(Key for symbols used: "+" = Reinforcing; "-" = Reducing; "+/-" = Neutral; "^" = Moxibustion)

Hyperplasia of the prostate is a common problem of older men, and is also a common cause of such disorders as retention of urine, urinary tract infection, and uremia. Its cause is mainly related to repeated infection of the prostate, especially due to sexually transmitted disease, and hormonal changes that occur as men get older, similar to the menopausal changes that occur in women. It is clinically characterized in the initial stage by frequent urination, more severe at night and worsening over time. As the condition develops, difficulty in urination, weak urinary stream, urinary stuttering, or interrupted urination may occur. In the advanced stage, there may be acute urinary retention or incontinence. According to TCM, hyperplasia of the prostate is classified into Lin Zheng or Lin Syndrome (stranguria), and it is caused by deficiency of the kidney qi and accumulation of damp-heat in the lower Jiao. The combination of deficient antipathogenic qi and excessive pathogens results in the protracted course of the disease.

Hyperplasia of the prostate is usually divided into two types---damp-heat and deficient cold. Points on the Urinary Bladder, Spleen, Liver, and Ren Meridians are frequently selected in its treatment.

Manifestations: Frequent urination with burning sensation, difficulty and pain on urination, hematuria, or even retention of urine.

Tongue: Red tongue with yellow and sticky coating.

Pulse: Soft and rapid.

Treatment Principle: Clear heat and promote diuresis.

RN-3 Zhongji -

SP-9 Yinlingquan -

SP-6 Sanyinjiao -

RN-1 Huiyin -

LR-2 Xingjian -

BL-54 Zhibian - (punctured with the needle tip to ST-28 Shuidao)

• BL-54 Zhibian, RN-3 Zhongji and RN-1 Huiyin clear damp-heat in the lower jiao, resolve accumulation and promote diuresis;

• SP-9 Yinlingquan and SP-6 Sanyinjiao promote diuresis and remove dampness;

• LR-2 Xingjian clears damp-heat from the Liver Meridian, which runs through the anterior yin (the external genitalia region).

1. Difficult urination and pain in lumbosacral region--- BL-33 Zhongliao [-] and ST-28 Shuidao [-];

2. High fever--- LI-11 Quchi [-] and DU-14 [-].

Manifestations: Difficulty in urination or even retention of urine, pale complexion, soreness and coldness of the lumbar region.

Tongue: Pale body.

Pulse: Weak.

Treatment Principle: Warm the kidney and activate yang.

DU-4 Mingmen + ^

BL-23 Shenshu + ^

RN-4 Guanyuan + ^

KI-3 Taixi + ^

BL-54 Zhibian + ^

SP-6 Sanyinjiao + ^

• DU-4 Mingmen and BL-23 Shenshu warm and tonify kidney yang and dispel deficient cold;

• RN-4 Guanyuan warms and tonifies primary yang and consolidates the essence;

• KI-3 Taixi tonifies the kidney and promotes diuresis;

• BL-54 Zhibian warms the urinary bladder and promotes diuresis;

• SP-6 Sanyinjiao promotes diuresis.

1. Spontaneous emission--- ST-29 Guilai [+ ^]

2. Lower abdominal pain radiating to testis--- and RN-2 Qugu [+ ^]; LR-1 Dadun [^] and LR-8 Ququan [-];

3. Kidney yin deficiency manifested by hot sensation in palms and soles, night sweating, nocturnal emission, and burning sensation in urination---DU-4 Mingmen and Moxibustion are deleted.

Indication: Hyperplasia of prostate with retention of urine.

PC-6 Neiguan

DU-26 Renzhong

BL-54 Zhibian

RN-3 Zhongji

SP-29 Guilai

Manipulation: When puncturing at PC-6 Neiguan, insert the needle perpendicularly and apply reducing manipulation for about 1 minutes. When puncturing at DU-26 Renzhong, insert the needle obliquely with the needle tip toward the nasal septum, lift and thrust the needle quickly until the eyes are filled with tears; when puncturing at BL-54 Zhibian, ask the patient to lie on the side with knees flexed, insert a 6 cun-long needle into the point with its tip reaching under the skin of ST-28 Shuidao, and lift and thrust the needle to induce the needling sensation radiating to the external genitalia. If the patient is diagnosed with deficiency of the kidney, the warming needle method is applied on BL-23 Shenshu, DU-4 Mingmen, RN-4 Guanyuan, ST-36 Zusanli and SP-6 Sanyinjiao. If the patient’s condition belongs to damp-heat, puncture SP-6 Sanyinjiao, SP-9 Yinlingquan, KI-7 Fuliu and BL-26 Pangguanshu with reducing manipulation by lifting and thrusting the needles.

Indication: Hyperplasia of the prostate.

Angle of Superior Concha, Urethra, Kidney, Sanjiao, Liver, Endocrine, and Subcortex.

Manipulation: See page 255-256.

Zhenjiu can provide good results in the treatment of hyperplasia of the prostate. For some cases with retention of urine, acupuncture with massage can be taken as the first choice to induce urination and relieve an urgent condition, but it is not usually the main method to cure this disease. In most cases, a comprehensive treatment including herbs and Zhenjiu may be needed.

Dr. Yin received his M.D. from Hunan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (HUTCM) in Changsha, China in 1982 and received three years of postgraduate training at the same medical school. From 1985 to 1996, he taught and practiced TCM in HUTCM, and he was promoted as Associate Professor of Acupuncture in 1994. From 1997 to 2000, he taught and practiced TCM at the International College of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Victoria, Canada. In June of 2000, Yin practiced and lectured at the Atlantic Institute of Oriental Studies in Florida. Presently, he is the Principal of Oshio College of Oriental Medicine at Victoria, BC. His long and distinguished career in TCM includes teaching students from the Europe, America, Africa, and Asia and treating patients in China, Russia and Canada, as well as publishing several books on acupuncture, moxibustion, Qi-gong and herbology in both Chinese and English.

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