Can Chinese medicine enema, sitz bath, acupuncture, and suppositories treat chronic prostatitis?

Author: Gao Zhan, Chief Physician, Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences

Reviewer: Zhang Kai, Chief Physician, Peking University First Hospital

Traditional Chinese medicine is quite effective in treating chronic prostatitis.

In addition to oral decoctions or Chinese patent medicines, Chinese medicine also has many external treatment methods that serve as auxiliary treatments.

Here are some external treatments for chronic prostatitis in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

1. How does Chinese medicine enema treat chronic prostatitis?

Chinese medicine enema is a classic treatment for chronic prostatitis, which has achieved relatively good results. It needs to be done in the hospital and cannot be performed at home.

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Enema has two functions: first, through enema, the medicinal solution can be absorbed in the rectum and directly enter the prostate. The specific prescription also requires the doctor to make a diagnosis and treatment based on the patient's specific situation; second, the temperature of most enema medicinal solutions is relatively suitable, at about 42°C, which does not harm the tissues and plays a therapeutic role through thermal effect.

Patients with chronic nonbacterial prostatitis are more suitable for Chinese medicine enema, because the treatment of chronic nonbacterial prostatitis is symptom-oriented treatment, as long as the symptoms can be relieved, it will be fine.

Chinese medicine enema can not only clear away heat and dampness, promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis, but also has a physical therapeutic effect.

It is not particularly suitable for acute bacterial prostatitis and chronic bacterial prostatitis.

2. Are Chinese medicine sitz baths and fumigation effective in treating chronic prostatitis?

Sitz bath is also a good treatment for chronic prostatitis.

You can use Chinese medicine for sitz baths. Most of them choose aromatic and transparent Chinese medicines, which are easier to absorb, such as angelica root, zelan, etc. You can also use warm water for sitz baths directly, which is also effective.

How to take a sitz bath?

Pour hot water first, then cold water. The water temperature is generally around 42°C. Put the back of your hand in the water and you will feel hot, but not scalding. It is about 42°C. Sit your buttocks in the basin, but do not put your scrotum in it, because there are testicles in the scrotum, which cannot be heated. If heated, it will affect the function of the testicles.

Generally, a sitz bath lasts about 15-20 minutes. You can add hot water in the middle. It can be done 1-2 times a day.

Sitz bath actually utilizes the thermal effect to promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis. After sitz bath, blood circulation can be greatly improved and symptom relief is relatively good.

The effect of Chinese medicine fumigation may not be as good as that of sitz bath, because sitz bath lasts longer, so the effect is better.

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3. Can acupuncture treat chronic prostatitis?

Acupuncture can treat chronic prostatitis. It is relatively advantageous for the treatment of pain syndrome, especially for various pains in the pelvic area caused by chronic prostatitis. No matter it is dull pain, stabbing pain, or lasting pain, acupuncture is effective and worth clinical application. In addition, acupuncture can also improve abnormal urination symptoms.

Acupuncture requires syndrome differentiation and acupoint selection. The doctor will determine how many acupoints to select, whether to use strong or weak stimulation, whether to leave the needle in or not, and how long to leave it in, based on the patient's condition.

4. Can Prostatectomy Suppositories treat chronic prostatitis?

Prostate An suppository is a suppository and is a Chinese patent medicine for external use.

Put on the finger cot, apply lubricating oil and insert it into the anus, so that the liquid medicine can be absorbed in the anal canal and take effect, which can clear away heat and dampness, promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis. It is effective for abnormal urination symptoms such as frequent urination, urgent urination, painful urination and incomplete urination; it also relieves pelvic pain, discomfort in the pubic bone, perineum and lumbar sacral area.