Using TCM to treat erectile dysfunction in South Florida
Most people hear the words erectile dysfunction and assume it only happens to men above a certain age. This is not the case. Erectile Dysfunction (ED) happens to men of all ages.
The typical Western medical treatments for ED usually involved medications and hormones. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers an alternative treatment via herbs, acupuncture, and massage therapy. We explain ED issues and how they can be treated by TCM.
Key takeaways:
Traditional Chinese Medicine has been shown to improve erectile dysfunction in men of all ages.
Malfunctioning kidney and liver functions are associated with erectile dysfunction in TCM.
Tai chi, acupuncture, Chinese herbal remedies, and Tui Na are all forms of traditional Chinese Medicine that address erectile dysfunction.
Erectile dysfunction is the inability to keep an erection hard long enough, or at all, to perform. Impotence in men can occur at any age. It is more common after 50 but we have begun to see it more in all ages over 18. It is the most common sex-related problem that men have.
Traditional Chinese Medicine uses natural practices, such as tai chi and acupuncture, to treat health issues. It operates on the belief that the human body has an inner homeostatic system maintained by the Yin and Yang balance. Erectile dysfunction is an imbalance of yin and yang in the body.
This imbalance causes a deficit of qi to the coordinating areas of the body. Health issues crop up when the free flow of qi is interrupted. ED from a TCM perspective is the product of an imbalance in the liver and kidneys. It can have several causes which we will explain.
The causes of erectile dysfunction
The kidneys and the liver are the two critical organs related to ED in TCM. The liver’s role in the body is to store blood, among other things. The kidneys are where we hold our essence. Our essence is responsible for reproduction and our blood is responsible for nourishing us. All of these components of the body must be functioning correctly to obtain an erection.
Impotence has a high likelihood when any of these critical areas are not functioning correctly. There are myriad reasons men suffer from this disorder, including:
Stress and anxiety
Diseases, such as diabetes
Diet
Medication
Mind tricks
Limited or blocked blood flow to the penis
The mechanics of an erection
During an erection, chemicals released in the brain send signals to the phallus to increase blood flow. The blood fills its two chambers, causing an erection. The blood will not stay trapped long enough to achieve an erection, however, if the chambers are not functioning correctly.
An often-overlooked factor in ED is depression. Addressing emotions and what’s happening in the mind plays a big part in reversing this problem. It’s the same principle with anxiety, which often goes hand-in-hand with depression. Fortunately, there are several TCM treatments that can kickstart a firm erection.
Traditional Chinese Medicine for erectile dysfunction
TCM has shown much promise in the treatment of erectile dysfunction. It accomplishes this in several ways, first by addressing your cardiovascular health. This includes both adding more exercise to your regimen and eliminating certain foods from your diet. Other ways TCM can treat ED include:
Tai Chi
Tai chi is a form of TCM that employs gentle stretches and exercises. Tai chi enhances blood flow throughout the body, an essential part of creating an erection. It also encourages relaxation and fights stress, two vital factors in ED.
Chinese herbal medicine
One in five Americans uses a Chinese herbal product to treat an ailment. Herbs like cinnamon, ginseng, and ginger are commonly used in TCM. They are made into teas, tinctures, and poultices to treat erectile dysfunction and myriad other ailments.
Acupuncture
This traditional Chinese medical practice entails piercing the skin with extremely thin needles activated by hand or stimulated with electrical pulses. Studies show that a combination of acupuncture and herbs is effective in treating erectile dysfunction.
Tui Na
Tui Na is a Chinese massage and stretch therapy that focuses on the chakra points along the body. The belief is that Tui Na can break through blockages in the chakra that cause erectile dysfunction. It entails joint manipulation, deep tissue rubbing, compression, pinching, and vibration.
Traditional Chinese Medicine has been helping men conquer erectile dysfunction for centuries. Those using it have reported positive findings in erectile dysfunction reversal, pain management, and general well-being.
Eacuwell can help treat erectile dysfunction in South Florida
Eastern Acupuncture and Wellness (Eacuwell) is a health, well-being, and longevity center in South Florida. We take a holistic, functional approach to erectile dysfunction by addressing the physical and physiological state with a purposeful combination of eastern and western medicinal practices tailored to your specific issue. Reach out for a complimentary consultation with one of our practitioners about using TCM to treat ED.
