Icmcrj 3 1483

International Clinical and Medical Case Reports Journal
Case Report (ISSN: 2832-5788)

Treatment of Imbalance and Urinary Incontinence with Acupuncture
Chi-Ao Yang*, Kwan Yuet Cheung, Ying Chen, Juno Youn, Long Tran, Shi-Mu Yang, Yong
Shuang Cai, Yongzan Chen, Youwen Feng, Bin Xu, Yemeng Chen
New York College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Mineola, NY, USA
Citation: Chi-Ao Yangs, Kwan Yuet Cheung, Ying Chen, Juno Youn, Long Tran, Shi-Mu Yang, et al. Treatment of
Imbalance and Urinary Incontinence with Acupuncture. Int Clinc Med Case Rep Jour. 2024;3(6):1-3.
Received Date: 05 June, 2024; Accepted Date: 08 June, 2024; Published Date: 10 June, 2024
*
Corresponding author: Chi-Ao Yang, New York College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Mineola, NY, USA
Copyright: © Chi-Ao Yang, Open Access 2024. This article, published in Int Clinc Med Case Rep Jour
(ICMCRJ) (Attribution 4.0 International), as described by http:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.
ABSTRACT
Urinary incontinence and imbalance are common problems, especially in elderly population. Acupuncture is a
minimally invasive therapy, with minimal known side effects. Several studies have shown acupuncture's
effectiveness for managing urinary incontinence[1,2,3] and imbalance.[4,5] A clinical case in our clinical practice was
another proof of such efficacy.
Keywords: Head acupuncture; Auricular therapy; Master Tung acupuncture; Incontinence; Imbalance
CASE INTRODUCTION
JP is a 72-year-old female with primary complaint of unsteady gait for the past 2 years. She had to walk with a
cane, with a tendency to fall on the right side. She also reports urinary incontinence and nocturia, wakes up 7-8
times every night to go to the bathroom. She uses 8 diapers throughout the day.
Head CT and MRI showed no anatomical abnormalities. Malignancies were ruled out.
Initial assessment showed pale red tongue with thin white coating. Cracks in Upper Jiao area; Overall moderate
pulse, wiry at Guan on left side. BP: 172/66 mmHg HR: 68 BPM.
Initial pattern identified as Kidney Qi Deficiency,
Treatment Intervention
Patient has been coming to the Teaching Clinic of New York College of Traditional Chinese Medicine for
acupuncture treatment on a weekly basis for the past 6 months. We applied Jiao Head Acupuncture and ear seeds
on auricular points. In addition, we also applied body acupuncture, alternated between protocols with the patient
lying in prone and supine positions. Master Tung Acupuncture points were also applied. The protocols focus on
improving Kidney and Lower Burner function, and improve motor function for the patient.
For point selection, we worked on Motor (Upper 1/5), Sensory (Upper 1/5), Foot Motor Sensory, Reproduction
and Balance zones (Balance zone was later discontinued due to patient discomfort) based on Jiao Head
Acupuncture; For auricular points, ear seeds were applied on Liver, Kidney, Bladder, Ear Shenmen points,
bilaterally.
Int Clinc Med Case Rep Jour (ICMCRJ) 2024 | Volume 3| Issue 6
In addition, we also applied body acupuncture, alternated between protocols with the patient lying in prone and
supine positions. Prone protocols include points: Waibaliao (Ex., located 0.5 cun lateral to BL32), BL32, BL28,
BL25, BL23, BL40, BL57, GB34, SP6, KI6, KI3, BL60, LU9, HT7, PC6; Supine protocols include points:
Yintang (Ex.), CV12, CV6, CV4, CV3, KI12, KI13, ST36, GB34, SP6, KI6, KI3, BL60, LR3, LI4, LU9, HT7,
PC6.
Master Tung points also applied for both prone and supine sessions, including points: Shenguan (T77.18), Tian
Huang (T77.17), Ren Huang (T77.21), Di Huang (T77.19). These points are to improve Kidney and Lower Burner
function.
RESULTS
After treatment for 1 month, the patient started reporting noticeable improvement in both balancing and urination,
and continued to improve steadily. She is now able to walk steadily, without cane assistance or falling toward
sides. We asked her to walk in the clinic hallway back and forth without cane under our supervision, and she was
able to walk straight, without tilting toward one side or falling, and she walked without cane. Motor function was
more coordinated as well.
She now uses just 2-3 diapers per day, in contrast 8 diapers a day before treatment. She is now able to sleep
through the night for 7 straight hours, without getting up to go to the bathroom. She does report the urge to go to
the bathroom at times, but is able to hold urine better than before, with less incontinence incidents.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

