Varicocele Natural Treatments for Nutcracker Effect: Minimizing Vein Burden

Natural Treatments for Nutcracker Syndrome

The term Nutcracker Syndrome refers to how the aorta and the superior mesenteric artery compress the spermatic vein between them. This compression restricts blood flow and increases fluid pressure in the spermatic vein, and is a major cause of varicocele.

The Nutcracker Syndrome explains why those who experience bowel or postural problems are more likely to have varicocele and typically experience more severe symptoms—because many bowel and postural disorders increase intra-abdominal pressure, and physically push the aorta and superior mesenteric artery closer together (exacerbating the nutcracker effect).

There are 4 key points for treating the Nutcracker Syndrome:

1. Improve Bowel & Digestive Health
2. Improve Cervical & Thoracic Alignment (Head & Upper Back Posture)
3. Attaining a healthy weight is also important
4. Minimizing Excessive Abdominal Pressure

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1. Bowel & Digestive Health

Bloating, constipation, irregular bowel movement, and other digestive and bowel disease are all risk factors for varicocele. 
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Here is what to consider when it comes to bowel & digestive health:

• Adjust your diet to attain regular, soft, and well-formed stools
• Regular intake of fermented food (source of probiotics)
• Stress management
• Minimize toxin exposure (e.g. BPA, pesticides, food processing agents, food coloring, etc.)

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2. Cervical & Thoracic Alignment

Perform the Thoracic Extension and Chin Tuck exercises as outlined in this article: www.varicocelehealing.com/posture.

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3. ​Healthy Weight

Apparently obese individuals have lower incidence of varicocele! This is thought to be because they have more fat to cushion and minimize the Nutcracker Syndrome. Now, I don't recommend becoming obese for varicocele treatment, because obesity also means much higher rates of infertility. However, the implication is also that underweight individuals experience higher rates of varicocele. So what's the solution? Attain a healthy weight--it helps.

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4. Alleviating Excessive Abdominal Pressure

Excessive abdominal pressure is a big risk factor for varicocele because it exacerbates the Nutcracker Effect. Excessive pressure is derived from various lifestyle risk factors, including poor sitting posture, spine alignment, specific muscular tightness, bowel health, exercise risk factors, tight belts and pant waists, etc. Many risk factors contribute, and they need to be corrected in order for the blood to circulate more smoothly through your testicular veins. 

That will help! Again, if you're looking for a complete varicocele healing program, start with my premium programs!

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Science Sources

1. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025619611603467
2. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1464-410X.1994.tb16574.x
3. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S074152140196183X
4. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0090429513010790