Acupuncture for Urinary Incontinence in North Vancouver

Overview

Urinary incontinence means leaking urine without meaning to. Stress incontinence is leaking when you cough, sneeze, laugh, lift or exercise, often after childbirth or with age. Urge incontinence, part of overactive bladder, is a sudden, strong need to go that's hard to hold back. Many people have a mix of both. Pregnancy, menopause, prostate problems, constipation, some medications and nerve conditions can all play a part.

Incontinence is common and treatable, not just a normal part of aging. Pelvic floor exercises, often with a pelvic floor physiotherapist, and bladder training are first-line treatments. At AcuLife Wellness, we start by learning about your symptoms, health history and other care before recommending an approach.

How Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine May Be Used

Acupuncture for incontinence usually uses points on the lower back, lower abdomen and legs chosen for your pattern, and moxibustion may be used where suitable. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, bladder control is closely linked with kidney qi, which tends to weaken with age, after childbirth or with long-term illness, so treatment aims to support it. Chinese herbal medicine may be suggested alongside acupuncture after a review of your medications.

Some clinical trials suggest acupuncture may reduce leaking for some women with stress incontinence, and other studies have looked at overactive bladder, but the evidence is still developing. Acupuncture works alongside pelvic floor exercises and your physician's care.

What to Expect

Your first visit includes a private conversation about your symptoms, fluid habits, health history and any treatment so far, followed by an individualized assessment and treatment. Keeping a bladder diary for a few days can help. How often you come in is discussed and adjusted as care progresses.

Bladder changes are common around menopause. See our menopause page for more.

Frequently Asked Questions