The month of March marks the start of the Endometriosis Action awareness campaign, where the spotlight is put very firmly on this chronic condition to help encourage people to share their stories and help drive systemic change for the benefit of all those affected.
What is endometriosis?
A relatively common condition that affects around ten per cent of reproductive-age women around the world, endometriosis is diagnosed when tissue usually found in the lining of the uterus starts to grow outside it, leading to inflammation and the formation of scar tissue.
There is no known cure for this chronic disease, but there are ways in which it can be treated, either using medication or, in some cases, surgery.
What are the symptoms of endometriosis?
Endometriosis can be found in areas around the womb, including the fallopian tubes, the ovaries and the pelvis lining, as well as organs like the bowel and bladder (although this is less common).
Symptoms of endometriosis include:
- Severe period pain
- Heavy periods
- Pain in your back and lower tummy
- Pain during or after sex
- Pain when using the toilet
- Fatigue
- Pain or bleeding elsewhere, such as in the chest
- Low mood
- Anxiety
It is also possible that you may have difficulty falling pregnant if you do have endometriosis.
Can acupuncture help with endometriosis pain?
Potential treatment options for endometriosis include painkillers and hormonal medications like the combined contraceptive pill… but if you’ve tried these and found them to be less effective than you’d hoped, you might find greater benefits in acupuncture.
This form of traditional Chinese medicine is effective as a method of pain relief and pain management, working by stimulating the body’s meridians (energy-carrying channels) to correct imbalances and promote the free flow of Qi, helping to restore health.
The practice itself involves the insertion of very fine needles into specific points in the body, helping to clear blockages that may have developed over time.
When you book an acupuncture appointment, you can expect some of the following trigger points to be used:
- Tai Chong, found in the foot
- Xue Hai, found above the knee
- Zu San Li, found on the leg
- He Gu, found on the hand
- Sanyinjiao, found above the inner ankle bone (the most important acupuncture point for treating female conditions)
What happens after an acupuncture session?
Typically, after you’ve been to see us here at AcuRestore, you will feel relaxed, calm and perhaps even sleepy. This is known as the acu-nap effect, so do not be alarmed if you do experience a little bit of temporary fatigue. This is entirely normal.
To help you recover after your session, take it as easy as you can for a day or two and make sure you stay hydrated and drink lots of water to flush out any toxins.
Avoid any strenuous exercise immediately after your appointment and, if possible, stay away from alcohol and caffeine for a few days to ensure you reap the maximum benefits of the therapy.