Therapeutic effects, TCM classification, and precautions of prostate massage
[Therapeutic Effects of Prostate Massage] Prostate massage is a standard method for treating chronic prostatitis. It has been used clinically for decades and is showing a trend of regaining popularity.
Prostate massage can relieve local congestion, reduce the accumulation of secretions, clear bacteria and debris from the prostate ducts, promote the absorption of drugs and inflammation, and relieve perineal symptoms. It is suitable for those with prostate congestion caused by reduced sexual activity.
The massage pressure should be gradually increased within the patient's tolerance range, generally 2-3 times a week, for more than 2 months.
Specific operating method: The patient assumes the knee-chest position. The operator, wearing a rubber glove, applies lubricating paraffin oil to the index finger of the right hand and gently massages the perianal area before slowly inserting it into the rectum. After locating the prostate, the operator uses the last knuckle of the index finger to press the prostate in the rectal direction from the outside upwards and inwards downwards. Specifically, the operator presses 3-4 times from both sides of the gland towards the midline, and then squeezes out prostatic fluid from the central groove from top to bottom towards the external urethral orifice.
Generally, massage 1-2 times a week.
When massaging, the technique should be "light and slow". Pay attention to asking the patient how they feel. Avoid rough and repeated strong pressure to prevent unnecessary damage. In addition, it is recommended that the patient urinate immediately after the massage so that the inflammatory secretions accumulated in the urethra can be discharged with the urine.
This treatment is designed in consideration of the symptoms of chronic prostatitis, which are mainly caused by the swelling of purulent exudate in the acini and interstitium, making drainage difficult.
Contraindications for this therapy: Massage is contraindicated in patients suspected of having prostate tuberculosis or tumors.
Massage is not suitable for people with prostate atrophy or sclerosis.
Prostate massage is contraindicated during acute exacerbations of chronic prostatitis to avoid spreading the inflammation and even causing sepsis.
[Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment for Chronic Prostatitis] In traditional Chinese medicine, chronic prostatitis falls under the categories of "leukorrhea" and "sperm turbidity".
According to the principles of syndrome differentiation and treatment in Traditional Chinese Medicine, chronic prostatitis is generally classified into five types:
(1) Damp-heat stagnation type: This is mostly the acute exacerbation of chronic prostatitis. The treatment principle is to clear heat and detoxify, and promote diuresis and eliminate turbidity.
If the heat is predominant, then treat with a modified Bazheng San formula.
If dampness is predominant, use Bazheng Powder with the addition of elm bark and winter melon seeds.
If dampness and heat are both predominant, then a modified version of Sanmiao Wan combined with Biyu San can be used for treatment.
Alternatively, Bazheng Heji can be used.
However, the above-mentioned heat-clearing and dampness-removing agents should not be taken for a long time or in large quantities, so as to avoid damaging the spleen and stomach, and injuring yin and body fluids.
(2) Yin deficiency and fire excess type: manifested as frequent masturbation, excessive sexual activity, sore waist and weak legs, general weakness, five-center heat, white discharge at the end of urine, constipation, and short and dark urine.
The treatment principle is to nourish kidney yin.
Liuwei Dihuang Wan (Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Pill) is commonly used with modifications.
(3) Kidney Yang Deficiency Type: Symptoms include frequent urination, urethral discharge, cold limbs, lower abdominal and perineal distending pain and discomfort, cold and damp scrotum, premature ejaculation and seminal emission, dizziness and lightheadedness.
The treatment principle is to warm and tonify kidney yang.
The Gui Fu Ba Wei Wan formula is commonly used with modifications.
(4) Qi stagnation and blood stasis type: This refers to patients with a long course of disease that is difficult to cure.
Symptoms include discomfort and pain in the lower abdomen, perineum, and lumbosacral region, as well as urethral stinging.
The treatment principle is to promote blood circulation, remove blood stasis, regulate qi, and relieve stagnation.
The commonly used formula is Fuyuan Huoxue Decoction, with modifications as needed.
(5) Qi deficiency type: Symptoms include clear and copious urine or frequent urination without pain, white discharge at the end of urine, perineal distending pain, fatigue, lack of energy and reluctance to speak, and poor appetite.
The treatment principle is to replenish the middle energizer and boost qi, and to promote the upward movement of clear qi and the downward movement of
The commonly used formula is Buzhong Yiqi Tang (Supplement the Middle and Benefit the Qi Decoction), with modifications.
[Precautions for Prostatitis] Prostatitis is prone to recurrence. Learning self-care in daily life is key to prevention and treatment.
(1) Drink plenty of water every day.
