Author: Ke Li (Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University)
When pharmacotherapy is not apparently effective, physicians often consider adjuvant therapy that may help improve symptoms and improve the efficacy of medication or surgery [1][2].
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1. Physical therapy mainly includes the following[1]
· Hyperthermia.
· Prostate massage.
2. Application of hyperthermia
Hyperthermia can be used as one of the adjunctive treatments for chronic prostatitis and can be stopped when symptoms are completely relieved. Hyperthermia is not suitable for those with fertility needs, because hyperthermia may cause some damage to prostate tissue cells and affect the activity of prostatic fluid.
3. How to do it
There are two main methods:
· The treatment is carried out using specific instruments and operated by a doctor. It is mainly used by the thermal action of various physical methods such as sound and light to promote the uniform increase of temperature in the prostate glands, the expansion of blood vessels, the acceleration of blood flow, and the improvement of blood circulation [1].
· Sitz bath therapy, which can be tried at home. Prepare water at about 40 degrees Celsius and put your hands in without feeling hot, about half a basin. Each sitz bath for 10 to 30 minutes, when the water temperature decreases, pay attention to adding an appropriate amount of hot water, so that the water is maintained at a constant temperature of about 40 degrees, 1 to 2 times a week.
4. Therapeutic effect
· Hyperthermia can speed up the excretion of local metabolites and metabolic waste products (commonly known as toxins), enhance the bactericidal effect of antibiotics, promote the resolution of inflammation, eliminate tissue edema, relieve spasm of pelvic floor muscles, and relieve discomfort symptoms.
· Some patients are effective in improving symptoms with hyperthermia. Sitz bath therapy does not require the help of any medical equipment, and can be operated by patients at home, and is an effective treatment method at home that is worth promoting.
5. Prostate massage applicable
It is contraindicated in patients with acute prostatitis because mechanical stimulation may spread bacteria to healthy prostate tissue, allowing inflammation to spread and may worsen the condition [2].
When the symptoms are completely relieved, prostate massage can be stopped.
6. How to do it
Prostate massage is divided into the following two types according to whether there is assistance from others:
Doctor massage. After the patient has a bowel movement, the doctor uses drugs to clean the anus and lower rectum, and then the patient lies on his side. After the doctor touches the prostate with his index finger along the anus, he gently presses the prostate in order from the outside up, inward, and downward, and the patient usually has no discomfort. The patient should cooperate with the doctor to perform lifting movements so that the prostate fluid is discharged from the urethral opening and urinate immediately.
Self-massage. After the patient has stool, clean the anus and lower rectum with drugs, squat or lie on his side, bend the body, use his middle finger or index finger or prostate massager to reach into the anus, and when the chestnut-like structure is touched in front, press the prostate, in the same way as the doctor's massage. Massage for 3 to 5 minutes each time, preferably after each massage to see prostatic fluid draining from the urethra. Be sure to massage with gentle force, and lubricate the finger sleeves with soap before massage to reduce discomfort. There is at least 3 days between massage treatments.
7. Therapeutic effect
Clinically, prostate massage is a traditional and practical adjuvant treatment for alleviating symptoms of the lower urinary tract such as urinary frequency and urgency, which is easy for patients to accept and master.
bibliography
Zhang Minjian, Bin Bin, Shang Xuejun, et al. Expert consensus on the diagnosis and treatment of chronic prostatitis in combination of traditional Chinese and Western medicine. Andrology Committee of Chinese Association of Integrative Medicine. Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine.2015,35(8):933-940.
Guidelines for the treatment of prostatitis. Urology Branch of Chinese Medical Association (CUA).2011.
*The content of this article is a popularization of health knowledge and cannot be used as a specific diagnosis and treatment recommendation, nor is it a substitute for face-to-face consultation by a practicing physician, for reference only.
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