Lumbar 4: Prostate & Ovaries

Prostate

In men, the prostate gland produces a fluid which adds protein and other substances to the semen. The prostate is prone to enlargement and ultimately cancer as men age. The hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a form of testosterone, has been implicated in the cause of this enlargement called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Interestingly, the accumulation of DHT in the hair follicles is also the cause of male pattern baldness. Drugs used to treat BPH (Proscar) also help hair growth (Propecia, a low dose of Proscar).

Because the urethra which carries urine out the penis is surrounded by the prostate, an enlarged prostate can result in frequent urination, trouble getting a urine stream started, full bladder feeling, painful urination and loss of sexual drive.

Prostatitis is chronic inflammation of the prostate gland. It can be caused by a virus or bacteria, nearly always from the intestinal tract. It can give you a fever, lower back pain, groin pain and make you less interested in sex. Maintaining good healthy bacterial flora is important in treating and preventing this problem. Another form of prostatitis is caused when the muscles of the pelvis or bladder are not working properly.

The PSA (prostate specific antigen) blood test can go up with prostatitis or with prostate cancer. However, prostatitis is not know to cause cancer. Your PSA can also go up if you've had sex recently or if your prostate is getting extra pressure on it (such as can happen with men who ride a bikes and motorcycle).

The prostate itself is contained in a muscular lining. These muscles are controlled by the nerves from the fourth lumbar region. So keeping your prostate healthy depends on good muscular function in this lining as well as the muscles of the pelvic floor. A chronic subluxation at the fourth lumbar vertebra can interfere with this function and set the stage for poor prostate health. Also, weakness in the pelvic floor from too much sitting can be a major contributing factor.

Ovaries

The imbalance of female to male hormones in the body can result in a tendency to ovarian cancer on the one hand (too much estrogen) or ovarian cysts on the other (too much testosterone). The liver and the intestinal tract are the key organ in the elimination of toxic hormones. Along with the 4th lumbar also check the 5th thoracic level to help liver function as well as the upper lumbar levels for intestinal function.

Regular exercise with good muscle tone and function around the pelvis helps the lymphatic system drain toxins from the internal organs. Exercise also helps general hormonal balance. People who do not exercise generally have more trouble with hormone balance than those that do.

Women with a tendency to ovarian cysts, acne, hair loss, facial hair and other masculine traits may be showing a tendency to high testosterone levels. A testosterone blocking supplement like Palmettoplex can be very helpful.

Women with high estrogen have a tendency to weight gain, water retention, severe PMS symptoms and breast and ovarian cancer. In these cases the liver, intestinal tract are most important as well as getting regular exercise and decreasing body fat to lower the estrogen levels. It is well known that women can exercise to the point where they stop menstruating. This is evidence of the powerful ability of exercise to lower estrogen levels. While exercising to the point where you stop menstruating is not healthy (it can lead to early osteoporosis among other things) you can certainly use the power of exercise to bring your estrogen down to a healthy level.

Structural

The 4th lumbar is subject to the weight of the entire spine and is a common level of subluxation. Due to the difference in pelvic shape, the 4th lumbar disc is more commonly injured in women than in men. A moderate exercise plan such as walking really helps to modulate hormone balance in men and women. Note that cycling may actually aggravate some prostate problems. Men with prostatitis, if you have a willing spouse, gentle intra-rectal prostate massage with the finger can be very helpful.

Nutritional