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ACUPUNCTURE TREATMENT FOR ENDOMETRIOSIS
Endometriosis is a condition in which the layer of tissue that normally covers the inside of the uterus, grows outside of it. Most often this occurs on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and tissue around the uterus and ovaries; however, in rare cases it may occur in other parts of the body.1
CONTENTS
SYMPTOMS
CAUSES
TREATMENTS
SYMPTOMS
The main symptoms are pelvic pain and infertility. Nearly half of those affected have chronic pelvic pain, while in 70% pain occurs during menstruation. Pain during sexual intercourse is also common. Infertility occurs in up to half of women affected. Less common symptoms include urinary or bowel symptoms. About 25% of women have no symptoms. Endometriosis can have both social and psychological effects.2
CAUSES
Although there are several theories suggesting the cause of endometriosis, its real origin is not fully understood. Possible causes of endometriosis include retrograde menstruation, genetics, spreading through blood stream or lymphatic system, immune system disorders, environmental factors, and metaplasia. Risk factors include having a family history of this condition.3
TREATMENTS
RELATED ACUPUNCTURE POINTS:
GV-20, CV-6, BL-20, ST-36, BL-32, Zi Gong, GB-36
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), endometriosis is described as the existence of a mass inside the body. The existence of this mass brings symptoms such as irregular painful menstrual periods, pain during sexual intercourse, fatigue, among others. Acupuncture states that this mass exist because there is a blood stasis (or inactivity) inside the body. In order to cure this condition, acupuncture gives treatment that removes the blood inactivity and nourish the Qi. The acupoints to be stimulated are GV-20, LV-3, KD-3, CV-6, BL-20, BL-30, ST-36, BL-32, Zi Gong, GB-36.4
Another study finds acupuncture more effective than hormone drug therapy for the treatment of endometriosis. In addition, acupuncture relieves menstrual pain due to endometriosis, reduces the size of pelvic masses and reduces the recurrence rate of endometriosis. The acupoints recommended are CV-4, CV-3, SP-10, SP-6, LV-2.5
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Footnotes
- What is Endometriosis? – endometriosisassn.org – 2017, http://www.endometriosisassn.org/endo.html
- Symptoms & causes – jeanhailes.org.au – 2017, https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/endometriosis/symptoms-causes
- Endometriosis: causes – nhs.uk – 2017, http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Endometriosis/Pages/Causes.aspx
- Endometriosis – tcm.health-info.org – 2017, http://tcm.health-info.org/Acupunture/treatment/endometriosis.htm
- Acupuncture Beats Drug For Endometriosis Relief – healthcmi.com – 2017, http://www.healthcmi.com/Acupuncture-Continuing-Education-News/1770-acupuncture-beats-drug-for-endometriosis-relief?&tc=eml