How to Treat Menstrual Cramps With Acupuncture

Traditional treatments for the alleviation of menstrual cramps include over the counter pain killers and even prescription birth control pills. For those who prefer a more holistic approach, acupuncture may be a viable alternative. Acupuncturists believe that the release of excess hormones and stress on the body during menstruation disrupts the flow of your energy.

Instructions

• 1

  Describe your cramping to the practitioner to determine it's cause and treatment. When cramping is at it's worst, and you suffer from severe mood swings, it indicates that Chi and blood are stagnant. If the pain is dull and lasts before, during and after menstruation, there may be a deficiency in the LV/KD meridians and a blood deficiency.

• 2

  Treat the symptoms of stagnate chi and blood, including heavy bloating, abdominal distention, breast tenderness, belching, mood swings and painful cramps. Your practitioner also may check for a purplish tongue with a white coating and a wiry pulse. To resolve stagnation, acupuncture can be applied to the LV 2 and 3, CV 6, CV 3, GB 34, SP 6 and 8 meridians.

• 3

  Receive a different treatment if there is little bloating but your cramps feel like a stabbing pain, and there is no breast tenderness. Additional symptoms include clots in your menstrual blood and abdominal pain that worsens with pressure. These signs indicate a Chi and blood deficiency. Acupuncture is often performed on the ST 29, CV 6, SP 6, SP 10 and LV 3 meridian points.

• 4

  Tell your practitioner if you have given birth more than once, as this can effect deficiencies in the LV and KD meridians which can worsen menstrual cramps. Deficiencies in these meridians often cause dull or intermittent cramping in the low abdomen after menstruation has ended. Pain is often relieved with pressure and accompanied by a sore lower back, dizziness, chronic fatigue and light menstruation with light, red blood. To tonify the LV and KD meridians, acupuncture is performed on the UB 18, UB 23, CV 4, KD 3, ST 36 and LV 3 and 8 meridian points