Kidney stones (nephrolithiasis) are hard deposits of minerals and salts that form inside the kidneys. The movement of these stones down the narrow urinary tract, particularly the ureter, causes intense, spasmodic pain known as renal colic. Because this pain is often severe and unpredictable, many individuals explore complementary methods like acupuncture to manage the condition. This ancient practice is increasingly studied for its role as a potential adjunct therapy in both pain management and the physical process of stone passage.
Acupuncture for Acute Pain Management
The most immediate and well-studied application of acupuncture for kidney stones is the relief of acute renal colic pain. Acupuncture is theorized to act as an analgesic by stimulating specific nerve fibers, which can disrupt or block the transmission of pain signals to the brain. This neurophysiological effect is believed to promote the release of the body’s natural opioid compounds, such as endorphins and enkephalins, which are potent pain relievers.
Clinical trials have shown that acupuncture can provide pain relief faster than some conventional pharmacological medications used in emergency settings. The use of specific meridian points related to the kidney and bladder pathways is thought to target the visceral pain originating from the ureter. In one investigation, acupuncture provided a total effective pain relief rate of 95.0% for patients with ureteral stones, outperforming the 82.5% rate achieved by a group receiving standard drug therapy. This rapid onset of action and lower risk of side effects, such as drowsiness or irregular heartbeat associated with some drugs, make it an attractive option for managing the initial crisis.
How Acupuncture May Aid Stone Passage
Beyond managing pain, acupuncture is also theorized to assist in the physical passage of the stone through the urinary tract. The ureter is a tube composed of smooth muscle that contracts to propel urine, and a lodged stone often causes muscle spasm, which intensifies the pain and impedes movement. Acupuncture may help to relax these involuntary smooth muscles of the ureteral wall, thereby reducing painful spasm.
This muscle relaxation may effectively widen the ureteral lumen, creating a less constricted path for the stone to travel toward the bladder. Scientific reviews have explored this mechanism, suggesting that modulating visceral nerve activity via needling can directly influence the ureter’s motility.
In a meta-analysis of multiple studies, the addition of acupuncture significantly increased the stone passage rate to 70.53% compared to 57.92% in control groups. Furthermore, the average time required for stone excretion was reduced by nearly two days in the acupuncture treatment groups.
Reviewing the Scientific Evidence
The scientific literature on acupuncture for urolithiasis, or urinary tract stones, provides evidence for both symptomatic relief and improved stone clearance. The efficacy of acupuncture in reducing pain is a consistent finding across multiple studies.
When combined with the alpha-blocker drug tamsulosin, which relaxes smooth muscle, acupuncture significantly increased the total effective rate of stone passage by approximately 15.1% in one study. Another investigation found that combining electroacupuncture with Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL), a procedure that uses shock waves to break up stones, yielded a higher total effective rate (92.8%) than ESWL alone (85.6%).
The proposed mechanisms center on neurological and anti-inflammatory effects that go beyond simple distraction. Specific acupoints are believed to influence the nervous system’s control over the urinary system, reducing inflammation and promoting ureteral relaxation. These physiological changes help to explain the observed improvements in both pain levels and the mechanical process of stone clearance.
Using Acupuncture Alongside Medical Treatment
Acupuncture is considered a complementary therapy for kidney stones and should not be used as a replacement for conventional medical care. A prompt medical diagnosis, typically involving imaging and lab tests, is necessary to determine the stone’s size and location, which influences the treatment plan. Acupuncture is most effectively integrated into a comprehensive care strategy supervised by a urologist.
For patients who have allergies to common pain medications or for those who are pregnant, acupuncture can offer a valuable, non-pharmacological alternative for pain management. However, patients should always inform their urologist about their intention to use acupuncture. This collaboration ensures that the stone is being monitored and that standard treatments, such as watchful waiting, medication, or surgical intervention, are not inappropriately delayed.