Most women accept period pains as an inevitable biological function. For some, menstruation means enduring headaches, endless fatigue, and mild anxiety. It is normal to experience some discomfort during your periods, but severe pain may be a symptom for conditions such as endometriosis or ectopic pregnancy. After quick fixes like heating pads and over-the-counter medication, acupuncture is the next best option in relieving menstrual cramps.
How it Works
Traditional Chinese Medicine classifies severe menstrual pain as a condition of stagnation. Blood flow to the lower abdomen is restricted as the uterine muscles contract. Acupoint therapy increases the blood flow to the uterus which relaxes the muscles and reduces cramps. The treatment also stimulates the release of endorphins from the brain, thus reducing pain, irritability, and regulating mood.
Doctors recommend regular treatments, usually preventative, for the procedure to work. If possible, you should do it weekly, or monthly (before or during your period). For the treatment to be effective, it should continue for three to six months. You may find that inserting needles in strategic points will also lighten your blood flow and regulate your menstrual cycle.
A lot of people prefer acupuncture to painkillers because it has fewer and less severe side effects. It is a gentle treatment and comes nowhere close to the invasiveness of drugs or surgery. Common side effects include minor bruising, soreness, or bleeding on the insertion points. Otherwise, acupuncture is relatively painless and effective in reducing pain, regulating hormones, and restoring balance to the body.
If done improperly, acupuncture can have severe consequences. You should always have the procedure performed with sterile needles by a well-trained practitioner.
Additional Benefits
The benefits of acupuncture go beyond relieving menstrual pain. It promotes general body health by maintaining a continuous flow of energy and blood. As a result, acupuncture is an effective treatment for inflammation. When coupled with dietary and lifestyle changes, the treatment can do a lot to improve your general quality of life.
The efficiency of this treatment is proven by how long it has been used. Apart from pain relief, acupuncture also helps in regulating digestion, mood, and sleep. Health issues like infertility, chronic back pain, and migraines can also be treated in the same way.
Most women notice improvements in their cycles after the first month of treatment. Acupuncture may not be for everyone, but if your period pains have outgrown heating pads and pain medication, then you should definitely give it a try.
Rita Makokha start with blogging to challenge the traditional (and often WRONG) assumptions about women. Having grown up in a society where deep-trenched stereotypes about women as homemakers submissive beings still exist, she felt obliged to start MAKANGELA
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