Acupuncture for Dad: Natural Solutions for Men’s Health Concerns

June is a significant month for men, as it marks both Men’s Mental Health Month and Father’s Day. Men often face health challenges that can be overlooked or under-addressed. At VUIM Clinic, we are dedicated to supporting the well-being of all individuals by offering care that is inclusive, comprehensive, and tailored to each person's unique bioindividual needs. Keep reading to discover how the ancient practice of acupuncture can provide a natural and effective solution for supporting men’s health and overall vitality. 

Understanding Men’s Health Concerns 

Throughout their life, men are susceptible to a variety of health concerns. Among the most common concerns are prostate cancer, fertility challenges, and mental health conditions. Many men experience persistent stress and fatigue, often stemming from a demanding lifestyle, which can contribute to hormonal imbalances, particularly impacting testosterone levels. 

Around the age of 30 to 40, men typically begin to experience a gradual decline in testosterone production, a natural part of the aging process. Testosterone is a key hormone that influences a wide range of physiological functions, including energy levels, muscle mass, bone density, mood regulation, and libido. As testosterone levels decrease, some men may notice symptoms such as fatigue, reduced strength, weight gain, and decreased libido. While this hormonal shift is normal, maintaining overall health and taking a proactive approach to wellness during this stage of life is essential for sustaining vitality. 

How Acupuncture Supports Men’s Health  

Acupuncture is an ancient practice rooted in East Asian Medicine that involves inserting ultra-fine needles into specific points on the body. This technique balances the flow of energy, or qi, through the body's meridians, helping to release endorphins and promote a deep sense of calm and overall well-being. Acupuncture treats the whole person, not only a specific symptom, supporting the patient with general well-being as well as major health crises. In addition, acupuncture offers a natural, drug-free approach to health with minimal side effects, making it a gentle and non-invasive option that typically does not interfere with daily activities.

How Can Acupuncture Improve Men’s Health? 

Here are some of the key ways acupuncture supports common concerns in men’s health:

Fertility 

It is commonly known that acupuncture can be used to increase fertility in women, but these benefits extend to men, as well. A 2022 study revealed that acupuncture can improve male infertility and regulate the body as a whole. The study also highlighted several key advantages of acupuncture over other treatments, including the absence of significant side effects, minimal adverse reactions, and its relatively low cost, making it a safe and accessible option for many individuals. 

Prostate Health 

Prostatitis gets little press, but it's a common inflammatory condition that accounts for more than two million visits to doctors' offices in the United States every year. Some cases may be caused by bacteria and treated with antibiotics. However, most prostatitis symptoms, such as painful urination, pelvic pain, and sexual dysfunction, have no obvious cause. A 2018 review article showcased that acupuncture is likely to result in a decrease in these symptoms without adding extra health risks. Additionally, a 2021 clinical trial revealed that the symptom reductions from acupuncture are long-lasting. 

Mental Health 

Six million men are affected by depression in the US every single year, but mental health among men often goes untreated as they are less likely to seek treatment. Acupuncture has been proven to be an effective and holistic approach to treating depression and its symptoms. Acupuncture was found to be able to reduce cortisol levels (the body’s stress hormone), downregulating the sympathetic nervous system to shift the body out of fight or flight mode and into a more relaxed and stable state.

In addition to addressing key men’s health concerns, acupuncture has also been shown to support healthy testosterone levels, enhance sleep quality, relieve chronic pain, and aid in injury recovery. Acupuncture encourages men to take a proactive role in their health by addressing imbalances before they become chronic issues. From enhancing circulation and hormonal function to calming the nervous system, acupuncture is a practice that honors the body’s ability to rebalance itself.

Starting Your Wellness Journey with VUIM Clinic 

Contact us today to learn how acupuncture can support your well-being and offer a natural, personalized path to better health. At VUIM Clinic, our team of experienced practitioners will work with you to create a customized treatment plan tailored to your unique needs and wellness goals. Take the first step toward balance, vitality, and long-term care!

References: 

Chatmon B. N. (2020). Males and Mental Health Stigma. American journal of men's health, 14(4), 1557988320949322. https://doi.org/10.1177/1557988320949322

Feng, J., He, H., Wang, Y., Zhang, X., Zhang, X., Zhang, T., Zhu, M., Wu, X., & Zhang, Y. (2022). The efficacy and mechanism of acupuncture in the treatment of male infertility: A literature review. Frontiers in endocrinology, 13, 1009537. https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2022.1009537

Franco, J. V., Turk, T., Jung, J. H., Xiao, Y. T., Iakhno, S., Garrote, V., & Vietto, V. (2018). Non-pharmacological interventions for treating chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome. The Cochrane database of systematic reviews, 5(5), CD012551. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD012551.pub3

Kwon C, Lee B. The effectiveness and safety of acupuncture on suicidal behavior: a systematic review. Healthcare. 2023;11(7):1.

Sun, Y., Liu, Y., Liu, B., Zhou, K., Yue, Z., Zhang, W., Fu, W., Yang, J., Li, N., He, L., Zang, Z., Su, T., Fang, J., Ding, Y., Qin, Z., Song, H., Hu, H., Zhao, H., Mo, Q., Zhou, J., … Liu, Z. (2021). Efficacy of Acupuncture for Chronic Prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome : A Randomized Trial. Annals of internal medicine, 174(10), 1357–1366. https://doi.org/10.7326/M21-1814