A new study showsthat acupuncture is an effective treatment for nocturnal enuresis (bedwetting).
Nocturnal enuresis is involuntary urination during sleep and is most typicalamong children.
In a surprising finding, acupuncture was shown to be more effective thanbedwetting alarms. Bedwetting alarms, a standard in conventional medicine,detect moisture and wake the patient with an audible tone. The study alsoconcluded that electro-acupuncture achieved better clinical results thanacupuncture without electricity. The researchers note that, “Acupuncture caninfluence spinal micturition centers and parasympathetic innervation to theurinary tract and is known to modulate brain function via the descendingserotonergic system.”
Nocturnal Enuresis According to Chinese Medicine Theory
Nocturnal enuresis is caused by deficiency of Kidney Qi leading to theinability of the urination bladder to regulate urination. The kidneys formurine and the bladder stores and excretes urine. If the kidneys are deficientthey are unable to support the function of the bladder in regulating urinaryoutput.
Chronic nocturnal enuresis typically exhausts the patient and leads to theinability to properly distribute nutrients to the body. In Chinese medicinetheory this is referred to as Spleen Qi deficiency. As a result, this conditionoften presents with a pale complexion and a low appetite. Classic acupuncturepoints for this condition include: Shenshu (UB23), Pangguangshu (UB28), Zhongji(CV3), and Sanyinjiao (Sp6). Supplementary points include Shenmen (Ht7)and Zusanli (St36)
Reference:
Acupuncture as a treatment for nocturnal enuresis, W.F. Bower, M. Diao ,Autonomic Neuroscience: Basic and Clinical; 28 October 2010 (Vol. 157,Issue 1, Pages 63-67)