How to Relieve Kidney Stone Pain
Jan 04, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhao Xinju
Introduction
Drink plenty of water. When a stone becomes lodged in the urinary tract, it can cause severe pain. In such cases, increasing fluid intake is recommended until you feel the urge to urinate; this often gradually alleviates the pain or reduces it to a tolerable level. This approach only minimizes friction between the stone and the urinary tract wall—it addresses symptoms but not the underlying cause. Even after the pain subsides, prompt medical evaluation and treatment at a hospital remain essential.
Renal colic results from urinary tract obstruction caused by kidney stones, leading to difficulty urinating. Patients with kidney stones should drink ample water daily to facilitate stone passage. Additional approaches include acupressure therapy and pharmacological treatment to aid stone expulsion. However, dietary management is critical—particularly limiting intake of high-calcium and high-oxalate foods. In some cases, surgical lithotripsy may be indicated; postoperative care must emphasize urethral hygiene.
How to Alleviate Renal Colic
Increase Fluid Intake
When a stone becomes lodged within the urinary tract, severe pain often ensues. Increasing fluid intake—especially water—until the urge to urinate arises typically helps gradually subside the pain or reduce it to a tolerable level. While this method minimizes friction between the stone and the urinary tract wall, it addresses only the symptom, not the underlying cause. Therefore, even after pain relief, prompt medical evaluation remains essential.
Acupressure Therapy
During episodes of intense renal colic, patients may apply firm pressure with the right thumb to specific tender points on the back. Stimulating these points via meridian pathways can provide rapid pain relief and may also assist in stone expulsion.
Pharmacological Therapy
For unbearable pain due to kidney stones, antispasmodic analgesics such as atropine may be administered orally. Concurrent application of local heat (e.g., warm compresses) promotes ureteral relaxation and dilation, thereby enhancing pain relief.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
Herbal Infusion of Lysimachia christinae (Jin Yin Cao)
Increased fluid intake boosts urine output, enabling small stones to pass spontaneously with the urine. Drinking copious amounts of Lysimachia christinae infusion may further promote stone dissolution. Once small stones are successfully excreted, associated renal colic symptoms typically resolve.
Chicken Gizzard Lining (Ji Nei Jin)
Chicken gizzard lining possesses litholytic properties. Patients with kidney stones may take 2–3 grams twice daily (morning and evening). After approximately one week, stone burden often decreases, resulting in significant alleviation of renal colic symptoms.
Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL)
Currently, ESWL is one of the most widely used non-invasive treatments for kidney stones. It utilizes externally generated shock waves to fragment stones without surgery, facilitating subsequent natural stone passage. Following successful stone clearance, renal colic symptoms generally subside.
We hope the above information proves helpful. Wishing you good health and happiness.
