Menstrual cramps are a common problem experienced by many women during that time of the month. They can range from mild discomfort to severe pain, sometimes making it difficult to carry out daily activities. While over-the-counter pain medications are able to provide temporary relief, they do not treat the root of the problem.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), on the other hand, is a natural alternative to managing menstrual cramps and targets the underlying causes of the pain.
Keep reading to explore how TCM for women’s health can effectively relieve menstrual cramps and promote overall wellness, helping women to enjoy a higher quality of life.
TCM’s view on menstrual cramps
TCM views Menstrual cramps as a result of an imbalance of Qi and Blood in the body, which also affects the functions of vital organs like Kidney, Liver and Spleen. To provide patients with long-term relief from menstrual cramps, TCM practitioners work to identify and address the root cause of the condition. This often involves a holistic approach that considers the patient’s overall health, including their diet and emotional state.
- Kidney Qi deficiency
The Kidney organ system plays a critical role in regulating the menstrual cycle and promoting reproductive health in women. When Kidney Qi is deficient, it leads to imbalances that can result in irregular periods, painful periods and heavy bleeding.
Kidney Qi deficiency can be caused by a variety of factors, including genetic predisposition and chronic illness. However, TCM also recognises the role of lifestyle factors in the development of Kidney Qi deficiency — chronic stress and a poor diet are some contributing factors.
- Qi and Blood deficiency
The Chong and Ren meridians are two important channels in the female body that are responsible for regulating the menstrual cycle and nourishing the reproductive system. The Chong meridian is responsible for nourishing the uterus while the Ren meridian is responsible for regulating the menstrual cycle.
When Qi and Blood are deficient, they are unable to provide proper nourishment to the Chong and Ren meridians, which can compromise their functions and lead to menstrual cramps.
The Spleen is also an important organ in TCM as it helps to digest food and produce Qi and Blood that are used for vital functions in the body. Irregular meals and overconsumption of cold drinks or cooling food can lead to Spleen deficiency.
This affects the function of the Spleen in producing Qi and Blood for the body, which results in the womb having insufficient Blood for menstruation leading to light flow, irregular periods and menstrual cramps.
- Liver Qi stagnation
In TCM for women’s health, the Liver plays a critical role in regulating the female menstrual cycle. It is responsible for regulating the flow of Qi and Blood throughout the body, including the Chong and Ren meridians that are responsible for nourishing and regulating the reproductive system.
When Liver Qi gets stagnant, it can lead to imbalances that will result in painful periods, irregular periods and blood clots, hindering a healthy menstrual cycle.
- Coldness or Dampness
Both Coldness and Dampness are common pathogenic factors that can affect the body and cause various health issues, including menstrual cramps, according to TCM. They obstruct the flow of Qi in the body and compromise the circulation of blood, leading to the formation of blood clots and other menstrual irregularities.
TCM treatments for menstrual cramps
TCM for women’s health utilises both traditional and tech-enhanced treatments to restore balance and harmony in the body, promote healthy blood circulation, and alleviate pain and discomfort.
- Acupuncture
Acupuncture involves the insertion of fine needles into specific points on the body to stimulate the flow of Qi and Blood. It targets the Kidney, Liver and Spleen, Chong and Ren meridians, in particular, to regulate the menstrual cycle, alleviate pain and discomfort, and promote overall health and wellness.
Learn more: 6 Common Myths About Acupuncture Debunked
- Herbal medications
TCM practitioners may prescribe herbal medications to recondition the body and rectify imbalances. For example, they may recommend herbs that nourish deficiencies, dispel Coldness and eliminate Dampness, which can contribute to menstrual cramps. Additionally, strengthening the Kidney and Liver, which are important for menstrual cycles, can help promote healthy blood circulation and alleviate menstrual cramps.
- Moxibustion
Moxibustion involves the burning of a small amount of mugwort over specific acupoints on the body. It warms the womb and dispels Coldness, promoting blood circulation for healthier menstrual cycles.
- Electro-Lymphatic Therapy (ELT)
As technology advances, TCM for women’s health has also adopted new tech-enhanced therapies to achieve quicker and longer-lasting results. ELT is one of them and is a non-invasive therapeutic modality that promotes lymphatic flow and drainage which encourages better blood circulation in the body. For women suffering from conditions such as endometriosis or uterine fibroids, which cause inflammation and menstrual cramps, ELT can reduce inflammation efficiently to help alleviate your discomforts.
- Negative Ion Therapy
Negative ion therapy is a type of therapy that uses negatively charged ions to promote wellness. The therapy is used to enhance TCM treatments by improving cell metabolism and cell rejuvenation, resulting in healthier red blood cells. This addresses blood deficiency and promotes blood circulation to alleviate menstrual cramps.
Learn more: Preparing For Your First Negative Ion Therapy
Tips for a painless menstrual cycle
Many women experience menstrual cramps and discomfort during their monthly cycle. While some level of discomfort is normal, there are several tips and lifestyle changes that can help to alleviate pain and promote a painless menstrual cycle. Here are some simple habits to adopt, according to TCM.
- Exercise regularly to improve Qi flow
Low-impact exercises such as yoga and pilates can help to improve Qi flow throughout the body, preventing stagnation in the meridians which often lead to menstrual cramps.
- Avoid cold drinks and food
Cold food and drinks can constrict the blood vessels and slow down the flow of Blood and Qi in the body. Hence, make an effort to avoid consuming cold food and drinks, and this includes food cooling in nature, such as salad and sashimi.
- Keep the belly and feet warm
Wear socks to sleep and clothes that do not expose your belly to prevent coldness from entering the body. Using a heating pad or having a warm foot soak can also help to promote circulation and reduce discomfort during menstruation.
Say goodbye to menstrual cramps with TCM
Menstrual cramps can be a frustrating and painful experience for many women, but TCM for women’s health offers a holistic approach to managing and preventing them.
Our physicians at Oriental Remedies Group are committed to helping women breeze through that time of the month with ease, using a combination of traditional and tech-enhanced methods.
Get in touch to find out more!
Note: All words in Italics refer to the TCM organ-system and not the anatomical organ referenced in western medicine.
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