WHAT DO MEN WANT?

Better sex?  Longer life?  Less stress?  More sleep?

I don't know but I'm sure that like women it depends on the guy and what makes them feel good.  What I do know is that acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine can help with it all.

Let's talk about sex.

First it is an important component to overall health according to TCM philosophy.  Too little or too much sex can cause imbalances in the body and lead to certain conditions over time.  A common example is excessive sexual activity uses up Kidney energy.  The Kidney organ system is related to the low back and knees therefore if you are experiencing pain in these areas  don't be surprised if your TCM doctor asks you about your sexual activity.

A recent study shows that an active sex life has the following health benefits improved cardiovascular health, less depression, less prostrate problems and improved metabolism.  Not bad for an activity that can be for pure pleasure.

Unless one suffers from low libido or erectile dysfunction then sex may cause more stress than it alleviates.  Chinese medicine views dysfunction of the male sex organs as an imbalance in the Kidney organ system most commonly it is a deficiency of the Kidney Yang Qi, sometimes referred to as the ming men fire.  This is often treated with acupuncture to "stoke the fire" as it were or herbs that will strengthen the Kidney Yang energy.  Ideally an individual formula will be prescribed to address the individual's diagnosis.

Men's Health magazine has an online article discussing 5 benefits of acupuncture, which include treating neck and back pain, sports injuries, gastrointestinal issues plus anxiety and depression.

Addressing health concerns as they arise is key to a long healthy life, which may explain why men's life expectancy is increasing according to a recent article in the Globe and Mail.  TCM principles of longevity apply to everyone but change as one ages.  Ideally a person is living in harmony within their environment, following seasonal changes with activity and diet as well as striving for a balance between work and rest.    Work can refer to one's job or physical activity.

Sleep is one aspect of rest and an important one at that since it is the time when the body rejuvenates.  Good quality sleep can increase life expectancy and alleviate stress.  Chinese medicine can provide solutions to sleep problems through herbs or acupuncture.  Acupuncture allows the body to enter into a deep relaxed state which calms and regulates the nervous system.  Many people actually get caught up on lost hours during acupuncture where it is easy for them to enter a deep restful sleep.  Herbs can help with insomnia or frequent waking however they differ from pharmaceuticals in the way they work.  Sleeping medication is often used as a quick fix unfortunately it can be easy to rely on them as the body loses it's ability to recognize sleep signals.    Herbal formulas on the other hand work well when taken consistently to regulate the organ systems that are out of balance.

As always it is recommended that you see a registered Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine (DrTCM) or licenced practitioner to obtain a proper diagnosis before starting any treatment.

Mo' Men's Health

In the spirit of Movember I am focusing on men's health this month.  Movember has been great at creating  prostate cancer awareness, which is one of the top 5 causes of death for men.  The other four, heart disease, stroke, suicide and lung cancer, are all preventable diseases and treatable if found early.  Other common conditions are diabetes, liver disease, erectile dysfunction, kidney stones, urinary urgency/frequency and hair loss.  

Women typically live longer than men, however that gap is closing as more men are taking an interest in their health by eating healthier, exercising, stopping smoking and getting regular check-ups.

Over the next month I'll be posting links to recent studies in men's health as well as articles on how acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine can treat or prevent some common conditions.  The only thing I won't be doing create awareness of men's health is sporting a moustache.

If you have any specific questions related to your health or someone you know please email info@meridianflow.ca