While not at the top of many men’s lists for the leading ED treatment, acupuncture therapy is a well-documented method to help treat aspects of erectile dysfunction in conjunction with other medical therapies.
For those unfamiliar, acupuncture treatment is a traditional Chinese medicine that involves the use of multiple thin, metallic needles inserted into the skin.
These inserted needles stimulate the body’s energy force—also known as chi or ki—and help re-balance the body’s energy state.
Once the body’s energy reaches that desired equilibrium, it’s believed to positively affect various body processes, including those related to sexual function.
Let’s delve into this ancient traditional Chinese medical therapy and find how it can positively impact erectile function in more detail.
How Does Acupuncture Work?
As previously mentioned, acupuncture uses needles to restore and recalibrate the body’s chi, or life force.
If the body’s life force or chi is disrupted, this can cause a plethora of nasty symptoms and illnesses. This includes headaches, surgical pain, and cramps, among other things.
The placement of the needles is crucial in promoting the flow of energy, and thus the correcting of these negative symptoms. Practitioners use their knowledge of meridian maps alongside the patient’s clinical diagnosis to place the needles most effectively.
The frequency and duration of the treatment varies depending on symptoms.
That said, for people with erectile dysfunction, a study has shown that acupuncture treatment typically lasts for 20 minutes, is conducted 1 to 2 times weekly, and spans between 5 to 20 sessions, with 20 sessions being the maximum number of treatments a person can get.
Health Benefits of Acupuncture
Acupuncture comes with a slew of benefits, and its range of healing effects stretches far beyond curing random bodily pains.
Here are some of the overall and sexual benefits of acupuncture:
- Promotes relaxation
- Enhances blood flow
- Mitigates pain
- Supports immune function
- Improves sleep quality
- Aids digestive health
- Boosts mental clarity
- Enhances natural healing
- Alleviates headaches
While acupuncture does provide benefits in these realms, always consult with a healthcare professional regarding this treatment’s efficacy and safety. Specific medical conditions would need more clinical interventions to help patients rise above their conditions.
Sexual Benefits of Acupuncture
Acupuncture is also incredibly beneficial for men with erectile dysfunction, thanks to its benefits in improving both mental and physical health.
Here are the sexual benefits of acupuncture in more detail:
1. Reduces stress
Stress is a major causative factor of erectile dysfunction. When the body is stressed, it releases an excessive amount of stress hormones called cortisol.
When the body chronically undergoes cycles of stress, it can erode the inner lining of the blood vessels, obstructing healthy blood flow from entering the organs and tissues around the body, including the penis.
An erection needs healthy blood flow to form. If you feel stressed in your everyday life, acupuncture helps stimulate the production of feel-good hormones and reduces the production of cortisol, making it an ideal way to prevent inner lining damage caused by stress.
And, of course, sex is more enjoyable if you don’t have a big stressor looming behind you.
2. Enhances blood flow
Besides preventing the slow erosion of the blood vessels, acupuncture also improves blood flow in general.
According to a published study, the skin produces more nitric oxide when there’s a high amount of acupoints in the body.
Nitric oxide is necessary for releasing the tension in muscles and joints. This helps men with ED in particular by opening up the erectile chambers and increasing the inward flow of blood coming in, thus leading to healthier erections.
3. Balances hormonal issues
If your testosterone levels are too high or too low, then it can likely lead to problems in your sexual health and overall function—with one likely outcome being erectile dysfunction.
In one 2022 study, acupuncture has been proven to be effective in increasing androgen levels in infertile men.
Besides testosterone, acupuncture also helps balance a slew of hormones on the female side of the spectrum, including estradiol, progesterone, and prolactin.
When these hormones are balanced, the chances of you facing libido problems and other fertility issues drop significantly.
4. Improves mood and mental clarity
If you’re suffering from mental disorders like anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem, undergoing acupuncture treatment can help you overcome these conditions.
Firstly, psychological ED caused by performance anxiety can be calmed through acupuncture. This can make you feel more present in the sexual moment and help you overcome psychologically-induced erectile dysfunction.
Depressive symptoms—which have underlying effects on erectile performance—also get reduced by a moderate amount following acupuncture treatment.
The treatment of these cognitive and mental health issues can give rise to a better mental state conducive to not just sexual intercourse, but also for a better way of living overall.
Other Ways to Improve Erectile Dysfunction
Acupuncture is a potent alternative medicine that can benefit ED patients.
That said, treatment of erectile dysfunction can come in various forms and methods, and while acupuncture is potent, it’s not by any means the only option available.
Here are other alternative and natural ways that you can explore to reduce the symptoms of ED:
- Take herbal remedies like ginseng or Yohimbe
- Perform pelvic floor muscles regularly
- Undergo relationship therapy
- Take supplements like L-arginine
- Eat a hormone-healthy diet
- Sleep at least 7 hours a night
- Avoid vices like alcohol and drugs
- Exercise regularly
In addition to considering these natural treatments or making changes to existing treatment plans, consult with a trusted healthcare professional who specializes in erectile dysfunction for proper medical guidance.
Boost Your Sexual Performance With Jacksonville, Florida’s Best Male Sexual Dysfunction Specialists
Using acupuncture for ED may serve as a good holistic method to help improve your sexual condition. That said, it’s not the only option you can opt for to treat ED.
Besides acupuncture treatments, you can also opt for other forms of treatment through established clinics like Prime Men’s Medical Center in Jacksonville. These facilities provide treatment plans that include ED treatment, PE treatment, RestoreWave therapy, Andropause therapy, as well as several other treatments to help improve men’s health and vitality long term.
Need medical assistance? Our expert doctors will help diagnose and put you on the right path to recovery.
Don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with us today, your initial consultation and first treatment are completely free.
