Acupuncture for Healthy Menstrual Cycles

Menstrual health is a vital aspect of overall well-being and can be thought of as a “fifth vital sign,” along with blood pressure, body temperature, heart rate, and respiratory rate. Yet many women face challenges like irregular cycles, painful periods, or mood swings.

Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offer a holistic approach to managing menstrual health, focusing on balancing the body's energy (Qi), harmonizing hormones, and promoting emotional well-being. This article explores how acupuncture and TCM can support menstrual health, offering practical tips for maintaining a healthy menstrual cycle.

Understanding Menstrual Health in TCM

In Chinese Medicine, menstrual health is closely linked to the balance of Qi and Blood, as well as the proper functioning of the Liver, Spleen, and Kidney meridian systems. These organs work together to regulate the menstrual cycle, nourish the uterus, and maintain emotional balance.

Liver: The Liver is responsible for the free flow of Qi and Blood. If the Liver Qi is stagnant, it can lead to painful periods, PMS, and emotional disturbances.

Spleen: The Spleen governs the production of Blood. A weak Spleen can lead to insufficient Blood, resulting in light or irregular periods.

Kidney: The Kidneys store the essence (Jing), which is fundamental for reproductive health. Weak Kidney energy can cause issues like irregular cycles or infertility.

Additionally, two crucial meridians—the Conception Vessel (Ren Mai) and the Chong Meridian (Chong Mai)—play a significant role in regulating the menstrual cycle and reproductive health. These channels belong to a special system of channels called “The 8 Extraordinary Vessel”:

Conception Vessel (Ren Mai): Known as the "Sea of Yin," the Conception Vessel is responsible for nourishing and regulating the reproductive organs. It runs along the midline of the front of the body and is essential for maintaining a healthy uterus and supporting fertility.

Chong Meridian (Chong Mai): Often referred to as the "Sea of Blood," the Chong Meridian is closely linked to the menstrual cycle. It runs vertically through the body and intersects with the Conception Vessel. The Chong Meridian governs the flow of Blood and Qi throughout the body, particularly in the uterus, and plays a vital role in menstrual health, fertility, and pregnancy.

How Acupuncture Supports Menstrual Health

Acupuncture is a key component of TCM that involves inserting fine needles into specific points on the body to balance the flow of Qi. For menstrual health, acupuncture can:

Regulate hormones: By balancing the endocrine system, acupuncture helps regulate hormones, promoting regular menstrual cycles and reducing symptoms like PMS or heavy bleeding.

Relieve pain: Acupuncture releases endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers, and reduces inflammation, making it an effective treatment for menstrual cramps and pelvic pain.

Reduce stress and anxiety: Acupuncture calms the nervous system, helping to manage stress and emotional imbalances that often accompany menstruation.

Improve blood flow: By promoting the smooth flow of Blood and Qi, acupuncture ensures that the uterus is well-nourished, supporting healthy menstruation.

Chinese Medicine Tips for Menstrual Health

In addition to acupuncture, TCM offers several lifestyle and dietary tips to support menstrual health:

Warm the abdomen: In TCM, cold is believed to cause stagnation, leading to pain and irregular periods. Keep your abdomen warm, especially during your period, by using a heating pad or consuming warm foods and drinks.

Nourish the blood: Foods that nourish the Blood, like dark leafy greens, red meat (in moderation), beets, and dates, are essential during menstruation. Incorporating these into your diet can help replenish Blood and support a healthy flow.

Herbal remedies: TCM herbs like Dong Quai (Angelica Sinensis), and White Peony are often used to regulate the menstrual cycle and alleviate symptoms. Consult a licensed TCM practitioner for personalized herbal prescriptions.

Practice gentle movement: Activities like yoga, tai chi, or walking can help keep the Qi flowing smoothly. Avoid intense exercise during menstruation, as it can deplete energy and exacerbate symptoms.

Manage stress: Stress is a major disruptor of menstrual health in TCM. Practices like meditation, deep breathing, or acupuncture can help manage stress and maintain hormonal balance.

Hydrate properly: Drinking warm or room-temperature water helps maintain the body’s internal warmth and supports the smooth flow of Blood and Qi. Avoid cold or icy beverages, especially during menstruation.

