Going with the Flow
June 2024
Chinese (East Asian) medicine successfully treats many gynecological issues as it holds a unique perspective that views the menstrual cycle as a reflection of the body’s health. This ancient medical paradigm has a comprehensive approach for diagnosing and treating menstrual problems. Many women have found great relief for a variety of symptoms associated with Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) which typically arise within ten days prior to onset of their cycle, then disappearing shortly before or after menstruation begins.
Approximately 90% of women experience some form of the following physical symptoms: breast tenderness and swelling, cramps, bloating, bowel changes, appetite variations, weight gain, acne, sleep disturbances, night sweats, low libido, headaches, back or joint pain. PMS also shows up emotionally as irritability, mood swings, anxiety, sadness, depression, lack of concentration, fogginess, or impaired memory. Intensity, duration, and frequency of these symptoms can vary from woman to woman but are fairly predictable from month to month. They can be minimal without much impact on daily life, or so severe that it negatively impacts daily life.
Chinese medicine works to allay PMS symptoms by discovering and treating a woman’s energetic imbalance thereby resolving the root internal cause. The primary purpose is to naturally restore balance and free flow of qi (vital energy) and blood throughout the body’s energetic pathways. A practitioner feels and assesses the pulse and pays attention to all existing symptoms. A common root cause of PMS involves the liver which governs smooth flow of qi and blood. A liver qi imbalance results in a blockage or stagnation of energetic flow precluding the body from being properly nourished. Essential contributors include nutritionally inadequate diet, excessive stress & overwork, lack of exercise, insufficient sleep, and especially pent-up anger.
As in Western medicine, Chinese medicine describes and bases treatment approach on
four phases of the menstrual cycle which should transition smoothly from one to the next.
- Menstruation: shedding of the uterine lining and expelling of blood, relates to yin energy, associated with “release and renewal”, time to rest and build energy, treatment goal is regulating blood and qi
- Follicular: preparation for ovulation when ovaries are developing and maturing follicles, estrogen levels are rising, time for replenishing yin and blood, energy and activity is increasing, relates to yang energy of growth and expansion, treatment goal is rebuilding yin and blood along with supporting qi
- Ovulation: when the mature follicle releases an egg that could become fertilized by a sperm, estrogen levels surge and a peak in vitality is reached, relates to a time when yin turns into yang energy, treatment goal is nourishing yin and blood along with regulating blood and qi
- Luteal: when the cycle is almost complete and body is preparing for pregnancy or menstruation, progesterone levels rise while energy and activity decrease, uterine lining sheds and the cycle begins again if there is no pregnancy, time to prepare for the next cycle, relates to yang energy, treatment goal is supporting yang energy along with regulating blood and qi
A Chinese medicine practitioner assesses each person from a holistic perspective and chooses the most appropriate treatment modality based on individual needs. This may include one or a combination of acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, dietary therapy, bodywork, lifestyle changes, as well as Taiji or Qigong exercise. The goal of these modalities is to maximize the body’s innate healing capability by reducing inflammation, balancing hormones, promoting blood flow, and calming the mind.
Acupuncture, Taiji, and Qigong promote deep relaxation, reduce stress, and support well-being of the body, mind, and spirit. Dietary recommendations include dark leafy greens, red meat, and beans to nourish blood. Salmon, flaxseed, and walnuts to promote hormone imbalance and reduce inflammation. Soups and stews to promote blood circulation and support healthy digestion. Additional recommendations include stress management, vitamin supplementation, relaxation techniques, and making self-care a priority.
Consider seeking help from a qualified Chinese medicine provider so that they may provide you with safe and effective treatment. Look forward to addressing underlying imbalances as they provide holistic support throughout your cycle. Be willing and ready to transform yourself from the inside out – to manifest a more balanced and healthier you!
Shoshanna Katzman, L.Ac., M.S. has been director of Red Bank Acupuncture & Wellness Center since 1988. Now, in Shrewsbury, NJ, the center provides acupuncture, therapeutic massage, Chinese herbal consultation along with private and group classes in conjunction with her Two Rivers Academy of Taiji & Qigong. She is author of “Qigong for Staying Young: A Simple 20-Minute Workout to Cultivate Your Vital Energy”, co-author of “Feeling Light: The Holistic Solution to Permanent Weight Loss and Wellness” and recently released “Center of Power: Life Mastery through Taiji” a comprehensive online curriculum. For more information email or call/text 732-758-1800.
Proudly serving Red Bank, Shrewsbury, Tinton Falls, Eatontown, Middletown, Holmdel, Ocean, Rumson, Fair Haven, Little Silver