Although millions of people suffer these pesky problems, not many talk about it. Couple that with the lack of good medical options and pee control becomes that unwanted house guest that never leaves.
Based on current research, Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture may be one of the least invasive and best options for incontinence. More and more, acupuncture and Chinese Medicine is hitting mainstream America because it works.
Wenzhou TCM Hospital completed a research review of current acupuncture / moxibustion trials for incontinence and found that acupuncture/moxibustion actually gave better results than traditional medical treatments.
Shanghai Medical College did research on acupuncture with pelvic floor muscle exercises versus just pelvic floor muscle exercises. They found recovery time improved with the addition of acupuncture.
Vanderbilt University Medical Center found the only alternative therapy that showed benefits with incontinence was Acupuncture.
But how could Chinese Medicine work for these pesky problems? Chinese Medicine looks at the body differently. Instead of trying to decompose the body into cells and molecules, Chinese Medicine studies the systems of the body and how these systems interact with each other. Chinese Medicine has an opportunity to see the problem from a different angle. The old adage, “two eyes are better than one” works when we are talking about our health.
The degree of severity will be determined in the diagnosis. Thus, something as simple as Qi deficiency often seen in stress incontinence (coughing or sneezing causing sudden voids) may be treated in just a couple weeks. Whereas, something like frequent night urination may take a little longer. The most severe types of incontinence due to surgeries such as prostrate or pelvic floor may take much longer, sixteen weeks or greater.
In surgery incontinence, the success of the treatment will be determined, in large part, on how soon after the surgery the patient sees the Acupuncturist. If the patient has waited too long and too much scarring has formed, the best they can hope for is minor improvements and pain reduction.
If you are suffering from these pesky pee control problems, look to your Acupuncturist. You may be able to find your answers there.
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Kim Blaufuss, LAc. is a licensed Acupuncturist practicing in the State of Washington.