Research Update – Acupuncture and Men’s Health

Acupuncture has been studied for chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome, with a sham-controlled trial reporting greater symptom improvement in the acupuncture group. This article separates that specific research finding from its broader discussion of men’s health concerns.

At Balance Art Acupuncture in Vienna, Virginia, patients from Reston, McLean and nearby communities can discuss individualized care for concerns such as back pain and stress. The evidence for a particular symptom or diagnosis should be considered separately.

Acupuncture and Men's Health: Topics Discussed

A 2015 randomized, sham-controlled trial in Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases studied 100 men with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (category III B). Eight weeks after therapy, 92% of the acupuncture group versus 48% of the sham group had a reduction greater than 50% in NIH-CPSI symptom scores. These are study-specific symptom responses, not cure rates or results for every men’s health condition.

Here are 5 of the most prominent issues that men face today.

• Knee and/or lower back pain

• Baldness

• Depression, anxiety, confidence issues

• Prostatitis

• Impotence

• Low libido

• Premature ejaculation

• Infertility

Most issues pertaining particularly to men are related to the Kidneys, and the balance of Yin and Yang within the body. When the Kidney energy becomes weak they cannot support the whole body optimally. When one organ goes out of balance others follow like a domino effect. Yin and/or Yang can become deficient through poor lifestyle choices over a prolonged period of time, and through the ageing process. This is all treatable through acupuncture and the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).

Other patterns afflicting men are blood stagnation and the accumulation of phlegm. Accumulation of phlegm can often come first through suppression of emotion, poor diet and possible drug use over prolonged periods. Phlegm accumulation leading to blockages in the qi flow throughout the system which can lead to Yin and Yang deficiencies and as one advances in age blood stagnation increases.

Mental health is an imperative priority for men, not to be overlooked. As the suppression of psycho-emotional suffering is often at the root of many men’s physical issues. Acupuncturists make listening in the treatment room a main component of the treatment session. Simply being listened to, deeply, on a regular basis is extremely healing in itself. Patients can feel confident that what is shared in the treatment room is confidential.

Knee and/or Lower Back pain:

There have been more studies done on acupuncture for knee and back pain than any other condition. It is what acupuncture is most commonly known for. The beauty of receiving acupuncture from a degree-level trained Chinese Medicine practitioner is that we treat you based on your individual constitution, not just a formula of points like they do in the double blind studies. Treatment focuses on balancing the Kidneys, increasing qi and nourishing your individual constitution.

Baldness:

Baldness can creep in as the energy of the Kidneys declines with age. It can also be contributed to by lack of adequate blood supply to the scalp and hair follicles. Plum blossom needling is an excellent way of stimulating the blood flow to the scalp and re invigorating the hair follicles. This form of treatment may also be more desirable than drugs as this treatment directs the blood flow to one specific area, whereas the side effect of drugs can be additional hair growth in unwanted areas.

Depression, Anxiety and Confidence issues:

The society we were brought up into and conditioned by hasn’t favoured men authentically expressing emotions throughout history. This has led to an epidemic of men’s mental health concerns which are coming to light more and more in the current time. TCM is ancient in its wisdom and has always had the balance of Yin and Yang - feminine and masuline energies - at its core. There is nothing personal about masculine and feminine energies, they are simply manifestations of the one true life-force. Men are predominantly Yang but this does not mean they should not have any Yin, and vice versa. Acupuncture treatment can harmonize these energies internally - nothing to do with becoming more ‘feminine’

Impotence, Low libido, Premature ejaculation, Infertility:

Kidney deficiency is the main cause of all of these symptoms, so acupuncture, herbs and rest - yin time - are the best medicine.

Questions about acupuncture and men's health? Book Appointment Online

This article is educational. Care is individualized, and acupuncture does not replace appropriate medical evaluation or treatment.

Balance Art Acupuncture is located in Vienna, Virginia, and welcomes patients from Reston, Tysons Corner, McLean, Fairfax, Falls Church, Arlington, Great Falls and Chantilly in Northern Virginia, as well as Potomac and Bethesda in Maryland, Washington, DC, and surrounding communities.