Acupuncture Continuing Education

Acupuncture Education & Treatment Strategy for Prostatitis

Acupuncture CEUs OnlineAcupuncture for ProstateResearchers have published clinical strategies for acupuncture in the study and treatment of nonbacterial prostatitis. Professors from the Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine (Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital) note that chronic nonbacterial prostatitis (CNP) responds to acupuncture treatment as demonstrated in modern research.1 The publication outlines the underlying theory, treatment principles and optimal acupuncture points for the treatment of CNP.

The professors note that chronic nonbacterial prostatitis involves Kidney deficiency, damp-heat and Blood stasis. Of note, the Kidney, Bladder, Triple Burner, Liver, Spleen and Lung Zang-Fu organs are important in the treatment of prostatitis. From a channel perspective, the researchers note that the Conception Vessel (Ren Mai), Thoroughfare Vessel (Chong Mai), Governing Vessel (Du Mai), Kidney channel, Bladder channel and Liver channel are closely related to prostatitis. They note several common treatment principles used in the treatment of CNP: eliminate blood stasis, clear heat, expel dampness, soothe Liver Qi, unblock collaterals and meridians. They cite several application methods that have significant clinical efficacy: electroacupuncture, laser acupoint irradiation, warm needling acupuncture, moxibustion, herbal injections. Acupuncture points Guanyuan (CV4), Zhongji (CV3), Qugu (CV2), Ciliao (UB32), Yinlingquan (SP9), Sanyinjiao (SP6), Taichong (LR3), Taixi (KI3), and Zhibian (BL54) are noted as both important and ubiquitous in the treatment of CNP. The professors emphasize the arrival of de qi at the acupuncture points with conduction of sensation to the lower abdomen and perineum as important components of the treatment procedure. Acupuncture points (HT7), Sishenchong (EX-HN1) and Neiguan (PC6) are recommended for the treatment of the psychological side effects associated with CNP.

Reference:
1. Meng YB, Wu XF. Clinical and experimental research advance in acupuncture treatment of chronic prostatitis[J]. Zhongguo Zhong Yi Ji Chu Yi Xue Za Zhi, 2009, 15(3) : 240-241.
2. Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Xue Bao. 2012 Mar;10(3):293-7. Study strategies for acupuncture treatment of chronic nonbacterial prostatitis. Yang ZX, Chen PD, Yu HB, Pi M, Luo WS, Zhuo YY.