Around 60 percent of men over the age of 45 have an enlarged prostate. The symptoms of this problem are multifaceted and symptom relief is sometimes difficult to achieve with conventional forms of therapy.
Osteopathy is widely recognised for its success in treating patients with low back pain, but may also be effective for patients with a variety of other symptoms/conditions including prostatitis. The condition may benefit from osteopathic manipulative therapy as prostate disorders relate to dysfunction of other parts of the body. The technique may help improve the lymph and blood drainage of the area, and increase the circulation to the prostate.
Local Registered Osteopath, Paul Clusker, comments “I recall treating a local company director in his early 40s who had been diagnosed with chronic nonbacterial prostatitis whose symptoms were poorly controlled with prescribed medication. After his second osteopathic treatment this patient reported his symptoms as having reduced considerably and after a further two treatments. The patient remains symptom free after more than four years”.
Researchers in Germany have investigated whether osteopathic treatment can influence the symptoms of prostatitis. A total of 35 males aged 29-70 years old took part in the study. Of the patients 20 were allocated to the treatment group and 15 to the placebo group. Patients in the treatment group received 5 osteopathic treatment sessions. The placebo treatment in the control group consisted of a training program with simple exercises.
Comparison of the results from the osteopathy and placebo groups revealed a decrease in the severity of symptoms of the osteopathy group. In contrast the corresponding values in the placebo group remained relatively constant.
Local Osteopath, Paul Clusker, supports the positive results of this study. Paul says “although this is a single study with a small cohort it is none the less encouraging to see an apparent treatment effect for osteopathic treatment in the context of chronic prostate problems. It supports anecdotal reports from many osteopaths reporting similar apparent responses to osteopathic treatment. Hopefully this recent German research will be replicated before too long”.
For more information call Paul Clusker at the Backcare and Acupuncture Clinic on 07973908933.
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