Period cramps or dysmenorrhea usually begins following one or two years of menstruating. The problem is often associated with lower back or abdomen pain, which may extend to the legs. The majority of women affected by dysmenorrhea experience cramping and spasms but the problem may disappear after giving birth.
Individuals experiencing secondary dysmenorrhea may be faced with irregularities in the reproductive organs. The complications can be triggered by fibroids, endometriosis or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). As a result, an individual struggles with severe pain before menstruation begins.
Medical science offers a number of solutions to the problem, such as surgery, birth control pills and pain medications. In some cases, patients are advised to massage the painful area or apply pressure using a heated cloth.
How Acupuncture Alleviates Menstrual Pain
Acupuncture for period pain employs a natural mechanism of action to provide much-needed relief. This eliminates the need for risky medications that may cause adverse reactions. Some practitioners treat patients by combining acupuncture with Chinese herbal medicine. The medicine is tailored to the patient’s specific needs depending on whether the pain is due to primary or secondary dysmenorrhea.
In addition, the patient is treated using heat therapies and moxibustion. According to Chinese medicine, period pain results from a blockage in the flow of energy as well as blood in the body. The status of the patient’s vital organs is evaluated closely. These include the kidneys, spleen and the liver in addition to the health of blood.
The evaluation allows the practitioner to create a custom treatment plan based on the status of the vital organs. Chinese medicine states that a smooth flowing menstruation is critical for a woman to fall pregnant.
Effectiveness
Research studies have shown that the practice of combining Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture to treat gynecological problems is effective. According to the studies, the rate of effectiveness for auricular acupuncture stands at an impressive 90 percent. Meanwhile, Chinese herbal medicine has an effective rate of 60 percent.
Researchers also discovered that when it comes to the treatment of primary and secondary dysmenorrhea, the effective rate for both Chinese medicine and auricular acupuncture is identical. However, the later is more effective when dealing with severe dysmenorrhea due to endometriosis. The observations were part of a randomized, controlled trial. Researchers used a laparoscopy to confirm the diagnosis of endometriosis.
It has been proven that a combination of acupuncture, moxibustion and herbs is more effective at controlling menstrual pain than ibuprofen.
Acupuncturists in Melbourne have the experience to treat mild and severe period pain safely and effectively.
Leave a Reply