Erectile dysfunction is the inability to maintain an erection to complete satisfying sexual intercourse. Symptoms for ED can include difficulty in getting an erection, maintaining an erection and/or decreased sexual interest.
Chinese medicine teaches that strong and satisfactory erections can be achieved with the aid of acupuncture, herbal remedies, proper diet and health exercises. Where Western medicine focuses on disease, Chinese medicine puts its focus on enhancing health.
In a study that was published in the International Journal of Impotence Research, 64% of the men treated for psychologically induced erectile dysfunction with acupuncture got their sexual vigor back and didn’t need any additional treatments. Oh, and you can feel at ease…the acupuncture points we use at our Minneapolis acupuncture clinic are located on the arms and legs.
What Are The Causes Of Erectile Dysfunction?
The causes of erectile dysfunction (ED) can be due to lack of sleep, stress, age or overwork. Stress is one of the major reasons why some men’s bodies don’t make enough testosterone. The stress hormone cortisol, produced in the adrenal glands, suppresses testosterone. Cortisol and other stress related hormones put us into the sympathetic fight or flight response which blocks sexual function and pleasure.
Antidepressants can reduce sexual function. Chemicals in the environment from the air, water, food, even the containers we store food in can be linked to sexual dysfunction. These factors mimic estrogenic compounds in the body and act as an antagonist to testosterone.
Side Effects Of Prescription Drugs For ED
The drug companies are pushing to market prescription drugs like Viagra for sexual enhancement. But let’s look at the numerous side effects. Pilots are forbidden to take Viagra 12 hours before a flight. It blocks an enzyme in the optic nerve and can cause visual disturbances. Viagra can result in painful, long lasting erections. Viagra can also cause headaches, heart attacks and dependency. Who needs that?
Can Acupuncture Make You Better In Bed?
Chinese medicine has a long history of enhancing sexual performance. In antiquity, the premier Chinese doctors were expected to make the Emperor virile and strong. The emphasis was on longevity.
A 2003 study showed acupuncture to be an effective treatment option for psychogenic erectile dysfunction in more than two-thirds of participants. Acupuncture increases blood flow to the genitals. But this is different than taking prescription drugs. It can take 3 to 5 weeks to see results. If your sexual drive has been waning for some time, then it’s going to take some time to get it back up to snuff. The advantage: this natural method has no side effects.
At our Minneapolis acupuncture clinic we always combine acupuncture treatments, Chinese herbal remedies, dietary therapy and nutritional supplements to improve sexual drive and quality of erections.*
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