Acupuncture and herbal medicine can dramatically reduce premenstrual symptoms
Nearly 75% of women suffer with premenstrual syndrome (PMS). If you or your children are struggling with any of the following PMS symptoms, acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can help!
- Mood changes, irritability, and/or depression;
- Breast tenderness;
- Cramping (lower abdomen, low back, and/or legs);
- Headaches;
- Low energy, fatigue, and insomnia;
- Food cravings;
- Bloating; and/or
- Digestive symptoms such as constipation, diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting.
Who Can Acupuncture Help?
Teen girls and women who suffer with physical and/or emotional symptoms of PMS can often find relief with acupuncture.
For pains such as cramping, breast tenderness, and headaches, we use acupuncture to decrease areas of tension, improve circulation, balance hormones, and reduce the sensation of pain perceived by the brain.
For physical symptoms such as digestive problems, bloating, and food cravings, we use acupuncture to improve movement through the digestive tract and reduce stress and anxiety which can negatively impact digestion.
For low energy, fatigue, and insomnia, we use acupuncture to provide overall nourishment and strength for the body while reducing the stress, anxiety, worry, and/or busy energy that may be feeding the insomnia.
For emotional changes including irritability and anger, depression, and frequent mood changes, we use acupuncture to reduce nervous system tension. We also work to relieve physical symptoms associated with mood changes such as neck and shoulder tension or sensations of chest pressure or tightness.
Often teen girls and women are struggling with a handful of these symptoms so we will address all of them in each treatment. We frequently use additional Chinese medicine therapies such as moxibustion (to warm and strengthen the body) and cupping (to relieve muscle tension). Our female bodied clients typically feel calm, relieved, and peaceful when treatments are complete and they feel more able to easily move through the upcoming menstrual period.
How Long Does It Take To Get Results?
The length of treatment required depends on the age of the client and how long they’ve been struggling. For girls who are early in menstruation (within the first year) typically we see the PMS patterns shift relatively quickly, requiring 2-4 weekly treatments. For women who have struggled much of their life with PMS symptoms such as cyclic headaches, profound mood changes and/or premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) it can take 3-4 months of weekly treatments to dramatically reduce the symptoms.
Effectiveness can also depend on what is happening in someone’s life. When we are in periods of great demand and great stress it can be hard to fully relieve premenstrual symptoms. Poor diets, high levels of stress or grief, or unusual work, school, or athletic demands can result in higher levels of PMS symptoms. We work closely with our clients to help them find solutions to reduce lifestyle issues that may be exacerbating their PMS symptoms.
Why Use Herbal Medicine?
Herbal medicine is a wonderful tool for enabling daily treatment. While it is often not possible or feasible to come to acupuncture several days in a row, herbal medicine provides daily therapy to reduce PMS symptoms. Herbal medicines can be anti-inflammatory, pro-digestive, calming, tension-relieving, and estrogenic. Many combinations of these medicinal effects can be used to support women suffering with PMS.
How Do I Know if Acupuncture Is Right For Me or My Child?
At Inspire Family Acupuncture we always welcome phone calls, emails, or text messages to discuss your case and determine whether treatment is right for you or your child. We look forward to speaking with you. Here’s to your health!
