Research>Chronic Pelvic Pain with Acupuncture

How to Help Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome - Category III Prostatitis With Acupuncture

Men with Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (CPPS), or Chronic Prostatitis Category III, suffer from pelvic pain, painful, frequent, urgent, or difficult urination, as well as sexual dysfunction. The pain can be intense or dull and is generally located in the between the testicles and anus, in the penis, scrotum, lower back, or the lower abdomen. These symptoms can be severe and affect all aspects of your life, resulting in depression, lost work and educational opportunities, and trouble in relationships. CPPS is the most common form of chronic prostatitis.

What Causes Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome?

The exact cause of Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome is not entirely understood. Prostatitis was originally thought to be caused by inflammation caused by a bacterial infection. But many men have symptoms without an infection.[ii] Some men who have CPPS symptoms do not even have any inflammation. Some physicians believe that CPPS may be caused by referred pain from muscle tightness in the pelvis and back, contracture of smooth muscle such as the bladder, emotional stress, and inflammation after an infection. [ii] Intrapelvic congestion of fluids may also be a factor.[iii]

How can you treat Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome?

Treating CPPS requires a holistic approach addressing that naturally corrects the underlying cause of the pain and distress. Most people find the medications, such as antibiotics or alpha blockers, to be ineffective, and some have troubling side effects. Acupuncture and Chinese medicine provide a holistic approach to healing and are effective treatments to relieve the pain, improve sexual function, and decrease urinary problems, as well as relief depression associated with Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome. Acupuncture is also a natural treatment, so as opposed to many of the medications for CPPS, there are very few side effects.

In fact, Chinese medicine's 2000 years of history could possibly make it the most used treatment for Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome of all time. In one of Chinese medicine's earliest text called Elementary Questions, TCM has described the diagnosis and treatment many syndromes characterized by painful, frequent, and urgent urination with pain and distention of the lower abdomen and pelvis.[i] Of course, this syndrome was not called Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome or Chronic Prostatitis at the time. But the practice of Chinese medicine has shown that those same principles of diagnosis and treatment are effective when applied to the symptoms caused by Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome.

Traditional Chinese Medicine has a holistic approach to diagnosis and treatment, identifying specific imbalances in the body and using acupuncture, Chinese herbs, and acupressure to correct them. Correcting the imbalance does not just treat the symptoms or mask the condition, but rather corrects the root of the problem by encouraging self-healing of the body. Generally, the root cause of painful urination, voiding difficulties, and depression is an imbalance of the body's vital energy, or qi. The two most common imbalances in qi that cause CPPS are when there is too little qi or when the qi circulation becomes impaired. One way acupuncture and Chinese herbs work is by helping to improve the circulation and the amount of qi.

Those with too little qi may experience the symptoms of poor digestion, bloating, loose and sticky stools, fatigue, shortness of breath, sinus headaches, soft voice, a weak pulse, and pale tongue. Qi stagnation, when the qi is not circulating well, can also cause pain. Those with qi stagnation will often get a cold after a stressful or emotional situation. They also may be prone to headaches, irregular bowel movements, ribside pain, irritability, anger, and depression.

What is the Chinese Medicine treatment like for Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome?

Chinese medicine works best as a combination therapy that includes acupuncture, tui na (acupressure), and gua sha (a spoon massage). Chinese herbs are also effective and may be required for certain people. Acupuncture diagnosis and treatment focuses on identifying the specific root imbalance causing the condition and tailoring the treatment for you. During the first visit, I will complete a medical history and an in depth physical examination, which focuses on an examination of acupuncture points and trigger points of the hips and pelvis. This information creates the picture of the specific imbalance causing the problem.

The treatment should decrease pain and urinary complaints, and improvement in sexual function. Many men find rapid relief, within a week or two of beginning the treatment. For others, it may take longer to have an effect. Generally, the pain and other symptoms are gradually lessened. It is like peeling off the layers of an onion until you correct the root cause of the problem. The results are usually long lasting and people find themselves symptom free.

