Acupuncture for Endometriosis

Acupuncture has received attention from major medical journals, such as the New England Journal of Medicine, for research demonstrating that acupuncture treatment is linked with an improvement in symptoms due to endometriosis. This condition can be frustrating to both patients and practitioners, because available treatments tend to be invasive, only partially effective, or have unwanted side effects.

What Endometriosis Means
Endometriosis is a condition where the normal uterine lining (endometrium) begins to grow outside of the uterus. The uterine lining is the tissue that grows and sheds during each menstrual cycle, but this normal process becomes problematic when the tissue is growing outside of the uterus. The endometrium continues to respond to hormonal fluctuations during the cycle, and when a woman has her period, the blood that would normally leave the body becomes trapped. This commonly causes severe menstrual pain, heavy bleeding, and may cause difficulties with fertility. It is a very common condition, effecting 6-10% of women of reproductive age, and up to 50% of women with infertility.

Western Medical Treatment
Women diagnosed with endometriosis are most commonly treated with painkillers to reduce pain symptoms and oral contraceptives (birth control pills) to reduce the severity of pain and heaviness of bleeding. When these treatments fail to provide relief, or have unacceptable side effects, more invasive procedures may be used, such as ablation, or removal of excess tissue. According to Western medical treatment, the only cure for endometriosis is hysterectomy, or surgical removal of the uterus.

Acupuncture for Endometriosis
According to Eastern medical theories, endometriosis is considered an issue of improper blood circulation, or blood stasis. Treatment is focused on increasing blood circulation, and guiding these effects to the uterus, lower abdomen, and any other affected area.

Spleen 6 is an acupuncture point on the lower leg that is commonly used to increase blood circulation to the uterus and to treat menstrual pain. This point is also useful as an acupressure point to treat yourself, and a point that I often use during a shiatsu session. Spleen 6 is located a hand’s width (without the thumb) above the medial malleolus, or the inside ankle bone.

Another common point for any issue affecting the uterus is called Zigong, or “palace of the child”. It is located on the lower abdomen, one thumb’s width above the pubic bone, and one hand’s width to either side of the midline. Zigong is used to promote circulation to the uterus, regulate uterine bleeding, and to prepare for conception. Just like Spleen 6, this point can be used in self-massage, and responds well to warming treatment, such as moxibustion or the application of oils that promote circulation, such as Dang Gui, or Angelica, essential oil.

What to Expect
Acupuncture treatment can significantly decrease the severity of endometriosis and its symptoms for most patients. Effects are cumulative, so longer term treatment is associated with greater improvement. Most patients report less pain after four weekly treatments, but changes in menstrual cycle regularity or fertility may require several months of regular acupuncture.

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Where does your anxiety live?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Does it flutter in your heart? Does it wrap around your lungs and make it difficult to breathe? Does it creep up your back and neck, leaving tension in its wake?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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The acupuncture point Small Intestine 11, also called Celestial Gathering, relieves anxiety and opens the chest. This point calms and relaxes the heart and creates a feeling of space in the chest that makes you want to breathe deeply. It releases tension from the shoulder blade all the way up the back of the neck. I will often treat this point with both needles and moxa (a warming technique).⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Do you ever struggle with anxiety? Where do you feel it most?

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Where does your anxiety live?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Does it flutter in your heart? Does it wrap around your lungs and make it difficult to breathe? Does it creep up your back and neck, leaving tension in its wake?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
The acupuncture point Small Intestine 11, also called Celestial Gathering, relieves anxiety and opens the chest. This point calms and relaxes the heart and creates a feeling of space in the chest that makes you want to breathe deeply. It releases tension from the shoulder blade all the way up the back of the neck. I will often treat this point with both needles and moxa (a warming technique).⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Do you ever struggle with anxiety? Where do you feel it most?

Hello to half of the fertility equation, guys.

The health of the sperm is super, duper important. It is every bit as important as egg health and likely plays a role for the huge number of couples who have received an “unexplained infertility” diagnosis (which is not a real diagnosis, by the way). Sperm health is also incredibly variable and sensitive to lifestyle interventions as well as targeted acupuncture, herbal therapy, and many supplements. Sperm counts and quality can improve in as little as a month and can make a huge difference for couples who are trying to conceive.

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Hello to half of the fertility equation, guys.

The health of the sperm is super, duper important. It is every bit as important as egg health and likely plays a role for the huge number of couples who have received an “unexplained infertility” diagnosis (which is not a real diagnosis, by the way). Sperm health is also incredibly variable and sensitive to lifestyle interventions as well as targeted acupuncture, herbal therapy, and many supplements. Sperm counts and quality can improve in as little as a month and can make a huge difference for couples who are trying to conceive.

Hello gorgeous!

