How does TCM approach endometriosis?
Firstly, the symptoms of endometriosis. They can have a widespread impact on your daily wellbeing, including social, physical, and mental activities.
Common symptoms of Endometriosis
- Intense pain during period
- Sharp, stabbing lower abdominal pain
- Lower abdominal pain at other times of the month
- Pain on constipation or urination
- Sciatica
- Groin pain
- Pain with sex
- Excessive bleeding
- Fatigue
- Bloating
- Nausea
- Cyclical headaches
- Frequent colds/viruses
- Interrupted sleep
Because this condition is so multi-faceted and can present differently symptom-wise in each person, the treatment approach should also present differently for each person.
In TCM, we use symptoms, tongue, pulse, and body palpation to determine each person’s specific pattern. By treating this pattern, we are not only able to help with the pain and the goal of healing or preventing endometriosis growing, but also the common symptoms that come along with it.
In addition to physical symptoms, it can have a strain on financials, social life, fertility, mental health, and career moves.
The medical management of endometriosis has the potential to reduce pain, yet may induce longer bleeds, post-surgery pain, mood dips, headaches, acne, and weight changes.
The use of acupuncture and herbs to regulate hormones, increase blood circulation, build up your reserves, and calm the nervous system not only may reduce symptoms, but also target the root imbalance.
Deeper stage endometriosis tends to respond well to surgery, more often excision rather than ablation. In TCM we complement these procedures with treatments to help prevent scar tissue and the return of endometriosis. Treatments will be inclusive of dietary and lifestyle adjustments to enhance the progression of healing.
Acupuncture for endometriosis will include a few needles in the hand, potentially (not but necessarily) some in the abdomen, and a few on the legs and feet. The needling is gentle and often relaxing (most people fall asleep).
Call or email to find out more information on treatments for endometriosis or book an appointment to have a detailed consult on your condition.
