Giving your Prostate the Finger

Giving your Prostate the Finger By Erik Johnson L.Ac. MSTCM, BD, DNM The prostate’s name origin comes from Greece, where it is roughly translated as “the one that stands before” or the “protector”. This important organ in male reproductive health plays a vital role in the controlled release of urine and in the assistance of producing an alkaline substance that aids in the health of seminal fluid. As the name implies, this organ is a fundamental piece in male reproduction and daily health. Today, it is estimated that by the age of 80 over 90% of men will experience some sort of disorder with his prostate gland in the form of benign prostatic hyperplasia, prostatitis, and/or prostate cancer. Unfortunately, there is not a known cure for these prostate related disorders and current treatment plans are only used to minimize common symptoms. If left untreated, these disorders can lead to further complications such as: bladder stones, bladder infections, and urinary retention issues, which could require additional medical treatments or procedures.The biological mechanism of the various prostate disorders is still widely debated. Treatment options are only limited to mitigating symptomatic representations, and often these western medical treatment options come with unwanted side effects. However, new research is being done to show that that “alternative” therapy options such as acupuncture and Chinese medicine can be effective mono therapies or adjunct therapies to western medicine as it relates to prostate health in males. Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Out of all the prostate related disorders, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is the most common urological condition caused by the non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland as men...