Kidney stones (adjunctive care)
Also known as: kidney stones, renal calculi, nephrolithiasis, ureteric colic
Kidney stones are hard mineral deposits that cause waves of severe flank pain when they move. Acute colic needs medical assessment and pain relief, and most stones pass on their own with fluids. Chinese medicine calls it Shā Lín or Shí Lín ('sand' or 'stone' painful urination) — Damp-Heat in the lower burner condensing into stones, with Kidney deficiency underlying recurrence.
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Lifestyle & Diet
- •Drink 2–3 litres of water daily — the most effective prevention.
- •Limit salt and reduce excess animal protein.
- •Don't cut dietary calcium without advice — normal calcium intake actually protects against stones.
- •Strain your urine during an episode and keep any stone for analysis.
- •Ask your GP about a metabolic work-up if stones recur.
Cautions & Contraindications
- •Acute colic, fever with flank pain, or a single kidney are medical emergencies — hospital first.[,]
- •Large or obstructing stones need urology; don't rely on herbs to pass a stone that is stuck.[]
When to reassess or seek care again
Track episodes and fluid intake; imaging and metabolic monitoring stay with the GP or urologist.
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Sources & Further Reading
Clinical guidance, red flags and safety notes on this page draw on the following current sources alongside the classical references above.
- NHS · 2024
- Kidney Health Australia · 2024
- AHPRA / Chinese Medicine Board of Australia · 2024
Educational reference for licensed practitioners. Not a substitute for individual clinical assessment. Refer to conventional care for any red-flag or undiagnosed presentation.