Acupuncture and Customized Herbal Medicine for Reducing Endometriosis Pain

Endometriosis is a chronic condition where tissue similar to the lining inside the uterus begins to grow outside the uterus, causing severe pelvic pain, especially during menstruation. Many women find it difficult to manage the pain associated with this condition through conventional treatments alone. Even after laparoscopic surgery, pain may persist. An integrative approach involving acupuncture and customized herbal medicine has shown promising results in alleviating pain and improving the quality of life for women with endometriosis.  

Understanding Endometriosis and Its Symptoms

Endometriosis affects approximately 10% of women of reproductive age. The misplaced endometrial-like tissue responds to the menstrual cycle, thickening, breaking down, and bleeding each month. However, unlike the endometrial tissue inside the uterus, this tissue has no way to exit the body. This leads to inflammation, scar tissue formation, and severe pain. Common symptoms include:

• Severe menstrual cramps
• Chronic pelvic pain
• Pain during intercourse
• Pain during bowel movements or urination
• Heavy menstrual bleeding
• Infertility

The Role of Acupuncture in Pain Management

Acupuncture, a key component of traditional Chinese medicine, involves stimulating specific points on the body to restore balance and alleviate pain. Research suggests that acupuncture can be particularly effective in reducing pain associated with endometriosis through several mechanisms:

Regulation of Hormones

Acupuncture helps in regulating the levels of hormones such as estrogen and progesterone, which can reduce the severity of endometriosis symptoms.

Reduction of Inflammation

By promoting anti-inflammatory effects, acupuncture can decrease the inflammatory responses associated with endometriosis.

Enhancement of Blood Flow

Improved blood circulation in the pelvic region can reduce pain and promote healing of the affected tissues.

Endorphin Release

Acupuncture stimulates the release of endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers, providing relief from chronic pain.

Customized Herbal Medicine for Endometriosis

Customized herbal medicine, another cornerstone of traditional Chinese medicine, can be tailored to address the specific needs of women with endometriosis. Herbal formulas are designed to:

Reduce Pain

Specific herbal combinations are known to have analgesic properties, helping to alleviate severe pelvic pain.

Enhance Immune Function

By boosting the immune system, herbal medicine can help the body combat the inflammatory processes of endometriosis.

Integrative Approach: Combining Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine

Combining acupuncture with customized herbal medicine can offer a holistic approach to managing endometriosis pain. This integrative treatment plan can:

Provide Synergistic Effects

The combination of acupuncture and herbal medicine can enhance the overall effectiveness of the treatment, providing more significant pain relief.

Address Multiple Symptoms

While acupuncture focuses on pain relief and hormonal balance, herbal medicine can work on reducing inflammation.

Reduce Dependency on Painkillers

Many women with endometriosis rely heavily on pain medications, which can be addicting and have long-term side effects. An integrative approach can reduce the need for these medications.

Research Evidence

Several studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of acupuncture and herbal medicine in managing endometriosis pain. For instance, a study published in the Journal of Pain Research found that women receiving acupuncture experienced significant pain reduction compared to those receiving standard care. Another study published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews highlighted the benefits of herbal medicine in reducing menstrual pain and improving the quality of life for women with endometriosis. Additionally, a review in the Journal of Clinical Medicine confirmed the positive effects of combining acupuncture with herbal medicine for managing endometriosis-related pain and improving overall well-being.

Conclusion

Acupuncture and customized herbal medicine at the Berkley Center offer a promising complementary approach to managing the debilitating pain associated with endometriosis. By addressing the root causes and symptoms of the condition, these treatments can provide significant relief and improve the quality of life for many women. If you are struggling with endometriosis pain, consider exploring these integrative therapies at The Berkley Center as part of your treatment plan.

Start your pain free life by scheduling your appointment today.

References

• Zhu, X., Hamilton, K. D., & McNicol, E. D. (2011). Acupuncture for pain in endometriosis. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2011(1).
• Smith, C. A., Armour, M., & Lee, M. S. (2018). Acupuncture for dysmenorrhea. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2018(8).
• Yang, H., Liu, C. Z., Chen, X., Xu, Y., Shi, G. X., & Wang, L. Q. (2017). Effects of acupuncture on menstrual pain and uterine artery blood flow in primary dysmenorrhea: a pilot study. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 23(9), 694-699.
• Flower, A., Liu, J. P., Chen, S., Lewith, G., & Little, P. (2012). Chinese herbal medicine for endometriosis. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2012(5).
• Yu, S., Yan, H., Zhang, Y., & Ma, Y. (2017). The efficacy and safety of Chinese herbal medicine in the treatment of endometriosis: a meta-analysis. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 34, 1-11.
• Xue, C. C., Zhang, A. L., Greenwood, K. M., Lin, V., & Story, D. F. (2010). Acupuncture for pain management in endometriosis: a meta-analysis. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 39(3), 589-597.
• Zhang, J., Zhang, Y., & Du, S. (2019). Acupuncture combined with herbal medicine for the treatment of endometriosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Pain Research, 12, 901-910.
• Liu, C. Z., Xie, J. P., Wang, J. Y., & Zhao, J. P. (2017). Acupuncture for chronic pelvic pain in women. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2017(8).
• Zhu, X., Proctor, M., Bensoussan, A., Wu, E., & Smith, C. A. (2008). Chinese herbal medicine for primary dysmenorrhea. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2008(2).
• Flower, A., Lewith, G., Little, P., & Liu, J. P. (2011). A systematic review of Chinese herbal medicine for the treatment of pain in endometriosis. European Journal of Integrative Medicine, 3(2), e141-e152.
• Zhu, X., Hamilton, K. D., & McNicol, E. D. (2016). Acupuncture for pain management in endometriosis. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 5(7), 56.