Women’s Urinary Incontinence: Have You Tried Acupuncture?

Most of us have probably heard of acupuncture as a conservative treatment option for all kinds of health issues, from migraine headaches to digestive issues. Did you know that this ancient Chinese healing technique has also been shown to be an effective conservative treatment for women’s urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse (POP)?Acupuncture is an especially good treatment option for women who suffer from POP or urinary leakage, but do not wish to take medication daily or cannot stick to a strict lifestyle program to alleviate their symptoms. The good news about acupuncture is that research shows that this treatment option is as effective as drug therapy or behavior/lifestyle modification.How Does Acupuncture Work?
To treat women’s urinary incontinence and POP, as with all other conditions treated by acupuncture, the practitioner inserts very fine needles (no thicker than a single strand of your hair) at specific locations on the body to increase circulation and the flow of energy.Depending on the severity and type of symptoms you have, the acupuncturist will select specific points along certain meridians (energy flows along the body) to alleviate your symptoms. Different combinations of acupuncture points combine to create a healing effect, and many women find relief from symptoms such as urinary leakage or POP. Acupuncture is also effective for treating constipation, which is one of the contributing factors to both women’s urinary incontinence and POP.

Each treatment session may last between 15 minutes and one hour, depending on your practitioner. Some physicians do practice acupuncture while others will refer patients to a board certified acupuncturist. You can expect the treatment period to last from 5 to 8 weeks. Acupuncture is covered by some insurance plans, and not others. If your physician feels that acupuncture may help your condition check to see whether your insurance company covers this conservative treatment.

Is Acupuncture Effective for Women’s Urinary Incontinence and POP?
Research shows that acupuncture is definitely an effective conservative treatment for both POP and women’s urinary incontinence. This is especially shown for women with overactive bladder (OAB) or urge incontinence. According to Sandra Emmons, M.D. and Lesley Otto, M.D., of Oregon Health and Science University, “Acupuncture perhaps can offer a middle ground for the appropriate patient who prefers not to take a daily medication but is unable to commit to the active involvement of behavioral therapy.”

If acupuncture sounds like a good option for you, ask your doctor whether he or she offers this treatment or whether you can get a referral to a board certified acupuncturist. Your acupuncturist will then design a customized treatment program for you based on your specific symptoms and health goals.

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