A kidney stone is a solid piece of material that forms in a kidney when substances that are normally found in the urine become highly concentrated. A stone may stay in the kidney or travel down the urinary tract. Kidney stones vary in size. A small stone may pass on its own, causing little or no pain. A larger stone may get stuck along the urinary tract and can block the flow of urine, causing severe pain or bleeding. Urolithiasis is the medical term used to describe stones occurring in the urinary tract. Other frequently used terms are urinary tract stone disease and nephrolithiasis. Terms that describe the location of the stone in the urinary tract are sometimes used. For example, a ureteral stone -- or ureterolithiasis -- is a kidney stone found in the ureter.
Four therapeutic methods for kidney stone in TCM
Pattern of Excessive Damp-heat in the Body
Therapeutic method:
Chinese medicine is used to clear damp-heat and promote diuresis.
Pattern of Qi and Blood Stagnation
Therapeutic method: Chinese medicine is used to promote qi to activate blood.
Pattern of Yang and Qi Deficiency
Therapeutic method: Chinese medicine is used to warm yang to promote diuresis.
Pattern of Spleen and kidney Deficiency
Therapeutic method: Chinese medicine is used to tonify spleen and kidney.