Multiple Studies Show That Herbal Medicine and Acupuncture are the Best Forms of Treatment for PMS

PMS or premenstrual syndrome can be alleviated with herbs and acupuncture recent research has shown. A meta-analysis of 11 herbal medicine and 8 acupuncture studies showed a 50% or greater rate of success in the decrease of PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder) and PMS. Moreover, no evidence of adverse side effects was recorded. This led the researchers to conclude that the herbal medicines and acupuncture used in the test were both effective and safe.

PMS usually happens during menstrual cycle’s late luteal phase. The study noted that more than a quarter of menstruating women complain of moderate-to-severe PMS. About 5% complain of severe symptoms. The study revealed that acupuncture was able to lessen symptoms by almost 78% after two to four rounds of treatment. The acupuncture protocol providing these outcomes used acupuncture points DU20, UB23, LI4, GB34, HT3, PC6, CV3, CV6, CV4, and the Shenmen point. Besides that, these outcomes were superior in many ways to the sham acupuncture treatments in the study.

Acupuncture of the hand was revealed to be more effective than traditional acupuncture in the treatment of hot flashes. Symptoms of depression, swelling, mood swings, and anxiety were handled extremely well with using hand moxibustion treatment. There were no notable differences in treatment results between acupuncture therapies given during the follicular and luteal phases. The conductors of the study concluded that these results showed that acupuncture treatments should not necessarily only be confined to the luteal phase.

The study also showed that no side effects were recorded in the use of herbal medicine, which was the same as acupuncture therapy. The PMS symptoms were effectively alleviated by herbal formulas Hsiao Yao San and Dan Zhi Hsiao. A 70% decrease of PMS symptoms was noted in groups treated with Hsiao Yao San, Vitax Agnus, or hand acupuncture. This recent study showed outcomes that were confirmed in another study named the Therapeutic effect of Vitex agnus castus in patients with PMS. The researchers in that study concluded that for the relief of symptoms of mild and moderate PMS, Vitex agnus can be used since it is a well tolerated and effective treatment. In another study entitled Treatment of PMS with a Phytopharmaceutical Formulation Containing Vitex agnus castus , similar conclusions were reached.

Going back to the most recent study, the use of a decoction of Hsiao Yao San led to an almost 75% rate of improvement in the treatment of insomnia and an overall decrease in fatigue by almost 69%. A rate of improvement of more than 50% in the relief of back pain was recorded with the use of Vitex Agnus castus. The Hsiao Yao San decoction scored the highest for the alleviation of depression, anxiety, mood swings, and irritability. The researchers show that treatment using Elsholtzia splendens and Vitex Agnus castus resulted in a greater than 50% improvement in the treatment of increased anger during the luteal phase. With the exception of Cirsium japonicum, both herbal medicines acupuncture manifested significant improvements over placebo controls.

The researchers assert that these findings warrant a multi-center and large scale study. They recommended more studies be done that will compare between treatment durations, dosages, and treatment frequencies, for each symptom of PMS/PMDD. They state that their findings complement the other reviews of in the treatment of PMS/PMDD using herbal medicines and acupuncture.

The conductors of the study gave background into PMS treatment using alternative, conventional, and complementary modes of treatment. It has been documented in a US telephone survey that 80% of women will choose non-pharmacological modalities including supplements, vitamins, and other types of treatment options, if available. Pharmacological modalities include the use of estrogen, GnRh antagonists, progesterone, psychotropics, diuretics, antidepressants, pyridoxine, gonadotropin inhibitors, synthetic androgen, drospirenone, and ethinyl estradiol. The researchers revealed that the majority of women chose alternative and complementary medicines, cognitive behavioral therapy, exercise, dietary changes, and other non-pharmacologic approaches.

In a related study, scientists discovered that combined with cupping and moxibustion, acupuncture for the treatment of menstrual pain can be extremely effective. This study used 66 patients all suffering from menstrual pain (dysmenorrhea). Two to six months treatment using a combination of moxibustion, acupuncture, and cupping led to the significant relief or even total elimination of the pain.

The study used main acupuncture points Sanyinjiao (SP6), Diji (SP8), Taihsi (K3), Hsuehai (SP10), and Guanyuan (CV4). Moxibustion and cupping were included in Shuidao (ST28) and CV4 when indicated by the diagnosis.

One other study using acupoint SP6 stuck with acupuncture needles led to the treatment of menstrual pain. During the study samples of blood of the participants were taken. The study shows that even if acupuncture did relieve menstrual pain, it was not associated with the prostaglandin’s levels of plasma. The study’s investigators concluded that the painkilling effect of the treatment of the SP6 acupoint is not dictated by the changes in the levels of prostaglandin changes in the bloodstream.

