Acupuncture for PMS.

 

Hormone imbalances are responsible for the symptoms associated with premenstrual syndrome. If a woman is living in harmony in body, mind and spirit, her monthly cycle will be free from pain, discomfort, cravings, energy dips, digestive disturbances and mood swings.

Unfortunately the conventional approach to addressing the symptoms of PMS is to medicate the symptoms without taking a serious inquiry into why the imbalance exists in the first place. While anti-inflammatories, pain killers and the birth control pill will suppress many symptoms of PMS, they do little to correct the underlying cause of imbalance.

Acupuncture for PMS and Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) works to alleviate symptoms and treat the underlying imbalance responsible for PMS symptoms. The menstrual cycle should be a time of slowing down, reflecting and allowing the body to release what no loner serves her.

This is both a metaphorical release and a literal one.

Menstruation provides a woman with the profound opportunity for reflection on the state of her body, mind and spirit and how her behaviors, attitudes and feelings are impacting her overall wellbeing.   

When a woman tunes into the information her body provides in the form of menstrual symptoms, she is given an opportunity to heal by making adjustments to her behaviors and perceptions. This is the way in which we can take a holistic approach to the treatment of PMS.

The manifestation of hormone imbalances….

Premenstrual syndrome is a complex of symptoms including, but not limited to:

  • headaches

  • bloating

  • irritability

  • depression

  • moodiness

  • anxiety

  • cravings

  • lethargy

  • breast swelling and pain

  • cramps

  • water retention

  • diarrhea

  • difficulty concentrating

  • acne

It is estimated that 85% of women suffer from at least one symptoms of PMS.  While PMS can be mild for some women, many women experience a noticeable decrease in their quality of life for days and sometimes weeks every month due to the change in hormones.  

While PMS is common, symptoms should not and need not be considered “normal”.  When a women’s body is supported properly through healthy habits and behaviors, she is much less likely to experience PMS symptoms.  Diet, exercise, emotional health and  sleep habits can greatly influence the hormones of the body.  If you are suffering from symptoms associated with your monthly menstrual cycle, there are natural, safe solutions to help regulate the hormones of the body.  

What’s underlying hormone imbalances.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) PMS symptoms are most commonly associated with imbalances of the Liver and Spleen.  Through symptoms evaluation, pulse and tongue diagnosis, a pattern differentiation is made and an appropriate treatment plan is put in place.

The Liver’s function in TCM is to regulate the storage of blood, regulate the circulation of qi (pronounced chee) and govern monthly cycles.  Emotional stress, unhealthy eating habits, inadequate or excessive exercise, insufficient sleep and exposure to environmental toxins, all disrupt the normal and healthy circulation of qi and blood.  The Liver is the first to be adversely affected by these stressors.  

Signs that point to a liver imbalance include:

  • irregular cycles

  • irritability

  • moodiness

  • depression

  • headaches

  • cramps

  • breast pain and swelling

  • acne

The Spleen is in charge of food metabolism and subsequently the production of blood. If the Spleen is taxed from dietary indiscretion, particularly consuming refined, sweetened, fried and processed foods, metabolism will be disrupted.  

Common symptoms associated with an imbalance of Spleen energy include:

  • abdominal bloating

  • swelling

  • diarrhea

  • loose stools

  • lethargy/fatigue

  • cravings

  • difficulty concentrating

  • acne

Harmonizing the body.

While acupuncture for PMS has been proven in studies to decrease the symptoms associated with premenstrual syndrome, lifestyle and behavioral changes are often necessary to sustained regulation of the hormones of the body.   

Acupuncture is effective at harmonizing the free flow of blood and qi of the Liver and tonifying the Spleen, but the benefits will not be sustained if lifestyle modifications are not made.

Certain foods, like sugar, alcohol, refined carbohydrates and caffeine can disrupt hormones like estrogen, testosterone and progesterone which is why dietary modifications may be crucial to successful treatment.

Stress is closely linked with changes to sex hormones like estrogen, progesterone and testosterone.  The hypothalamus, pituitary, adrenal and thyroid glands play an important role in the regulation of all hormones of the body and it is these glands which are most adversely affected by the stress of day to day living.  

Acupuncture for PMS is proven to down-regulate the hormones associated with stress, cortisol and adrenaline, and to up-regulate the rest and relax response of the parasympathetic nervous system.  

Women who seek acupuncture for relief of PMS related symptoms typically respond within one monthly cycle.  In as little as 4 treatments, women report improvement of all symptoms associated with premenstrual syndrome.

It is best to begin hormone balancing with acupuncture for PMS around days 7-10 of the menstrual cycle.  Two treatments weekly for 6-8 weeks is a typical course of treatment for PMS. 
If you suffer from PMS and want to restore your body and cycles to balance, call Kristin today to schedule an appointment or book online.