Chinese Medicine to Treat Menstrual Cramps

Many female patients suffer from painful menstrual cramps, and while the severity of the pain will vary from one woman to another, it is a frustrating condition regardless of this aspect. The technical term for this type of abdominal pain that is experienced during one’s period is dysmenorrhea, and this condition can range from mild pain and annoyance to severe pain that can limit your activities and movement.

If you are looking for a treatment that can help with this condition, Chinese medicine is worth looking into because it can help ease and even eliminate the pain caused by such cramps. There are several diagnoses in Chinese medicine, but the following are the most common:

Qi Stagnation

This causes dull and achy pain, and most people with this diagnosis also suffer from PMS symptoms. Patients who suffer from menstrual cramps caused by qi stagnation will experience relief from certain powders that can be taken a week before the period starts and during their period.

Blood Stagnation

This causes a sharp pain that feels like stabbing and is generally accompanied by dark menstrual blood with clots. Patients who suffer from this type of menstrual cramping will respond well to specific teas, which should be taken during the first three days of the period.

Blood Deficiency

This causes a dull pain that usually worsens towards the end of the period or after the period is over. Fatigue and pallor will follow, and certain teas can be very useful.

In addition to powders and teas, Chinese medicine can help through other forms of treatments as well. Acupuncture is known to help with dysmenorrhea, and there are many acupuncturists who specialize in reproductive health, so they are specially trained to treat menstrual cramps. They will focus on specific areas of your body, including the inner calf, as this is the point that moves blood and relieves pain.

While there are no guarantees, most women who undergo acupuncture will experience improvements in the intensity of their period pain and any related symptoms. It is common for patients to notice a reduction in pain as well as an improvement in their overall quality of life because less pain will help them go about their day as they normally would. Severe menstrual cramps can cause you to have to stay at home and may not allow you to move, which can negatively impact your life, but acupuncture can help in this regard and is a treatment that you should definitely consider.

Chinese medicine can help with a number of conditions related to your health, so if you are looking for an improvement in terms of your pain levels and want to feel better overall, Qi Herbs & Acupuncture can help. We specialize in fertility acupuncture and Chinese medicine, so if you want a different approach and are in the Toronto area, give us a call today!