 

Amy-SuiQun Lui, L.Ac.
Asian Health Center
27059 Grand Army of the Republic Hwy
Cleveland, OH 44143
Tel: (440) 833-0983

Acupuncture Treatment for PMS

Pharyngitis more commonly as a sore throat is usually a sign of an allergic reaction or an infection like the common cold. The belief of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) about sore throats is that they are the result of a number of different factors that include dryness, wind and heat. Your acupuncturist or TCM practitioner will usually utilize a number of points to resolve the symptoms as well as target the root of the condition. Consult with your doctor about your symptoms and see if acupuncture is apt for your condition.

Points and Meridians

TCM believes that the body is made up of vital energy or qi. This qi circulates throughout the body through energy vessels known as meridians. Stimulating affected meridians with very fine acupuncture needles can restore the balance within the troubled organ, potentially harmonizing the entire body of the person. Each acupuncture point possesses a unique function and sometimes a number of functions for just one point. A combination of points may be selected for sore throat which often includes the ones that can clear heat, promote moisture and target the underlying problems.

Points to Clear Heat

Sore throats may be observed by the acupuncturist as red, indicating heat, based on TCM theory. Acupuncture points Lung 10 and 11 (L10 and L11) are needled to alleviate the pain and clear heat. These points can be either manually pressured or needled. The L11 point, situated next to the outer end of the thumb nail’s base can be needled and allow drops of blood to fall in order to remove heat. The same procedure can be performed on the large intestine point one (LI 1), located close to the index of the finger’s nail. When pricked, this point can also relieve sore throat pain and remove heat.

Points for Dryness

Sinus blockages can cause a stuffy nose that may force you to breathe through your mouth and thus result in a sore throat and dry mouth. When this happens, your acupuncturist can treat points that help relieve the pain and increase moisture, while at the same time, regulate mucosal fluid and drain sinuses. The large intestine point 4 and lung point 7 can treat symptoms related to head colds and congestion. Needling the points kidney 6 and spleen 6, both located on the leg, as well as conception vessel 12, found on the chest, can aid in improving moisture and regulating body fluids.

Local Points

There are certain acupuncture points that lie on the affected area itself that also need to be stimulated. These points are located on the throat and neck areas and can help treat throat pain. They are the points LI (large intestine) 17 and 18. Their stimulation can benefit the throat by alleviating swallowing difficulty and reducing soreness. Conception point 22 is found in the cavity above the breastbone. Stimulating it can help treat loss of voice and pain and clear phlegm in the throat.

 

Scott Paglia is a licensed and board certified acupuncturist in Bellingham, WA and provides master level pulse diagnosis, Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture in Whatcom County, WA.

Acupuncture Treatment for PMS

Unlike the human male species, human females have to deal with their oftentimes onerous monthly periods. Yes, there are women whose monthly cycles are short and easy but for the rest of them, these periods are too long and unpleasant. By means of alternative therapies, these issues can be easily dealt with.

It is not only the reproductive system that is affected by female hormones. They affect the looks of a woman and how she feels as well. The reproductive system has a lot of issues associated with it and fortunately, most of them can be treated with Eastern medicines and acupuncture. Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) are two of the most common problems besetting multitudes of women. When talking about PMS, symptoms may range from extreme moodiness to excruciating pain. It can be moderate to severe pain that may come from cramping required to remove the entire uterine lining that had thickened. These symptoms often plague a lot of women who nevertheless often find a way of relief from them. Many of them happily have found the relief that they desire from Eastern treatments such as acupuncture.

PCOS has a huge impact on a woman’s body. Weight gain without any means to lose it, moodiness, depression, menstruation that is sporadic or ceases completely for long periods of time and unnatural hair growth are just some of the effects it can wreak on a woman’s body. Going for acupuncture treatment can help balance a woman’s hormones. People who are undergoing discomforts from their monthly periods require physical manipulation in order to realign their body and restore it back to health. Nutritional supplements can be useful with some of the ailments but only a therapy such as acupuncture can resolve the pain, bloat and inflammation.

Hormonal imbalances that affect menstruation can likewise cause fibromyalgia, migraines, and other kinds of issues. A holistic treatment such as acupuncture can lead to a balance of the hormones and energy that is required to maintain good health. With acupuncture, the menstrual cycle of a female can be normalized and other problems related to imbalances in the body all addressed.

Over the course of time, acupuncture has demonstrated to help reduce cramps, improve blood flow to the reproductive organs and overall, reduce the harmful side effects of Mother Nature. One can only shake in disbelief about Western physicians being poorly informed of the benefits a acupuncture and spinal alignment can give. You need not suffer from your monthly periods and it should never be allowed to dictate how you live.

