Acupuncture and Herbs for Prostate and Urinary Concerns
Chinese Medicine describes aging as a loss of fire. Imagine what was once a raging bonfire in your teens and twenties is settling into a pile of slow-burning embers in your 50’s and beyond. The term “Kidney yang qi” is used to describe this essential fire that waxes and wanes within the body over time. As men age and the Kidney Yang qi becomes depleted, the most prevalent symptoms men begin experiencing are genito-urinary, ranging from Erectile Dysfunction (ED) to Benign Prostatic Hyperpasia (BPH).
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) is the enlargement of the prostate gland and more than half of all men over 60 and nearly all men over 80 will have some symptoms of BPH. The main symptoms of BPH include frequent or urgent need to urinate, difficulty starting urination, weak urine stream or a stream that stops and starts, increased frequency of urination at night (nocturia), dribbling at the end of urination, and inability to completely empty the bladder.
Many studies have shown that acupuncture can significantly improve symptoms of BPH. There are many acupuncture points that are specifically targeted for urinary symptoms and can not only help BPH but also a variety of other common symptoms such as incontinence in women and overactive bladder in both children and adults.
In addition to acupuncture, the Chinese Herbal pharmacy has many formulas that can help treat the symptoms of BPH, Erectile Dysfunction and other urinary disorders. Our most used formulas are:
Ji Sheng Shen Qi Wan – this formula promotes smooth flow of urination and reduces edema as it warms the Kidney Yang.
Sang Piao Xiao San – this formula has significant benefits for incontinence and frequent urination. In Chinese Medicine terms, it works to balance the fire and water in the body.
If you or a loved one are suffering from any of these common bladder symptoms, reach out to us! We’re always here to help!
PLoS One. 2017; 12(4): e0174586.Published online 2017 Apr 4. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0174586 Acupuncture for benign prostatic hyperplasia: A systematic review and meta-analysis Wei Zhang, Liyan Ma, Brent A. Bauer, Zhishun Liu, and Yao Lu