Introduction

The purpose of this article is to describe the physical and functional characteristics of the prostate, the pathological condition of prostatitis and prostatodynia and their treatment using both Western and Eastern medical approaches. Western medicine relies on surgery and drugs as treatment, whereas Eastern medicine, particularly Chinese medicine uses herbal medicine and acupuncture.

Western medical science is based on theory and observations about the biological, chemical and atomic structure of the human organism and how these components function. It follows a cause and effect principle which tends to be mechanistic in nature. Traditionally, Western allopathic medicine doesn't accept the idea of a non-quantifiable energy system (e.g. Qi, Pranayama) as being part of the human structure. Though quantum physics and an increasing amount of research in psycho-neurology is presently being done to support this idea, the approach is still not embraced by the existing medical system in North America.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) which includes the practice of acupuncture, along with other complimentary health disciplines, stresses that the human being is a holistic entity. Rather than break it down into smaller and smaller units and particles to try to understand it, TCM focuses on the relationship between the body's main components and the surrounding world. Health is thought to be a proper balance between energy systems and no differentiation is made between the human and the surrounding environment. It is all one thing. Thus, the actual physical structure is not as important as the dynamics that animate it. Acupuncture theory works with the energy balance of the human body and not as much the physical structure.

First, we'll begin with the Western medical view.