The results show promising potential for acupuncture management of various conditions, with combination of ear
therapy, head and classic body and Master Tung Acupuncture being efficacious treatment protocol. In clinical
practice, we’ve observed that such a combination can provide quick relief for people with physical pain, but in
this case we noticed the combination can also provide noticeable improvements in other conditions, more
specifically imbalance and urinary incontinence.
Jiao Head Acupuncture was invented by Dr. Shunfa Jiao in China in 1971. Dr. Jiao utilized the neuroscience
representative areas of the cerebral cortex, believing that acupuncture would stimulate the cortex of corresponding
areas and enhance corresponding functions. Based on Traditional Chinese Medicine theory, the scalp is where
Yang meridians meet together. Treating scalp will regulate the organs and the circulation systems. Therefore, Head
Acupuncture is considered a powerful treatment protocol for various conditions. [6,7]
In the case we treated, we applied Head Acupuncture on Motor and Sensory zones, areas that correspond to motor
and sensory cortex. We also applied a Balance zone, which is near the cerebellum that regulates our balance and
coordination. Combination of treatment of these zones, alongside ear seeds on auricular points and body
acupuncture helped achieve the desired treatment effect of improving balance and coordination.
Auricular acupuncture has been used in China in history, and in the late 1950s, French doctor Dr. Paul Nogier
developed a phrenological method of projection of a fetal homunculus. [8] For auricular points, there’s hologram
within the ear, with different areas of the ears corresponding to different parts or regions of the body. This gives
people a clearer concept of how auricular therapy works, and how it can be applied to treat different conditions.
In our practice experience, acupuncture protocol with combination of different systems (Head Acupuncture,
Auricular therapy and body acupuncture points) have proved great efficacy in treating different conditions, such
as pain management, post stroke rehabilitation, etc. In the patient we mentioned in this article, we once again
proved acupuncture’s efficacy in treating urinary incontinence and balance problems. We believe that
combinations of different systems (Head Acupuncture, Auricular therapy and body acupuncture points) have
synergistic effects on treatment efficacy.
Patient continues to be under our care on a weekly basis. We consistently monitor her clinical changes and
improvements.
REFERENCES
1. Yuanshan Cui, Qimei Ma, Yong Zhang, Guangzhu Wei, Zhongbao Zhou. The Efficacy and Safety of
Acupuncture in Treating Stress Urinary Incontinence in Women from a Meta-Analysis of Four
Randomized Controlled Trials. Arch Esp Urol. 2023;76(1):40-49.
2. Na Yang, Xiaojie Ge, Jiaxin Ye, Qianqian Liu, Yanghaotian Wu, Huan Yan, et al. Efficacy of acupuncture
for urinary incontinence in middle-aged and elderly women: A systematic review and meta-analysis of
randomized controlled trials. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2021:257:138-143.
3. Osanna Y K Wan, Rachel Y K Cheung, Michelle P M Law, Lai Loi Lee, Ronald Chi Chiu Wang,
Symphorosa S C Chan. Effect of additional acupuncture to pelvic floor exercise on urinary incontinence:
A randomized controlled trial. Neurourol Urodyn. 2022;41(5):1097-1108.
4. Catarina Ramos Pereira, Maria Begoña Criado, Jorge Machado, Carlos Trigo Pereira, Maria João Santos.
Acute effects of acupuncture in balance and gait of Parkinson disease patients - A preliminary study.
Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2021:45:101479.
5. Sen-Yung Liu, Ching-Liang Hsieh, Ta-Sen Wei, Peng-Ta Liu, Yu-Jun Chang, Tsai-Chung Li.
Acupuncture stimulation improves balance function in stroke patients: a single-blinded controlled,
randomized study. Am J Chin Med. 2009;37(3):483-94.
6. L Sun, Y Fan, W Fan, Sun J, Ai X, Qiao H. Efficacy and safety of scalp acupuncture in improving
neurological dysfunction after ischemic stroke: a protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.
Medicine (Baltimore). 2020;99(34):e21783.
7. Ming-Mei Sun, Xiang Mao, Jin-Tao Liu, Tong Lv, Peng-Yu Zhu. Head acupuncture combined with
exercise therapy for nonspecific low back pain：a randomized controlled trial. Zhongguo Zhen Jiu.
2022;42(5):511-4.
8. P Nogier. Treatise of Auriculotherapy. Maisonneuve; 1972.

Icmcrj 3 1483

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Icmcrj 3 1483

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Icmcrj 3 1483

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

International Clinical and Medical Case Reports Journal

Case Report (ISSN: 2832-5788)

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

You might also like