Men's Health
Acupuncture For Men’s Health
Throughout Chinese history its society has been dominated by men. As this is an unfortunate reality it has also lead Chinese Medicine to be able to focus its medical knowledge on treating men's health and longevity. As far back as the Yellow Emperor's reign many classical texts were devoted to increasing men's sexual performance and health. Although centuries have past since the Yellow Emperor began inquiring about health and wellness, men today still look for various ways to stay healthy sexually.
Sexual health is not the only concern for men today. As men age they begin battling with various other male disorders. Aside from impotence, men also suffer from conditions affecting urination, the prostate and testicles.
Our Services and Treatments Condition
Sexual Disorders
Chinese Medicine can help treat various male disorders. At the center of treating all male disorders are the Kidneys. Although other organ systems tend to be involved such as the Liver, Spleen, Bladder, and Heart the kidneys are usually at the core of the problem. One of the kidneys major functions according to Chinese Medicine is storing Jing (essence). Jing is one of three treasures, Qi and Shen (spirit) being the other two. The life-giving processes of nature are manifest in the concept of Jing. It can be understood as the sap of life, the irreducible essence that contains all the critical ingredients needed to make new life that shares characteristics with its source. As Jing has a direct connection with sperm in men you can begin to see why premature ejaculation and other sexual disorders are important to treat for the Chinese.
Impotence
One condition that we hear about often on the television, in the newspapers and magazines, and on the radio is impotence. As mentioned previously, Chinese Emperors viewed sexual function as an important part of health and longevity. If an Emperor had impotence he would seek the advice of his medical staff, and in the case of Huang Di, the Yellow Emperor, her would ask the advice of Su Nu. Impotence is known as yang wei, which literally means flaccidity. Impotence refers to the inability to attain erection or the ability to attain only partial erection. This can be caused by several underlying reasons; however some of the more common causes are overindulgence in sexual activity and emotional disturbances.
Prostate Health
BPH according to Chinese Medicine is categorized into diseases relating to urination. Historically there was no mention of an enlarged prostate. The Chinese had no way of knowing that a mans prostate was enlarged, but they were aware of the symptoms it caused. These symptoms of frequent nighttime urination, painful urination, and difficult urination were observed and thus categorized as disease categories which are used today to diagnose and treat BPH.
Male Infertility
as well as erectile dysfunction and sperm morphology, motility, and count, among other conditions. Acupuncture works in part by directing your body’s circulation to areas that require attention, including the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis. Linking your central nervous system and endocrine system, the HPA axis affects hormone levels throughout your body. Each man is different and requires an individual treatment plan, which we determine by examining your symptom pattern. Sessions may include:
Individualized Attention and Instruction
Customized Chinese Herbal Formulas
Topical Ointments, Lotions, & Washes
Nutritional Support, Information, & Counseling
Stress/Anxiety Reduction Techniques
Lifestyle/Environmental Recommendations
In acupuncture treatments, needles are commonly placed in the hands, feet, limbs, back, and abdomen to treat pain and remove qi/energy blockages. Needles are never used on reproductive organs. Depending on your condition—alongside factors such as diet, lifestyle, environment, stress, sleep quality, and age—relief may come within several visits, continuing to build over the course of treatment.
Men’s Problems
Are you waking up multiple times during the night to go to the bathroom?
Do you have frequent urge to urinate during the day as well?
Do you have trouble ending the stream of urine, and end up dribbling?
Are you experiencing burning or painful urination?
Have you noticed semen or blood in your urine?
Acupuncture and herbs can be beneficial for supporting all of the unique challenges and changes that occur as men age. From supporting fertility, virility and sperm quality to addressing prostate inflammation and hormone balance: Chinese herbs and acupuncture are a great addition to any man’s health routine.
LOW LIBIDO
It is estimated that 31% of men report issues with libido. Anxiety, stress, hormonal imbalances and anatomical problems are all treatable with acupuncture and Chinese herbs.
SEXUAL DYSFUNCTION
Chinese herbs and acupuncture can help correct some types of sexual dysfunction including low desire, erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, and delayed orgasm.
MALE FACTOR INFERTILITY
Infertility due to a male factor accounts for 40% of couples struggling to conceive. Acupuncture and Chinese herbs have been shown in recent studies to help improve sperm count, motility, and morphology, as well as correcting some immune factors such as anti-sperm antibodies that can interfere with conception.
PROSTATITIS
Inflammation of the prostate gland in men (called prostatitis) can cause urinary dysfunction, sexual dysfunction, and pain. Acupuncture and Chinese herbs can be used as an adjunct treatment for acute bacterial prostatitis as well as some chronic types. It can also help manage and reduce symptoms of an inflamed prostate that is under observation by your doctor and not in need of medical intervention.
AGING/ANDROPAUSE
Some men experience hormonal fluctuations with age as their levels of testosterone decrease. These can include hot flashes, abnormal sweating, fatigue, anxiety, decreased libido and depression. Acupuncture and Chinese herbs can help manage these symptoms through the regulation of the body’s hormones.
Acupuncture to Treat Prostate Symptoms
BENIGN PROSTATIC HYPERTROPHY
As men age, the prostate gland can swell which may cause discomfort and urinary complications. Most cases do not require medical intervention, but symptoms may decrease the quality of life. Acupuncture and Chinese herbs can be used as a way to manage benign prostatic hypertrophy and slow the progression over time.
SPORTS INJURIES
Healing quickly is crucial for an athlete with an injury. Adding acupuncture to your healing plan can increase recovery time which will get you back in the game faster. Acupuncture can also be used to strengthen and prevent repeat injuries (often the case when patients are asymptomatic).
Acupuncture involves having needles, which are thinner than a human hair, placed at a very shallow depth into the skin. The effectiveness lies in their position. They are precisely placed by your well-trained acupuncturist to open the channel, or meridian, and to balance and free the Chi, or life energy that flows through us all. The meridians are somewhat parallel to your nervous system. Acupuncture can be used to treat the symptoms of an enlarged prostate. To intensify the effect of acupuncture treatments, you can try electro acupuncture. This is where tiny electrodes are attached to the needles, and a low charge of electricity is pulsed through the needles. This is often recommended in the case of enlarged prostates. Don’t worry, though; the needles do not need to place near the troubled spot to be effective.
Chinese Herbal Remedies
Shanghai Chinese Medicine Center also offers herbal remedies that can be quite effective in treating the symptoms of an enlarged prostate. Our acupuncturists are Doctorate in Oriental Medicine and can customize a treatment plan for you that can include effective herbal remedies as well.