Chronic Prostatitis and Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome Treatment With Acupuncture

Difficult, painful, urgent, and frequent urination, as well as, back pain, pain on the sacrum, discomfort when sitting, or erectile dysfunction are all common symptoms of men with chronic prostatitis and chronic pelvic pain syndrome. Acupuncture physicians have been treating these symptoms for over 2000 years. Even though as many as 35% of men over the age of 50 suffer from chronic prostatitis, few know they can use acupuncture for treatment.

Most Americans tend to think of acupuncture strictly for back, knee pain, and injuries. In fact, acupuncture is a power treatment for many diseases of the prostate including chronic prostatitis, chronic pelvic pain syndrome, and benign prostatic hypertrophy (BHP).

Disease occurs when the body is in disharmony. When imbalances develop in the body, illnesses occur. Once the imbalance is corrected with Acupuncture, the body can heal itself. Often, the imbalance is with the qi, which is often translated as energy in the body. Qi gives us the power to do things, like work and exercise, it also protects us from getting sick. One interesting detail about qi is that it circulates in the body. When it slows down or stops, it can also cause illness.

Traditional Chinese Medicine diagnosis for the acupuncture treatment identifies the specific disharmony by analysing the symptoms such as the presence of pain, cloudy or bloody urination, urinary inhibition, as well as the reduction or increase in urine flow. Also, the practitioner carefully takes the pulse and looks at the tongue, which together reflect the internal state. Generally, prostatitis is generally caused by an imbalance of qi: qi is either not flowing smoothly or there is too little qi.

The acupuncture treatment is individualized to each patient's symptoms. The goal of the treatment is to balance the disharmony and stop pain. For some, this may also include stopping bleeding, smoothing urination, and clearing cloudiness. The treatment achieves this goal by regulating the qi flow throughout the body, particularly the lower abdomen and sacral regions. Acupuncture points for chronic prostatitis and chronic pelvic pain syndrome tend to be on the lower abdomen, lower back, sacrum, and legs. Electroacupuncture and moxibustion may also be used to augment the acupuncture itself. Generally, a treatment course consists of five to ten acupuncture treatments once or twice a week. For chronic prostatitis and chronic pelvic pain syndrome, improvement is gradual but can be long lasting.

A few pilot studies have shown positive results for acupuncture's effect on prostatitis. One pilot study examines acupuncture with electric stimulation on the quality of life of men with chronic prostatitis and chronic pelvic pain syndrome. The treatments were given twice a week for 6 weeks. The participants had an overall improvement in their quality of life, decrease in urinary difficulties, and an increase in urinary function. Another study of chronic pelvic pain syndrome tracked the effect of needling only one point located on the sacrum. The treatment was performed once every week for 4 weeks, and then once a month. After the 5th treatment, the participants showed a reduction of pain and improvement in quality of life. In addition, the ultrasonography showed intravenous congestion decreased from the acupuncture. These studies support the use of acupuncture as a safe and effective complement to standard care.


How to Prevent Prostate Problems and Diseases?

The prostate gland is an essential part of a male's reproductive system. It secretes fluids that aid in the transportation and activation of sperm. The prostate gland is located just in front of the rectum, below the bladder and surrounding the urethra. When there is prostate problem, it is usually very uncomfortable and inconvenient for the patient as his urinary system is directly affected.

The common prostate health problems are prostate infection, enlarged prostate and prostate cancer.

Prostate infection, also known as prostatitis, is the most common prostate-related problem in men younger than 55 years old. Infections of the prostate gland are classified into four types - acute bacterial prostatitis, chronic bacterial prostatitis, chronic abacterial prostatitis and prosttodynia.

Acute bacterial prostatitis is the least common of all types of prostate infection. It is caused by bacteria found in the large intestines or urinary tract. Patients may experience fever, chills, body aches, back pains and urination problems. This condition is treated by using antibiotics or non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to relieve the swelling.

