It is fair to say that women are warriors. Between managing menstrual pain, mending heartbreaks, and trying to shed the same 5 lbs that keeps creeping back, we go through a lot!
But even the strongest warriors have their moments of pain and frustration. Every month, mother nature provides us with one of the most painful gifts of all: Our period. Every woman has a different experience with their menstrual cycle. Some experience minimal cramping and discomfort while others are bed ridden with intense pain.
Despite each of us having different experiences, we have been taught that there is only one way to manage these symptoms: NSAIDs. The problem is, they only work for some women. It is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Not to mention the harmful side effects of pain medicine.
According to the Healthcare Medicine Institute, "Lack of satisfaction in standard treatment leads to an increase in self-care, with women commonly using complementary therapies to deal with their menstrual pain in addition to, or instead of, pharmaceutical pain relief, due to a lack of perceived effectiveness or a dislike of using analgesic medication" [5] Due to this, women have turned to other types of treatment, such as acupuncture.
Acupuncture is becoming increasingly popular in treating reproductive related issues such as infertility, endometriosis, PCOS and even PMS. PMS is caused by a significant change in hormone levels as the entire body seems to go “out of wack.”
How does acupuncture help get rid of my PMS symptoms?
When acupoints are activated, blood flow to the uterus is increased which relaxes the muscles and in turn reduces the amount of pain (cramping) felt. Acupuncture also increases the amount of endorphins released which aid in pain relief and help minimize mood swings and irritability. Overall, acupuncture balances out the hypothalamic-pituitary axis, the brain’s hormone regulator, which ultimately improves mood and reduces pain. Everyone’s treatment plan varies, but it is recommended that you seek treatment for at least 3 months to see the largest improvement in your symptoms.
When you visit a licensed acupuncturist, such as Acupuncture Wellness and Fertility Clinic, you will not only be getting the best possible treatment, you will also have peace of mind knowing that suffering from PMS can be a thing of the past!
Contact us today for your free consultation and begin your journey to menstrual relief!