Acupuncture for Bladder & Urinary Tract Conditions.
Numerous conditions can affect the bladder and other parts of the urinary tract, with some specific to men, others to women, and some affecting both sexes.
Symptoms of overactive bladder and recurrent UTIs can greatly affect the quality of life of those affected.
Always seek prompt medical advice if you notice blood in the urine, pain on urination, inability to urinate or uncontrollable urine flow. If left untreated, urinary problems can lead to more serious kidney damage.
What Does The Research Say?
The following insights are obtained from systematic reviews and analysis of clinical trials investigating the efficacy of Chinese medicine and acupuncture for bladder & urinary tract conditions.
2021 Medicine
Acupuncture can effectively improve the post voided residual urine, maximal cystometric capacity, and bladder capacity for first voiding desire values of patients with urinary retention after hysterectomy.
There is insufficient evidence that acupuncture can increase the patient's MFR, BR, and UIR. However, acupuncture can effectively improve the PVR, maximal cystometric capacity, and bladder capacity for first voiding desire values of patients with urinary retention after hysterectomy. Although limited due to the quality and methodological limitations of the included studies, acupuncture can still be used as an effective and safe treatment for women with urinary retention after hysterectomy.
Efficacy and safety of acupuncture for urinary retention after hysterectomy Zhao Q, Yan C, Dan M, Jia H
2021 Medicine
Acupuncture can effectively improve the post voided residual urine, maximal cystometric capacity, and bladder capacity for first voiding desire values of patients with urinary retention after hysterectomy.
There is insufficient evidence that acupuncture can increase the patient's MFR, BR, and UIR. However, acupuncture can effectively improve the PVR, maximal cystometric capacity, and bladder capacity for first voiding desire values of patients with urinary retention after hysterectomy. Although limited due to the quality and methodological limitations of the included studies, acupuncture can still be used as an effective and safe treatment for women with urinary retention after hysterectomy.
Efficacy and safety of acupuncture for urinary retention after hysterectomy Zhao Q, Yan C, Dan M, Jia H
2021 The Brazilian Journal of Nursing
Acupuncture has a positive effect in improving quality of life, fatigue and sleep in patients with chronic kidney disease.
Nine studies were selected; the acupuncture techniques used were auriculotherapy, electroacupuncture and acupressure aimed at improving quality of life, fatigue, sleep and clinical variables of the disease. The studies that assessed quality of life, sleep and fatigue presented significant benefits. Studies that assessed quality of life, sleep and fatigue presented significant benefits. There was no statistical significance in the improvement of serum creatinine levels and glomerular filtration rate. Methodological and assessment tools’ divergence made impossible meta-analysis.
Effects of acupuncture in patients with chronic kidney disease: a systematic review Melo GAA, Aguiar LL, Silva RA, Pereira FGF, Silva FLBD, Caetano JÃ.
2019 BMJ Open
Chinese herbal medicine may be effective and safe for treating diabetic kidney disease, although evidence quality varies.
The systematic review and meta-analysis comprised randomized controlled trials comparing the use of oral Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) to a placebo, involving a comprehensive search strategy and selecting from over 7000 articles, resulting in 20 studies with a total of 2719 participants. Potential bias was minimized by only including studies that pitted CHM against a placebo. In addition, an a priori subgroups analysis was conducted to identify potential candidate formulae and frequently used herbs for further exploration.
Despite these measures, the overall evidence ranged from moderate to very low quality due to unclear randomization procedures, substantial variations in outcome measures, and reduced external validity. The latter was affected by factors such as multi-ingredient herbal formulae, brief follow-up periods, limited numbers of clinical events, and the inclusion of older patients with less advanced disease.
Chinese herbal medicine for diabetic kidney disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised placebo-controlled trials Zhang L, Yang L, Shergis J, Zhang L, Zhang AL, Guo X, Qin X, Johnson D, Liu X, Lu C, Xue CC, Mao W
2018 Food Reviews International
Pumpkin seed oil appears effective for improving men's health conditions such as enlarged prostate, overactive bladder, and hair loss due to its anti-inflammatory properties and radical scavenging.
The study methodology entailed the review of various clinical trials that examined the impacts of pumpkin seed oil on different health conditions common in men. These conditions included Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland), overactive bladder, and androgenic alopecia (a hair loss condition). The decision to focus on these conditions was based on the potential therapeutic value of the biochemical components of the oil, such as its rich contents of essential, highly unsaturated fatty acids and phytosterols.
