Do you find yourself nearly buckled over with pain at THAT time of the month, sometimes EVERY month? Do you feel crabby and short-fused leading up to your period? Are you starting to plan events based around when you WON'T have your period because IT and YOU end up feeling so unpredictable?! You just don't know how you'll feel, how much pain you'll be in, or even if you want to be around anyone! Well, my dear...you are not alone. And I have been right there with you, wondering if I'll need to cancel the mornings events because I can't get out of bed. Or even canceling several morning's events. I want to assure you that there IS relief to be had around the concerning symptoms of irregular and painful menstruation. And luckily, Acupuncture, Hypnosis, Chinese Nutritional Therapy and Herbal Medicine are effective, natural and safe ways to regulate your menses.
So how can Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine support a woman's menstrual cycle?!
Acupuncture and Chinese medicine work by harmonizing the flow and quality of energy and blood within the body. With everything in life existing in relation to something else, this style of natural medicine considers the role of all of the organs and their corresponding meridians in relation to the other organs. Utilizing specific strategies for certain times of the month to support the current phase of a woman's cycle, I have found Acupuncture and Chinese herbs to be be extremely effective at nourishing the blood and the qi and supporting the Liver, Spleen, and other key organs in regulating the menses. Whether addressing painful periods, spotting in between periods, scanty periods, or heavy periods to name a few of the most common struggles, treatment is based on the current week of the menstrual cycle. The foods, herbs, lifestyle recommendations and acupuncture points vary, but coincide with and support our natural, internal world.
So how can your diet affect your cycle?!
The Liver and the Spleen are 2 of the most influential organs involved in the amazing intelligence of the menstrual cycle. The Spleen makes the blood and the Liver stores the blood. The Spleen likes to be warm and dry and is responsible for the transformation and transportation of nutrients throughout the body.
So, one of the first recommendations I'd make with a patient struggling with menstrual issues is to focus on eating warm, cooked, clear (avoiding dairy) foods so that the Spleen doesn't have to work quite so hard to extract the nutrients.
By doing this, the Spleen will start to regain some strength, making the organ where the blood is made function more efficiently.
The Liver is responsible for the free flow of energy in the body as well as detoxifying and storing the blood made by the Spleen.
My next recommendation is to support the natural role of the liver by eating cleansing foods that detoxify the liver (consider celery, dandelion and other leafy greens, cucumber, chamomile tea, seaweed, flax oil, berries, plums, spirulina, radishes, mushrooms) to promote the smooth flow of energy or qi within the body.
With the energetics of the Spleen and Liver functioning well, you've laid the foundation for a healthy menstrual cycle.
The Menstrual Cycle as an Insightful Guide
Lastly, a woman's menstrual cycle, when not being consciously considered for its life giving qualities, is so often considered a burden and in the way of life. But in truth, it is an asset. It provides us with insight into how we are processing stress and creates the space for us to connect with our inherent and unique gifts that we can offer ourselves and the world. Even when we are not wanting to give birth, our cycle is a consistent reminder that we are part of something much bigger than ourselves. Though it's challenging in our modern and often fast-paced lives to find the space to listen to our inner knowing, the gift that our menstrual cycle offers is undoubtedly among the most amazing aspects of being a woman. It connects us to nature and the flow of life. It tells us when to rest and nourish ourselves, how and how much to move, what to eat, and how much external stimulation we should/should not expose ourselves to at any given time. Our menstrual cycles give us the opportunity to practice listening to ourselves, honing our intuition, and building our confidence and strength. And one of the best parts about this is that it helps to free us from pain and discomfort.
My last recommendation is to find time to simply "be." Schedule time into your day to allow yourself to unwind and unplug, to sit quietly with your thoughts, possibly listen to a guided meditation or practice your favorite breath work. Take a warm epsom salt bath and get plenty of sleep. We all deserve time to observe life in and around us. Take the time you need to slow down. There is inherent wisdom in all of us and we can best tune into it when our nervous systems are calm and relaxed.
If these recommendations resonate with you, give them a try and see how you feel. If you're looking for some more help, send me a message or give me a call.
**Hypnosis is also an effective way to address menstrual issues and it can be done remotely by tapping into your subconscious, helping you to make important connections and gain access to the quiet wisdom that lives inside of you while promoting a sense of ease around your cycle.
I'm more than happy to help.