Integrative East-West Approach to the Treatment of Recurrent Tonsillitis

Recurrent tonsillitis is a condition with multiple episodes of inflammation and infection of the tonsils.For most cases of recurrent tonsillitis in which antibiotics and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are ineffective, surgery is considered the next best option, though it is expensive and may require extensive post-operative care.We describe the treatment of recurrent tonsillitis in a 29-year-old female with a 10year history of infections.This case demonstrates how an integrative East-West approach to treating recurrent tonsillitis can serve as a viable alternative to surgery.The therapeutic intervention included acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with an emphasis on dietary modification and stress reduction practices.Within 2 months of starting treatment, our patient reported no symptoms of tonsillitis, did not require additional antibiotics or steroids, and has had no additional episodes since.