Acupuncture for Dysmenorrhea

Dysmenorrhea occurs before, during and after a woman’s menstruation and can be classified as painful cramping. The pain is generally felt in the lower abdomen, but it is possible to experience it in the lower back and legs. The symptoms will vary from one woman to another, but throbbing and sharp pains are common. In severe cases, nausea and vomiting can occur as well. Dysmenorrhea is common, and the symptoms can range in severity from mild to debilitating and can last from one to three days.

Chinese medicine believes that the symptoms point to underlying imbalances that can easily be corrected. It is believed that acupuncture, in particular, can help with this condition, so if this is something that you experience, this form of treatment is worth considering. From a traditional Chinese medicine perspective, a healthy period needs adequate blood volume and flow, which must be assisted by subtle energy. Qi is a vital force that is involved in acupuncture, and this is something that will be discussed as part of your treatment. Liver, spleen, kidney organ and Chong channel energetics are all involved in a woman’s period and must all be aligned. Liver qi assists in the normal flow of blood, so if this stagnates from emotional stress, the blood will not be able to move adequately through your body and will cause pain as a result. You will feel this pain a day or two before the period, and if the liver blood stagnates, you will also feel pain during your period as well.

Acupuncture will help get the blood and qi moving smoothly again through the treatment of the liver channel as its main focus. If a woman is blood deficient, acupuncture will assist in the conversion of other body resources to form new blood, which is important because blood deficiency means there is not enough blood for it to flow smoothly and evenly, which will cause a woman sharp and dull pain. Acupuncture is a naturalistic approach that treats signs and symptoms to help treat imbalances in the body. There are different patterns of imbalances that can be present in a patient’s health, and acupuncture will conduct an initial assessment to understand these patterns and will apply the treatment accordingly.

Very fine needles are used in acupuncture and are inserted into the patient’s body to target specific conditions. The treatment can help with dysmenorrhea and may include nutrition, lifestyle modifications and even Chinese herbs. Women who seek acupuncture will see significant improvements in terms of the intensity of their period pain and any related symptoms and will also see an improvement in the overall quality of their life.

Western medicine approaches the situation through medications and pills, but if you want a different approach, acupuncture is the way to go. Qi Herbs & Acupuncture can provide you with more information regarding this form of treatment and the many benefits it provides. We specialize in fertility acupuncture and Traditional Chinese medicine, so if you are in Toronto, contact us today!