Chronic bacterial prostatitis is a condition associated with a particular defect in the gland and the persistence presence of bacteria in the urinary tract. It can be caused by trauma to the urinary tract or by infections originating from other parts of the body. A patient may experience testicular pain, lower back pains and urination problems. Although it is uncommon, it can be treated by removal of the prostate defect followed by the use antibiotics and NSAIDs to treat the inflammation.

Non-bacterial prostatitis accounts for approximately 90% of all prostatitis cases; however, researchers have not yet to establish the causes of these conditions. Some researchers believe that chronic non-bacterial prostatitis occur because of unknown infectious agents while other believe that intensive exercise and heavy lifting can cause these infections.

Maintaining a Healthy Prostate

To prevent prostate diseases, a proper diet is important. These are some of the things you can do to keep your prostate healthy.

1. Drink sufficient water. Proper hydration is necessary for general health and it will also keep the urinary track clean.

2. Some studies suggest that a few ejaculations per week will help to prevent prostate cancer.

3. Eat red meat in moderation. It has been shown that consuming more than four meals of beef a week will increase the risk of prostate diseases and cancer.

4. Maintain a proper diet with cereals, vegetable and fruits to ensure sufficient intake of nutrients necessary for prostate health.

The most important measure to take to ensure a healthy prostate is to go for regular prostate health screening. If you are forty years old and above, you should go for prostate examination at least once a year.

Top 7 Tips To Treat And Prevent Penile Pain

The very thought of injuring that most precious part of the male anatomy is enough to make most men wince with pain. Fortunately, it does not happen all that often. Yes, injuries can occur on occasion. For example, an erect penis can collide with a woman's pelvic bone during intercourse, causing the fibrous penile tissue to rupture. For the most part, though, penile pain signals an underlying health problem. Among the most common causes of penile pain is Peyronie's disease, in which the fibrous tissue within the penis thickens. While the pain may subside on its own in time, Peyronie's disease should be treated by a physician. Prostatitis, an inflammation of the prostate gland, can also produce penile pain. But there is nothing wrong with the penis itself. Here are some tips that you can consider to adopt to get relief fast.

1. Just Say No

With some conditions, you might need to avoid intercourse completely until you heal. With an abrasion, for example, you do not want to do anything that tugs on the skin. It is recommended to give it a rest. The same goes for Peyronie's disease. Getting an erection will make your pain worse and having intercourse will make it worse still. If you must have sex, be very gentle. The more aggressive you are, the more it is going to hurt.

2. Try Something New

If intercourse aggravates your pain, experiment with different positions. It is recommended to work with your partner to find what is most comfortable for both of you.

3. Stay Warm

Some conditions respond very well to applications of heat. It is recommended draping a heating pad over the top of your penis for 20 minutes, four times a day. Be sure to use thin towel between the heating pad and your penis. Soaking in a sitz bath or a hot tub can also be effective. Ask your doctor whether heat treatments are appropriate for your condition.

4. Get Your Blood Moving

To improve circulation in the groin area and speed healing, apply heat and ice simultaneously. Place a hot pack on your lower back and a cold pack on your abdomen, and leave them on for 10 to 15 minutes. Then reverse the packs for your next treatment, hot in front, cold in back. Repeat the applications four times a day.

5. Pinpoint The Problem

The prospect of using needles to treat penile pain may leave you a bit skittish. But certain acupuncture points in the pelvic region are very effective in relieving the pain in the genitals. To find a qualified acupuncturist in your area, contact the referral service of your local hospital.

6. Opt For An Ointment

For a minor abrasion or irritation of the penis, it is recommended to use a topical ointment. But do not expect it to get better overnight. Your penis gets erect while you sleep, causing the wound to reopen. This prolongs the healing time.

7. Reach For A Pain Reliever

An over-the-counter painkiller may provide some relief. Depending on your degree of discomfort, aspirin or acetaminophen may suffice. If neither works, then try ibuprofen.

