Incontinence occurs for many reasons. Acupressure may provide relief for these issues. Try several noninvasive pressure points to help you control your bladder as your first line of defense against incontinence or use the therapy as a complementary modality to your doctor's suggestions. If your incontinence continues or worsens, visit a gynecologist, urologist or traditional Chinese medicine doctor.
Meridians
The theory behind acupressure is the body contains meridians, or energy pathways, that crisscross the organs and continue into the limbs and head. Each meridian has a series of points that carry energy through the body. Stimulating these points allows blockages or imbalances in the meridians to release, clear or rebalance, so your body can heal itself.
Stimulation
Stimulate acupressure points by yourself or have someone help you. Apply pressure to the point with the tip or second knuckle of your index finger for at least 30 seconds. Never press so hard that you cause pain. Work on one side of the body before moving to the other.
Kidney Meridian
The kidney meridian runs from the little toe up the thigh into the kidneys and up the spine. If you suffer incontinence because of kidney imbalance, irregularity or other disease, you can stimulate two points on the kidney meridian. The first, Kidney 1, is a sensitive point just below the ball of the foot, in the center of the sole. Press gently at first if you need to. The other point for incontinence is Kidney 3, behind the inner ankle bone, between the heel's crown and tip. Kidney 3 also can help men who suffer incontinence due to prostate dysfunction or disease.
Bladder Meridian
The bladder meridian passes over the head and down the back into the lumbar area and kidneys and bladder. If your incontinence is due to a weak pelvic floor, tumors or cancer of the bladder or an irregularly small bladder, the points on this meridian may help you. Try Bladder 40 and 65. Bladder 40 is directly behind the center of the knees, between two ligaments. Bladder 65 is on the foot's outside, just behind the last knuckle bone of your pinky toe; it is useful for prostate problems, too.
Spleen and Stomach
The spleen and stomach meridians are separate but work together to help incontinence caused by prostate issues. The spleen meridian zigzags the torso, passes the diaphragm and ends at the tongue. The stomach meridian runs through the chest and abdomen, then branches into the abdominal lining and the spleen. Spleen 6 is about one palm width above the inside ankle bone, behind the shin. Stomach 36 is about one palm width below the outer bottom of the kneecap, between the shinbone and muscle. Stomach 36 combats depression, too, if prostate trouble is affecting your mental state.
