New Research Sheds Light on Chiropractic and Erectile Dysfunction
Recent research reporting on a 53 year old man suffering from erectile dysfunction who experienced improvement in the disorder following chiropractic care reveals that chiropractic may play an important role in caring for men experiencing these challenges.
“Research is revealing that there is a relationship between abnormalities in the spine, the nervous system and the genito-urinary and reproductive systems” stated Matthew McCoy DC, MPH, a chiropractor, public health researcher and editor of the journal that published the study. “While this is the first report of improvement in erectile dysfunction in the chiropractic literature, there are research studies previously published that show a relationship between these systems of the body and improvement under chiropractic care.”
Erectile dysfunction is the inability to develop and maintain an erection for satisfactory sexual intercourse or activity in the absence of an ejaculatory disorder such as premature ejaculation. Erectile dysfunction is increasingly prevalent with age. At age 40, approximately 40% of men are affected. The rate increases to nearly 70% in men aged 70 years. The prevalence of complete ED increases from 5% to 15% as age increases from 40 to 70 years.
“It makes perfect sense when you think about it” stated Dr. McCoy. “As chiropractors we know that spinal nerve interference can lead to all sorts of dysfunction and this is certainly true with genito-urinary function”.
“Considering the fact that every single function of the body is controlled by the nervous system it should not surprise anyone that removing interference to the neurology that controls whether or not a male can get and sustain an erection would lead to alleviation of the problem remarked Dr. McCoy.
According to McCoy “All of the organs of the body need a constant and uninterrupted nerve supply in order to develop and function properly. Abnormal position or movement of the spinal vertebra can develop and this can lead to nerve interference. It is this interference, called vertebral subluxations, that chiropractors correct.”
The man in the reported case first presented for chiropractic care with a chief complaint of low back pain. He had a twenty-year history of low back pain and erectile dysfunction, disclosing only the low back pain initially. Examination revealed the presence of vertebral and pelvis subluxations.
Each visit included determining when and where subluxations were present. Chiropractic adjustments were performed whenever corrections were found necessary. After eight weeks of care (12 adjustments) the patient was pain-free and able to exercise comfortably. He continued care for a chronic low back subluxation and was able to experience improved erectile function as well. The authors call for more research on this important health topic.
