Jennifer Matthews: A couple of years ago, Sharon Vining couldn't go more than half an hour without heading to the bathroom.
Sharon Vining: We do like to walk and so we always have to plan a place that would have bathroom stops along the way.
Jennifer Matthews: It got so bad, she and her husband rarely went out.
Mario Mamone: She would have to go to the bathroom almost immediately once we left the house.
Jennifer Matthews: That changed when Sharon told her acupuncturist about her problem.
Sharon Vining: Even after one treatment, I could tell the difference.
Jennifer Matthews: Sharon isn't alone. In a clinical trial of 74 women, all who had acupuncture designed to help their overactive bladders, saw a 30% decrease in the urgency and frequency to urinate.
Dr. Sandra Emmons: So that horrible urge that they were going to leak if they didn't get to the bathroom was significantly reduced.
Jennifer Matthews: Dr. Sandra Emmons, an OB/GYN and Acupuncturist says that urge is caused by bladder contractions. Drugs can calm the contractions and she says acupuncture does too.
Dr. Sandra Emmons: It smooths the chi that flows through the bladder and harmonizes the system so that there's more balance between the bladder and the other organs.
Jennifer Matthews: Medication gave Sharon a dry mouth and headaches, but she says acupuncture has only had positive effects.
Sharon Vining: Before, I used to have to get up four or five times a night, now, I usually get up one time.
Jennifer Matthews: Sharon still goes in for acupuncture tune-ups, but now she doesn't have to stop on the way to use the bathroom. This is Jennifer Matthews reporting.
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