Prostatitis: Other Treatment

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Other Treatment

Prostatic massage

Prostatic massage for prostatitis ("milking" of the prostate by a health professional) is an old treatment that many doctors are beginning to use again because medications do not always successfully cure prostatitis.

To massage your prostate, the health professional inserts a lubricated, gloved finger into your rectum and presses several times on your prostate. This may need to be done 2 or 3 times a week. Why this works is not certain, but it is believed that the massage helps open blocked ducts in the prostate, improving circulation and antibiotic penetration into the prostate.

Prostatic massage is not done for acute prostatitis, because it could cause the bacteria to spread from the prostate and cause a wider infection (sepsis).

Other treatments that may be helpful for chronic prostatitis/pelvic pain syndrome, inflammatory or noninflammatory, include:

• Acupuncture.
• Biofeedback.
• Counseling.
• Relaxation techniques.

Last updated:	December 27, 2007
Author:	Monica Rhodes
Reviewed By:	E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine, Christopher G. Wood, MD, FACS - Urology/Oncology
Editors:	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman, MATC