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“You can’t create a new version of yourself while dragging your old habits and behaviors behind you.”⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Change is hard but so necessary. Your current habits, habitats, behaviors, and beliefs have gotten you to exactly where you are today. If you want tomorrow to look different, you’re going to have to make some changes. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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I believe so strongly in the power of acupuncture and botanical medicine but never discount the necessity of lifestyle changes to keep my clients from ending back up right where they started. I think that a big part of our work is to create space that allows change to happen.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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From @biolayne on @hubermanlab.

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“You can’t create a new version of yourself while dragging your old habits and behaviors behind you.”⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Change is hard but so necessary. Your current habits, habitats, behaviors, and beliefs have gotten you to exactly where you are today. If you want tomorrow to look different, you’re going to have to make some changes. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I believe so strongly in the power of acupuncture and botanical medicine but never discount the necessity of lifestyle changes to keep my clients from ending back up right where they started. I think that a big part of our work is to create space that allows change to happen.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
From @biolayne on @hubermanlab.

Are you feeling the springtime, Wood-energy disruption? Sleep been off? Muscles feeling stiff and achy? Maybe a bit irritable about how slowly things are moving in your life?
Rebalance that Wood element with these daily practices:

Stretch.
Regular stretching is an excellent way to start and end your day. Adding yoga or tai chi to your daily routine can provide even greater benefits for your joints, connective tissues, and overall health. These practices not only help with flexibility but also promote relaxation and mindfulness, which can reduce stress and increase overall well-being. This season is all about ‘flow’.

Go Outside.
Spending more time outdoors is an easy and effective way to support Wood energies during the spring. Moving around outside can increase your heart rate and keep your blood flowing smoothly. Exposing yourself to daylight, especially in the mornings, helps your body stay in sync with the daily cycles of day and night. This balances cortisol and melatonin levels, supporting deep, restful sleep and energetic mornings.

Understand Your Constitution.
When a person is in complete balance, transitioning from one season to another tends to go unnoticed. However, a person with a strong Wood element in their constitution may experience irritability and frustration during the spring season. In East Asian Medicine, we understand that the Wood phase is being taxed by this season, which can cause feelings of being stuck, frustrated, or angry. People who tend to feel these emotions easily will benefit from extra attention to gentle movement and having dedicated time for rest.

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Open

Are you feeling the springtime, Wood-energy disruption? Sleep been off? Muscles feeling stiff and achy? Maybe a bit irritable about how slowly things are moving in your life?
Rebalance that Wood element with these daily practices:

Stretch.
Regular stretching is an excellent way to start and end your day. Adding yoga or tai chi to your daily routine can provide even greater benefits for your joints, connective tissues, and overall health. These practices not only help with flexibility but also promote relaxation and mindfulness, which can reduce stress and increase overall well-being. This season is all about ‘flow’.

Go Outside.
Spending more time outdoors is an easy and effective way to support Wood energies during the spring. Moving around outside can increase your heart rate and keep your blood flowing smoothly. Exposing yourself to daylight, especially in the mornings, helps your body stay in sync with the daily cycles of day and night. This balances cortisol and melatonin levels, supporting deep, restful sleep and energetic mornings.

Understand Your Constitution.
When a person is in complete balance, transitioning from one season to another tends to go unnoticed. However, a person with a strong Wood element in their constitution may experience irritability and frustration during the spring season. In East Asian Medicine, we understand that the Wood phase is being taxed by this season, which can cause feelings of being stuck, frustrated, or angry. People who tend to feel these emotions easily will benefit from extra attention to gentle movement and having dedicated time for rest.

Health is all about cycles.
Each cycle within our body syncs with all the other cycles within our body. Our body`s cycles also sync with the cycles in our environment.

I always emphasize attuning sleep and wake cycles, especially for my clients with irregular menstrual cycles, fertility challenges, and hormonal imbalances. I also recommend deep breathing practices to anyone who will listen. Cycles are the reason.

By slowing our breath and living in tune with the daylight, we calm our heartbeat and regulate our daily hormones (especially cortisol and melatonin) so that our menstrual cycles and monthly hormones (estrogen and progesterone and many others) can regulate as well.

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Open

Health is all about cycles.
Each cycle within our body syncs with all the other cycles within our body. Our body's cycles also sync with the cycles in our environment.

I always emphasize attuning sleep and wake cycles, especially for my clients with irregular menstrual cycles, fertility challenges, and hormonal imbalances. I also recommend deep breathing practices to anyone who will listen. Cycles are the reason.

By slowing our breath and living in tune with the daylight, we calm our heartbeat and regulate our daily hormones (especially cortisol and melatonin) so that our menstrual cycles and monthly hormones (estrogen and progesterone and many others) can regulate as well.

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