Many patients come see us for a variety of reasons. Most come in because a friend has told them that acupuncture can be helpful. However, most people don’t know how acupuncture works and what it can treat. Acupuncture can help almost any condition. In fact, the World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended acupuncture as effective for many conditions and even suggests that acupuncture can be helpful for many more.
Dysmenorrhea is a fancy name for painful periods. Period are no walk in the park. I am a woman and know this from first-hand experience. Your uterus has built up a lining to support a pregnancy that is not going to happen, so now your uterus is contracting, and all that tissue has to come out. Contractions can cause some pain BUT that pain should not interfere with your QUALITY OF LIFE. What does this mean? If you have to cancel plans with your friends, you don’t go out to dinner, you call out from work, you call in sick to school, you’re lying on your bed, you’re unable to move – this is NOT normal and calls for concern. Your period should not interfere with your social or day-to-day life. There are 3 main factors that can cause dysmenorrhea or painful periods:
1. Endometriosis which is an inflammatory condition where the body has implants of endometrial tissue outside of the uterus, these implants can cause a lot of pain and inflammation. Common signs are painful period (dysmenorrhea), pain with intercourse (dyspareunia), and bowel changes like diarrhea or constipation (IBS like symptoms).
2. Uterine Fibroids which occurs when uterine muscle cell forms into a ball within the muscular portion of the uterus. Common signs are heavy periods (metrorrhagia) and painful periods (dysmenorrhea)
3. Scar tissue inside the abdomen from various past surgical procedures or infections, this too can cause painful periods (dysmenorrhea).
Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Supplement like “Relieve” can help with your painful periods.
Relieve is an herbal tincture that aids the body to discharge the uterine lining, removing old stagnant blood, harmonizes your menstrual cycle by allowing new fresh blood to rebuild and thus relieves pain during your menstrual cycle.
Relieve is composed of a blend of Chinese herbs which are strong blood movers: Shu Di Huang, Dang Gui, Bai Shao, Chi Shao, Chuan Xiong, Tao Ren, Hong Hua, Gou Qi Zi, Yi Mu Cao, Chong Wei Zi.
If you feel as though you have tried everything to relive the pain associated with your period and have been unsuccessful. Please let us help you.
Dr. Lisette Molina, Acupuncture Physician
Schedule an appointment at Living Room Acupuncture with Dr. Rafael or Dr. Lisette.