Why Should Men Try Acupuncture?
There are many dimensions to men’s health. Acupuncture has been shown to be very effective for such situations as chronic prostatitis as well as support during Western medical treatment for prostate cancer. One of the main concerns that occurs for men is stress level. This may contribute to the higher incidence of heart disease in men. Acupuncture was demonstrated to assist with lowering blood pressure when used in conjunction with blood pressure medication. In addition, and significantly, acupuncture treatment provides relaxation and support for both physical and emotional aspects of life and work stress, thereby reducing the effects of this stress. The Veteran’s Administration has supported the treatment of various health concerns such as mood disorders and depression as well as insomnia and chronic pain with acupuncture. This speaks to the efficacy of these treatments beyond the purely physical components of life.
Men’s Health Issues Acupuncture Helps With
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, acupuncture is reported to alleviate a variety of conditions specifically affecting men, including impotence, male infertility, and prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate gland). Many other conditions known to benefit from acupuncture also tend to be more common in men, including low back pain and Parkinson’s disease.
Keep reading to discover more about other health conditions affecting men that may be alleviated with the addition of acupuncture.
Cardiovascular Disease
Research suggests acupuncture for heart disease and other cardiovascular conditions may help by decreasing stress, inflammation, and high blood pressure (Pimentel et al, 2019). Given the calming and restorative nature of acupuncture, it’s not surprising to hear that the holistic practice may support heart health in men, especially when implemented along with other heart-healthy lifestyle habits such as smoking cessation and exercise.
Lung Cancer
According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 116,300 American men will be diagnosed with lung cancer in 2020. Acupuncture for lung cancer may prove a useful tool for some of these men who will undergo treatments and subsequently deal with unpleasant side effects such as nausea and fatigue.
Depression and Mental Health
Men appear less likely to develop depression than women, but given the stigma of depression and the ill-founded idea that it is a sign of “weakness,” depression can be incredibly debilitating and shame-inducing for some men.
Inviting men to explore holistic practices like acupuncture may circumvent the aversion some may have to seeking treatment (by “getting them in the door,” so to say) and enhance the effects of conventional mental health treatment. We certainly could use stronger evidence to clarify the effectiveness of acupuncture for depression and mental health conditions, but the practice is low-risk and well-tolerated.
Insomnia
Insomnia is a growing health concern that has been linked to an increased risk of chronic conditions ranging from heart disease to cancer. Acupuncture has been shown to be an effective, non-drug method to alleviate insomnia and improve sleep quality (Cao et al, 2009).
Allergies
Studies investigating the effects of acupuncture for allergies or eczema have yielded mixed results, but anecdotally many individuals report significant relief from this traditional practice. One study out of the University Medical Center of Berlin found that acupuncture was more effective at alleviating allergy symptoms compared to “sham” acupuncture or antihistamines medication (Brinkhaus et al, 2013).
Prostate Health
The prostate gland produces seminal fluid and is a key component of men’s reproductive health. Dysfunction of this gland can lead to a variety of issues and symptoms including infertility and urinary problems. Some issues, such as erectile dysfunction, may also result as a side effect of certain treatments used to address prostate conditions.
Research exploring the effect of acupuncture for prostatitis, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and other prostate conditions reveal promising benefits.
Reproductive Health
Around 40 to 50 percent of infertility cases are due to male reproductive issues. Interestingly, some research suggests acupuncture may improve sperm quality in men, suggesting this holistic practice may play a beneficial role for many would-be fathers who are struggling to start a family.
Researchers have also investigated the effects of acupuncture on erectile dysfunction, and many hypothesize that acupuncture may have an indirect benefit by improving markers of cardiovascular health, such as blood pressure.
References
Çevik, Cemal, and Sevgin Özlem Işeri. “The Effect of Acupuncture on High Blood Pressure of Patients Using Antihypertensive Drugs.” Acupuncture & Electro-Therapeutics Research, vol. 38, no. 1, 2013, pp. 1–15., doi:10.3727/036012913×13831831849448.
Chen, Richard, and J.Curtis Nickel. “Acupuncture Ameliorates Symptoms in Men with Chronic Prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome.” Urology, vol. 61, no. 6, 2003, pp. 1156–1159., doi:10.1016/s0090-4295(03)00141-9.
https://muih.edu/the-role-of-acupuncture-in-mens-health/
