Bladder Control Acupuncture Research

New bladder control acupuncture research demonstrated an 86% effectiveness rate. The study, conducted at Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, proved the success of acupuncture in the treatment of urinary incontinence.

The Problem

Urinary incontinence (enuresis) is the involuntary leakage of urine. Triggers include coughing, sneezing, laughing, heavy lifting, and other activities. It often includes urgency and frequency. According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control), “incontinence presents a significant financial burden to the individual and to society. In the United States, the cost of bladder incontinence among adults in 2000 was estimated at $19.5 billion.”

The Study

This bladder control acupuncture research study examined the effects of manual and electroacupuncture on women with urinary incontinence. One hundred patients were included in the clinical trial. The acupuncture points were identical for groups A and B. The only difference was that group B received electroacupuncture. The acupuncture points used for both groups included:

Guanyuan (CV4)
Qihai (CV6)
Zhongji (CV3)
Zusanli (ST36)
Sanyinjiao (SP6)
Qugu (CV2)

The Treatments

Treatment began with patients in a supine position. Upon disinfection, a 2 inch sterile, single-use, hair thin acupuncture needle was inserted into each acupuncture point. For Guanyuan, Qihai, Zhongji, and Qugu, needles were slanted downwards and inserted transverse-obliquely until a deqi sensation was elicited. Rotating and reinforcing needle techniques were applied. For Zusanli and Sanyinjiao, needle were inserted vertically to a 0.5 – 1-inch depth. Needles were retained for 40 minutes and treatments were conduced daily for 30 consecutive days.

For Group B, the electroacupuncture group, intermediate frequency electrical acupuncture point stimulation was used. The amplitude for each patient was set to individual tolerance levels for comfort. This electrical stimulation was applied for 20 minutes during each session. The researchers found that the addition of electroacupuncture increased the effectiveness of treatment by 32%. Manual acupuncture had a 54% total effective rate and electroacupuncture increased the rate to 86%.

Second Study

A second study, conducted at University College of London Hospital confirmed these results in independent research. 79% of patients participating in their clinical trial showed clinically significant outcomes. The researchers stated, “Acupuncture should be considered as a potential alternative to our current therapeutic regimes” for patients with urinary incontinence. The study utilized 3 acupuncture points, combined with electroacupuncture, for all patients:

SP6 (Sanyinjiao)
CV4 (Guanyuan)
KD3 (Taixi)

Third Study

Jin et al. confirmed the benefits of electroacupuncture in the treatment of urinary incontinence for women in a third independent study. Here, electroacupuncture produced a 78.6% total effectiveness rate. The protocol reduced leakage and urgency. The mean occurrence of urinary incontinence over 24 hours was reduced by 66.67%.

The primary acupuncture points used in this study included:

Ciliao (BL32)
Huiyang (BL35)
Shenshu (BL23)
Zusanli (ST36)
Sanyinjiao (SP6)

Electroacupuncture was attached to BL32 and BL35. A disperse-dense wave was used for 30 minutes. The intensity was set to patient tolerance levels. One 30 minute acupuncture treatment was conducted 3 times a week for 8 weeks. The protocol achieved a 78.6% total effective rate.

Fourth Study

Liu et al. achieved a 93.3% total effectiveness rate for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence in women. The protocol had two components: acupuncture and pelvic floor muscle exercises. Acupuncture with moxibustion was applied to the following acupuncture points:

Shangliao (BL31)
Ciliao (BL32)
Zhongliao (BL33)
Xialiao (BL34)

Needling was applied obliquely with a needle retention time of 20 minutes per acupuncture treatment. Moxibustion was applied to all needles. Acupuncture was administered 5 times a week for 6 weeks. This bladder control acupuncture research study resulted in a 93.3% total effective rate.

Fifth Bladder Control Acupuncture Research Study

Wang et al. documented a 90% effective for the treatment of urinary incontinence. In the clinical trial, acupuncture was compared with drug therapy. Guiyang College of Traditional Chinese Medicine researchers from the university hospital’s urology department conducted a clinical trial lasting four weeks. Patients taking drug therapy received 4 mg of solifenacin via oral administration, once daily after breakfast. For patients in the acupuncture therapy group, they received the following acupuncture points:

Guanyuan (CV4)
Shenshu (BL23)
Zuwuli (LV10)
Yinlingquan (SP9)
Shuidao (ST28)
Zhongji (CV3)
Zhongshu (BL29)
Pangguangshu (BL28)
Ciliao (BL 32)

In this trial, manual acupuncture, not electroacupuncture, was used. Each acupuncture session lasted 30 minutes. Treatments were given once a day for four weeks.

Solifenacin had an outcome of 4 patients cured, 23 patients with significant progress, and 4 patients with no progress. Acupuncture had an outcome of 5 patients cured, 22 with significant progress, and 3 patients with no progress. The total effective rate for the acupuncture group was 90% compared to 86.9% for the solifenacin group.

Conclusion

The results of all five bladder control acupuncture research studies confirms acupuncture is effective resolving urinary incontinence.

Next Steps

At Raleigh Acupuncture we have been successfully treating urinary incontinence for years. Treatments are safe and deliver long lasting results.

BOOK NOW to schedule an appointment online. Or call us at 919-819-8113 and we will schedule an appointment for you.

WATCH VIDEO DESCRIBING OUR BLADDER CONTROL TREATMENT.

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR BLADDER TREATMENT.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT ALL WOMEN’S HEALTH ISSUES WE TREAT.

References

Gao X, Xing YL, Dong SQ, Ding Y, Xia M. (2013). Effect of Acupuncture with Intermediate Frequency Electrical Stimulation by Acupoint on Female Stress Urinary Incontinence. Journal of Clinical Acupuncture and Moxibustion. 29(8).

Hu TW, Wagner TH, Bentkover JD, Leblanc K, Zhou SZ, Hunt T. Costs of urinary incontinence and overactive bladder in the United States: A comparative study. Urology 63(3):461– 5. 2004.

Post-treatment, Pre-treatment, and ICIQ-UI Short Form. Acupuncture in the Management of Overactive Bladder Syndrome. 2014.

Philp T, Shah PJR, Worth PHL. Acupuncture in the treatment of bladder instability. British Journal of Urology 1988 Jun: 61(6); 490-493.

Jin CL, Zhou XY & Pang R. (2013). Effect of electro-acupuncture on mixed urinary incontinence in women. Journal of Clinical Acupuncture and Moxibustion. 29(6).
Jain P, Jirschele K, Bostros SM, et al. (2011). Effectiveness of midurethral slings in mixed urinary incontinence: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Int Urogynecol J. 22(8): 923-932.

Liu Jie, Yang Shaoqin, Shi Ying, Curative effect observation of needle warming moxibustion Ba Liao point combined with pelvic floor muscle exercise in the treatment of female stress urinary incontinence, Chinese Community Doctors, 2015 (8).

Wang, Bo, Youping Xiao, Kai Fan, Congjun Huang. “Treatment of female overactive bladder with acupuncture.” Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 36.10 (2013): 713-716.

This bladder control acupuncture research provides overwhelming proof of the benefits of acupuncture in the treatment of urinary incontinence.