After the Extracorporeal Shockwave Lithotripsy treatment, the kidney stones are reduced to small particles ranging in size from dust to small gravel. Most of these fragments are passed out of the kidney due to the normal flushing action of the manufacturing of urine. However, sometimes dust and small fragments settle in the more dependent calyces of the kidney. We have developed a method involving drinking fluids and assuming positions that drain those parts of the kidney where fragments seem to hold up. We have been quite successful in increasing the fragment passage of many of our patients.

In order to perform the positioning procedure, the patient should:

1. Drink two 8-oz glasses of water.
2. Wait 30 minutes (otherwise the patient may experience nausea).
3a. Lie on an inclined plane (30-40 degrees), head down, face down for thirty minutes.
3b. Lie on an inclined plane (30-45 degrees), head down, affected kidney up.
4. After getting up, drink another 8-oz glass of water.

These steps should be followed twice a day, alternating 3a and 3B.

When sleeping, whenever possible, sleep with the affected kidney up.