New research concludes that acupuncture reduces prostatitis related pain. The study measured the effects of acupuncture on chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS), also known as chronic prostatitis. CPPS involves prostatitis related pain of the pelvis and/or the perineum (between the anus and the scrotum in men). CPPS is not the type of prostatitis due to a bacterial infection. CPPS tends to wax and wane and the pain intensity level ranges from mild to severe. Post-ejaculatory pain is a textbook symptom of this disorder. There may be associated painful urination, back pain, abdominal pain, muscles aches, rectal pain and/or pain in the penis.

Biochemical Pain Reduction
The study showed that acupuncture reduces CPPS related pain and measured the biochemical mechanisms by which acupuncture achieves this clinical outcome. The researchers noted that, "the levels of Interleukin-8 (IL-8), Interleukin-10 (IL-10) and Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in prostate fluid were detected and the correlation between those changes and [the] pain score was analyzed." The study measured an effective rate of 89.4 percent for pain reduction by means of acupuncture. The study also measured that as acupuncture lowered the pain levels, the levels of the cytokines (IL-8, IL-10 and TNF-alpha) lowered. The study concludes that acupuncture reduces CPPS by reducing these cytokine levels.

The Points
The researchers used the following acupuncture points as primary points to reduce CPPS pain: Zhongji (CV 3), Guilai (ST 29), Yinlingquan (SP 9), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Guanyuan (CV 4), Shuidao(ST 28), Xuehai (SP 10) and Taichong (LR 3). Electroacupuncture stimulation was added to enhance the efficacy of the treatment.

Reference:
Zhongguo Zhen Jiu. 2011 Jan;31(1):11-4. Acupuncture for chronic pelvic pain syndromes (CPPS) and its effect on cytokines in prostatic fluid. Yuan SY, Qin Z, Liu DS, Yin WQ, Zhang ZL, Li SG. Male Department of Zhuhai Branch of Guangdong Provincial TCM Hospital, Zhuhai, China.