Prostatitis is a non-cancerous inflammation of the prostate gland. This widespread problem is surrounded by confusion. The focus of this article is on chronic prostatitis – both bacterial and non bacterial and how acupuncture can be useful in it’s treatment.
BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia) is also a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland that occurs in men who are over the age of 50. Often both the causes and symptoms of chronic prostatitis and BPH are similar.
These issues often are not responsive to antibiotics, anti-inflammatories or alpha-blockers. This may be due to an insufficient blood supply to the prostate organ and throughout the pelvis.
Symptoms include:
- Incomplete or difficult urination
- Urinary tract infections
- Ejaculatory burning or pain
- Erectile dysfunction
- Infertility
- Incontinence
- Pelvic pain – CPPS (Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome)
Acupuncture and Prostatitis
In Chinese medicine, our health is greatly influenced by the smooth flow of energy through our bodies. When the body is not functioning well there is always a corresponding disturbance within the energetic system.
Sometimes, there are energetic blocks that impede the flow of Qi through our 12 primary meridians (pathways). Often, some of our meridians are overworking (to compensate for the underlying problem) while other meridians are not working sufficiently.
Pain, inflammation and immune system imbalances are symptoms of an underlying energetic imbalance. Acupuncture works to remove the energetic blocks and establish a smooth flow of Qi through the body, which concurrently improves the flow of blood in the effected area.
Chronic prostatitis and benign prostatic hyperplasia are often complex, and a physician should always be consulted before choosing a course of treatment.
Natural Supplements
Herbal supplements that are commonly used for prostatitis and BPH include; saw palmetto, beta-sitosterol, pygeum, rye grass pollen and stinging nettle. Additionally vitamin C and zinc are thought to be helpful. The herbal treatment of prostatitis has not endorsed by The American Urological Association due to the lack of conclusive research.
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*The contents in this article are not meant to be diagnostic or prescriptive.
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