Preventing Prostate Pain

Prostatitis is the swelling of a man’s prostate gland often due to an underlying bacterial infection, a challenged immune system, residual result of a sexual transmitted disease, injury or a physical anomaly. It sometimes presents as constant and/or painful urination, impeded urination, testicular pain, rectal pain or no symptom at all. Although at times an uncomfortable, and sometimes embarrassing affliction it can be treated in several different ways.

Whether bacterial or not, antibiotics and/or anti-inflammatory medicine are commonly used to remove the bacteria and reduce swelling. Side effects of these drugs can be minimal to extensive resulting in possible diarrhea, constipation, headaches, groin discomfort and more. It can be a lengthy dosage, sometimes lasting as long as a month to three months or even more. This is due, in most part, to its unique and intricate location which receives limited blood flow making it difficult to administer the needed dosage of drugs to take affect. Because of this, very high quantities of medicine are prescribed that can be taxing on other organs such as the liver and kidneys. The prostate sits just above the perineum which is between the attachments of the upper middle legs. Inside the body it is placed at the base of the bladder between the urethra and rectum. Recurring infection and swelling are prominent even after several dosages causing some men to suffer with prostatitis for many years.

The function of the prostate, which is an exocrine gland, is to produce and release a milky white alkaline solution mixed with spermatozoa and seminal fluid to reduce acidity in the vaginal tract and extend sperm life. It is often described as the size of a walnut but in actuality it can be compared to the size of a kiwifruit. A doctor can check if the gland is swollen by performing a DRE (digital rectal exam). Also during this procedure a doctor will look for rough patches on the otherwise smooth surface of the prostate to determine a possible abnormality that can sometimes indicate possible cancer cell growth.

Using naturopathic medicine, prostatitis and the maintenance of a healthy prostate can be achieved, restoring balance and homeostasis from within. Trained in a number of healing modalities, a naturopathic doctor’s method in treating acute prostatis can involve several approaches. For an enlarged non-bacterial infected case, homeopathy is one useful remedy. This is a ‘like cures like’ philosophy that uses the vibration of plant, animal or mineral specially prepared into liquid or sublingual pellets. A naturopathic doctor finds one of these remedies that mimic each individual’s symptoms of prostatitis with the hopes of ‘burning it out’.

Some homeopathic remedy choices are:

• Thuja occidentalis (anti-viral and anti-fungal properties)
• Arnica (for swelling)
• Chimaphilla umbellate (for urination retention)
• Apis mellifica (for burning during urination)

A diet rich in zinc, selenium, quercetin and folic acid may be recommended involving such foods as pumpkin seeds, cranberries, flaxseed, cold water fish, green tea and figs. Bee pollen, also considered a food, is reported as maintaining a healthy prostate due to its high amino acid content. These are the crumbs of clumped up pollen that drop off the bee’s legs upon re-entering the hive. Bee pollen, sometimes referred to as flower pollen, is taken in granular or capsule form.

Bacterial prostatitis requires a deeper view into environmental influence, immune challenges such as stress and your past history that may involve other organs. Specific acupuncture points have been successful for increasing energy and blood flow to the prostate plus additional causal areas, bringing deep healing to both bacterial and non-bacterial prostatitis.

Specific meridian points which can often start on the ear and continue on the body include:

• Kidney tonification – Stomach 36 (side of lower leg just below the knee), Kidney 3 (inside rear foot above the ankle bone) and Spleen 6 (lower back leg).
• Improving blood circulation and removal of blood stasis – Liver 2 (top of the foot between the 1st and 2nd toes) and Stomach 25 (lateral to the belly button).

The conclusion of a 2007 pilot study cited in the Chinese Medicine Journal states, “The preliminary findings of this pilot study suggest a significant and safe treatment effect by acupuncture as measured by a validated questionnaire, for pain and lower urinary tract symptoms experienced by men with CP/CPPS (chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome)”.

Western herbs that can help with their anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties may involve the combination of:

• Echinacea and goldenseal (goldenseal should only be taken in two week increments as it can deplete some colon flora if over prescribed – another reason to seek a professional naturopathic doctor).
• Bearberry a/k/a Arctostaphylos uva ursi, helps work as an antiseptic diuretic which flushes free radical bacteria from the urinary tract.
• Saw Palmetto is a popular herbal approach that seems to have found its way into drinks and energy bars. However, using a naturopathic doctor who can precisely gauge a personalized dosage of herbs may be highly beneficial to the speed and success of your affliction.
• Essiac, an herbal remedy believed to have been received from an Ojibwa Indian woman by a Canadian nurse named Rene Caisse (Caisse is essiac spelled backwards). It is the combination of slippery elm bark, sheep sorrel, turkey rhubarb root and burdock root steeped into a tea. According to a study cited by the AANP (The American Association of Naturopathic Physicians), essaic has shown significant antioxidant activity, immunomodulatory effect and cytotoxicity towards prostate adenocarcinoma cells.

Finally there is the use of CCM (Classic Chinese Medicine) which approaches prostatitis as a damp heat affliction mainly affecting the kidney and/or spleen. Herbs used to tonify and strengthen these organs may be prescribed either in capsule or a dry herb packet boiled into a tea.

Prevent or take control of your prostate pain and schedule your naturopathic or acupuncture appointment with Dr. Fred Lisanti of Integrative Med Solutions (IMS). It’s with the intention of inspiration and integrity that our highly trained doctor creates customized health plans that synergize the best of healing arts with contemporary natural medical science. IMS is located in Eastchester, Westchester County, New York with close proximity to New York City (close to the Metro North railroad Tuckahoe stop), Southern Connecticut, and parts of New Jersey. Please call us at 914.337.2980 to make an appointment or feel free to email appointment queries.