Acupuncture and TCM Treatments for Endometriosis
There is seemingly an epidemic surrounding women today. Its name? Endometriosis. Many women suffer from this condition and oftentimes rely on heavy medication to control it. But what if there was an alternative? What if we could use Traditional Eastern Methods as treatments for endometriosis? There is reason to believe Traditional Chinese Medicine is beneficial for the treatment of Endometriosis. We’d love to share with you how and why.
What is Endometriosis?
Endometriosis is a condition where tissue that lines the inside of the uterus (endometrium) grows outside of the uterus. This can cause pain, infertility, and other problems. The cause of endometriosis is unknown, but it may be related to genetics or environmental factors.
Women who suffer from endometriosis may experience a wide range of symptoms. This includes pelvic pain that is often worse than usual. The sharpness and frequency can increase over time as well. Doctors often diagnose endometriosis as something else. Both from the range of symptoms, and also because of the limited data and research on endometriosis.
What treatments are available for endometriosis?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to treatments for endometriosis. Treatment options include medications, surgery, and lifestyle changes.
Medications can include painkillers, hormones, or other treatments to help control the symptoms. Surgery is done to remove patches of endometriosis tissue. When infertility is a problem, surgery is performed to help fertility.
However, not every woman is comfortable with taking medication. Similarly, many women like to consider surgery as their last option. So they look at Traditional Chinese Medicine as an alternative that can be effective for them.
How can Traditional Chinese Medicine help?
There are many treatments that TCM uses to treat Endometriosis. Some of these include acupuncture, herbs, and dietary therapy. Acupuncture can help regulate the menstrual cycle and promote blood circulation. This, in turn, helps to reduce the symptoms of endometriosis.
We often also use herbs to help detoxify the body and clear away any blockages. This helps to reduce inflammation and pain. Additionally, dietary therapy can help regulate the digestive system and improve overall health.
All of these treatments work together to help restore balance in the body. This is key when it comes to treating endometriosis. When the body is in balance, the symptoms are often much more manageable.
How does acupuncture help treat endometriosis?
The TCM view on endometriosis is that it's caused by inactive blood and Qi. In other words, the flow of energy or "Qi" in your body isn't quite right. This leads to an overactive immune response. If this goes untreated for long enough, it can lead to more serious health problems.
Acupuncture helps with endometriosis by increasing blood circulation. This helps clear away the stagnation and reduce inflammation. Additionally, acupuncture helps to regulate the menstrual cycle and promote overall health. All of these factors work together to help reduce the symptoms of endometriosis.
Acupuncture stimulates the body's natural painkillers associated with healing tissues. It also encourages the release of molecules that help fight off chronic conditions, such as the chronic pain caused by endometriosis. Acupuncture is also a great way to reduce inflammation in the body.
Where do they place the acupuncture needles?
The acupuncture points used to treat endometriosis are mainly the same as those used to treat other gynecological issues. These issues range from PMS, irregular periods, and infertility. The most commonly used points include:
SP6 (Sanyinjiao): This point is located on the inner ankle. It helps regulate the menstrual cycle and improve blood circulation.
CV4 (Guanyuan): This point is located in the lower abdomen, below the navel. We use it to tonify the kidneys and improve fertility.
LI4 (Hegu): This point is located on the back of the hand, between the thumb and first finger. It relieves pain and inflammation.
These are just a few of the many acupuncture points that can be used to treat endometriosis. Your acupuncturist will work with you to find the points that work best for you.
What kind of herbs help with endometriosis treatment?
The use of traditional Chinese medicine to treat endometriosis is an important part of natural remedies. Many different herbs are used to help treat endometriosis. Some of the most common ones include:
Ginger: Helps improve blood circulation and reduce inflammation.
Chamomile: This herb helps calm the mind and body, promote relaxation, and reduce anxiety and stress.
Dang Gui: This helps tonify the blood and improve circulation.
Your acupuncturist may also recommend other herbs specific to your needs. It's important to work with an experienced practitioner to make sure you're taking the right herbs and in the right dosages. If you're looking to get herbal recipes, we recommend you check out our partner clinic, Eastern Acupuncture and Wellness. They have an herbal pharmacy in-house and very knowledgeable physicians that help us out all the time.
Diet Changes Can Help You Control Your Endometriosis
In addition to acupuncture and TCM, making some dietary changes can also help you treat endometriosis. Some of the most important diet changes to make include:
Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables: This will help boost your immune system and reduce inflammation.
Avoid processed foods: These foods are high in sugar, unhealthy fats, and artificial additives, all of which can worsen inflammation.
Reduce your caffeine and alcohol: Caffeine and alcohol both increase inflammation.
Increase your intake of omega-3 fatty acids: Omega-3 fatty acids help to reduce inflammation. Some good sources are salmon, walnuts, and chia seeds.
Making dietary changes can be hard. But it's important to make the effort if you want to control your endometriosis. It's also important to remember that everyone is different and what works for one person may not work for another. You may need to experiment with different foods to find what works best for you.
What Lifestyle Changes Treat Endometriosis?
In addition to acupuncture, herbs, and diet changes, there are also a few lifestyle changes that can help you control your endometriosis. Some of the most important ones include:
Getting enough rest: This will help reduce fatigue and stress. Both of which can worsen endometriosis.
Exercising regularly: Exercise can help improve circulation and reduce inflammation.
Staying hydrated: Drinking plenty of water will help flush toxins from the body and reduce inflammation.
Managing stress: Stress can make your endometriosis worse. Which is why it's important to find ways to manage it. Some effective techniques include yoga, meditation, and breathing exercises. All activities we offer every month!
Just like diet changes, making lifestyle changes can be hard. However, it's worth it! The changes help control your endometriosis. It's also important to remember that these are just a few of the many things you can do to help. You should discuss all of your treatment options with your physician.
There are many different treatments for endometriosis available, including acupuncture, TCM, herbs, and dietary changes. Acupuncture is a very effective treatment for endometriosis and can help control your symptoms. Moreover, your acupuncturist may also recommend other treatments, such as herbs and dietary changes. Making some lifestyle changes can help you manage your endometriosis. Furthermore, it's important to remember that everyone is different and what works for one person may not work for you. You should discuss all of your treatment options with your acupuncturist.
If you're looking for more information on treatments for endometriosis or are curious to try acupuncture for the first time as a treatment, please reach out! You can contact us by calling us at 954-400-5504 or emailing us with any questions. If you're looking for a more specialized treatment you can always reach out to our partners at Eastern Acupuncture and Wellness by emailing them!