Acupuncture & PMS
How acupuncture and Chinese medicine can help alleviate PMS symptoms naturally and why this is important for your fertility health
PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome) refers to the physical and emotional symptoms that can arise leading up to menstruation. While variation in how your body feels throughout the cycle is normal, an extreme shift in physical and emotional wellbeing is both pathological and treatable.
Common PMS symptoms include —
Gastrointestinal changes such as gas & bloating, constipation, diarrhea/loose stools, breast tenderness, cramps, fatigue, headaches or migraines, emotional changes such as mood swings, irritability, anger, depression and anxiety, insomnia, acne, night sweats
How acupuncture & Chinese medicine can help alleviate PMS
Given we are working systemically with Traditional Chinese Medicine, a series of treatments address both the root cause of imbalance as well as the manifesting symptoms. The pattern in which your body has been operating under gradually starts to shift so that each part is communicating properly.
What does this mean for you? Overtime, you’ll notice a reduction in monthly PMS symptoms and by treating the root imbalance, your body will function optimally to maintain longer lasting relief.
Treatment goals
While treatments are individualized, the common goals of PMS focused treatments are hormone regulation, increasing healthy blood flow, regulating the nervous system & stress response and supporting digestion & GI health.
Lifestyle tips to compliment treatments
Prioritize movement — this keeps the liver happy and the qi flowing freely to minimize feelings of tension and irritability
Eat your greens — dark leafy greens are filled with vitamins and nutrients that support healthy blood and detoxification
Increase fiber during luteal phase — supporting proper gastrointestinal movement helps to avoid symptoms like gas, bloating and irregular bowel movements
Avoid greasy, fatty foods and lower caffeine and alcohol intake — maintain an anti-inflammatory diet during the second half of your cycle to avoid the buildup of inflammation and likelihood of a painful period
Why treating PMS can support your fertility health
By treating PMS symptoms, we are regulating hormonal imbalances as well as the body’s response to stress, which can result in the regulation of menstrual cycle length and ensure normal ovulation. By supporting these mechanisms of your reproductive health, your body has a higher likelihood to conceive naturally.
Questions about holistic treatments with traditional Chinese medicine? Call or text us, we’re happy to chat 310-817-0052