For many women, menstrual cramps are an unfortunate fact of life. These cramps can range from mildly annoying to debilitating, and often interfere with work, school, and other activities. While there are many over-the-counter medications that can help reduce the pain of menstrual cramps, some women prefer to find more natural solutions. Acupuncture for period pain is one such avenue that women might choose to explore for relief.
Are there acupuncture points for menstrual cramps?
For the uninitiated, acupuncture is a form of traditional Chinese medicine that involves inserting thin needles into the skin at specific points on the body. This is thought to release endorphins, which are hormones that block pain signals from reaching the brain. In addition, acupuncture is believed to stimulate the release of other chemicals in the body that help to reduce inflammation and promote healing.
There are 361 acupuncture points on the human body, mostly arranged into “meridians”. Several of these points are believed to alleviate the symptoms of menstrual cramps – the most noteworthy ones being Large Intestine 4, Liver 3, Spleen 8 and CV6 (Qihai).
Acupuncture for period pain
Acupuncture has been shown in some scientific trials to support management of various types of pain, including pain resulting from menstrual cramps. There is a wide body of evidence to suggest the efficacy of using acupuncture for treating various types of pain, including menstrual cramps.
Another study* found that acupuncture outperformed ibuprofen among the study participants in reducing pain during periods. In fact, 71% of women who received acupuncture in the study reported experiencing significant pain relief, compared to only 50% of women who took ibuprofen.
Book acupuncture treatment at Eastern Therapies today
If you are suffering from menstrual cramps and are looking for a more natural way to find relief, acupuncture may be worth considering. Although every person is different, some people report increased relaxation and even pain relief from acupuncture treatment.
At Eastern Therapies, our team of qualified and experienced practitioners is committed to helping women improve their physical, mental and emotional well-being through a variety of holistic treatments, including IVF support, menopause acupuncture, sports therapy and women’s overall health. Start your journey towards improved quality of life with Eastern Therapies today – book online now.
Disclaimer: Kindly note that results for clients may vary. The work I do is never in isolation; it is always a team effort which includes that clients work on their lifestyle choices, along with my treatment.
*Smith CA, Armour M, Zhu X, Li X, Lu ZY, Song J. Acupuncture for dysmenorrhoea. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016 Apr 18;4(4):CD007854. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD007854.pub3. PMID: 27087494; PMCID: PMC8406933.
