How Acupuncture Can Help PMS
Ah, yes, premenstrual syndrome.
The term feels almost like a relic from another time, as well as a modern day source of shame and overwhelm.
“PMS” is used as a weapon to delegitimize us as women, to suggest that we are somehow unfit to exercise autonomy, or even worse, power, over our own lives and the broader systems within which we live.
I will be the first one to criticize the conditioning that tells us that the rage, the emotional rise and fall, and the sudden urge to howl are problems to be fixed. I understand that this comes from the patriarchal insistence to make women quiet and well-behaved.
And yet, I understand how terrible the week, or weeks, leading up to our periods can be— not solely because of Victorian-era virtues, but because, for lack of a better term, we simply feel like shit.
What’s a woman to do with all this?
While it does invite some amount of cognitive dissonance and self-flagellation of “can’t you just embrace this time?!,” I also see another option, a doorway, if you will.
What’s missing in this conversation is actual care. How do we, as women, care for ourselves, not from a place of self-criticism or the ever illusory quest for perfection, but from a place of genuine love for and kindness towards ourselves?
If artificial intelligence, or as I like to call it, artificial stupidity, was writing this script, this is the part where it would say:
And, honestly, (insert your first name here) you deserve it. You deserve to take care of yourself.
I digress (sorry, I couldn’t help myself).
So, let’s dive into PMS: what it is, how to work with it, and how to treat it.
What is PMS?
From a Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective, PMS. or premenstrual syndrome, is typically expressed as a hodgepodge of symptoms, including: emotional swings, breast tenderness, irritability, waking up between 1-3 AM tossing and turning, bloating, anxiety and stress, and even premenstrual cramping.
During this time, you may have a more difficult time winding down or feeling grounded. Women often say, “I don’t like this version of myself.” Or, “I want to feel more predictable for my family, my partner, my children, etc.”
In TCM, the pattern we see most often during this time is called Liver Qi Stagnation.
The Liver is the organ that is primarily responsible for ensuring the smooth flow of qi, or energy throughout the body.
In the second half of your cycle, your body shifts into a “nesting” mode. You begin to consolidate energy and resources down and inward towards the uterus. That inward pull is healthy, but it can work against your body’s need to keep energy flowing smoothly throughout your entire body.
As a result, you may feel signs of built up stagnation more clearly during this time, and this stagnation translates to common PMS symptoms.
How does acupuncture treat PMS?
Acupuncture works by stimulating specific points that help your nervous system downshift out of stress mode, encourage blood flow to the uterus, and release that stagnation in your system that is at the root of those PMS symptoms.
When you work with a practitioner, they will create a customized treatment plan based on your signs and symptoms to get you the best results possible.
How long will it take?
Most people notice that the most intense symptoms soften fairly quickly, often within one to three cycles. The deeper work of building your reserves of energy and blood can take a bit longer, but consistent treatment over time is what creates lasting change rather than just managing symptoms. This way, you can get better and stay better.
What can you do to treat PMS?
Because PMS is often a reflection of stagnation, one of the most helpful things to do is to move that stuckness. Here are some helpful at home tips:
Movement: Take breaks throughout your day to move regularly. Try to get outside and take a walk, or even a few shorter walks. And, if you don’t have a lot of time, you can try doing some gentle side bending and swaying to get your qi moving.
Heat: Whether it’s a castor oil pack, heating pad, or warm bath, warmth can help get your qi and blood moving to help ease PMS and prepare your body for an easy period.
Reduce cold beverages and foods: Cold contracts energy, which can add to the stagnation of energy in your system.
Tend to your emotions: Journal, dance, rage, scream into a pillow, sing, make art. Carve out some time, even just a few minutes, to let your emotions move through you to prevent them from building up in your system.
Reduce alcohol: Even though it may feel like a great release, alcohol can stagnate your system over time. Best to opt for some mint or chamomile tea to soothe your system instead.
What’s your go-to tip to help soothe your PMS symptoms?
And, if you’re struggling with PMS and are looking for more tailored support, reach out anytime for a free consultation: https://l.bttr.to/J6LQv
