A 2017 institial cystitis acupuncture research study concluded that acupuncture generated long term pain relief and was a highly effective treatment for Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain syndrome (IC/BPS).
The Problem – IC
Interstitial cystitis (IC) and bladder painful syndrome (BPS) are bladder conditions involving chronic, recurrent pain in the pubic region and urinary frequency. This is not a bladder infection. The discomfort associated with this condition often triggers anxiety, depression, sexual dysfunction and insomnia.
It affects nearly three percent of females and roughly one percent of males, making it ten times more frequent in females. It is most common in women in their 30s through 50s. The causes of IC and BPS are not clearly known, but many in the field believe they may be an autoimmune triggered from past infection or stress.
Modern medical treatment includes the use of various oral medications. However none of them provide long term effectiveness. One study (using intravesical GAG replacement) initially reduced pain, increased bladder capacity and improved sexual function. But after a short time most patients had their symptoms return. A long-term follow-up confirmed that symptoms recurred and complaints reappeared. Also, this temporary relief came at a high cost, nearly $11,000 per patient per year.
The Solution – Acupuncture
Acupuncture is an important component of traditional Chinese medicine, which has been used for over 2500 years. Acupuncture is performed by inserting sterile, single-use, hair thin needles into specific points on the skin. These points activate an energy called “Qi” (pronounced Chee) which can be described as vital energy that flows through channels within the body.
Acupuncture restores balance to the body by removing blocked energy. This alleviates illness and resolves pain. While acupuncture was accepted by urology experts in the previous decade, there are limited studies investigating the efficacy of acupuncture in IC/BPS in literature. The aim of this interstitial cystitis acupuncture research was to investigate the benefit of acupuncture in medical treatment resistant IC/BPS female patients.
Material and Methods
Twelve IC/BPS female patients received ten sessions of acupuncture twice a week. The visual analog score, interstitial cystitis symptom index, interstitial cystitis problem index, O’Leary-Saint symptom score, Patient Health Questionnaire, Pelvic pain and urgency & frequency patient symptom scale tests and maximum voided volume were completed in the first, third, sixth and twelfth months following treatment.
Intervention
Acupuncture points were determined by certified acupuncturists based on Traditional Chinese Medicine treatment methods. Acupuncture needles were applied at SP6, SP9, ST36, LIV3,LI4, KID3, BL33 and CV4 acupoints. After insertion, a “deqi” (achy) sensation was obtained on the point. This technique assures effective Qi activation. Needles were retained for 20–25 minutes. Ten sessions were given to the patients, twice a week for five weeks.
Mean age of the patients was 44, with a minimum of 35 and maximum of 65, and mean duration of interstitial cystitis
diagnosis time of 5 years, ranging from 1 and 11 years.
Results
There was a statistically significant improvement of condition in the participants after the first month compared with the baseline. The change in test scores for the first, third, sixth and twelfth months were statistically significant. Response to treatment for the first three months after acupuncture application was 100%.
Conclusions
Acupuncture was found to be an effective, useful, non-invasive treatment for IC/BPS patients. The researchers stated that acupuncture “may be safely used even in the first diagnosis period of the disease as an appropriate treatment method not only in refractory but also in all IC patients due to not having a shown side effect and being rather advantageous due to its cost-effectiveness compared to other treating agents.”
These Results Confirm Raleigh Acupuncture Results
We have been successfully treating IC and BPS patients for over 15 years. We typically treat once a week and see improvements within the first three treatments. Results provide long lasting relief, with no negative side effects. Many of our patients have been able to reduce or stop their medications.
Next Steps
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Interstitial Cystitis Acupuncture Research
The conditions examined in this study are very similar to other bladder related health issues like frequent urinary tract infections, bladder infections, frequent urination and chronic bladder pain. We treat all of these conditions with great success at Raleigh Acupuncture.
REFERENCES
Ginekol Pol. 2017;88(2):61-67. doi: 10.5603/GP.a2017.0013. Complete response to acupuncture therapy in female patients with refractory interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome. Department of Urology, Meram Medical Faculty, Necmettin Erbakan University, Konya, Turkey. drgiraysonmez@gmail.com.
What our Clients are Saying
I highly recommend Raleigh Acupuncture. I was getting urinary tract infections every three months since my son was born and it was driving me crazy. After six treatments I was cured and no longer got them. I was treated so well and am very happy.
Went to Raleigh Acupuncture for frequent UTIs. They took care of the problem and I don’t get them anymore. Thank you!
I have suffered from IC for over 10 years, with terrible cramping and burning urination, having to go to the bathroom every 5 minutes. I tried acupuncture out of desperation because I wasn’t getting relief anywhere else. It worked incredibly and took away most of my IC symptoms. Why didn’t I know about this sooner. Raleigh Acupuncture is a really good practice. They have kept me healthy for over three years now. I highly recommend them for treating IC.
