Support Period Pain Naturally

Would you like to support your period pain naturally? Yes, it is possible.

How Common Is Period Pain?

A study by the University of Modena in Italy found that over 84% women suffer from period pain. Dysmenorrhoea or period pain is a common complaint women come to see me for in my Melbourne Acupuncture practice. However it is not normal, you do not have to suffer from period pain! You may support your period pain naturally.

Chinese Medicine For Period Pain

Acupuncture and Chinese medicine can be excellent for supporting you to manage your pain and menstrual cycle holistically.

Medication For Period Pain

Are you one of the many women who take medicines such as neurofen or panadol to alleviate the pain?  Know there may be ways to holistically support your period pain naturally. The problem with taking painkillers is that it they do not treat the true cause of why you have period pain.

Educate Young Women

Wouldn’t it be wonderful to see young women being taught how to look after themselves from menarche (when the period begins)? By incorporating some very useful practices that are understood in Chinese medicine. There are traditional lifestyle practices that may prevent the long-term development of period pain.

Support Period Pain Naturally: Acupuncture?

Acupuncture for period pain may be promising for reducing the pain, even better than no treatment or NSAIDs. Acupuncture appears safe given only a few mild adverse events were reported in this 2018 Systematic Review. More rigorously designed trials are required to confirm their findings. Acupuncture is renowned to support many generalised pain conditions. We often receive referrals from local GPs.

Chinese Medicine & The Period

Every month during menstruation, the menstrual blood is ‘heavenly substance’ or tian gui lost. Menarche reflects the essence or jing (youthful substance) of a young woman has peaked to allow fertility to begin. Having a monthly  period is a very important part of being a woman. It’s part of being feminine and female.
Essentially, it’s not something that you should hate every month. It is a time to take it easy, rest, nourish and reflect. When we menstruate our body is weaker, because it is losing blood. Hence, the body is more vulnerable to becoming exhausted or catching a cold.

Five Ways To Naturally Support Period Pain

Tip 1: Change Your Attitude Towards Your Period

Your thoughts create your reality. If you constantly think that your period is draining, then it will be!
Perhaps start thinking about the positives about having one. It is a blessing to ovulate and menstruate. Some women don’t and have so many health problems as a consequence. Just by changing your attitude to your self and your reproductive system is already supporting your period pain naturally.

What Happens Hormonally

As a woman, you go through a hormonal rollercoaster every mont. The period is when all your hormone levels drop, you lose blood and need to rest.
At ovulation you are full of creativity, drive and vibrance. You may feel moody and frustrated pre-menstrually. Start loving your body for who it is and what it does; this will bring you on your way to a better period.

Affirmation for period pain:

I reclaim my power as a woman and lovingly accept the normal and natural way my body flows and functions. I love and approve of myself.

Tip 2: Keep Your Body Warm

Most women feel cold during menstruation and benefit from warmth.
Avoid cold drinks, food and ice especially before and during your period. When the bleeding starts you want it to flow out easily, not to be stuck, cold, and stagnant and painful inside you.
Heat packs and hot water bottles can be applied pre-menstrually and during the period to your lower abdomen or lower back to aid the flow.
Enjoy drinking hot water and teas such as raspberry leaf & fresh ginger. Chai tea blends can be of great help.

Tip 3: Rest

Remember the Carefree tampon girl riding horses bareback and catching waves on cycle day 1? It is complete nonsense. Girls need to be taught how to realistically look after themselves during their period. It’s a time to connect with themselves. Not try to ignore their body and push through.
The period is your allowance to be lazy, rest and rejuvenate! Avoid intensive exercise, overworking or lifting heavy things. Exercise such as a going for a nice walk, practicing gentle yoga poses or jogging briskly are great ways to gently help it flow.

Tip 4: Eat Well

Enjoy a healthy, balanced diet based on natural food. A diet that is full of vegetables, good fats such as grass-fed animal fat, butter, ghee, coconut oil and high quality animal protein. Consider healthy carbohydrates such as legumes, sweet potatoes, potatoes, rye sourdough and semi-polished rice, some nuts and fruits. Eat clean and well, your body will thank you for this and you will see benefits.

Tip 5: Apply Self-Acupressure

1. Locate the acupoint Valley of Harmony (LI-4), in the web between your thumb and index finger on your right hand. Apply steady pressure with your left thumb until you feel soreness. Hold for 2 minutes. Repeat on the left hand.
2. Find the acupoint Great Surge (LIV-3), in the web between the big and second toes on your right foot. Apply steady pressure with your left thumb until you feel soreness. Hold for 2 minutes. Repeat on the left foot.

Massaging these points helps promote the smooth flow of qi, moves stagnation, and helps alleviate painful menstruation, cramps, and stress.

A Holistic Health Coaching Consultation can reveal the true cause to your period pain.

Acupuncture For Period Pain Melbourne

At Femme Vital Acupuncture, we are most experienced in successfully supporting you to head in the right direction with you period pain. Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional.
For in Clinic Acupuncture or online Holistic Health coaching Book Online or contact us on 0466 866 450.
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