Acupuncture can be very beneficial for various health concerns that are unique to men. We frequently use acupuncture to support male fertility, either in cases of diagnosed male factor infertility (low sperm count, low motility, or poor sperm quality) and to offer support for those beginning or in the midst of their fertility journey.
There are also numerous ways that acupuncture can help with sports injuries, including but not limited to neck and shoulder pain, back pain, knee and elbow joint problems, bruises and other tissue injuries, and ligament or tendon strain. Whether you have injuries resulting from long-term use, like tennis elbow, or you have a sudden injury causing long or short-term pain, acupuncture is an effective treatment option. At Naturna, we can use acupuncture along with electrostim, moxibustion and/or cupping to help reduce inflammation in the area of pain directly, and reduce tension in secondary areas that may be putting strain on the injured area.
Acupuncture is an effective treatment for men’s health issues such prostate enlargement, andropause, libido, sexual dysfunction/erectile dysfunction, premature hair loss, reproductive and hormonal health. Acupuncture stimulates circulation and improves function of various glands and systems in the body to regulate hormones, assist detoxification and enhance wellness. Acupuncture can also help regulate pain and speed recovery from injuries, surgery or other medical procedures.
Research has shown that after only two weeks (four sessions) of acupuncture, 88% of men had increased sperm counts. This dramatic increase is due to the several different etiologies that acupuncture can target. For each patient, the treatment will be slightly different. For many, the acupuncture used for infertility might include acupuncture points to combat anxiety, inflammation in the genitals, and blood flow to the genitals and other areas relevant to sperm production. This also means working to detoxify from harmful substances and balance hormones that are important for optimal reproductive function.
Here are some conditions we commonly help with:
Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture consider sexual health and sexual functioning to be part of the “kidney system”. If weak or clogged up with toxins or negative emotions, the function will be hampered. According to natural medicine, low libido is linked to emotional distress, hormone imbalances, weight gain or toxins. Acupuncture is a great way to address the route of the issue. It relaxes the mind and increases the release of testosterone to naturally enhance sex drive and libido.
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is defined as the persistent inability to attain and/or maintain an erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual performance. Western medical therapy for ED, has advanced within the last decade through the introduction of various pharmaceuticals and technological advances. Eastern medicines tend to have a more holistic approach and view such conditions as a disruption in the body’s energy balance. Treatments can include acupuncture, herbal remedies and overall nutrition to return to balance. Many patients wanting to take a more active role in their health care, while simultaneously avoiding the potential side effects of pharmaceuticals, may benefit from this approach.
Male factors account for roughly half of all causes of infertility with the main culprit being poor sperm quality, also known as idiopathic oligoasthenoteratozoospermia. Limited research has shown that acupuncture can significantly increase the motility of sperm, as well as sperm concentration without any experienced side effects. Over the past decade male sperm counts have significantly declined, and most of the current research points to two possibilities: lifestyle changes or endocrine-disrupting chemicals in the environment. Possible environmental factors include the presence of oestrogen and anti-androgens in water supplies as a result of common domestic and industrial products. Some lifestyle factors that can reduce sperm count include consuming too many soy products, the increase in the male’s age, diagnosis of diabetes or genitourinary infections, high levels of iodine, increases in scrotal temperature above 93.2 F, and obesity. Acupuncture treatment has been shown to aid in normal-formation of sperm, and increase sperm density.
Chronic prostatitis is a common dysfunction in the male reproductive system, associated with such symptoms as duct obstruction, recurrent urinary tract infections, ejaculatory pain, and potential infertility. Western therapies include anti-inflammatory medications, but these drugs have been associated with some series side effects including gastrointestinal and cardiovascular disorders. Acupuncture has been shown to decrease reports of chronic pelvic pain and increase in overall quality of life with no aversive side effects. Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is the enlargement of the prostate gland associated with aging and is often associated with difficulty urinating. Acupuncture has been shown to significantly decrease patients’ IPSS scores, which are the international prostate symptom score of patients with moderate to severe BPH. The IPSS asked patients questions about their urge to urinate, difficulty either withholding or releasing their urine, and strength of stream, suggesting acupuncture or electro-acupuncture may be an effective treatment to improve BPH symptoms.
For tissue injuries like bruises, muscle pain, and soreness, acupuncture helps not only with immediate pain relief, but also long-term maintenance. Many patients with muscle pain and soreness feel relief during the session, and continue to feel relief of their pain for days after the treatment. For more information about acupuncture for pain relief, click here.
Yes, men experience a version of menopause too. Andropause or the male equivalent to menopause is a collection of symptoms, including fatigue, hot-flashes and decreases in libido. Andropause is most commonly attributed to the gradual decline in testosterone and hormonal ablation therapy for patients with prostate cancer. In studies, Acupuncture has been shown to reduce both the frequency and intensity of hot flashes, resulting in a better quality of life.
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