Gynaecology
In Chinese medicine there are numerous gynaecological conditions. The most common include:
Irregular periods
PMT
Polycystic Ovary PCOS
Infertility (including male)
Vaginal thrush (candidiasis)
Habitual miscarriage
Menopause
Painful periods
Endometriosis
Mourning sickness
Amenorrhea – absence of period
Pregnancy
Labour
Breast-feeding
Hormonal skin problems
Hormonal headaches
Research on the effects of Acupuncture on Gynaecological Conditions.
The effect of acupuncture on polycystic ovarian syndrome:
25 patients were treated with acupuncture. Result 20 patients recovered regular menstruation. 10 of the 16 patients with sterility were able to become pregnant. Acupuncture can safely and effectively treat PCOS.
The effects of acupuncture on IVF and ICSI:
A randomised controlled clinical study on 225 patients was carried out. In group one 116 patients received acupuncture, while in group two 109 patients received a placebo. The pregnancy rates for IVF and ICSI in group one were double the rate of group two. Conclusion: Acupuncture can be of great benefit to IVF and ICSI.
http://www.aborm.org/research/RoleOfTCMwithOrWithoutAcupunctureOnReproductiveMedicine.pdf
PERIOD PAIN
For many women period pains are the bane of their existence. At least one day per month, they find themselves laid up, coping with pain that ranges anywhere from mildly inconvenient to borderline unbearable. They have accepted this unfortunate pattern as unavoidable, their penance for opting against birth-control pills. It doesn’t have to be this way. Women really can have their cake and eat it too: Acupuncture gets rid of menstrual cramps once and for all, no Pill required.
http://acutakehealth.com/get-rid-of-period-cramps-once-and-for-all
In a controlled test over a year, a group of women were split into 4 groups. Only group 1 were given acupuncture for dysmenorrhea pain. 90.9% of group 1 showed a reduction in pain. Conclusion: Acupuncture can help to reduce pain in primary dysmennorrhea.
Acupuncture and the management of the Menopause
A study of 53 post menopausal women was performed. 27 were given reel acupuncture while the remainder, were given sham acupuncture. The sham group showed no significant improvements. The real acupuncture group showed a significant reduction in hot flushes and other annoying menopausal symptoms. Conclusion: Acupuncture can be of great benefit to menopausal women.
Here are some common patterns Chinese Medicine Patterns which encompass many gynaecological symptoms. The treatment of all these patterns would include acupuncture and or herbal medicine. Diet and lifestyle would also usually be examined. Diagnosis is made after taking a full case history on the patient. Tongue, pulse and facial diagnosis are all used to help build a firm picture of which syndrome is involved.
Liver and heart blood deficiency, depleted conception and penetrating vessel, spleen qi deficiency.
Signs and symptoms may include:
Prolonged early or late periods, heavy or scanty periods, PMT, inability to conceive, irregular periods, habitual miscarriage, dry eyes, insomnia, tendo-muscular aches and weakness, palpitations, cracked finger nails, dry skin and hair, restlessness, anxious, irritable, tiredness, feeling cold.
Treatment principle:
Nourish the blood, tonify qi, regulate the blood, and regulate the conception and penetrating vessels.
Damp-heat in the lower body (leucorrhoea/candidiasis)
Signs and symptoms may include:
Vaginal itching and discharge, burning heat or redness of the genitalia, dry mouth.
Treatment principle:
Clear heat, eliminate damp and harmonise the conception and penetrating vessels.
Kidney yin deficiency (menopause)
Signs and symptoms may include:
Hot flushes, insomnia, anxiety, palpitations, dryness of the throat and vagina, restlessness, backache, a sensation of heat in the palms, soles and chest, prolonged / shortened menstruation
Treatment principle:
Tonify the kidneys and calm the mind.
Blood stagnation (uterine bleeding)
Signs and symptoms may include:
Painful periods, persistent uterine bleeding, lower abdominal pain, clots, spotting, profuse bleeding.
Treatment principle:
Move blood, and resolve blood stasis.
Kidney deficiency (infertility)
Signs and symptoms may include:
Infertility, prolonged menstrual cycle, loose stools, low back pain and weakness.
Treatment principle:
Tonify the kidneys, regulate and tonify the conception and penetrating vessels.
Liver qi stagnation ( PMT)
Signs and symptoms may include:
Outbursts of anger, tiredness, irregular periods, painful periods, belching, sighing, nausea, pent up anger, moodiness, headache, insomnia, clots, low back pain, and menstrual dizziness.
Treatment Principle:
Sooth the liver, regulate qi, move blood.
Consultation
On your first visit a full consultation will be given. This will include checking for organ imbalances nutritional deficiencies, diet and lifestyle demands, and tongue and pulse diagnosis. We will also get a full medical history from you. Depending on your diagnoses a treatment plan will be devised for you. This may include – Acupuncture, auricular acupuncture or needle free acupuncture, Chinese medicine, Diet and lifestyle recommendations.
It is important that your diet contains adequate nutrition and energy giving foods. It is equally important that these foods are being properly absorbed. Water, sleep and aerobic exercise are vital to maintain optimal health and energy. At the clinic we will assess your daily requirements to achieve this.
In Chinese medicine different food possess different properties e.g. If you have blood deficiency you will be advised to eat some foods that can nourish blood like rice and chicken eggs. While if you have a damp condition you may be asked to reduce your intake of foods which cause dampness e.g. greasy foods.
You may also be recommended to have an allergy / food intolerance test at the clinic.
