This 2013 overactive bladder acupuncture research study was published in the Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Researchers concluded that acupuncture was just as effective as pharmaceutical medication for the treatment of overactive bladder.
What Is Overactive Bladder?
Overactive bladder involves dysfunction of urination bladder storage that causes sudden urges to urinate. In many cases, this leads to incontinence. Symptoms include sudden urges to urinate, frequent urination, nocturia (frequent nighttime urination), and urge incontinence (loss of urine caused by an urge to urinate).
Overactive Bladder Acupuncture Research
Researchers confirmed that acupuncture was 90% effective in treating overactive bladder. In comparison, the drug solifenacin, also known as Vesicare®, is 86.9% effective. However, solifenacin has adverse side effects, including dry mouth, dry eyes, constipation, stomach pain, burning urination, extreme thirst, nausea, vomiting, painful urination, difficulty breathing, blurry vision, and exhaustion.
Acupuncture has no adverse side effects, making it a preferable option for many patients. Solifenacin, on the other hand, is contraindicated for patients with glaucoma, myasthenia gravis, liver disease, and those undergoing kidney dialysis. For these patients, as well as those who want to avoid side effects, acupuncture provides a viable treatment option.
The Investigation
Researchers conducted this overactive bladder acupuncture research study at the Department of Urology in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guiyang College of Traditional Chinese Medicine. They randomly divided 60 patients with overactive bladder into two groups. Group 1 took the medication solifenacin. Group #2 received acupuncture treatments. After four weeks of treatment, both groups showed significant progress with much less urgency and frequency of urination.
The medication group documented many cases of adverse side effects, including burning and painful urination, thirst, nausea, and extreme fatigue. The acupuncture group, on the other hand, had no side effects and was found both safe and effective.
Drug Dosing
Patients in Group #1 took 4 mg of solifenacin once a day after breakfast. One course of treatment consisted of 4 weeks. Patients were not allowed to receive any other medications during this time.
Acupuncture Treatment
Group #2 received acupuncture with sterile, single-use, filiform needles. During the session, patients rested in the prone or supine position. Needle retention was 30 minutes long. Patients received acupuncture once a day, five days a week, for four weeks. Acupuncture points included:
Guanyuan (CV 4)
Shenshu (BL 23)
Zuwuli (LV 10)
Yinlingquan (SP 9)
Shuidao (ST 28)
Zhongji (CV 3)
Zhonglushu (BL 29)
Pangguangshu (BL 28)
Ciliao (BL 32)
Assessment
Investigators in the overactive bladder acupuncture research study compared the following variables between the two groups:
(1) average frequency of urinary urgency
(2) average frequency of urination
(3) nocturnal enuresis
(4) average urine volume
(5) frequency of urinary incontinence
Results
Group 1 (solifenacin group) had four patients fully cured, 23 patients significantly improved, and four patients with no improvement. Group 2 (acupuncture group) produced five patients fully cured, 22 patients significantly improved, and three patients with no improvement.
The overall effective rate for the acupuncture group was 90% compared with 86.9% for the solifenacin group. This outcome, coupled with the fact that the acupuncture group had no adverse side effects, clearly demonstrated that acupuncture was a superior treatment for overactive bladder.
Next Steps
If you, or someone you love, is struggling with overactive bladder, try acupuncture.
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Frequent Urination
Overactive bladder and frequent urination are common conditions. Medications are available to help control the symptoms, but they often have adverse side effects. Acupuncture is a safe, natural solution to resolve this condition, with no side effects. This overactive bladder acupuncture research study confirms our own experience at Raleigh Acupuncture. Acupuncture works.
References
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.
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.