Pelvic Pain: The Secret Chronic Pain Condition

Pelvic pain is a widespread chronic pain condition that affects the lives of men and women all across the world. But most people don't realize how big the problem is because those who suffer don't talk about it. Why? Would you talk about your pain if it involved rectal pain or vaginal/penis pain to your pals? My guess is no. You would keep it a secret and just try to "brush it under the rug" so to speak. There are so many people that suffer and just accept their pain which is sad.

But change is coming...

In the past few years, pelvic pain is getting much more recognition. Awareness is beginning to grow and people are coming out and talking. So you may be asking yourself, do I suffer from chronic pelvic pain? In a nutshell, chronic pelvic pain conditions usually consist of urinary pain, rectal pain, muscle spasms or tightness in the pelvic muscles, and usually there is no sign of any major abnormalities. That is what makes the condition so tough, is that there is nothing actually found to be wrong with the sufferer.

Previously, most doctors would prescribe rounds of antibiotics or pain killers to take care of the pain. In most of the cases, there wasn't even any sign of an infection. Doctors would just prescribe what they thought might work. Overtime, this method didn't work. Today, there is a whole new approach to how pelvic pain is treated. One of the popular methods that has had good success is The Pelvic Pain Solution, an ebook written by a sufferer that beat pelvic pain. It is highly recommended if you suffer from chronic pelvic pain. The whole approach focuses on the body and the mind to beat pelvic pain. It is a more holistic approach that doesn't involve antibiotics or other invasive procedures.

Finally, people that suffer from chronic pelvic pain conditions such as prostatitis, vulvodynia, interstitial cystitis, levator ani syndrome, etc. can have hope. The old methods involving pointless procedures (dilations, pain killers, antibiotics, invasive procedures) are about to bite the dust. There is a new turn to a more realistic treatment that puts the sufferer in charge of healing themselves...instead of someone else trying to heal them. This is new breath of fresh air for people with pelvic pain!

Candida Pelvic Pain - What Can You Do About Yeast Infection and Pelvic Pain?

Are you wondering if there is a connection among your candida and pelvic pain? The true is that pelvic pain is a symptom of yeast infection, but it is not the only one. However, if it persists for a long period of time you should consult your doctor and have a test for candida.

Yeast infection have many symptoms. You can count more than 50 symptoms. Some are more dangerous than others for your health, relating the state of the yeast fungus growth in your body. If it is in a chronic state, that means you have chronic yeast infection, you may experience and pelvic pain. Usually, the men experience more than women this pelvic pain.

Women may experience at a point of their life pelvic pain without having any relation with yeast infection. This is one of the reason it is so difficult to diagnose it. However, if you believe it is because of yeast fungus, than you have to treat its root causes. Normal medications will ameliorate your symptoms, but not the root cause of the problem, the yeast fungus.

There are many treatments available for curing recurring yeast infections on the market. From over-the-counter medications, prescription drugs to homeopathic and natural cures for yeast infection. Everyone has its benefits, however they work depending on your condition. This because the yeast can be triggered by different things (Ph imbalance, too much sugar consumption, antibiotics, birth control pills or steroids intake, a poor diet in vitamins and minerals, sexual intercourse, stress, etc.). Also, you must be aware of the side effects these medical treatments have for your health.

If you want a long term solution for curing pelvic pain due to candida than getting rid of yeast from your body is the best thing you can do for your condition.

Pelvic Pain With Yeast Infection is Not to Be Overlooked

How wonderful the human body becomes to us when we think about all the threats that surround it. There are several negative factors that influence the human body, such as bacteria, diseases, or any other thing that could bring about infections. However, if the body is kept in good conditions, it is able to face and overcome these threats.

There is a variety of complications that can happen if the body is not taken care of. Hygiene is essential to keep skin healthy. Otherwise, bacteria obstruct the pores, and result in acne or other problems.

