Acupuncture decreases frequent urination

Urinary frequency, or urge incontinence, is a strong and sudden urge to urinate regardless of how much urine is in the bladder. Urinary frequency is often a result of a combination of issues in the lower urinary tract, kidneys, and/or nervous system. According to the National Institutes of Health, “The bladder of an average person can hold 350 ml to 550 ml of urine.” However, the urge to urinate usually occurs at 2/3 of the lower end of the capacity range. Regardless of the level of severity, incontinence and urinary frequency is an inconvenience to the normal activities of daily life. Many of the prescription medications used to treat urinary frequency have equally inconvenient side effects, like blurred vision and dizziness.

New research out of China has shown acupuncture has positive effects on urinary frequency by suppressing bladder activity. You can read the abstract here. The study used a group of points on the sacrum called the Baliao. These points are located opposite the urinary bladder on the back, giving them an energetic connection to the bladder. They also have an effect on the uterus, so we can use them for gynecological issues like fibroids, endometriosis or to induce labor.