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Acupuncture and Chinese herbs for incontinence
Incontinence, also known as urinary leakage, can affect both men and women but is more common in women of all ages. Incontinence can severely limit an individual's daily active routine and affect both quality of life and self-esteem. It can be caused by a variety of problems, but the most common types are urge and stress urinary incontinence.
Acupuncture is an effective treatment for urinary incontinence. Several controlled studies have found acupuncture to be safe and effective in reducing the amount of urine leakage and the frequency of uncontrolled urine leakage.
TCM for the prevention and treatment of frequent urination and incontinence
Urinary incontinence is quite common and is estimated to affect up to 200 million people worldwide. The occurrence is much higher in women than in men. The most common causes in women are pregnancy, menopause and post-menopause, while in men the most common causes are an enlarged prostate. Other diseases such as multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease can cause urinary problems. Children can also be affected by urinary incontinence and bed-wetting. Three common medications used to treat urinary incontinence are fesoterodine, tolterodine and oxybutynin. These drugs only partially help in one in ten cases, and researchers Shamliyan et al. raised even more concerns about their side effects in their 2012 paper "Systematic Review.
Acupuncture and Chinese herbs have been used for thousands of years to treat many urinary problems. According to traditional medical theory, there are several causes that lead to urinary problems. Ancient physicians established the connection between the kidneys and the bladder, so treatment in traditional Chinese medicine often focuses on tonifying or replenishing the energy of the kidneys. Replenishing the kidneys is also often done by moxibustion.
The symptoms and causes that lead to incontinence vary, but it usually occurs:
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during exercise or strenuous activity
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when laughing, coughing or sneezing
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during pregnancy and/or after childbirth
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in postmenopausal women
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in people with other health problems
Frequent urination
Frequent urination may occur during the day, but is even more noticeable at night (nocturia). The older a person is, the more often they need to urinate at night. Urinating once a night is considered mild, two to three times a night moderate, and three or more times severe.
In Chinese medicine, it is believed that frequent urination and incontinence can be prevented. Both conditions can be treated but cannot always be completely prevented, so it is important to start early.
How does TKM understand this condition?
In TCM, urination is thought to be controlled by the Kidney and Liver system. The Kidney system controls the functions of closing and holding, while the Liver system controls opening and releasing. Most acute cases of frequent urination are caused by the Liver system, while chronic cases and especially conditions in the elderly are caused by the Kidney system.
Weakening of the Kidney system leads to the loss of bladder control, which is the main reason for incontinence and frequent urination, especially in middle and late old age. In addition, other symptoms such as lack of energy, lower back pain, pain in the knees, ankles, heels and feet, weakness and puffiness, poor memory, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), insomnia or waking up very early in the morning, low libido or impotence also occur. In addition to old age, they can also be caused by long-term illness, pregnancy or lower back injury.
Treatment method
Treatment usually includes Chinese herbs and acupuncture, but pelvic floor strengthening exercises are also recommended. Chinese herbs such as DiHung can recharge your kidney energy. There are also other mixtures that can be used to cleanse toxins and improve vital energy. Acupuncture helps to treat urinary incontinence. Many controlled studies have found acupuncture to be safe and effective in reducing the amount and frequency of uncontrolled urine leakage. Studies have shown that acupuncture works better than conventional medicine and improves the effectiveness of kegel exercises and herbal remedies.
Reference
Zhishun Liu, Yan Liu, Huanfang Xu, et al. (2017). Effect of Electroacupuncture on Urinary Leakage Among Women With Stress Urinary Incontinence. JAMA. 2017; 317(24): 2493-2501.
Qun Liu (2016). Clinical Research Development of Acupuncture Treatment on Stress Urinary Leakage for Elderly Women. Pract Geriatr, Aug 2016, Vol 30, No.8. 10.3969.
Yang Wang, Liu Zhishun, Weina Peng, et al. (2013). Acupuncture for Stress Urinary incontinence in adults. Cochrane Incontinence Group; 10.1002/14651858.
Yan Cui. (2015). Electroacupuncture in combination with Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan in Treatment of Women with Stress Urinary incontinence. Guangxi Chinese Medicine & Herbs, 2015; 38 (1): 43-44.
Dingchun Ye. (2013). Clinical Research of Scalp Acupuncture Treatment on Stress Urinary Leakage for Women after Menopause. Changchun Chinese Medicine University, 2013.
Qi Li (2011). Electroacupuncture Treatment of Women with Mild to Average Stress Urinary Incontinence. Xinjiang Chinese Medicine & Herbs, Vol 1, 2011.
Bin Wang, Huayong Tang, Weigang Wang et al. (2011). Stomach Acupuncture Treatment of Stress Urinary Leakage for Elderly Women. Liaoning Chinese Medicine Magazine, 2011; 38(11): 2244-2245.
Zhishun Liu, Yan Liu, Huanfang Xu, et al. (2017). Effect of Electroacupuncture on Urinary Leakage Among Women With Stress Urinary Incontinence. CAVE. 2017; 317(24): 2493-2501.
Qun Liu (2016). Clinical Research Development of Acupuncture Treatment on Stress Urinary Leakage for Elderly Women. Pract Geriatr, Aug 2016, Vol 30, No.8. 10.3969.
Yang Wang, Liu Zhishun, Weina Peng, et al. (2013). Acupuncture for Stress Urinary incontinence in adults. Cochrane Incontinence Group; 10.1002/14651858.
Yan Cui. (2015). Electroacupuncture in combination with Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan in Treatment of Women with Stress Urinary Incontinence. Guangxi Chinese Medicine & Herbs, 2015; 38 (1): 43-44.
Dingchun Ye. (2013). Clinical Research of Scalp Acupuncture Treatment on Stress Urinary Leakage for Women after Menopause. Changchun Chinese Medicine University, 2013.
Qi Li (2011). Electroacupuncture Treatment of Women with Mild to Average Stress Urinary Incontinence. Xinjiang Chinese Medicine & Herbs, Vol 1, 2011.
Bin Wang, Huayong Tang, Weigang Wang et al. (2011). Stomach Acupuncture Treatment of Stress Urinary Leakage for Elderly Women. Liaoning Chinese Medicine Magazine, 2011; 38(11): 2244-2245.
