Acupuncture May Help in Managing A Common Women’s Disorder

One of the most common disorders that may affect a woman is urinary incontinence. It is believed that over 25 percent of adult women may experience this condition, with the risk increasing as one gets older.

Being incontinent can be very embarrassing and have a huge impact on the quality of life. The controversy on the supposedly effective sling procedures has not helped in anyway. It is no wonder then that the search for treatment of this common disorder continues up to this time.

One area that has gained prominence in relation to this is the complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Kegel exercises, biofeedback, and even herbal medicines have seen a surge in their popularity. Another alternative which has shown great promise in addressing women’s incontinence is acupuncture.

While acupuncture has been widely used for other medical conditions, it has only been lately that this traditional Chinese medical practice was applied to this particular disorder. A review of the studies conducted on this alternative therapy will show very promising results. Women who had undergone acupuncture in China and other countries were reported to have experienced significant improvements in their conditions.

Acupuncture is said to stimulate anatomical points in the body based on the belief that vital energy circulates throughout our bodies through various channels. Belying any misconception, acupuncture may be done through a variety of techniques although the use of the needles remains the most popular. This is done by penetrating into skin of thin and solid needles which are then manipulated either by the hands or electrical stimulation.

In one study carried out by a team of researchers from Oregon Health and Science University in which the results were published in the prestigious medical journal Obstetrics and Gynecology, it was reported that huge improvements were experienced by the participants of the study. After a thorough assessment of the results, the researchers made the conclusion that acupuncture was a safe and effective method of managing urinary incontinence. The effect of acupuncture on the patients was likened to that of taking medications or going through a behavioral therapy.

This feedback is indeed very promising and opens the possibility of making acupuncture a regular part in the treatment of this common urinary problem. Hopefully more studies will be undertaken in the future that will validate the effectiveness of acupuncture as far as treatment of urinary incontinence is concerned. But even if this may not be forthcoming, acupuncture has been known to offer health benefits and elevate energy levels. It presents itself as an alternative to those who want to use less medication for pain management.