Diseases of the Prostate

Prostatitis and swollen prostate are a common diseases, some report claim that almost all men around the world will experience some form of prostatitis within their lifetime. Swollen prostate is even more common, some people say that ever man over 60 will have an enlarged prostate. Mostly, older men are effected by these conditions, however it can happen at any age.

Recently a few patients have been coming into to seek acupuncture from Dr. Chan. Their primary complaint is urinary difficultly, painful urination, dripping urination, back pain, and some report impotence. Interestingly, Dr. Chan's patients are a wide range of ages, one man was even in his 20's, the others range from 30's- 80's, with most in their 50's and 60's. One patient is 88 years old, however his promary complaint is memory loss in addition to urinary complaints. None of these men have acute prostatitis, which would probably be treated with antibiotics and herbs. Some of the men mentioned previous infections, however the others deny ever experiencing an infection.

Acupuncture treatment for prostatitis is not different from the treatment of an enlarged prostate. The treatment alternate between front and back. The front treatment is Sp6, Sp 8, Sp 9, Ren 2, 3, 4, St 28, and Kid 12 and the back treatment includes UB 54, 23, 20, 18, 17. Local warming needle can be added on Ren points and UB 23 on the back treatment. After a few weeks of treatment, 2 patients report feeling much better and can currently urinate without much difficulty. The elderly gentleman with poor memory is treated with Du 20, Si shen cong, St 36, in addition to the above points. He does not recieve bak treatments as it is difficult for him to lie on his stomach.

Another patient also complains of cold pain on the right side of the body in his joints. This is an complaint that I have only seen in China. Perhaps this is a specific description of a pain that people experience in other places, but it is remarkable how many patients here described it in exactly the same manner. For this patient, Du 20, si shen cong are added, as well as UB 57, and Ub 60. Warning needle is used on Ren points, UB 23, and UB 57 for the pain and urinary problems. Also, interestingly, warming needle has been done, with care, on Du 20. He reports feeling much better after 2 weeks of treatment, urination is improved as well as joint pain is much less.