PAINFUL MENSTRUAL CRAMPS MAY BE RELIEVED BY ACUPUNCTURE
June 26th, 2008
Women with menstrual cramps are often offered either nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or oral contraceptives. Many women, however, find that allopathic treatment does not work or they would prefer a non-drug alternative.
Acupuncture gives significant improvements in pain relief when compared to pharmaceutical drugs and also reduces overall symptoms. Commonly treated conditions amenable to acupuncture therapy include painful menstruation (dysmenorrhea), PMS and absence of menstruation (amenorrhea).
Women treated with acupuncture for dysmenorrhea, or painful menstruation, may have complete cessation of pain for several consecutive menstrual periods. Acupuncture can help to greatly minimize or alleviate altogether the discomfort and common pain experienced during menstruation.
Acupuncture treatment regulates the body’s qi (vital force) circulation, which aids in prevention of cramps in future menstrual cycles. Your acupuncture physician may also recommend Chinese herbal medicine in conjunction with acupuncture to assist in maintaining smooth circulation of the body’s qi.
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is the cyclic recurrence of a group of symptoms that occur prior to menstruation. Breast tenderness, bloating, insomnia, pelvic pain, irritability, mood swings, poor concentration, and appetite changes characterize this condition. Acupuncture stabilizes the hormonal fluctuations that cause PMS. Acupuncture will generally aid in reducing the pain and other symptoms associated with PMS.
The causes of amenorrhea, the absence of menstruation, include certain genetic defects, body structure abnormalities or endocrine disorders. Symptoms may include headaches, vision problems, nausea, unusual thirst, swollen breasts, liver disease, and kidney failure. Acupuncture can improve the hormonal imbalances that may be associated with amenorrhea. Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine aim to restore normal menstruation by strengthening the body, regulating hormones and stimulating blood flow to the pelvic organs.
Some discomfort associated with the onset of menstruation is normal. Increasing pains that require pain medications are not normal and should be evaluated by your acupuncture physician. The approach to treating pelvic menstrual pain with acupuncture is a natural and holistic one. Acupuncture not only addresses the pain and associated symptoms, but also the underlying cause.
By assessing the nature of the condition, appropriate acupuncture treatment and Chinese herbal remedies can be administered that treat the gynecologic condition as a whole. Treating the condition in its early stages often results in eradication of menstrual pains and associated symptoms
To prevent menstrual cramps, eat a balanced low-fat diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables. Limit your intake of caffeine, salt and sweets. Maintain a moderate exercise schedule four to five times a week. Reducing stress can also make symptoms less severe.
A comprehensive treatment plan for gynecological disorders may include a combination of acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, dietary suggestions, and/or specific exercises that enhance qi flow
For more information about acupuncture for the treatment of gynecological disorders call Dr. Richard Browne, Acupuncture Physician, at (305) 595-9500.
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