Reproductive Wellness Logo

Painful Periods (PMS)

Many women suffer from painful periods and PMS issues. PMS is often viewed as a problem or illness. It’s not. Instead, PMS is a variety of responses to an ordinary event in women’s lives: menstruation.

PMS or pre-menstrual syndrome, usually occurs once a month, about 10 days before menses, and often within the first couple days of menstruation.  Symptoms can range from low back pain, abdominal cramps, bloating, emotional issues, breast tenderness, and/or digestive imbalances.  Although many women experience these symptoms and we have been conditioned to work through the pain, Chinese Medicine views this as an imbalance, and can help alleviate PMS.  The unique distinction with Chinese Medicine, is that we are able to treat your whole body and mind.  Our goal is to understand the root cause of your symptoms, and work to treat not only the symptoms you are experiencing, but also treat this root cause.  Oftentimes, PMS symptoms are a result of stuck “qi” or energy within the body. When energy in your body is not able to flow freely, it becomes blocked.  This blocked energy creates congestion and causes imbalance within the body, which in turn can manifest as abdominal pain, breast distention, low back pain, bloating, digestive discomfort, and emotional issues.  Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine can help you alleviate these symptoms by working to remove these blockages and restore balance.  We strive to not only alleviate your acute PMS symptoms, but also restore the balance within your body so you no longer suffer monthly.

Although PMA is due to unbalanced hormonal fluctuations, other factors such as stress, a nutritionally inadequate diet, lack of exercise and sleep, and a hectic or sedentary lifestyle can exacerbate the symptoms. Women may be at increased risk for PMS if:

  • They are over 30 years old
  • They are experiencing significant amounts of stress
  • Their nutritional habits are poor
  • They have suffered side effect from birth control pills
  • They have difficulty maintaining a stable weight
  • They do not get enough exercise
  • They have had a pregnancy complicated with Toxemia
  • They have a family history of depression

The role of an acupuncturist is to investigate the underlying causes leading to PMS symptoms. After a thorough diagnostic evaluation to determine what organ an meridian systems are out of balance, we treat PMS symptoms according to each individual patient’s imbalances and concerns.

Do you have questions after reading this article? Please let us know! Leave a comment below, we would love to give you some answers!

If you would like to know more, here is what you could do:
  1. If you like to watch some of our awesome videos, follow us onYoutube.
  2. We always share the most up to date information on Facebook. Don’t miss out!
  3. If you are ready to discuss your needs, we are ready to listen.
    If you are not in San Diego, we offer skype and phone consultations. Give us a call! 858 381 2281

Leave a Comment