Having something that can cause a minor problem is one thing, but having it entirely affect the quality of your life is never good.

 

Willow Tree Wellness Clinic
1607 NE 16th Avenue
Portland, OR 97232
Ph: 503-281-0030
http://willowtreeclinic.com

Acupuncture to Help You with Your PMS Symptoms

About 70% – 90% of women in the United States who haven’t reached menopause suffer from PMS. The rate of PMS incidence in premenopausal women in Southeast Asia is significantly lower. This may be because of the difference in the social structure and the style of living in that region vis-à-vis that of the US.   The definition of PMS is the malfunctioning of the ovaries in connection with the menstrual cycle of the woman. PMS usually affects the emotional and physical state of the woman. It may, at times, disrupt her daily activities due to the fluctuation of her hormones. PMS oftentimes strikes one to two weeks prior to menstruation and then the symptoms decrease and eventually clear during the actual onset of the period.

I. Definition

One of the oldest forms of treatment for PMS is acupuncture. This modality has helped relieve tension in any part of the body resulting from blood and qi stagnation.

II. How acupuncture helps women with PMS

1. Liver qi and blood stagnation

Most of the women suffering from PMS, according to Chinese herbal medicine, have that condition due to blood or liver qi stagnation or both. By inserting an acupuncture needle into a specific point in the body (sometimes combined with electrical stimulation to make the stimulation more effective), the function of the liver is improved leading to the treatment of PMS symptoms.

2. Releasing the tension in the nerves

In order to improve the flow of blood throughout the body, our nervous system needs to be in a relaxed state. A relaxed nervous system can help dispel anxiety, tiredness, insomnia and depression.

3. Yin and Yang qi

The human body possesses two natural energies known as yin and yang. According to Chinese herbalists, imbalance in the body of a woman is caused by an imbalance of her yin and yang. When the balance of these natural energies is restored through the needling of a specific acupuncture point, balance to the hormones is likewise restored prior to ovulation which therefore can help eliminate PMS symptoms.

4. Cramping and pain

Acupuncture can alleviate menstrual cramps and pain resulting from the over active muscle in the stomach region. Acupuncture removes the stagnation of blood and qi allowing the muscles to relax thus relieving stomach cramps and pain.

5. Kidney deficiency

Women with PMS often suffer from edema (water retention in the body) due to Kidney deficiency. Acupuncture can help bring back the healthy function of the kidney by stimulating more fluid secretion that can help clear out toxins from the body by means of urinary secretion.

 

Scott Paglia is a licensed and board certified acupuncturist in Bellingham, WA and provides master level pulse diagnosis, Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture in Whatcom County, WA.

PMS Complications

A lot of complications can arise due to premenstrual syndrome (PMS). A woman’s social life can be greatly affected as well as her mood and when she suffers from PMS symptoms she may avoid the company she usually interacts with. This company can include relatives, neighbors, friends and even her children. This article will talk about the complications that may arise from premenstrual syndrome.

Suicide Ideations

Medical experts have stated that about 10% of women who suffer from complications connected to PMS have thoughts of suicide. Suicide for them seems to be the only way of being released from the feelings of anxiety, frustration and depression they have to endure. A lot of these women, in fact, have actually attempted to kill themselves.

Some women have successfully overcome this problem and they as well have been able to avail of much needed help that made them come out of this problem alive, well and happy. Women who either try to commit suicide or have pondered killing themselves are more likely to attempt it when they are in the first week of their period or right before their period.

Substance Abuse

A lot of women who experience severe symptoms or severe depression that is the result of their PMS can take to substance abuse to help relieve their symptoms. Many of them may experiment with painkilling medications and pain pills while some may try using mood enhancing medicines and alcohol.

Unhealthy eating habits are also a complication arising from PMS symptoms. Many women who experience substance abuse and smoking as ways to relieve their PMS symptoms have also suffered from poor eating and sleeping habits. A woman with PMS symptoms may eat too little, eat too much or not eat at all. A woman’s regular sleeping cycle may also get disrupted due to PMS. As a result some of them may have extreme levels of fatigue that usually affect their regular daily lives.

The Rise of Health Complications

Females who suffer from severe complications resulting from their PMS may likewise suffer from other health issues. Those who are already suffering from health issues may experience even more severe PMS symptoms during their menstrual cycle. This situation is referred to by health experts as “menstrual magnification”.

PMS can also cause increased severity and flare ups of chronic health conditions during your menstrual cycle. These conditions can include irritable bowel syndrome, lupus, fibromyalgia, asthma, arthritis, migraines and diabetes.

 

BodaHealth
1245 West Broadway #302
Vancouver, BC V6H 1G7, Canada
(604) 733-2632
http://bodahealth.ca/