What is Endometriosis? It is a condition where the normal uterine lining (endometrium) starts growing outside the uterus. Endometriosis causes include retrograde menstruation. In this condition, the uterine lining that grows and sheds at the time of each menstrual cycle normally, starts growing outside the uterus. The endometrium reacts to the hormonal fluctuations during the cycle, and when a woman has her period, the blood, instead of releasing from the body gets trapped. This causes some serious side effects such as menstrual pain, heavy bleeding, and problems concerning fertility. It has become a common condition now and has affected more than 6-10% of women of reproductive age and 50% of women end up with infertility.
Treatment for Endometriosis Pain and Other Symptoms
Women who are suffering from endometriosis are prescribed painkillers as the first line of treatment to reduce pain symptoms. They are also offered oral contraceptives (birth control pills) so as to reduce the pain to a great extent and the symptoms of heavy bleeding. When the first line of treatment fails to provide relief, or women start suffering from unbearable side effects, doctors prescribe invasive procedures. Invasive procedures include ablation, or removal of excess tissue by a surgical procedure. If all the treatments fail, doctors suggest hysterectomy or the surgical removal of the uterus.
Acupuncture for Endometriosis
The Eastern medical theories consider endometriosis to be an issue of improper blood circulation or blood stasis. They offer treatments that help boost the blood circulation and for the blood flow to reach the uterus, lower abdomen, and any other affected area.
Acupuncture for Endometriosis – What to Expect?
Acupuncture treatment can cut off the severity of the symptoms of endometriosis to a great extent. But in order to experience an extended period of relief from some of the symptoms, patients must continue the treatment protocol for a long time. After a session of four weekly treatments, patients experience a marked improvement in the symptoms.
Not only is acupuncture a non-invasive process, it is also a natural and inexpensive procedure, which has little to no side-effects.
When you visit an acupuncture practitioner, a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) diagnosis is all about identifying your unique symptoms. This treatment respects your individuality and caters to an individualistic treatment plan. The most common TCM imbalances, also known as clusters of symptoms in endometriosis are as follows:
- Blood stasis
- Kidney yang deficiency
- Qi stagnation
- Spleen qi deficiency
- Damp heat stagnation and stasis
If you are aiming to go for acupuncture for endometriosis, go for the initial course of treatment but expect it to last for six to eight weeks and you have to pay regular visits to your acupuncturist’s clinic, at least once or twice a week. Then, gradually, your acupuncturist will push it to two weeks a month. You can expect results in three to six months.
Does Acupuncture Benefit Women with Endometriosis?
Well, there is no definitive answer to this question. It is said that the treatment could help women deal with the discomfort pertaining to endometriosis.
The New England Journal of Medicine published an article in 2011 and found out about the evidence on the efficacy of Japanese-style acupuncture for endometriosis-related pain. The article also mentioned that more random trials on a larger scale are needed to confirm the findings. Another article in the year 2017 also indicated that endometriosis pain can be reduced with acupuncture.
Endometriosis Natural Treatment – Acupuncture for Endometriosis
Acupuncture may not be a mainstream treatment but an alternative one. Complementary medicine is something that does not replace conventional treatment but can be carried out with other medical treatments. Try the following acupuncture points for substantial relief from the pain,
1. Spleen 6:
San Yin Jiao (SP6) is used for a host of conditions such as urological, pelvic disorders, insomnia, and menstrual cramps. Locate the San Yin Jiao (SP6) point on the inside of your leg, just above your ankle. Apply deep pressure on the bone (tibia) and massage the area for a good 4-5 seconds. San Yin Jiao (SP6) is a point you must not use in pregnancy as it is said to induce labor.
2. Tai Chong (LV3):
It is commonly used to treat a number of issues such as stress, lower back pain, anxiety, insomnia, high blood pressure, menstrual cramps, and limb pain. You can locate this point (LV3) on your foot about two finger widths above the place where the skin of your big toe joins one of the next toes. Locate the point with your shoes off then use strong pressure to activate the point for 4-5 seconds.
3. Kidney 3 point:
It is Also, known as the Taixi in Chinese, this acupuncture point is located on the medial aspect of the foot, right behind the medial malleolus, in the indentation between the tip of the medial malleolus and the tendo calcaneus. It can treat a number of conditions such as the frequent need to urinate, impotence, spermatorrhea, tinnitus, deafness, irregular menstruation, lumbar pain, insomnia, blurring of vision, toothache, cough, asthma, diabetes, and swelling of the pharynx.
The benefits range from tonifying the Kidneys (Yin and Yang), strengthening your lower back and help relieve heel/ankle pain.
The benefits range from tonifying the Kidneys (Yin and Yang), strengthening your lower back and help relieve heel/ankle pain.
4. CV6 Pressure Point:
This point is located 1.5 cun under CV8 (belly button). It tonifies original Qi (Yuan Qi) and Yang, restores the Qi also regulates Qi in the lower burner.
Besides treating the symptoms of endometriosis pain you will also treat the symptoms such as deficiency of Qi and Yang collapse, tiredness, cold limbs, weak voice, soft stools, scrotal and inguinal hernia, pain in the lower burner, chronic vaginal discharge, pain in the lower burner, prostate problems and so on. It specifically targets uterus, genitals and lower abdomen.
5. CV4 Pressure Point:
Conception vessel 4 (CV4) is a powerpoint to combat chronic debilitating diseases, as it is a great point for Liver, Kidney and Spleen channels. It treats menstrual disorders, urinary disorders, sexual dysfunction, menopause symptoms, and intestinal digestive disorders. Find this point on the midline, 3 cun inferior to the umbilicus point.
Acupuncture for endometriosis pain is a treatment that needs numerous visits and treatments. If you’re considering acupuncture, discuss it out with your practitioner before you start on this course of treatment. You can also talk to your medical provider about how you can incorporate the treatment in your current treatment protocol and the results you’re experiencing for endometriosis pain.
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