Nearly 90 percent of women experience menstrual cramps every month. If you are a woman undergoing your period, various physiological and metabolic changes are occurring in your body at this time, prompting other symptoms of dysmenorrhea to accompany the menstrual cramps. These painful symptoms can be a nuisance, but
acupressure can provide a solution for relieving menstrual cramps and other related issues.
Acupressure does not come with any serious or unwanted side effects, unlike with the use of over-the-counter painkillers and other medication. Not only can acupressure help alleviate menstrual cramps, it can also treat a whole host of other menstrual disorders, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), premenstrual syndrome (PMS), and irregular periods. Just like with acupressure,
acupuncture can be similarly used to treat painful menstrual symptoms. (Related:
Painful menstruation can be reduced with acupoint-stimulation.)
Acupressure works by stimulating certain "acupoints" or key healing points in the body to promote the flow of healing energy or "qi" throughout vital organs. Since menstruation and its associated symptoms deal with blood flow, acupressure can mitigate these problems and promote a healthy, regular blood flow.
According to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), there are
three different types of PMS. These are the blood deficiency, the liver qi stagnation, and the spleen qi deficiency. Each type causes different reactions in women and can be treated by stimulating different sets of acupoints.
Acupoints that help relieve menstrual cramps
You can alleviate menstrual cramps and other symptoms by stimulating the following acupoints:
- Mansion Cottage. You can find the Mansion Cottage in your pelvic area. Find the spot in the middle of the crease where your leg joins the trunk of your body. Gently massage this area on both legs to relieve menstrual discomfort, cramps, and abdominal discomfort.
- Yin Tang. The Yin Tang point is also known as your third eye. This point can be found just between your eyes on your forehead. Massage this spot by gently stroking it with your index finger for around 60 to 90 seconds. It is helpful in calming yourself down from emotional outbursts relating to PMS.
- Sea of Energy. Your Sea of Energy can be found just two finger widths below your belly button. Softly rub this area to help treat PMS, menstrual cramps, reproductive problems, irregular vaginal discharge, irregular periods, and constipation.
- Returning Point. Stimulating the aptly named Returning Point can help return your irregular menstrual cycle to a more normal rhythm. Locate this spot just above your genitals at the pubic area and lightly press down on it with your fingers until you feel your pubic bone. Once you have found it, slightly move your fingers just a thumb width above your pubic bone and apply pressure to the points just two thumb widths away from it on either side. It can also help relieve menstrual cramps.
- Three Yin Crossing. You can find the Three Yin Crossing point just four finger widths above your inner ankle bone. It should be near the back of your shinbone. Stimulate this acupoint to reduce menstrual cramps and open up your clogged energy channels to promote proper blood flow. It can also help alleviate water retention, menstrual cramps, irregular vaginal discharge, and genital pain.
- Union Valley. This acupoint can be found in the fleshy region in between your thumb and index finger. You can apply pressure to this fleshy joint to normalize delayed and irregular menstrual cycles. It can also help relax the uterine muscles and treat headaches, shoulder pain, abdominal pain, and infertility issues.
If you want to learn more about acupressure and other forms of traditional Chinese medicine, you can read more articles by going to ChineseMedicine.news.
Sources include:
ModernReflexology.com
MindBodyGreen.com
