Integrative Care and AKI: A Case of Kidney Recovery

A 71-year-old man with acute kidney injury pursued acupuncture, Ayurveda, and Chinese herbal medicine alongside conventional care. His labs and fatigue improved—raising optimism and fresh research questions.

When a 71-year-old patient arrived exhausted and newly diagnosed with acute kidney injury (AKI), standard guidance focused on preventing more damage, not reversing it. He chose an integrative path of acupuncture, Ayurveda, and Chinese herbal medicine for over 12 months. According to a new case report by Southern California University of Health Sciences (SCU) student authors John Krueger and Michael Robles, his kidney markers moved in the right direction, and so did his energy.

After conventional evaluation, the patient opted to add a structured integrative plan. Over a year of regular visits, his labs showed:

• BUN (blood urea nitrogen): ↓ 63%
• Creatinine: ↓ 49%
• eGFR (estimated glomerular filtration rate): ↑ 67%
  He also reported less fatigue, a key symptom in kidney dysfunction.

AKI is typically managed with hydration, medication review, and close monitoring, which are aimed at limiting harm rather than improving renal function. This case suggests integrative therapies might complement standard care and, in some situations, support recovery.

“These results suggest that integrative therapies may offer measurable support for renal recovery in AKI patients,” write John Krueger and Michael Robles. “While more research is needed, this case underscores the importance of exploring holistic, patient-centered approaches alongside conventional care.”

The study concludes that interprofessional collaboration between conventional and integrative practitioners could offer more comprehensive care options for patients facing acute kidney challenges.

Discover more about current and past SCU Clinical and Health Services Research at scuhs.edu/chsr