Fire NeedleTreatment for Granulomatous Mastitis
A New Hope for Refractory Mastitis
Currently, the incidence of granulomatous lobular mastitis (GLM) is on the rise among Asian women, which is a refractory breast disease that troubles many women. Symptoms include breast pain, lumps, and non-healing wounds after ulceration, leading to psychological stress and affecting confidence and social life. External treatment, as one of the therapeutic methods for granulomatous mastitis, allows medications to reach the affected area directly, significantly shortening the disease course, with advantages of minimal trauma, quick recovery, and preservation of breast appearance.
The Gu’s Surgical Department has a profound theoretical foundation in TCM surgical science, developed over generations. Professor Liu Sheng, the fifth-generation successor of Gu’s Surgery at Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, deeply understands the principle that “external symptoms are rooted in internal conditions.” He comprehensively grasps the etiology and pathogenesis of this disease and, based on the treatment principle of “clearing heat, promoting dampness, detoxifying, strengthening the spleen, and transforming turbidity,” has innovatively combined the “Qingxiao Method” with fire needle therapy to treat granulomatous lobular mastitis. Clinical studies have shown that this approach can effectively control disease progression and reduce recurrence.
What exactly is Fire Needle?
Who is suitable for Fire Needle therapy?
How is Fire Needle operated?
Longhua Hospital’s Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine Breast Department
Dr. Chen Jiajing and Associate Chief Physician Wu Chunyu
will introduce to everyone
How Fire Needle Treats Granulomatous Mastitis
Fire needle, also known as burning needle or cui ci, has the effects of strengthening the body and expelling evil, adjusting the body’s yin and yang: it integrates multiple functions such as warmth, stimulation of acupuncture points, and direct action on the affected area, making it uniquely advantageous in treating granulomatous mastitis.
The fire needle therapy can be applied at various stages of the disease, including lumps, pus formation, ulceration, and scar hyperplasia:
When a breast abscess forms, the skin is thin and about to rupture, and pain is significant, there is no need to fear. We “use heat to draw heat”; the fire needle quickly pierces the skin and facilitates drainage, causing the abscess to dissipate rapidly, and the patient’s pain is immediately relieved, completing a surgical procedure almost unnoticed, greatly reducing suffering.
When the breast lump ruptures, granulation tissue grows, and the wound is difficult to heal, there is no need to worry. We utilize the “heat” of the fire needle to warm the meridians and promote tissue regeneration, allowing the ulcerated wound to heal quickly, significantly shortening the disease course.
When unsightly scars appear on the breast, do not be upset. We use the “fire” of the fire needle to promote local qi and blood circulation, dissolve the stasis, and eliminate scars, preserving the breast’s appearance.
What is the process of Fire Needle treatment?
During fire needle treatment, the doctor will first conduct a detailed examination of the patient’s breast to determine the affected area and the severity of the condition. Then, based on the specific situation, appropriate fire needle instruments and acupuncture points will be selected. During the procedure, strict aseptic principles are followed, and the needle is accurately and quickly inserted into the affected area. Generally, multiple treatments are performed based on the condition, with intervals between each treatment, while also combining oral or topical Chinese herbal medicine.
What to pay attention to after Fire Needle treatment?
1Postoperative Care
After fire needle treatment, keep the needle hole clean and dry, and follow medical advice for appropriate topical ointments or solutions to promote wound healing.
2Daily Living
Patients should pay attention to rest, avoid excessive fatigue, and ensure adequate sleep to aid recovery. Additionally, maintaining a positive mood is essential, as negative emotions may exacerbate liver qi stagnation, affecting treatment outcomes.
3Dietary Considerations
The diet should be light, with an emphasis on vegetables and fruits, avoiding spicy, greasy, and irritating foods such as chili, fried foods, and seafood. These foods may exacerbate internal damp-heat or phlegm-dampness, hindering recovery.
4Regular Follow-ups
Fire needle treatment requires a specific course of treatment, and patients must strictly follow the doctor’s schedule for regular follow-ups to allow timely assessment of changes in the condition and adjustments to the treatment plan.
Outpatient Information
Fire needle therapy provides a new option for the treatment of granulomatous mastitis. The Longhua Hospital’s Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine Breast Department has been conducting fire needle treatments for refractory mastitis for a long time. Patients can choose appropriate treatment methods under the guidance of doctors based on their actual conditions. Additionally, in daily life, it is important to maintain good habits and a positive mindset, actively cooperate with treatment, and strive for early recovery.
Outpatient Hours:Every Tuesday morning
Outpatient Location:5th Floor, Outpatient Building 5, Longhua Hospital
(725 Wanping South Road, Xuhui District)
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The refractory mastitis specialty outpatient clinic is dedicated to overcoming the challenges of mastitis treatment. This clinic targets complex conditions such as non-lactational mastitis, plasma cell mastitis, and granulomatous mastitis, adhering to the concept of integrated traditional and Western medicine, using oral and topical Chinese herbal medicine combined with fire needle therapy, herbal poultices, and local microwave therapy to effectively eliminate lesions and promote healing. Each patient receives a personalized treatment plan, closely monitored throughout the treatment process, with timely adjustments made. The clinic not only focuses on disease treatment but also provides psychological counseling and rehabilitation guidance, fully supporting patients in overcoming refractory mastitis, restoring breast health, and regaining confidence and quality of life.
Expert Introduction
Wu ChunyuAssociate Chief Physician
Associate Chief Physician of the Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine Breast Department at Longhua Hospital
Specialty:Integrated prevention and treatment of breast cancer, plasma cell mastitis, granulomatous lobular mastitis, and breast hyperplasia
Expert Outpatient Hours:Monday morning, Tuesday afternoon (Xuhui District)
Special Needs Outpatient Hours:Tuesday morning (Xuhui District)
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