June is Men’s Health Month. While statistics show that men have begun to pay more attention to their health over the last 10 years, there is still more progress to make. Men historically do not share hard emotions—and most dangerous of all, they tend to ignore medical symptoms until the severity of pain affects their daily lives.  

According to the tenets of Acupuncture and East Asian Medicine, it’s critical to focus on illness prevention and consistently adjust lifestyle habits for optimal health maintenance. These goals are achievable with natural, holistic treatment options. 

For example, prostate cancer is the second leading cause of death for men in the United States. In the year 2023, approximately 35,000 deaths were due to prostate dysfunction—that’s slightly more than the entire population of the city New Smyrna Beach. These statistics are not meant to scare you, but rather to encourage you to advocate for your own health and ultimately push back against these statistics.  

Men often feel invincible. “I never thought that would happen to me,” is a common refrain I hear in the clinic where I practice. Fortunately, there are numerous action steps you can take right now to ensure a healthy future.  

Some men do not understand the consequences of overlooking your prostate health. Size reduction, erectile dysfunction, urinary difficulties, or severe depression can all take root in the absence of prostate health. Natural supplements such as ashwagandha, lemon balm, vitamin B12 and l-theanine can assist you in alleviating these symptoms. However, please consult with your healthcare team prior to starting any supplements.  

Of course, natural treatment modalities such as acupuncture, along with consistent exercise, are excellent places to start. In 2023, over six million men reported suffering from depression. As you can imagine, countless others suffer in silence, but there is no shame in asking for help. You deserve it, and we at the Sarasota Center for Acupuncture and Nutrition are here to empower you on the road back to wellness. By combining the 5,000-year-old practices of acupuncture and herbal medicine, along with modern scientific research, we can offer you painless, comfortable, and successful treatment options.  

Acupuncture is well-known for treating any form of acute or chronic pain, but it does not stop there. This modality can also help manage anxiety or depression, restore prostate health, achieve healthy weight loss, optimize digestion, quit smoking, or alleviate cancer symptoms. Contact us to schedule a consultation today, we are here for this community.  

Dr. Leo Gallego is a Licensed Acupuncturist and Doctor of Oriental Medicine. He practices at the Sarasota Center for Acupuncture and Nutrition, located at 2650 Bahia Vista Street, Suite 101, Sarasota. For more information, call 941-951-1119 or visit https://www.sarasotacenterforacupunctureandnutrition.com/