Mechanism progress of acupuncture and moxibustion for chronic prostatitis: 针灸治疗慢性前列腺炎作用机制的研究进展

Abstract The effect of acupuncture and moxibustion in the treatment of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) is definite, and progress has been made in the studies of its functional mechanism. This paper discusses the related studies on the mechanism of acupuncture and moxibustion in the treatment of CP/CPPS from five aspects: regulating immunity, anti-oxidative stress, regulating neural functions, improving urodynamics, and regulating blood circulation. It is found that acupuncture and moxibustion can decrease the level of pro-inflammatory factors, increase the level of anti-inflammatory factors, and regulate the level of inflammatory regulatory factors, thus to regulate immunity. Acupuncture and moxibustion can improve the body's ability of anti-oxidative stress, regulate the balance state of oxidation and anti-oxidation, thus to relieve tissue damage, and regulate neural functions by modulating neurotransmitters and autonomic nerves. Acupuncture and moxibustion can improve urodynamics and relieve abnormal urination symptoms by regulating the contraction of pelvic floor muscles, can also promote blood circulation to treat the pelvic congestion. It is expected that this paper can provide reference for the clinical application and research of acupuncture and moxibustion for CP/CPPS.