Kidney stones can be extremely painful depending on their location and size, or they may cause no symptoms at all. They can cause pain, bleeding, obstruction and secondary infection. Renal colic is typically excruciating and intermittent, usually originating in the flank or kidney area and radiating across the abdomen, frequently into the groin region and inner thigh. There may also be nausea & vomiting and chills & fever.

Within Western medicine an X-ray scan will show up the majority of kidney stones and then most treatment involves the destruction of the stones by the application of shock waves (known as SWL - shock wave lithotripsy), provided that the stone is less than 2 cm in diameter and in a location to carry out this procedure. If the stones are small enough they may eventually travel along the urinary tract and pass out through the urethra during urination.

Generally, acupuncture is a suitable form of treatment for small stones (less than 5 mm diameter) and gravel. Larger stones will require shock wave treatment or surgery. Acupuncture can be performed during bouts of pain and during the symptom-free periods.

When the pain is intense, acupuncture is applied to general points that influence the urinary tract, and to points located according to the position of the pain. Treatment may be daily or even twice daily depending on the severity of the pain.

When the patient is pain-free, acupuncture may be applied to strengthen the Kidneys, improve urinary function and promote urination, treatment will normally be once weekly.

Kidney stones are often caused by stagnate qi (energy) 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. It is important to maintain a good intake of fluids - warm water is better than cold.