Kidney stones (Renal calculi) are
made of salts and minerals in the urine that stick together to form small
"pebbles." The most common form of kidney stones are comprised of
excess calcium, however, stones can be made of uric acid, mineral magnesium and
ammonia, or cystine---a material found in proteins throughout the body. They
can be as small as grains of sand or as large as golf balls. They may stay in
your kidneys or travel out of your body through the urinary tract. The main
symptom for kidney stone is severe pain that starts suddenly and may go away
suddenly:
Pain may be felt in the belly area or side of the back
Pain may move to groin area or testicles
Other symptoms may include:
Abnormal urine color
Blood in the urine
Chills
Fever
Nausea
Vomiting
Most kidney stones won't require
invasive treatment. You may be able to pass a small stone by:
Drinking water.
Pain relievers. Passing a small stone may cause some
discomfort.
If the stone is large enough to
block the ureter and stop the flow of urine from the kidney, it may be removed
by surgical or shock waves procedures. If the stones are small enough they may
eventually travel along the urinary tract and pass out through the urethra
during urination.
Kidney stones are more than just a health condition you simply rely on surgery
or ultrasound as treatments. The root of the problem is the kidneys'
functions. If we simply treat the kidney stones without concerning for
the health of the kidneys themselves, other health manifestions may arise
later. According to traditional Chinese medicine, kidney stones are often
caused by stagnate Qi and heat. The heat is said to 'boil' the body fluids,
thus condensing them to form stones. Stagnation develops when the flow of
energy is poor. TCM treatment can promote the circulation of Qi, induce
urination, relieve the strangury, and shrink or remove the stones with Chinese
herbs and acupuncture. To pinpoint the specific imbalance causing the disease,
the acupuncturist feels the pulse, looks at the tongue, and asks your questions.
Each patient will be treated as an individual. Acupuncture and Chinese herbs
can correct the specific imbalance and treat the root cause of the illness (not
just simply symptom relief). Acupuncture and Chinese herbs provide a safe,
effective and natural whole body approach.
Richmond Acupuncture Clinic and Wellness Center in VA