It is extremely important to keep equilibrium between good bacteria and Candida Albicans. If not, it may result in a yeast infection. There are many causes for the loss of balance, such as antibiotics, steroids, or birth control pills, or sexual intercourse. Sexual activity fluids can lead to vagina and vulva yeast infection.

Before the infection gets worse, it is important to recognize the symptoms in order to avoid pelvic pain with yeast infection. A lot of complications can be avoided if this infection is diagnosed early.

Symptoms That Indicate Yeast Infection

There are many symptoms associated with yeast infection, but pelvic pain is not always common of yeast infection. The most common symptoms are itching in the affected area, odor and discharge.

The vagina and vulva are itchy when there is a yeast infection. This is a common symptom that you are having an infection. When this happen, you should take note and see a doctor if necessary.

A common symptom related to this kind of infection is an outpour, which is white, made of little clumps, and very similar to ricotta cheese. The discharge can be yellow or clear, too.

The third and final symptom to look for is odor. The affected area smells like bread or beer in most cases.

How Serious Is Pelvic Pain With Yeast Infection?

The symptoms that have just been mentioned are important, but pelvic pain is the main symptom to worry about. Like in any other case of abnormalities, the person affected must always consult a physician, which is even more necessary if the pelvic pain comes with fever.

The last two factors associated with yeast infection that have just been mentioned show that something is wrong in the body; that is why it is crucial to consult a doctor who will give be able to decide which are the causes of the infection and supply the appropriate treatment.

Do You Know The 17 Different Signs and Symptoms Of Prostate Cancer?

One of the reasons prostate cancer is so common is because it's very difficult to detect in the early stages. Around 50% of sufferers are 75 years of age or older, and often the symptoms are simply put down to old age. Prostate cancer is sometimes called the silent disease, simply because it sneaks up on the sufferer without any obvious warning.

It's a sad fact, but many men don't take the threat of prostate cancer in the manner they should. Perhaps this is because of the embarrassment and joking surround the idea of a prostate examination. Unfortunately, the more advanced the cancer is when it's discovered, the harder it is to cure. Early detection gives a high chance of recovery. Some medical professionals have suggested an annual blood test to determine if prostate cancer is present, but so far this suggestions hasn't met with widespread acceptance.

Some of the most common symptoms of prostate cancer are listed below. It's important to realize that many of these symptoms can be caused by other conditions as well, so the presence of one or more may not indicate prostate cancer. However if you experience these symptoms regularly, it's a good idea to have yourself checked by your doctor, so that he can make an accurate diagnosis of the problem. The symptoms to look for include:

Difficulty commencing urination

Increased frequency of urge to urinate, particularly at night

Feeling like you need to hurry when urinating

Feeling that your bladder isn't empty when you've finished urinating

It takes a long time to finish urinating, with the last part coming out as a dribble

Pain upon urinating

Much weaker urine stream than usual

Painful ejaculations

Urine that contains blood

Pain occurring in the genital area

Difficulty getting or maintaining an erection

Pain isolated in the lower back

Pain in the hip area and pelvic regions

As the disease can progress unnoticed for some time, many men don't recognize they have a problem until they develop more severe symptoms, such as:

An unexplained weight loss

Extreme tiredness or fatigue

Isolated pain in the bones of the back, hips, thighs and neck

Anemia

Another element to be aware of is that prostate cancer may run in families. So if you have a close male relative diagnosed with prostate cancer, such as a brother, then your risk of developing the cancer yourself is three times higher than average. If your brother was still under sixty, then your risk is four times higher. Even if the male relative isn't so closely related, it's possible your risk level is higher, so annual examinations over the age of fifty are a good idea.

It's important to consider the age at which male relatives develop prostate cancer, because if the sufferers are fairly young (i.e. between 50 and 60) then it's highly likely a faulty gene is causing the cancer - and it's also highly likely that you have the same gene. There's no way of testing this, so the only prevention possible is to keep having the prostate gland checked by your doctor, so that at least any problems can be detected as early as possible, which gives you a much better chance of a cure.