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Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)

What is PMS?

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) is such a common condition for many females, it’s no wonder that having a period has been named “the curse”. The good news is that Chinese Medicine can  help you to reduce and better manage these symptoms. Despite  PMS being common, Chinese medicine does not  consider these symptoms to be  normal. A woman’s journey through the menstrual cycle should  be pain free and have no emotional or physical discomfort.

Symptoms  can affect up to 80% of females, some are fortunate to have very minimal or no PMS and others can have the most severe form known as Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD). The array of physical and emotional symptoms occur cyclically from one to fourteen days before menstruation, for some women this  accounts for up to   50%  of their reproductive life.

Symptoms vary but can include:

Emotional and behavioral symptoms

Tension or anxietyPMS - Deakin Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine Centre in Deakin, Canberra, Sydney, Rozelle
Depressed mood 
Crying spells    
Mood swings and irritability or anger    
Appetite changes and food cravings   
Poor sleep   
Social withdrawal·      
Poor concentration

Physical signs and symptoms

Joint or muscle pain 
Headache   Abdominal bloating
migraines 
Fatigue    
Weight gain related to fluid retention   
Breast swelling and tenderness 
Skin breakouts    
Constipation or diarrhea 
Overheating 
Lower back pain   
Period pain

Why do I have PMS?

There are four phases of a menstrual cycle, menstruation, follicular phase, ovulation and luteal phase. The menstrual cycle is a hormonal, biofeedback system, this means the function of your reproductive organs and endocrine glands are delicately interconnected. Many lifestyle factors may affect this biofeedback system and contribute to the cause of PMS. 

Chinese medicine diagnosis of PMS?

A Chinese medicine practitioner will help you identify and address factors that may be causing hormonal imbalance. Stress, emotional upsets, poor diet, lack of exercise, toxins, digestive disturbances can all contribute to PMS.

Chinese Medicine treatment for PMS has existed over thousands of years. According to Chinese medicine theory Qi (energy) and Blood should flow freely throughout the body. If Qi and Blood are not free flowing then pelvic stagnation begins. When this occurs during the days leading up to menstruation the symptoms of PMS start, emotional changes, digestive disturbances, skin breakout and physical pain and discomfort are the result of the Qi getting stuck and failing to maintain  smooth systemic circulation

Many women who come for help to address PMS are actually relieved to discover that Bernice Lowe offers Acupuncture fertility, IVF support, Pain Relief in Deakin, Canberra, Sydney, Rozelletheir “random” PMS symptoms are coherently grouped together and made “sense of”  in a Chinese medicine diagnosis. My experience in reproductive health means I can quickly grasp your diagnostic pattern and identify contributing factors and lifestyle habits so as to help you understand and manage your symptoms. Diagnosis is made by your medical history and a careful examination of your pulse, looking at your tongue and physical palpation for any diagnostic reflexes. Commonly imbalances in  Liver, Spleen and Kidneys contribute to a Chinese medicine diagnosis of PMS.

How does Chinese medicine   treat PMS?

Chinese medicine treats the cause of the problem by reaching into the core of the disharmony,  not only will you find your symptoms have reduced but you will find yourself with more energy and a greater sense of well being as your  health begins to improve.

Treatment typically combines these modalities

Deakin Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine Centre offers safe, effective Acupuncture fertility, IVF support, Pain Relief in Deakin, Canberra, Sydney, Rozelle

  • Acupuncture
  • Lifestyle modifications
  • Exercise
  • Herbs
  • Nutritional supplements

“A skilled Chinese medicine practitioner treats the person not the disease”

Numerous PMS studies have researched the efficacy  of Chinese Herbal medicine andPMS - Deakin Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine Centre in Deakin, Canberra, Sydney, Rozelle acupuncture with positive [1] but  somewhat mixed findings [2] [3]. This reflects more upon the complexity of Chinese Medicine and how one treatment doesn’t work for everyone. One of the main challenges in Chinese medicine research, is that for research purposes treatment is standardised so that everyone receives identical treatment. This will often lead to mixed results as one of the fundamental ideas behind Chinese medicine treatment is that each person is unique and two patients presenting with the “same” condition will usually not receive the same treatment.

Your treatment will be targeted to your unique diagnostic pattern of imbalance, I  have found that most women with PMS will respond quickly to treatment and are relieved  that they begin to see  changes in a short period of time. Many women also come away  feeling empowered as my goal is to help with you with self education so that in the long term you can better manage your PMS.

References

1.“Acupuncture for the Management of Primary Dysmenorrhea”. Helms, J. M. MD.Obstetrics & Gynecology: January 1987

2.“Effects and treatment methods of acupuncture and herbal medicine for premenstrual syndrome/premenstrual dysphoric disorder: systematic review” Su Hee Jang, Dong Il Kim, Min-Sun Choi BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine:The official journal of the International Society for Complementary Medicine Research (ISCMR) 2014 14:11

3.“Acupuncture Treatment for Premenstrual Syndrome” Zheng-Rong Guo and Liang-Xiao Ma. Medical Acupuncture. June 2013, 25(3): pp200-204.
 

Deakin Acupuncture &
Oriental Medicine Centre
level 1, Suite 22 "Deakin Court"
27 Hopetoun Cct, Deakin ACT 2600
ph 0419 998 574

PMS - Deakin Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine Centre in Deakin, Canberra, Sydney, Rozelle 
AACMA member 1474
 

Bernice Lowe offers Acupuncture fertility, IVF support, Pain Relief in Deakin, Canberra, Sydney, Rozelle

Deakin Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine Centre offers safe, effective Acupuncture fertility, IVF support, Pain Relief in Deakin, Canberra, Sydney, Rozelle

PMS - Deakin Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine Centre in Deakin, Canberra, Sydney, Rozelle