When to Seek Acupuncture for Menstrual Health

If you experience symptoms like irregular periods, severe cramps, heavy bleeding, or significant mood swings, acupuncture may offer relief. Your practitioner will tailor the treatment to your unique constitution and menstrual pattern, ensuring a holistic approach to your health.

Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine offer a powerful, natural approach to supporting menstrual health. By balancing the body’s energies, regulating hormones, and addressing emotional well-being, these tried and true modalities can help women achieve a healthy, pain-free menstrual cycle. If you’re interested in exploring acupuncture for your menstrual health, consult with a licensed practitioner who can guide you on your journey to better health.

About Us

As dedicated acupuncturists with a focus on women's health, your Balance practitioners integrate the wisdom of Traditional Chinese Medicine into modern wellness practices. Our passion is helping women achieve hormonal balance and menstrual health through personalized care and holistic treatments. To learn more about how acupuncture can support your menstrual health, feel free to contact us at info@balancecharleston.com or (843)790-4295.

Local Acupuncturist Works to Support Families Facing Fertility Concerns

As seen in The Post and Courier’s Lowcountry Parent article, “Local acupuncturist works to support families facing fertility concerns”, by Heather Artushin (June 1, 2022).

Infertility is more common than you think, affecting one in eight couples who are trying to grow a family. Though many couples might worry about their fertility after a few months of trying to conceive, infertility becomes a concern from a medical standpoint after 12 months or more of being unable to become pregnant. Infertility does not discriminate - research shows that men and women are equally likely to experience reproductive concerns.

The impacts of infertility can include incidence rates of depression, anxiety and stress. For some people, supplementing traditional infertility treatments, such as in vitro fertilization (IVF), with holistic approaches, like acupuncture, can offset some of the added stress.

“Acupuncture is known for reducing stress. This is so important for fertility clients,” shares Lauren Becker, founder of Balance Acupuncture of Charleston. “It releases endorphins, helping the whole body relax, from your muscles to your mind. The nervous system slows down, causing the blood vessels to dilate and improving blood flow. When we are more relaxed, we feel more in control, which is especially important for those undergoing fertility treatments like IVF.”

Becker specializes in supporting people through infertility, although that wasn’t always her plan. “Most of my practice is now focused on fertility; when I started my career as an acupuncturist nine years ago, I didn’t know this would become my specialty,” she said. “But gradually, I started seeing more and more women trying to improve their chances of pregnancy, and when we would get the positive pregnancy test during the course of our acupuncture treatments, it was just the most joyful feeling.”

Research has shown many benefits to acupuncture for women who are trying to conceive, beyond stress reduction. “Acupuncture improves blood flow and microcirculation to the reproductive organs, especially the ovaries and uterus,” Becker explains. “Improving circulation nourishes follicular growth and also helps build a healthier endometrial lining. Increased ovarian blood flow increases our fertility. A thick uterine lining is the ideal environment for implantation and pregnancy … Additionally, acupuncture helps improve egg quality, balances the hypothalamus-pituitary-ovarian axis which helps to balance hormones, lowers inflammation, lowers stress levels, and helps increase healthier ovulation and cervical mucus. That’s a lot of good stuff!”

Becker works with women in all stages of their family planning journey. “Some may be planning for pregnancy but haven’t started yet,” she shares, “Some have been trying for six months or a year with no success, others experiencing recurrent miscarriages and some who are undergoing IVF or IUI and have read about acupuncture’s successes in improving the odds for pregnancy through IVF/IUI. I also work with many women who are trying to conceive naturally and there has not been a history of any issues, they just want all the support they can get.”

The incredibly personal experience of infertility can be difficult to share, but more easily navigated with a supportive village. Seeking a team of knowledgeable, supportive professionals can empower couples to increase their odds of making their dreams of having a baby a reality, and offer much-needed empathy, understanding and care on the often complex path to parenthood.

[Original article can be found here: https://www.postandcourier.com/lowcountryparent/health/local-acupuncturist-works-to-support-families-facing-fertility-concerns/article_fe43ee8a-e106-11ec-827d-4b3933d0693c.html]