healing wisdom

A Natural Approach to Women’s Health Using Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine

~ by Kim Foster, licensed acupuncturist, exhale Boston

Women are often afflicted with symptoms such as difficult menstruation, PMS symptoms, infertility and menopausal problems. Several natural alternatives that have been successfully used in treating these symptoms include acupuncture, herbal medicine, tui na, and qi gong practice. In March, 2008 a scientific study was published showing the increase in efficacy when IVF is combined with acupuncture and herbs (www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=2265327). Acupuncture is specifically beneficial in treating women’s health issues. From the perspective of Oriental medicine women’s physiology is dominated by blood. Blood is stored in the uterus and it is the blood that is the source of the menses, fertility, conception and pregnancy.

Practitioners of Chinese medicine view the body in a similar way a biologist would view an ecosystem. In the human body, organs, blood and fluids are constantly interacting and affecting one another through the energetic skeleton of the body called the meridian system. It is this system that acupuncturists influence when they treat a patient.

A woman’s uterus is physiologically connected to the heart, stomach/spleen and the kidneys. Similar to a river and its tributaries the meridians connecting these organs need to be open and so that blood (and hormones) can flow freely. When it does not, symptoms such as irregular periods, heavy or scanty periods, cramping, nausea, PMS or problems with fertility and conception will persist. The insertion of acupuncture needles to points on the meridian can assure the flow and nourishment of blood to the organ systems.

With the onset of menstruation, a woman’s body is producing, storing or releasing blood. We often say in Chinese medicine that “Women are more blood, men are more qi.” In our medicine, blood is made by the spleen in both women and men. In men it is transformed into sperm, in women it is transformed into menstrual blood. The spleen also influences the production of blood in the uterus and it assists in the production of breast milk! Again, specific points needled along the spleen and kidney meridian can assist in this transformation, help regulate menses and assist in building blood in the uterus for fertility and conception.

The menstrual cycle should be regular and comfortable so it does not interfere with daily activities. Many women today who are on the birth control pill to regulate their period can achieve the same affects with regular acupuncture treatment. Chinese medicine addresses the fundamental issue of blood in a women’s health, thereby increasing her chances of regular and pain free periods, as well as increase her chances of ovulation, fertility and conception.

As a practitioner of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine I have treated irregular menstruation, heavy, scanty and painful menses, fibroids and menopausal symptoms successfully. I have used acupuncture to support pregnancy and help with morning sickness with great results. I have also gained in depth and personal experience of the power of this approach through many years of personal use for my own whole body health.

References: Obstetrics & Gynecology in Chinese Medicine, Giovanni Maciocia