Acoustic Wave Therapy for Erectile Dysfunction
By Edison de Mello, MD, PhD
“During the treatment, a small wand-like device uses targeted sound waves to stimulate penile tissue and encourage blood flow.”
What is it? Acoustic Therapy is a modality used to treat various musculoskeletal conditions, primarily applied to chronic conditions, particularly impairing blood -flow to an injured area.
In men, the bulbocavernosus muscle (aka Bulbospongiosus), a muscle of the perineum- the area between the anus and the bulb of the penis - contracts to expel the last drops of urine or semen. This muscle is directly related to erectile dysfunction. During an erection, the arteries expand to increase blood flow to the penis. The blood fills it, causing it to swell and become stiff. The veins narrow, which traps the blood and maintains the erection.
From a normal erection perspective, impotence may develop due to a lack of adequate penile blood supply to the penis, hormonal deficiency, neural system disorders, spinal cord injuries, and psychological problems.
Acoustic wave therapy has been scientifically proven to successfully help increased flow to the penis, giving men more confidence to investigate other contributing factors for their ED, including psychological and hormonal. By targeting increased blood flow in the bulbocavernosus muscle, the “erection muscle,” studies have shown that men can have longer lasting and satisfying erections.
What about Kegel exercises
Kegel exercises, or pelvic exercises, have proven effective in addressing erectile dysfunction, especially when combined with acoustic shock wave therapy because the ischiocavernosus and bulbocavernosus muscles in the pelvic area activate during an erection.
Here’s how to strengthen these muscles.
- Lie on your Back, hands flat on the floor, and knees comfortably bent and pointing upwards.
- Try to draw your penis inwards towards your body and hold for five seconds, then release.
- Now squeeze your anus muscles as if you are trying to stop a bowel movement and hold for five seconds, then release.
- Repeat steps two and three, eight to 10 times, and do three to five sets, at least 3-4 x a week, if not daily.
Other versions of the Kegel exercises:
(iStock image)
References: (partial) from PubMed:
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7608508/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7658170/#r21
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3607492/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3607492/
Edison de Mello, MD, PhD, Founder, and Chief Medical Officer of the Akasha Center, is a board-certified integrative Medicine and a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.
His recently released book, BLOATED How to eat without pain (bloatedbook.com) delineates Dr. de Mello’s signature approach to care: Meet the patient before the disease. Dr. de Mello sits on several boards, including one focusing on prison reform and one providing much-needed medical and education services for children In Kenya.
