Author: Dr. Alyssa Boyer, DC, DNCert
As we age, some of our body functions change as well. This is just a natural part of life, but it doesn’t have to be something that we have to live with, it’s just something that we learn how to handle. Let’s chat about erectile dysfunction (ED). Typically a topic of conversation that becomes a little taboo, but it shouldn’t be. There’s absolutely nothing to be ashamed of. I personally think if we had more conversations about these things that 8 out of 10 men are experiencing, we probably wouldn’t be dealing with them for as long as we do.
There’s several different approaches to correcting ED, but I want to talk about how chiropractic can be a natural solution to all of the things that come with ED. Erectile dysfunction is a very common health concern, especially as men continue to age, like I mentioned before. Many treatments are available, but some of the most commonly prescribed options can pose risks of negative side effects. It’s no secret that the pharmaceutical companies have capitalized on the booming business of erectile dysfunction.
Chiropractic care offers a safe, drug-free option for managing ED and augmenting one’s sex life no matter their age. Sexual arousal has been shown to be linked to the health of the nervous system. When the brain and peripheral nerves are not communicating effectively, it can affect someone’s performance in the bedroom. Chiropractic treatments improve the overall function of the nervous system, which can improve sexual health.
An erection happens when a penis is enlarged and hardens due to increased blood flow to the area. It’s often caused by sexual arousal, but not always. The beginning of the erection begins in the brain, and the brain sends a message to the penis via the nervous system. This causes the blood vessels to open and allow blood to flow to the area. Valves cause the blood to get trapped, which creates pressure which then leads to the erection. The dysfunction occurs when someone can no longer create an erection or sustain it. There are many factors that could contribute to this. While the cause could be physiological or physical, as men age, it’s usually physical. Smoking, high cholesterol, diabetes, and trauma can all be physical reasons behind erectile dysfunction.
The nerves that control the male reproductive organs exit from the bottom of the spine, in the lumbar region. The pelvic floor is also supported by the sacral nerve roots as well This lower back/sacral region is often the site of back pain and stiffness. Chiropractic adjustments to the spine can help increase mobility to the joints and increase blood flow to the body’s vital organs. This, in turn, will increase the amount of blood flow and nerve activity to the penis and scrotum, thereby allowing for sustainable erections. In short, chiropractic care has the same effect as drugs – to increase blood flow to the penis – but without any harmful side effects or worries about timing or dosage of medication.
There are several other modalities that go hand-in-hand with the chiropractic adjustment that can also increase function to the neuromusculoskeletal system such as dry needling with e-stim, IASTM, laser therapy, and PEMF.
