Acupuncture for PMS: Say Goodbye to Monthly Discomfort
There’s no getting around it: having a period isn’t for the faint of heart. And the period itself may not even be the worst of it! A majority of women report experiencing some sort of discomfort in the week leading up to their period. If your PMS symptoms are particularly intense, acupuncture for PMS could be what you’re looking for.
PMS (premenstrual syndrome) is a fact of life for many women. Symptoms vary but generally include bloating, pain, and moodiness. They also vary in intensity; some women may be able to ignore their symptoms, while others may frequently miss work or school.
Treating PMS can vary, too. You’ve likely heard of these recommended strategies:
- Aerobic exercise
- Hormonal birth control
- Antidepressants or anti-anxiety medicine
But have you ever considered acupuncture for PMS? This traditional form of Chinese medicine involves inserting thin, sterile needles into key parts of your body, and studies show that it may be able to help manage common PMS symptoms.
At Jennifer Scherbauer DC ND LLC, we offer acupuncture to help address a variety of women’s health issues, including PMS. Keep reading to learn how acupuncture helped one of our patients, Amanda.
Exploring Acupuncture for PMS: Amanda’s Story
Amanda dreaded her periods. Or rather, she dreaded the week before her period. Every month, like clockwork, she would be struck with the following symptoms all at once:
- A throbbing headache
- Persistent cramps
- Occasional bouts of nausea
- Bursts of high anxiety
- Insomnia
Once her period started, her symptoms would subside–but she knew she’d be dealing with them again in three weeks.
She tried the birth control pill, but it came with side effects of its own. Over-the-counter pain medication helped temper her headaches and cramps but did nothing for her insomnia, nausea, and anxiety.
Amanda actually visited our (town) clinic for another matter, but when the topic of her miserable PMS symptoms came up, we knew we had to help. We suggested she try acupuncture.
After an in-depth assessment, our acupuncturist developed a customized treatment plan around Amanda’s menstrual cycle. We suggested a six-week treatment to start, with Amanda visiting our clinic once a week.
The Result? Lasting Relief from PMS Symptoms
Amanda admits she was a little skeptical at first–until she hit the dreaded pre-period week about halfway through her treatment. She noticed a marked decrease in the severity of her symptoms, especially her cramps and headaches.
She began incorporating other all-natural techniques for managing PMS symptoms, like regular exercise. Now, Amanda no longer dreads her periods the way she used to, and she doesn’t have to spend PTO on period-related sick days.
Does Amanda’s story resonate with you? If so, request an appointment at Jennifer Scherbauer DC ND LLC to get started with acupuncture for PMS!