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Renal Disorders
and
Urology Diseases
Clinical Evidence and Scientific Mechanism of Renal disorders
In patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), acupuncture improves renal function, reduces proteinuria, controls hypertension, corrects anemia, relieves pain, and controls many hemodialysis related complications such as uremic pruritus, insomnia and fatigue. The mechanisms are related to the regulation of sympathetic nerve and the activation of bioactive chemicals.
A nationwide retrospective cohort study in Taiwan showed that Chinese Herb Medicine (CHM) improves long-term survival in patients with chronic kidney disease, suggesting that CHM is an effective adjuvant therapy for CKD.
Acupuncture improves many clinical symptoms or complications of CKD, including improving renal function, reducing proteinuria, controlling hypertension, correcting of anemia, relieving of pain, controlling of hemodialysis-related complications, through different mechanisms. SNS, sympathetic nervous system; RAAS, renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system; NO, nitric oxide; ET-1, endothelin-1; rHuEpo, recombinant human erythropoietin; IGF-1, insulin-like growth factor 1.
Fig. 1. The potential mechanisms of acupuncture techniques in CKD patients.
References:
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Xiong W et al. Acupuncture application in chronic kidney disease and its potential mechanisms. Am J Chin Med.. 2018;46(6):1169-1185
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Huang K et al. Chinese Herbal Medicine improves the long-Term survival rate of patients with chronic kidney disease in Taiwan: a nationwide retrospective population-based cohort study. Front Pharmacol. 2018 Oct 1;9:1117.
Urology Disorders
The urinary system diseases suitable for acupuncture treatment mainly include the following categories.
1. Urinary Incontinence (including Stress Urinary Incontinence)
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Common in middle-aged and elderly women, postpartum, or post-surgical patients.
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Acupuncture can strengthen pelvic floor muscle control and regulate nerve function to improve leakage. Common points: CV3 (Zhongji), CV4 (Guanyuan), BL23 (Shenshu), SP6 (Sanyinjiao), GV20 (Baihui), etc.
2. Overactive Bladder (OAB)
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Symptoms include urinary frequency, urgency, nocturia, and urge incontinence.
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Acupuncture shows good results in improving symptoms and may be comparable or superior to medications with fewer side effects. Common points: BL23, BL32 (Ciliao), BL33 (Zhonglushu), CV4, SP6, etc.
3. Chronic Prostatitis / Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome
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Includes urinary frequency, pain, and perineal discomfort.
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Acupuncture can relieve pain and improve urination; better results when combined with herbal medicine. Common points: CV3, CV4, BL23, BL28 (Pangguangshu), SP6, etc.
4. Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) Related Symptoms
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Such as difficulty urinating, urinary retention, and increased nocturia.
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Acupuncture helps improve bladder function and urine flow.
5. Chronic Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs, including recurrent cases)
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Symptoms: frequency, urgency, dysuria.
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Acupuncture assists in clearing damp-heat and boosting immunity to relieve symptoms. Common points: BL23, BL28, CV3, SP9 (Yinlingquan), SP6, etc.
6. Urinary Stones (especially small stones)
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Can relieve renal colic and promote stone passage (better when combined with herbs or Western medicine).
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Common points: BL23, CV4, SP9, GB25 (Jingmen), etc.
7. Urinary Retention (including Neurogenic Bladder)
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Difficulty or inability to urinate.
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Acupuncture promotes bladder contraction and regulates nerve function.
Our Special Approach
We help people based on their body constitution and symptoms. Some key acupuncture points for chronic kidney disease include UB 23 (Shenshu) and KI3 (taixi).
Some Chinese herbs such as Radix et Rhizoma Rhei (da huang), Radix Astragali (huang qi), Fructus Arctii (niu bang zi) have been proved be beneficial for renal function.