Acupuncture for Women With Overactive Bladder

The most common symptom of an overactive bladder is a sudden, uncontrolled need or urge to urinate; followed by the need to urinate excessively throughout the day and night, independent of fluid intake. In women, causes of overactive bladder are varied, but the common consequence, beyond the physical manifestations, are frustration and embarrassment. While medications designed to relax the bladder remain a frontline treatment option, research continues to show the potential of nonpharmaceutical options – including acupuncture. Case in point: a 2023 research review that concludes acupuncture is effective and safe for treating overactive bladder. Read more.

Source: Acupunture Today, May/June 2023

Consider Acupuncture for Incontinence

Acupuncture, a 3,000-year-old healing technique, received mixed reviews in two new studies from China — one focusing on incontinence and the other on a cause of female infertility. A research team found acupuncture did improve symptoms of stress incontinence — an involuntarily loss of urine, such as when a woman sneezes or coughs. But in a separate study, another team of researchers determined that acupuncture did not help women who were infertile because of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Women with PCOS have a hormonal imbalance that keeps them from releasing an egg (ovulating) during the menstrual cycle. Read more.

Source: HealthDay News, June 27, 2017

Acupuncture Stops Urinary Bladder Leakage Over Drugs

Acupuncture outperforms drug therapy for the treatment of mild to moderate female stress urinary incontinence (FSUI). Researchers from Weihai City Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine conclude that electroacupuncture is effective for the control of FSUI. In the study, an electroacupuncture treatment group produced a positive patient outcome rate of 86.7%. The drug control group produced a 68.9% positive patient outcome rate for the treatment of FSUI. The electroacupuncture group had a significantly higher complete recovery rate and total effective rate. Read more.

Source: Health CMi, May 9, 2017

Can Acupuncture Ease Severe Constipation?

People with severe chronic constipation may get relief from a more modern type of acupuncture, new research suggests. After eight weeks of treatment with electroacupuncture — acupuncture involving electrical stimulation — study participants experienced significant symptom and quality-of-life improvements, the study found. Electroacupuncture uses thin needles inserted beneath the skin that are attached to a device that sends electric pulses into the body. Read more.

Source: Health News Day, September 12, 2016

Acupuncture

Acupuncture being performed by a Licensed Acupuncturist

Interest in acupuncture and acupressure are growing as people with incontinence (bowel or urinary) seek treatment options in complementary and alternative forms of medicine. Most people with incontinence would prefer not to have surgery or take drugs, if at all possible.

Acupuncture and acupressure for incontinence are based on ancient Chinese Medicine, which designates incontinence to be a deficiency of energy. In Chinese Medicine urinary incontinence is due to a deficiency of kidney or, occasionally, urinary bladder energy, so acupressure and acupuncture treatments work on nourishing and supporting these energetic pathways. The bladder and anal sphincters also need a lot of energy to perform correctly. Likewise with bowel incontinence, acupuncture attempts to restore strength to the anal sphincter.Continue reading→