www.incontinentsupport.org

Has anyone tried accupuncture for incontinence and if so was it any help? The reason I ask is that when I clean out my ears with Q-tips it seems to hit a nerve that can make my bladder release. While I know this may sound weird I know there are various "pressure points" located on a body that can be stimulated to effect another area of the body.

I have no feeling in my bladder except from the muscle spasms I experience daily nor do I have any real control of my bladder functions. Yet when I put a Q-tip in one of my ears I get a slight tingling in my bladder region and it seems to start the flow. My question is whether or not an expert in accupuncture might be able to work some of the points in my body to stimulate bladder control. I know it is a long shot but it never hurts to ask. I know I can start the flow (sometimes) with a Q-tip in the ear. Now all I have to do is learn how to stop the flow and how to know when my bladder is ready to empty.

is it worth a shot why not
it cant hurt
if its works
you can always find a loo at starbucks

_________________
well ibs thats enought

Hey DDS: I've heard that acupuncture can help a variety of conditions. I haven't had the nerve to try it yet. However, I have tried chiropractic and I must admit I get some noticeable control back.

So like bruce, it's worth a shot. And if you are not into the needle thing (like me), then why not try acupressure?

Let us know!

DDS.

I have got almost exactly the same condition as yourself. I have a neurogenic bladder. I cant feel it at all except spasms and then a dump of urine. No ear trigger though.

Im in physiotherapy right now due o my spine injury, and the next thing we are trying is accupuncture, not for the incontinence but for the back pain relief, I will keep you posted and let you know how it goes...

There is a chiropractor in my metro area that advertises on radio spots that he can help children with bedwetting but then I know a couple chiroprators who believe they can cure just about anything better than an MD. I've gone to chiropractors a few times but never got much from the visits. My better half swears by her chiropractor. There is a chiropractor in the area that is reknowned for accupuncture and has helped many people over the years. I am seriously thinking of calling and setting up a consultation. I'd just like to once again feel the urge to pee or the sensation of a full bladder. Never thought I'd miss those feelings. I believe that if I felt it I could control it, at least a little. I don't feel the urge when inserting a Q-tip in my ear but I do get a definate tingling sensation in those long dead bladder muscles which always leads to a release of urine. Now when I clean out my ears I sit on the toilet. I do have bladder muscle spasms several times a day but they are not painful. I can feel the spasms because of the muscle contractions but since I have little to no feeling in my bladder I do not feel any pain just a fluttering" feeling. When they are intense spasms I can feel them with my hand.

I accepted my incontinence a long time ago but I'll never stop hoping that someday I'll regain control of my bladder functions. I'm pretty certain that most of the people on this forum feel the same way.

Again, I am almos the same. I have bladder spasms, and you can even see it twitching just by looking some times, Its actually getting worse for me though, when flow starts now its very intermittant. I tried flomax and that didnt help at all. infact not only did it not work but I got very aggrivated and short tempered and my sex drive died completely....

CharlieP,

My spasms have gotten worse over the years too. Basically I have no feeling so I don't feel urge or the pain from the spasms. For me starting the flow is a crap shoot. If I stand at a toilet long enough it will start all by itself. I haven't taken any meds such as flow max. I doubt if would help in my situation anyhow.

Flomax was medically the right choice because its an alpha blocker and blocks some of the control to your urethral sphicter apparently. This means you shouldnt be fighting you sphicter anymore and flow can start easier and stops the spasms ect.

I know when my bladder is full because I get short tempered, I know its sounds weired but when we are driving just from my general tone my wife can now say you need to pull over and stand ouside the car for a second. (I dont normally pee when driving its like someone put a cork in me, but the second I stand up away she goes.....)