Dysmenorrhoea (menstrual cramps) can be defined as the painful spasms which originate in the uterus just before or throughout menstruation. The cause of dysmenorrhoea is associated and referred to in two types: Primary or Secondary.
Primary Dysmenorrhoea occurs without any primary cause and usually during adolescence. It is characterised by crampy pelvic pain occurring just before or during onset of menses, and lasts between one and three days.
Secondary Dysmenorrhoea occurs due to a pre existing primary condition, commonly endometriosis (abnormal growth of uterine tissue) along with ovarian cysts. In most of the cases of dysmenorrhoea, severe contractions of the muscles occur resulting in unbearable pains. These pains normally persist for 8 to 72 hours.
The main symptom of both primary and secondary types of dysmenorrhoea is the pain, and this pain cannot be adequately relieved by NSAID medications (pain killers or pain reliever medications).
Primary dysmenorrhoea seems to be more common in adolescent girls compared to older women, as the condition gets better with time and age. Secondary dysmenorrhoea is not very prevalent in teens, because the conditions responsible for it is often only seen some time after puberty has ended.
Most of the teenagers feel pain which is quite uncomfortable, but still somehow bearable, during their menstruation. But in some cases, this menstrual pain becomes so severe that it hampers their normal day to day activities.
Through various studies on affected individuals, it has been found as the period of menstruation progresses, the severity of pain from dysmenorrhoea increases. Other factors which can trigger dysmenorrhoea are menarche (the very first onset of menstruation) at a younger than average age, and cigarette smoking.
WHAT IS ACUPUNCTURE?
Acupuncture is traditional Chinese healing practice that involves stimulating specific points on the body, usually by insertion of needles into the skin, to alleviate pain or to help treat various health conditions.
In other words, by inserting fine needles into a patients skin at specific points on the body, the bodies reaction helps to relieve pain or alleviate certain illnesses. Acupuncture needles are inserted to various depths, into pre-determined and well studied points around the body.
Unlike many other treatments which have originated through natural and traditional medicine, Acupuncture has been proven effective and is regularly promoted in western medicine.
HOW DOES ACUPUNCTURE WORK?
The natural functions of the body along with the body’s natural healing process is stimulated by using Acupuncture. Acupuncture targets the bodies anatomic sites (acupuncture points / acupoints) through the insertion of a fine sterile needle through the skin, triggering a response from the body.
To further enhance the treatment, heat, pressure or even mild electrical stimulation can be applied to each acupoint following the needle being inserted. Acupuncture when carried out by a fully trained physician is often an entirely pain free process, with the patient often only experiencing a feeling of pressure at each acupoint.
BENEFITS OF ACUPUNCTURE IN DYSMENORRHOEA
Acupuncture helps in relieving pains of dysmenorrhoea through the following methods:
- By stimulating nerves in muscles and body tissues, which results in the release of endorphins and other neurohumoral factors, which assist in lowering the severity of pain through blocking pain receptors within the brain and spinal cord;
- By reducing inflammation through promoting the release of immunomodulators.
- By regulating neuroendocrine activities, along with activation of the receptors which are dependent upon the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovary.
- By increasing nitric oxide levels which relax smooth muscle, thereby promoting inhibition of uterine contractions.
- Enhances relaxation and reduces stress. Acupuncture can promote the release of chemicals from the brain, decreasing the amount of serotonin released and increasing the release of endorphin and Y class neuropeptides, which can also inhibit negative emotional elements.
While conventional medicines may not be able to adequately treat dysmenorrhoea at the present time, acupuncture and dysmenorrhea is often regarded as a highly effective treatment, without danger from any serious side effects or adverse effects.
While this treatment may seem expensive in comparison to prescribed NSAID’s, results have shown throughout a number of acupuncture comparison studies to be far superior to NSAID medication (anti-inflammatory / pain relief medication). The benefits of acupuncture upon dysmenorrhea is also observed to be ongoing and cumulative.
Unlike drugs which are often required to be taken on an ongoing basis. Most patients who experience benefits from acupuncture have been shown to continue experiencing lower levels of pain, even months following their initial treatment.
- This article was prepared with the assistance of Dr. Sarah Niazi and Dr. Hong Jin Pai
Natural relief for menstrual cramps from acupuncture