Highly concentrated urine can irritate the prostate, so drinking plenty of water and urinating frequently helps flush the urethra, allowing prostate secretions to drain and thus helping to prevent infection.
(2) Avoid spicy and irritating foods, quit smoking and drinking, keep bowel movements regular, and reduce factors that may induce prostatitis.
(3) Maintain a regular lifestyle, regular daily routines, and appropriate physical exercise. This helps improve blood circulation, promotes increased secretion of prostatic fluid, dilutes bacterial toxins, helps with drug absorption, and enhances resistance.
(4) Develop the habit of taking a hot sitz bath every night and wear less or no tight underwear, which is beneficial for preventing the recurrence of prostatitis and for its treatment.
(5) Clinical studies show that regular sexual activity 3 or more times a week can alleviate prostate disease, and the best way to empty the prostate is through regular sexual activity. Many middle-aged couples usually gradually lose their sex life, which is very detrimental to prostate health.
(6) Long-term adherence to treatment, along with treatment of other urogenital inflammations, can prevent the recurrence of prostatitis.
[Self-care for prostatitis patients] Prostatitis is a common disease among men. In addition to active treatment, it is very important to pay attention to the following:
(1) Keep warm in cold weather to prevent colds.
(2) Excessive fatigue will deplete the vital energy, and insufficient vital energy will cause weak urination, which can easily lead to urinary retention.
Therefore, patients with prostatitis should avoid overexertion.
(3) Do not hold your urine: Holding your urine will cause the bladder to become overfilled, weaken the bladder detrusor muscle tone, make it difficult to urinate, and easily induce acute urinary retention.
(4) Prolonged sitting can aggravate hemorrhoids and other diseases, and can also cause congestion in the perineum, leading to difficulty in urination.
Therefore, patients with prostatitis should avoid prolonged sitting.
(5) Patients with prostatitis should frequently massage their lower abdomen and press acupoints such as Qihai and Guanyuan below the navel, which is beneficial for the recovery of bladder function.
(6) A good mental state and sufficient sleep are helpful for the recovery of the disease.
(7) If you suffer from urinary tract infection or other infectious diseases, you should seek timely and active treatment.
(8) Avoid wearing tight pants, which is beneficial for both the prevention and treatment of prostatitis.
(9) Eat more meats (pork, beef, rabbit, grass carp, crucian carp, etc.), beans, grains, and various vegetables and fruits that are beneficial to the prostate.
[Chronic prostatitis patients and abstinence] Regular sexual activity is beneficial to health. Patients with chronic prostatitis do not need to abstain from sex, but they should pay attention to moderation in their sexual activity.
Prostatitis is a common disease among young and middle-aged men. The causes are varied, including the invasion of pathogens and microorganisms such as bacteria, blood and lymphatic infections, as well as unrestrained sexual arousal and excessive alcohol consumption in adult men.
When the prostate is inflamed, the prostatic fluid contains many bacteria and inflammatory cells. If sexual activity is not performed, the prostatic fluid accumulates in the acini and cannot be discharged, allowing the bacteria to multiply continuously.
During sexual intercourse, the ejaculation action causes the smooth muscles of the prostate to contract, and the glandular fluid is discharged into the urethra, which can have a better drainage effect than prostate massage.
In addition, if prostatic fluid cannot be discharged for a long time or there is no ejaculation for a long time, adult men will experience a feeling of fullness and a desire to expel the fullness. Sexual impulses before the desire is satisfied will cause penile erection and prostate congestion. Repeated sexual impulses will aggravate the symptoms of chronic prostatitis.
Therefore, patients with chronic prostatitis should maintain a moderate level of sexual activity according to their age and physical condition. They should not have sex too frequently, nor should they abstain from sex. Maintaining a normal frequency of sexual activity is advisable.
[Prevention of Chronic Prostatitis] Since there is no specific treatment for chronic prostatitis and it is prone to recurrence, prevention of this disease should be given high priority. This requires close cooperation between doctors and patients, and the patient's own care is especially important.
(1) For acute urogenital infections, such as acute prostatitis, acute epididymitis, and acute seminal vesiculitis, active and thorough treatment should be given to prevent them from turning into chronic prostatitis.
(2) Regulate sexual life, avoid frequent masturbation, and pay attention to sexual hygiene to prevent excessive congestion of the prostate and infection of the reproductive organs.
(3) Pay attention to daily life, develop good living habits, prevent excessive fatigue, prevent colds, and carry out effective physical exercise.
(4) For patients with cured chronic prostatitis, a hot sitz bath should be taken every night to improve blood circulation in the prostate and prevent recurrence of inflammation.