Dr. David Chen, a California acupuncturist and member of the State Medical Board for acupuncture, notes that in his experience, frequency is the IC symptom that responds best to acupuncture. Many acupuncturists also use herbs for pain relief and healing in conjunction with the acupuncture. Chinese herbs are also sometimes used alone. Dr. Ching Yao Shi, a licensed acupuncturist in Philadelphia who also holds an MD degree, has formulated an herbal tea especially for IC patients. The tea is composed of a blend of many herbs and is designed to provide optimum pain relief.
Patients drink one or two cups daily.
Inc. Please note that it appears to be somewhat expensive for patients on limited incomes. The first is a plant derived substance and member of the bioflavonoid class of compounds, pycnogenol. In general, bioflavonoids are known to strengthen capillaries. Pycnogenol is sold in health food stores under various brand names and typically, it is produced from either grape pips or the bark of the French Maritime pine. Those who take the supplement for their IC claim the pine-derived formulas work better.