Acupuncture for Endometriosis
Published on December 16, 2022 by Belle Kuhn
Many women suffer silently from debilitating pain for days on end every month from endometriosis. Acupuncture can help!
What is Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a condition where tissue that naturally fills the uterine lining each cycle grows outside the uterus or on any organ within the pelvic cavity including fallopian tubes, ovaries and lower intestines.
You may have endometriosis if you’re experiencing…
The exact cause of endometriosis is unknown, but we know that hormonal imbalances, immune system disorders, chronic inflammation and residual scar tissue can all play a role in the growth of these misplaced tissue cells.
Recent studies show acupuncture is more effective than conventional medicine for treating endometriosis.
Western medicine only offers drugs and surgery for the treatment of endometriosis. This mayor may not be an effective course of treatment for you. If you want to avoid hormonal contraceptives, pain meds, prescription medicines and surgical solutions, you may want to try acupuncture for symptom relief. Acupuncture uses your body’s own healing ability along with other natural modalities and herbal remedies without negative long term side-effects.
A recent randomized double-blind controlled study showed that acupuncture had a 91.9% effective rate in significantly reducing pain caused by endometriosis.
How Acupuncture and TCM Treat Endometriosis
Acupuncture balances hormones, reduces inflammation and inhibits pain signals. Your acupuncturist will choose a unique combination of acupuncture points based on your individual pattern of disharmony and Chinese medical diagnosis.
This is usually paired with an appropriate Chinese herbal formula to resolve your particular underlying pattern. Supplements, diet changes and lifestyle adjustments will often be recommended for additional support and accelerated healing.
How Often Would I Need Acupuncture?
Weekly acupuncture for 2-3 menstrual cycles is optimal for full resolution. More may be needed in severe cases. The sessions taper off once you’re maintaining symptom relief.
As an added bonus, you’ll receive the positive side-effects of acupuncture including improved sleep, sustained energy and better mood!
References
- Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2018, July 24). Endometriosis. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved December 11, 2022, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/endometriosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20354656
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). What are the treatments for endometriosis? Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Retrieved December 11, 2022, from https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/endometri/conditioninfo/treatment
- Zhu X, Hamilton KD, McNicol ED. Acupuncture for pain in endometriosis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2011 Sep 7;(9):CD007864. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD007864.pub2. PMID: 21901713.
- Xu Y, Zhao W, Li T, Zhao Y, Bu H, Song S. Effects of acupuncture for the treatment of endometriosis-related pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One. 2017 Oct 27;12(10):e0186616. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0186616. PMID: 29077705; PMCID: PMC5659600.
