Pre-menstrual syndrome
Western medicine now defines Pre-Menstrual Syndrome (PMS) as a cluster of psychological and physical symptoms that appear to be closely related to the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. Emotionaland physical symptoms include distention and pain in the breasts, headache, dizziness or fainting, restlessness, insomnia, a feeling of distention or pain under the rib cage, restless sleep, fatigue, depression, crying, forgetfulness, confusion, irritability, anxiety, nervous tension, and abdominal bloating. Typically, these symptoms will occur or intensify during the 7 to 14 days prior to menstruation, and last for 5 to 10 days. Most women experience their symptoms before the onset of menstruation, while some experience them during the period. Many Western-trained doctors are at a loss when it comes to treating PMS. Premenstrual syndrome, also called premenstrual tension, affects about one-third to one-half of women between the ages of 30 and 40.
There are many theories that attempt to explain the cause: progesterone deficiency, vitamin B6 deficiency, elevated levels of prolactin or aldosterone, or high levels of prostaglandins. Diuretics or oral contraceptives are often prescribed to help alleviate the symptoms, but neither is without side effects when taken on a long-term basis.
Gynecology is one of the main clinical specialties in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Utilizing acupuncture, herbal prescriptions, tui-na massage and diet therapy TCM is highly effective at alleviating the emotional and physical symptoms associated with PMS.
TCM views the human body as an energetic system, where each organ has its own energy called Qi (pronounced “chee”). The energy of each organ flows along the surface of the body on a specific pathway called a meridian. Each meridian dives deep into the body to connect with its corresponding organ. Each meridian has many crossing points with the other meridians, creating a vast web-like network of energy pathways. When the energy in the meridians becomes stagnated or blocked, pain and disease result. And when the energy of one organ is out of balance, there are very predictable effects on the other organs.
What is unique about TCM is that treatments vary based on each woman's unique condition. Physicians diagnose conditions according to a complex set of signs and symptoms exhibited by each individual and formulate individualized remedies to rebalance the body. Instead of giving a particular drug for one or two intractable problems, herb formulas are tailor-made for specific conditions and exert multiple effects, eg. fighting pathogens, regulating the organs or promoting the balance between organs so as to increase the body's overall defense ability.
TCM treatments, therefore, address problems in a holistic manner and are able to reach the root of the problem. Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) has been shown to be successfully treated using acupuncture and Chinese herbs in numerous double-blind controlled studies. Bodies researching TCM approaches to PMS include the National Institute of Health in the USA.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), has been successfully explaining and treating PMS for thousands of years. Acupuncture and herbal therapy give excellent results to address the underlying energetic imbalance that gives rise to all of the symptoms associated with PMS. As with all menstrual problems, it typically takes a minimum of three menstrual periods to regulate the cycle, but often an improvement in most symptoms is seen the very first month.
