Efficacy of TCM External Treatment For Chronic Prostatitis

Chronic prostatitis is a common male disease. Patients mainly show symptoms such as frequent and urgent urination, urinary pain, etc.

Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) holds the belief that prostatitis is caused by a variety of factors such as dampness and heat, phlegm, blood stasis, stagnation of qi and phlegm, etc., and that TCM external treatment is an effective treatment method, including TCM fumigation, TCM sitz baths, sitz medication, external therapy, anal-lifting exercise with licorice drink, enema therapy, and massage therapy.

So what is the therapeutic efficacy that these methods have for chronic prostatitis?

TCM fumigation is a commonly used external treatment method. Its specific procedure is: decoct a herb called Orostachys fimbriatus, take 1000ml of its liquid, and pour it into a basin to fumigate the lower abdomen and pubic area once a day and 30 minutes each time. It is mainly for the treatment of heat strangury. 

And another TCM fumigation is to grind cardamom, sand nuts, pepper and Sichuan pepper 30 grams each into powders and put them into a small cloth bag, simmer in white wine until it gets boiling, then fumigate the glans once a day with the mouth of the bag bound on. The temperature should be within the patient’s tolerance. This method is mainly for treatment of all syndromes of kidney deficiency but cannot be used in the early stage of heat strangury.

TCM sitz bath is conducted sitz bath in a liquid decocted with TCM materials that have the efficacy of clearing heat and regulating qi, invigorating blood circulation and removing blockage. Common materials include Red Vine, Patrinia, trigonum, frankincense, peach kernel, toosendania, hematoxylin, Angelica dahurica and Polygonum cuspidatum. 1 dose per day, 30 minutes each time, with 42 ℃ as the most appropriate liquid temperature. Each dose can be used 2-3 times. 

Patients with damp-heat prostatitis can decoct castor seed and Angelica dahurica 30 grams each together with licorice 5 grams, pour the liquid into a basin and sit in it to have the lower abdomen impregnated. It works to clear heat, promote blood circulation and disperse the accumulation of evils.

Sitz medication is to insert medication, in the form of suppositories, pills, ingots or tablets, into the anus for treating perianal diseases, which is also applicable to treating chronic prostatitis. For example, patients can use a kind of sitz medication called comfrey safflower paste once a day, 3 to 5 grams each time, and 10 times for treatment. This method can apply the drug directly to the affected area, which is highly effective and quick-acting.

External therapy is another kind of TCM external treatment method. It is often applied by using 3 to 6 grams of hyssop, evodia rutaecarpa, melia toosendanin, fennel, cinnamon and other drugs each time to make a paste with white wine. Then apply the paste to the Qugu point (the upper edge of the pubic bone joint), cover it with rheumatic plasters, and change the paste every 3 to 7 days. This method applies to chronic prostatitis.

Anal-lifting exercise with licorice drink is a method to treat chronic prostatitis by anal-lifting exercise and Chinese medicine drink. Exercise can increase the blood supply of the prostate, help the return of venous blood and lymphatic fluid, and contribute to the absorption of prostate inflammation. Licorice drink means grinding raw licorice into a coarse powder, putting 20 grams per day into boiling water, and drinking for 10~20 days generally.

Enema therapy inserts the drugs into the anus or rectum so that the local tissue absorbs the ingredients. Dijincao is often decocted into liquid in this method. 1 dose a day, 30 days for a course of treatment. It has excellent curative effects for patients with chronic prostatitis of downward flow damp-heat.

Massage therapy is a commonly used external treatment method of traditional Chinese medicine, which should be disinfected before use. That means the operator should wear sterile gloves. A prostate massage once a week is conducive to the discharge of inflammatory substances in the prostate, the acceleration of blood circulation, and the absorption of inflammation. However, prostate massage is forbidden for treatment for people with acute prostatitis, acute urethritis, and obvious tenderness and pain.

In summary, TCM external treatment is effective for chronic prostatitis and can help patients relieve their symptoms. However, patients must be under the doctor's guidance when using the external treatment method to avoid adverse reactions.

Recommended Readings:

The Important Significance of Traditional Chinese Massage in Regulating Chronic Prostatitis

Why Are You Anxious and Depressed? Chronic Prostatitis Causes Psychological Symptoms

Suspect Chronic Prostatitis, What Examination Can the Doctor Do?