Chinese Medicine & Women’s Health
Women’s health is an area where Chinese medicine truly shines. This approach to medical diagnosis and treatment addresses the whole woman.
Chinese medicine takes the complete picture of a woman’s physical, mental, and emotional symptoms into account and provides effective, well-rounded care. It aims to dramatically reduce symptoms and enhance one’s quality of life.
Chinese medicine may be used instead of or in conjunction with Western medical practices for a holistic and comprehensive treatment of many women’s health complaints or discomforts. Its main focus is to help each woman feel better.
A health consultation may include a pulse diagnosis, Chinese herbal therapy, and/or Acupuncture treatments. These are a just a few of the available therapies that successfully address a wide range of women’s health conditions.
Effective Treatments are Available for the Following Conditions:
– Menopause
– PMS
– Chronic Fatigue
– Fibromyalgia
– Infertility
– Pain Relief
– Stress and Anxiety Relief
–Weight Loss
–Gastrointestinal Disorders
–Headache and Migraine Relief
–Acupuncture for Arthritis
-Respiratory Infections
Acupuncture for Menopause
Menopause marks the permanent end of menstruation and fertility and is defined as occurring 12 months after your last menstrual period. Menopause is a natural, biological process, it’s not considered a disease or medical illness.
However, the physical and emotional symptoms of menopause can be overwhelming for some women, and it can disrupt normal, day-to-day activities. Hot flashes, erratic sleep patterns, low energy, and feelings of sadness are just a few symptoms that might accompany this time period.
Western medicine typically offers hormone replacement therapy to treat the discomforts which may come with menopause. Many women cannot or do not wish to take hormones as there are several side effects. Chinese medicine has a great deal to offer these women. Instead of the standard hormone replacement therapy offered by most Western gynecologists, Chinese medical treatment may include herbal medicine, acupuncture, acupressure, dietary suggestions, specific exercises, and/or lifestyle recommendations.
Chinese medicine can help alleviate negative symptoms associated with menopause, and it can also serve as a valuable adjunct therapy to western medical treatments. The two approaches work harmoniously when combined.
An Impressive History
For more than 2000 years, Chinese medicine has been helping women manage their menopausal symptoms. It addresses the woman’s system as a whole. This means that diagnoses and treatments take the entire pattern of the woman’s physical and mental-emotional symptoms into account.
Emotional changes that might accompany menopause can be treated effectively with Chinese herbal medicine. Women suffering from menopausal discomfort can expect to feel much healthier and will experience a significant reduction in symptoms. This relief from troublesome symptoms allows women to transition smoothly through the menopause.
Acupuncture For PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome)
Premenstrual syndrome is defined by a wide range of physical and emotional symptoms that occur one to two weeks before a woman starts her monthly menstrual cycle. PMS can be caused by many factors such as hormonal imbalances of estrogen and progesterone, stress, diet, nutritional deficiencies, and lifestyle habits. Symptoms may include nervousness, irritability, emotional ups and downs, water retention, and sore breasts.
As the scientific community learns more about premenstrual syndrome (PMS), hormonal imbalance becomes one of the primary culprits. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and acupuncture have been used for centuries to regulate the body systems, promote healing, and re-establish a proper balance of energy and blood flow. Maintaining a healthy balance is very important as any imbalance can create or exacerbate PMS symptoms.
Today, women are turning to Traditional Chinese Medicine as they hope to find an all-natural, holistic way to treat their PMS symptoms. With the relief that TCM has to offer for PMS symptoms, women can now reclaim their physical and emotional strengths without suffering negative side effects.
Balancing “Qi” Energy & Finding Relief
To address the issues relating to PMS, Chinese medicine looks primarily into the health of the energy or “qi” of the liver and the blood flow of the uterus at the time of the initial diagnosis. Acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, acupressure, a prescribed diet based on TCM principles, and heat therapy (moxa) are available treatments that address the whole-body systems of women suffering with PMS.
Acupuncture alone can help reduce bloating and improve overall moods associated with PMS. The proper use of acupuncture needles helps release “qi blockages” in areas of the body where tension is being held. These blocked areas produce pain and discomfort and contribute to imbalances throughout the body. Many women report feeling much more clear-headed after an acupuncture session, and others report that they feel less stress and anxiety associated with their PMS symptoms. They report that they “feel like their old selves” again.
Benefits of Chinese Herbal Remedies
Chinese herbal medicines provide powerful remedies as they address the deep, internal organ imbalances that are causing the PMS symptoms. Chinese herbal medicine is designed to take on a daily basis unless prescribed differently by your Acupuncturist. These time-proven herbal remedies help the body correct the imbalances that are causing the PMS symptoms.
While acupuncture provides fast relief, Chinese herbal medicine provides long lasting solutions that correct the physiological patterns exacerbating the PMS and other health issues. With this in mind, herbal remedies should be continued for at least three months in order to fully address any hormonal irregularities.
This is your chance to take charge of your health. Don’t let PMS or Menopausal symptoms rob you of your ability to live life to its fullest. Learn more about the ways that Traditional Chinese Medicine can alleviate the symptoms that accompany menopause, premenstrual syndrome, and other health issues.
Additional Reading
“What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Pre-Menopause” by John R. Lee, MD.
–This is a book that offers a comprehensive discussion about the hormonal imbalances, diet and lifestyle factors that cause PMS. It discusses many ways in which PMS symptoms can be alleviated through holistic health care.
