Article 15: Dietary Therapy for Male Menopause and Methods for Preventing and Relieving Back Pain

Dietary therapy for aging

In terms of diet, reduce the consumption of high-sugar foods and eat more foods rich in protein, calcium, and various vitamins, paying attention to a balanced diet: chicken, fish, and rabbit meat are easily absorbed and can be eaten in moderation; beans and their products not only contain a large amount of plant-based protein but are also a "warehouse" of essential trace elements for the human body; fresh vegetables provide a large amount of vitamins and should be a staple in the diet. It is also important to maintain a low-salt, light, and moderately fatty diet, avoiding overeating. Do not eat too much at dinner, and if possible, eat 1-2 tablespoons of honey daily.

Deer Antler, Chinese Yam, and Black Chicken Soup

Ingredients: 5g deer antler, 50g Chinese yam, 150g black-boned chicken, a pinch of pepper.

Preparation: Wash the deer antler and Chinese yam. Remove the skin from the chicken, wash it, and cut it into pieces. Boil the chicken pieces in boiling water for 5 minutes, then remove and rinse with cold water. Place all the ingredients in a stewing pot, add an appropriate amount of boiling water, and simmer over low heat for 2-3 hours.

Efficacy: Warms the kidneys and strengthens yang, astringes and astringes semen. Suitable for male menopausal syndrome caused by kidney yang deficiency, resulting in decreased libido, lower back and knee weakness, and cold limbs.

Chicken feet, conch head, and longan soup

Ingredients: 6 fresh chicken feet, 300g lean pork, 25g conch meat, 30g dried longan pulp, 15g almonds, 20g goji berries, 10ml white wine, 4 slices of ginger.

Preparation: Chop chicken feet into two pieces, blanch in boiling water for 5 minutes, remove and rinse with cold water, then cut into thick slices. Blanch lean pork in boiling water for 5 minutes, remove, rinse and cut into thick slices. Place all ingredients in a stewing pot, add an appropriate amount of boiling water, cover and stew over a double boiler for 4 hours. Season with salt and MSG before serving.

Efficacy: Nourishes the kidneys, replenishes yin, and improves eyesight. Suitable for men experiencing menopausal symptoms such as decreased sexual function, dry eyes, and weakness in the lower back and knees due to kidney yin deficiency.

Sea cucumber and magnolia slices

Ingredients: 200g rehydrated sea cucumber, 65g rehydrated magnolia petals, 27.5g dried shrimp, appropriate amounts of white sugar, ginger, scallions, and rice wine.

Preparation: Dice the sea cucumber and bamboo shoots, and soak the dried shrimp in wine and water. Heat oil in a wok until boiling, then sauté scallions and ginger. Add the dried shrimp and diced bamboo shoots, stir-fry briefly, add water and bring to a boil. Season with Shaoxing wine, soy sauce, MSG, salt, and sugar. Add the diced sea cucumber and cook for 10 minutes. Thicken with cornstarch slurry, and drizzle with hot sesame oil and sautéed scallion oil.

Efficacy: Nourishes both Yin and Yang, replenishes blood and moistens dryness. Suitable for menopausal women with kidney deficiency and weakness, and impotence, seminal emission, spermatorrhea, frequent urination, and soreness of the lower back and knees due to deficiency of essence and blood.

Quail Egg and Lotus Seed Soup

Ingredients: 4 quail eggs, 30g lily bulbs, 15g lotus seeds, mimosa flowers, and rock sugar as needed.

Preparation: Steam the quail eggs until cooked and remove the shells. Wrap the lily bulbs, lotus seeds, and mimosa flowers in gauze and put them in a clay pot. Add 400 ml of water, bring to a boil, add rock sugar, and simmer over low heat until the lily bulbs and lotus seeds are tender. Remove the mimosa flowers and eat the eggs and lotus seeds and drink the soup in 1-2 portions.

Efficacy: Suitable for menopausal neurasthenia, loneliness, and other symptoms.

Middle-aged men suffer from back pain

Now that you're 40, you've noticed some changes in yourself. After finishing a paper or moving a few boxes, you feel an unbearable soreness in your back.

At this point, the doctor will tell you that most men experience back pain between the ages of 30 and 45. This age range marks the beginning of inflammation and natural degeneration of the back joints, and muscle damage is also the most common cause of back pain.

Fortunately, back pain can often be relieved without medication or surgery; the key is to use some methods to prevent back pain.

The pressure on the back is greater when sitting than when standing. Therefore, if you have to sit at a desk for a long time or travel by plane or train, you should change your posture frequently, stand up once every hour, and walk around to give your back a break.

Kneeling is preferable to bending. Avoid bending over to pick things up, as this strains your back and increases the risk of injury. For tasks requiring bending, use long-handled tools or work from a higher platform.

Use your legs more. When lifting objects, no matter how heavy they are, always use this safe posture: bend your knees, keep your back straight, and use your leg strength to lift the object. This is because leg strength is much greater than back strength, and using your legs more will prevent back injuries. Also, if you don't know how heavy an object is, try pushing it first. If it's too heavy, don't try to do it yourself; ask for help.

Wear loose clothing. Wearing clothes that are too tight on the lower body will restrict your movement, especially.

Back massage

Back patting can be done by oneself or by someone else. This method can soothe the meridians and promote blood circulation, invigorate Yang energy, strengthen the heart and kidneys, and enhance the body's vitality.

patting

Stand with your legs naturally straight. First, gently rub your lower back 20 times on each side with your palms. Then, gently pat your lower back 20 times on each side with your palms. Finally, pat your back and shoulders 20 times on each side, alternating between palms. When patting your back, you can pat harder, as long as you can tolerate it. This exercise is not limited by location or time. Regular practice can promote health, protect the kidneys, and improve lower back muscle flexibility. It can also be used as an adjunct treatment for lower back pain, helping to better control the condition.

support

When sitting idly, place a small pillow or cushion under your back and frequently change the angle of your backrest to provide support for your lower back and reduce excessive pressure on your muscles.

stretch

Stretching your back can prevent or alleviate back pain. Every half hour while working, stand up straight, place your hands on your lower back, and lean back slowly and steadily.

back rubbing

Rubbing your back can be done by yourself or by someone else. For self-rubbing, you can do it while showering. Place a damp towel on your back, hold both ends of the towel tightly, and rub your back vigorously until it feels warm. Be careful not to rub too hard to avoid injuring your skin. Rubbing your back can help prevent and treat colds, lower back pain, chest tightness, and abdominal bloating.

Spinal pinching

Lie face down with your back exposed. Have someone use both hands (thumb and forefinger together) to pinch and knead the skin along the middle of the spine, starting from the C7 vertebra (GV14) and moving downwards continuously, until reaching the sacrum. Repeat this pinching and kneading three times. This method is suitable for both adults and children, and can harmonize the internal organs, promote blood circulation, strengthen the spleen and stomach, and also has a certain effect on regulating blood pressure. Note that the force should not be too great or too forceful, the speed should not be too fast, and the movements should be coordinated.