Floating needle therapy for the treatment of ureteral calculi: A case report

Ureteral calculi are a prevalent urological disorder typically managed by surgery or pharmacotherapy, which are associated with risks and patient anxiety. Floating Needle Therapy (FNT), a minimally invasive technique targeting subcutaneous connective tissue, has shown efficacy in pain management and muscle-related conditions. This case report describes the first documented use of FNT for treating a distal ureteral calculus, exploring its potential to facilitate stone passage through myofascial relaxation and improved local circulation.

A 53-year-old male with right distal ureteral lithiasis (5 × 2 mm) and mucosal edema presented with severe abdominal pain (VAS score 8) and hematuria. Declining surgery, he received FNT targeting myofascial trigger points in the rectus abdominis, oblique, adductor longus, gracilis, and iliocostalis muscles. A 3.5-cm Fu's needle was inserted subcutaneously, followed by horizontal sweeping manipulation for 5 min daily for three days.

After the first session, pain reduced to VAS 3, and hematuria resolved. The second session led to complete pain resolution and spontaneous stone passage overnight. Follow-up ultrasounds confirmed no residual calculus, with no recurrence at 1-month follow-up.

This case suggests FNT may promote ureteral stone passage by relieving myofascial tension, enhancing microcirculation, and reducing edema. While these findings are promising, large-scale randomized controlled trials are needed to validate its efficacy across diverse patient populations and stone characteristics.