Alternative Prostatitis Treatments
Medically reviewed by Dr. Paul Song M.D
Article at a Glance
- Alternative chronic prostatitis treatments make up the largest category of drug-free treatment options for CPPS.
- As the most difficult-to-treat category of prostatitis, CPPS usually requires a multimodal approach for success.
- Alternative treatments may treat pain, tension, stress, immunity, and psychological health.
Alternative chronic prostatitis treatments make up a large and important category of drug-free options for treating chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS). As the largest category of prostatitis and the most difficult to treat, CP/CPPS usually requires a multimodal approach for success. That means you will likely need to try as many different alternative treatments as you can (as well as incorporating some of the natural treatments such as supplements and dietary changes) before your symptoms will be managed or completely resolved. You may also employ some of these alternative methods for symptom relief if you are suffering from bacterial prostatitis, but because 90 to 95% of men with prostatitis are diagnosed with CP/CPPS, many of these therapies are geared towards helping men with CP/CPPS.
Alternative chronic prostatitis treatments can help patients in a variety of ways. Some of the treatments simply help with symptom relief, while others target causes such as pelvic tension. Pelvic floor disorders account for about 50% of all cases of CP/CPPS. Certain treatments help relieve pelvic tension whether the cause of the tension is psychological or physical. What draws many men to these alternative treatments is that they are drug-free and do not tend to cause negative side effects or other health problems like some traditional medications. Plus, they can be used in conjunction with natural prostatitis treatments like supplements or even conventional treatment methods.
It is important to understand going in that you will need to be patient with some of these treatments. Many of them are not an overnight solution. A health problem like tension that has had years in the making will not instantly go away, but when you apply patience and persistence and the right training, you may be able to permanently eliminate your source of pelvic pain. There are several types of alternative chronic prostatitis and pelvic pain treatments.
Alternative Pain Relief
Traditional pain medications come with some unwanted side effects and are not meant to be taken long-term; so many men look to more natural and alternative ways to relieve with their CP/CPPS pain. Some of the alternative methods that may work for pain relief include acupuncture, heat therapy, trigger point release therapy, physiotherapy, sitz baths, ice packs, and even using pillows or cushions when you sit to relieve the pain and pressure. Water induced thermotherapy and reflexology are other methods. All of these methods can be used in combination with other treatments, and that combination effect is how most men find success.
Alternative Pelvic Tension Relief
Approximately half of the men with CP/CPPS have pelvic floor disorders or pelvic tension. Many of the causes of tension and the pelvic floor muscle problems originate from issues located outside of the prostate itself and involve the muscles in the pelvic area. Some of these problems have been building over time, and that is why it may take a long time and commitment on your part to resolve the issues.
There are a number of alternative methods for dealing with chronic pelvic tension and the related pain, and patients are recommended to try several methods. Some methods include trigger point release therapy, pelvic floor rehabilitation, and intrapelvic physiotherapy (which are also components of specific programs such as the “NPAT” CPPS treatment program and the Renew XY Health Program for Men), the Wise-Anderson Protocol. Other ways to relieve tension include biofeedback, prostate massage, high frequency stimulation, reflexology, and even stress management techniques. Certain relieving activities and exercises such as meditation, yoga, and tai chi can help as well.
Alternative Psychological Methods
Your mental health and physical health are connected, so sometimes the brain can contribute to pelvic tension. Stress, depression, and anxiety can lead to tension that causes prostatitis, and sometimes these issues can result from having a long-term chronic pain problem like prostatitis. Some men carry their stress in their neck and shoulders, which can lead to tension headaches. Other men may subconsciously tighten their pelvic muscles when stressed, leading to pelvic muscle disorders and feeling as if they have a “headache in the pelvis.” There are a number of alternative treatments that deal with managing stress and emotions. Cognitive behavioral therapy and stress management techniques, such as meditation, can help men learn to relax those pelvic muscles. These therapies can also be used in conjunction with other methods to release pelvic tension (and are recommended to be combined with other types of treatments). Some of the pelvic treatment programs such as the Wise-Anderson Protocol and the Renew XY Health Program for Men incorporate a mental health component into the treatment program. Some men find that exercise helps relieve their stress and tension. Yoga and tai chi are particularly helpful.
Other Alternative Chronic Prostatitis Treatments
There are several other alternative therapies that can help men with CP/CPPS. These treatments involve a holistic approach to managing prostatitis and promoting all-over body wellness. The “NPAT” Treatment Program is a holistic approach to pelvic tension that incorporates natural treatments, phytotherapy (including probiotics) alternative treatments, and total body lifestyle changes. It is important to take a daily probiotics supplement because gut health is connected to prostate and pelvic health. Many people have turned to Ayurvedic medicine for prostate health over the years, whereas other men learn to avoid chemicals that can cause prostatitis. Weight loss helps promote prostate health as well and can be surprising effective at managing prostatitis pain. Homeopathy is an alternative treatment that some men try for prostatitis, as is hormone therapy. It’s also a good idea to avoid chemicals and environmental contaminants that are associated with causing prostatitis.
The important thing to know about employing alternative chronic prostatitis treatments and pelvic pain therapies is that you many need to exercise patients and try several different types of treatments. It is important to keep an open mind. Pelvic tension is unfortunately not going to just go away overnight. But if you are diligent with treatment and remain open to new ideas, you can find relief through alternative and natural methods without subjecting your body to side effects associated with more traditional medicine. If you also choose to use conventional methods, you can incorporate natural and alternative treatments into those treatments as well.