed not only a higher cure rate but also a reduction in complications. Specifically, 29 patients in the acupuncture and herb treatment group were completely cured, and 7 experienced significant improvements. In contrast, the drug-only group had 17 patients fully cured, with 10 showing improvement. The addition of acupuncture and herbal remedies increased the total effective rate by 23.69% and decreased the rate of iatrogenic (treatment-caused) complications by 21.06%.
This combination treatment method addresses the root causes of appendicitis in a way that traditional drug therapy alone cannot. Acupuncture and herbs help strengthen the body’s immunity, reduce inflammation, and improve circulation, making them a valuable addition to emergency care for appendicitis.
Any risks?
Acupuncture, when performed by a trained and licensed professional, is generally considered safe. However, like any medical treatment, there are potential risks and considerations, especially when used for a condition as serious as appendicitis. Here are some factors to be mindful of:
1. Delaying Surgery
Appendicitis requires prompt medical attention, and in many cases, surgery (appendectomy) is the standard treatment to remove the inflamed appendix. If acupuncture is used as a complementary treatment, it should not delay surgery if it’s needed. Acupuncture can help alleviate pain and inflammation, but it does not cure acute appendicitis. Relying solely on acupuncture instead of seeking urgent medical care for appendicitis can lead to complications, such as a ruptured appendix, which can be life-threatening.
2. Infection Risk
Although acupuncture needles are sterile, there is still a small risk of infection if they are not used properly. Reputable acupuncturists follow strict hygiene and sterilization protocols to minimize this risk. It’s important to choose a licensed and experienced acupuncturist to ensure proper safety measures are followed.
3. Incorrect Diagnosis or Treatment
Misdiagnosis is another risk. If acupuncture is used as a primary treatment for appendicitis without proper medical evaluation, there’s a risk that the condition could worsen unnoticed. It is crucial to confirm the diagnosis of appendicitis through imaging or other medical tests before considering any complementary treatments like acupuncture.
4. Aggravation of Symptoms
While acupuncture is used to regulate the flow of energy and reduce inflammation, there is a slight risk that certain acupuncture points could aggravate symptoms or lead to temporary discomfort in rare cases. For example, stimulating points incorrectly or over-stimulating them could increase irritation or lead to temporary pain, especially if the appendix is already inflamed or infected.
5. Underlying Health Conditions
Patients with underlying health issues, such as immune system disorders or severe infection, may require additional care when undergoing acupuncture. These individuals should consult with their healthcare provider before starting any acupuncture treatment, especially for acute conditions like appendicitis.
Acupuncture can be a beneficial complementary therapy for managing pain, reducing inflammation, and promoting healing in certain situations, but it should never replace conventional treatments for acute appendicitis. In cases of suspected appendicitis, it’s crucial to seek immediate medical attention to determine the appropriate course of action, including potential surgery. If you choose to incorporate acupuncture into your treatment plan, it should be done under the guidance of both your primary healthcare provider and a licensed acupuncturist.
Conclusion
Acupuncture offer a promising complementary approach to treating appendicitis, especially when combined with standard drug therapies. This holistic treatment not only enhances recovery rates but also reduces complications and the need for invasive procedures. If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of appendicitis, it’s worth considering acupuncture as part of the treatment protocol.
For those in Tokyo seeking expert acupuncture treatments, FuJi Wellness provides a warm and professional environment where skilled practitioners offer personalized care to help you recover and maintain optimal health. Whether you are dealing with appendicitis or other health conditions, FuJi Wellness is committed to guiding you on your healing journey. Visit us today and experience the healing power of acupuncture – your health and well-being are our top priority.
Fuji Wellness:
- Address: 132-0031 Matsushima 1-chome, 21-14, Tokyo, Japan
- Contact: Click here
- Email: sunnyphamsensei@gmail.com