In discussing the results, it was observed that the beneficial effects of pumpkin seed oil in treating the examined health conditions are potentially linked to the oil's contents of phytoestrogens and unsaturated fatty acids. It was suggested that these compounds may inhibit the enzyme 5-alpha reductase, which is an important factor in the enlargement of the prostate and hair loss. Additionally, the oil's anti-inflammatory properties and its capacity to scavenge free radicals might contribute to its therapeutic advantages. Furthermore, it is postulated that the oil may also have a relaxation effect on the bladder sphincter, thereby aiding patients with urination difficulties.
The beneficial effects of Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepoL.) seed oil for health condition of men Ramak P, Mahboubi M
2015 Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
Chinese herbal medicine may provide an effective treatment during the acute phase of UTI and when given prophylactically to prevent recurrence in the six months following treatment.
We found limited evidence from seven RCTs about the possible role of Chinese herbal medicine as a treatment for recurrent UTI, either as the sole intervention or as an adjunct to antibiotic treatment for postâ€menopausal women. CHM may provide an effective treatment during the acute phase of UTI and when given prophylactically to prevent recurrence in the six months following treatment. However, the small number and poor quality of the included studies meant that it was not possible to formulate robust conclusions on the use of CHM for recurrent UTI in women, when administered alone or as an adjunct to antibiotics.
Chinese herbal medicine for treating recurrent urinary tract infections in women Flower A, Wang LQ, Lewith G, Liu JP, Li Q.
Consult with our practitioners for personalised care and advice.
Although well-conducted clinical research can help members of the public to make better-informed decisions about their healthcare, we do not make any claims that any particular treatment may be efficacious for any individual person.
When you consult with our Chinese medicine practitioners, you'll receive personalised advice and treatment based on your symptoms and Chinese medicine diagnosis.
Scientific References
Browse our collection of scientific clinical research on acupuncture for bladder & urinary tract conditions.
It includes recent and reputable papers published by peer-reviewed journals within the last 10 years.
2021, Jun 04
Efficacy and safety of acupuncture for urinary retention after hysterectomy
Medicine
There is insufficient evidence that acupuncture can increase the patient's maximal flow rate (MFR), bladder function recovery rate (BR), and urinary tract infection rate (UIR). However, acupuncture can effectively improve the post voided residual urine (PVR), maximal cystometric capacity, and bladder capacity for first voiding desire values of patients with urinary retention after hysterectomy. Although limited due to the quality and methodological limitations of the included studies, acupuncture can still be used as an effective and safe treatment for women with urinary retention after hysterectomy.
Zhao Q, Yan C, Dan M, Jia H Full Article
2021, Jan
Effects of acupuncture in patients with chronic kidney disease: a systematic review
The Brazilian Journal of Nursing Brazilian Nursing Association
This study highlighted the efficacy of acupuncture for patients with chronic kidney disease. Not only does in alleviate symptoms related to kidney disease but also improve quality of life, fatigue and sleep patterns.
Melo GAA, Aguiar LL, Silva RA, Pereira FGF, Silva FLBD, Caetano JÃ. Full Article
2019, Apr
Chinese herbal medicine for diabetic kidney disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised placebo-controlled trials
BMJ Open
Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) may have beneficial effects on renal function and albuminuria beyond that afforded by conventional treatment in adults with diabetic kidney disease (DKD).
Zhang L, Yang L, Shergis J, Zhang L, Zhang AL, Guo X, Qin X, Johnson D, Liu X, Lu C, Xue CC, Mao W Full Article
2018, Jun 28
The beneficial effects of Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepoL.) seed oil for health condition of men
Food Reviews International
The study concludes that the components found in pumpkin, including phytosterols, fatty acids, squalene, tocopherols, and other healthy compounds, make it a promising alternative medicine for managing health issues in men, particularly exhibiting beneficial effects on Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, overactive bladder, and androgenic alopecia.
Ramak P, Mahboubi M Full Article
2015, Jun 4
Chinese herbal medicine for treating recurrent urinary tract infections in women
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews Cochrane
Evidence from seven small studies suggested that CHM as an independent intervention or in conjunction with antibiotics may be beneficial for treating recurrent UTIs during the acute phase of infection and may reduce the recurrent UTI incidence for at least six months postâ€treatment. CHM treatments specifically formulated for recurrent UTI may be more effective than herbal treatments designed to treat acute UTI. However, the small number and poor quality of the included studies meant that it was not possible to formulate robust conclusions on the use of CHM for recurrent UTI in women either alone or as an adjunct to antibiotics.
Flower A, Wang LQ, Lewith G, Liu JP, Li Q. Full Article
“It is by virtue of the twelve channels that human life exists, that disease arises, that human beings can be treated and illness cured. The twelve channels are where beginners start and masters end.” The Classic of Acupuncture
Circa 1st Century BCE