Men often have difficulty speaking about their health concerns due to stigma in the public. Prostate conditions, erectile dysfunction or infertility can be uncomfortable to discuss even with your health professional.
However, it is important to be open and honest. After all, these concerns can have a major impact on your overall health as well as your sex life, your relationships, and your emotional health.
Emotions affect men and can create energetic blockages that lead to emotional instability.
Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offer powerful tools to help you feel your best. They have been used for thousands of years to treat mens’ health concerns, and they can be safely used along with Western therapies.
Some common men’s health issues that we treat by using Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine are:
Prostatitis
The prostate is a walnut-sized gland that sits beneath the bladder and surrounds the urethra (the tube that drains urine from the bladder). It produces semen, the milky-colored fluid that transports sperm during ejaculation. Prostatitis is the inflammation of the prostate that can cause urinary symptoms and pelvic pain. The most common type is chronic (or ongoing) non-bacterial prostatitis. It’s causes are unknown, making it difficult to treat. Symptoms may include a frequent and urgent need to urinate, pain or a burning sensation when urinating (dysuria) or pain in the pelvic area, lower back and genital area. While more research is needed, some studies have shown that acupuncture and herbal therapies are very effective in relieving the pain, decreasing inflammation, and improving urinary symptoms caused by chronic non-bacterial prostatitis.
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)
The prostate naturally grows larger as men age. Often, this does not cause any discomfort. If the prostate compresses the urethra, it can cause a range of urinary symptoms. This condition, known as BPH, is the most common prostate concern, affecting about 50% of men over 60. Symptoms can include slowness or dribbling of the urinary stream, hesitancy or difficulty starting to urinate, frequent urination and the need to get up at night to urinate. Typical treatments for BPH can include self care techniques, medications, or even surgery. Acupuncture can help with rebalancing and providing overall support to the health of the urinary system. It also decreases inflammation and increases circulation in the area to aid with pain.
Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer affects about one in six men in the United States. When caught early, it can respond very well to treatment, so it is recommended that all men over the age of 50 get yearly prostate cancer screenings. Symptoms can include urinary problems, pain in the lower back or hips and blood in the urine or semen. If you or a loved one is diagnosed with prostate cancer, acupuncture and TCM can be helpful in relieving the side effects of treatment and boosting overall health.
Other Men’s Health Concerns Include
• Male depression
• Erectile Dysfunction (ED)
• Male Menopause (MM)
• Insomnia
• Anxiety and Stress
• Sexual Dysfunction
Whether you’re concerned about one or a few of the concerns above, Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine will open up a world of benefits for your holistic health both long term and short term.
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Image Credit: Health CMI
References:
“Enlarged prostate.” WebMD.com. Accessed Feb. 10, 2008. http://men.webmd.com/guide/enlarged-prostate. “Prostate cancer.” MayoClinic.com. Feb. 2, 2008. http://mayoclinic.com/health/prostate-cancer/DS00043/DSECTION=1. “Prostate Wellness.” Acubalance Wellness Centre. 2007. http://www.acubalance.ca/Prostate_Wellness. “Prostatitis.” MayoClinic.com. March 23, 2007. http://mayoclinic.com/health/prostatitis/DS00341/DSECTION=1.
