David Nevins Acupuncture Works™

Acupuncture is among the oldest healing practices in the world. The effects of an acupuncture treatment are the activation of the circulation of blood, nutrients, and oxygen throughout the body restoring the homeostasis (balance) of the body. Pain relief and the promotion of healing tissues occurs as a result of this restored balance. Acupuncture is but one treatment method within Chinese medicine which incorporates dietary and life style counseling, herbal medicine, physical rehabilitation through various Chinese movement protocols (Tai Qi, Qi Gong), and Tui Na or targeted vigorous massage. For more information about Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture please contact me at 305-725-1152. Office hours by appointment.

My focus is on you, the whole you, for the highest quality of personalized care. I am dedicated to the Integration of Complementary and Alternative Medical therapies and the preservation of health and well being through the practice of Oriental Medicine.

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Premenstrual Syndrome

 

Premenstrual Syndrome:

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a group of symptoms that start one to two weeks before the period. Many women have at least some symptoms of PMS and many do not. The symptoms usually go away after the period start. For some women, the symptoms are severe enough to interfere with their lives. This type of PMS called premenstrual dysphoric disorder, or PMDD.

The causes of PMS are idiopathic (unknown), but hormonal changes and dysfunction of the cerebral subcortex and the autonomic nervous system appear to trigger the symptoms. No single PMS treatment works for everyone.

In Chinese medicine PMS is classified as Yu Zheng or depression syndrome caused by emotional injury leading to depression of the liver qi. Main symptoms of Liver Qi stagnation (depression) are: irritability, depression, over-emotional, easy to cry, breast distension, dizziness, headache, abdominal distending pain radiating to the chest under the ribs (the hypochondriac area).

PMS: Major classifications

  • Liver Qi Invading the Stomach: nausea and vomiting
  • Liver Qi Invading Intestines and Spleen: Constipation or diarrhea
  • Liver Qi Stagnation with Liver Yang Rising: Headache, dizziness
  • Liver Qi Stagnation with Phlegm Stasis: Painful breasts that are swollen
  • Liver Qi Stagnation with Spleen and or Kidney Yang Deficiency: Edema, fluid retention
  • Deficiency of Heart and Spleen: Lower back pain before period, listless, fatigue, cold limbs
  • Fire due to Yin deficiency: Hot sensation palms and soles of feet, headache, irritable, tinnitus, bitter taste, night sweating
Acupuncture treatment is directed at harmonizing the liver to ease the liver depression, calm the mind (Shen), resolve phlegm stasis to relieve breast distension, clear heat, & activate the spleen and kidney yang to eliminate the edema/fluid retention. Herbal therapy for treatment of menstrual disorders treats both the symptoms and the cause of PMS effectively.

Dietary and life-style changes can be helpful. Daily exercise appears to be very beneficial. Over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen, aspirin or naproxen may help ease cramps, headaches, backaches and breast tenderness but these treatments do not address the root cause. Avoiding salt, caffeine and alcohol, exercising and getting enough sleep can also help.

Slowing down having some quiet time for you and meditate can be balancing of the emotional and physical sphere.

Having a partner that is supportive and understanding of your needs at this time is also very helpful. Remember to talk to your partner to help him or her understand what you are going through this communication will preserve the peace in your relationship.

Reference:

  1. Advanced Modern Chinese Acupuncture Therapy By Gang Lin Yin, Zheng Hua Liu New World Press ©2000
  2. U.S. National Library of Medicine: PMS
  3. Chinese Acupuncture and Moxibustion (Revised Edition) By Cheng Xinnong, Cheng Kinnong Foreign Language Press, Beijing
  4. Obstetrics & Gynecology in Chinese Medicine By Giovanni Maciocia Churchill Livingstone © 1998
  5. National Women's Health Information Center
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