PMS
Saturday, June 4, 2011 at 7:50PM Premenstrual syndrome is a challenge for many women. Stress, alcohol, sugar, insomnia and being worried about something you can't change actually add insult to injury by triggering hormones that increase PMS symptoms.
Premenstrual symptoms can include depression, irritability, sadness, anxiety, or poor concentration, menstrual cramps, breast tenderness, headaches, or loss of libido. Plus, these symptoms are unpredictable from month to month and can vary widely in severity. One month, no problem; the next month, a woman can barely functioin.
I treat PMS as an indicator that an underlying imbalance exists, usually from a stagnation of Liver energy (Qi). Acupuncture and herbal medicine are excellent for smoothing the flow of Liver energy. Treatment focuses on correcting the imbalance, or the source of the problem, not just treating outward symptoms.
In addition to practicing oriental medicine, I love to teach women how to prepare to be at ease, to slow down and to nurture themselves.
If a woman can take the time to be with herself and know that this is an extreme "turning inward time," she can help to heal her PMS. When she pretends she is not in tune with the moon and tries to get too many things done, PMS can bring her to her knees.
Quick tips for self care: take a quiet, relaxing bath (remember to add some lavender essential oil!). Breathe deeply and slowly 10 times in and out your nose to decrease those stress hormones!
To learn more about how acupuncture can reduce your PMS, please call The Healing Acupuncture Center at (512) 338-8810 or email us with your questions.
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