Acupuncture relieves period pain

Brook Canning — Acupuncturist | Women’s Health, Fertility & Pregnancy

Acupuncture has been used in China for thousands of years to relieve the sometimes debilitating effect of painful periods. Period pain or as it referred to medically - dysmenorrhea is a common complaint that effects women with varying degrees of severity. Most women, at some time during their menstrual cycle will experience some level of period pain. Dysmenorrhea is put into two different categories; primary and secondary.

Primary Dysmenorrhoea occurs when the hormone prostaglandin causes strong contractions in the walls of the uterus. The pain these causes can range from abdominal cramps to a heavy, distending ache that spreads through the lower abdomen, lower back and legs. Secondary Dysmenorrhea occurs when there are other underlying conditions that cause the pain, like endometriosis, fibroids or pelvic inflammatory disease.

Some of the signs and symptoms that appear with Dysmenorrhea include;

• Dull, heavy ache that spreads through back and legs
• Abdominal cramping
• Headaches or migraine
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea, constipation and indigestion
• Frequent urination
• Emotional anguish or upset

How can Acupuncture help?

Acupuncture provides effective, lasting relief from painful periods by addressing the underlying problems with the menstrual cycle. From the point of view of Chinese Medicine the menstrual cycle, like all other cycles of the body should be based on a harmonious flow of Qi (energy) and blood throughout the system. When this flow becomes disrupted by physical and emotional influences the Qi can become stagnated and often deficient resulting in pain that ranges from local aching or stabbing pain to headaches and back pain. Other symptoms that can arise from this disrupted flow of Qi include unbalanced emotions, fatigue, digestive upset; including constipation, diarrhea and nausea.

What success has Chinese Medicine had in treating painful periods?

The treatment of pain with Acupuncture is probably one of its most well known applications with the anesthetic effect of acupuncture being well researched and documented. Not so well know in Acupunctures effect on regulating hormone levels, calming the sympathetic nervous system and increasing blood flow through the pelvic cavity. All of these actions underpin the therapeutic effect of Acupuncture. Acupuncture for the treatment of Dysmenorrhea has been consistently proven in clinical trials to provide pain reduction, decreasing the need for medication (NSAIDS). Acupuncture has also been shown to be a cost effective, long term solution dysmenorrhea sufferers providing a better quality of life.

 Sydney-based Specialist Acupuncturist Brook Canning is a regular contributor to the much celebrated ‘Natural Health Booster’ fortnightly ezine with 1,000+ subscribers. If you’re ready to jump-start and optimise your health, wellbeing and fertility, get your FREE tips now at www.boostyourhealthnow.com or www.boostyourfertilitynow.com.

Brook has private consultations available, to make an appointment please phone Julia or Carolina on 1300 85 84 90.

Keywords: Acupuncture > China > Menstrual cycle > Period pain