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Endometriosis is defined simply as the presence of endometrial (or uterine) tissue in abnormal locations such as the overies and fallopian tubes and can affect fertility as well as a woman’s quality of life. The tissue, normally expelled from the body through menstruation travels outside the uterus and implants itself. After implanting, a lesion forms as the endometrial cells proliferate and act as though they are still in the uterus – responding to hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle by thickening, enlarging and bleeding just as in the uterus.

There is no way for this blood to leave the body, so it stagnates at the site. The lesion can inflame and may adhere to surrounding tissues. If the lesion is situated in close proximity to any nerve endings, these lesions can create pain. Additionally the immune system may detect the abnormal placement of endometrial cells and initiate an inflammatory reaction to protect the rest of the body from this perceived ‘invader.’ When the immune system is unable to eradicate the misplaced tissue, it reacts to all endometrial tissue, creating a toxic environment for an implanting embryo. Often the menstrual flow of a woman suffering from endometriosis id dark, brown, clotted blood that has been allowed to oxidize.

How can acupuncture help

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) views endometriosis primarily as stagnant Blood and Qi, in other words the Qi and Blood are not flowing freely.   If there is an overactive immunological response, there may be an additional diagnosis of either excess heat or damp-heat. Acupuncture can move Blood and Qi, clear heat, help resolve damp and balance one’s overall constitution. Since acupuncture has been shown to increase the levels of Beta-endorphins in the cerebrospinal fluid, it can often relieve pain.

Given time and the proper treatment, painful cramping can be relieved, nervous system will calm, blood flow will improve, reduced inflammation and increased blood flow to the uterus and ovaries can be achieved.

Foods to avoid

Avoid foods that aggravate the Liver such as rich and fatty foods, red meat, eating late at night, alcohol and coffee

Foods to include

Aubergine, amasake, saffron, safflower, basil, brown sugar, chestnut

Reveiw

“Just want to thank Melanie for giving me my life back by helping me with the severe symptoms of fibromyalgia, endometriosis, prolapse pelvis, slipped discs and also since going to see Mel I have stopped all medication, had weight loss and have quit smoking……thank you so much Mel”

Picture credit to Zara Garnett

Moxibustion is a type of traditional Chinese medicine that involves burning moxa (ground mugwort leaves), on or near the body’s meridians and acupuncture points. Moxibustion can dredge meridians and the heat helps stimulate the points and improves the flow of qi (energy) and blood. This increased qi circulation makes the point much more receptive to needling or can be used as a stand-alone treatment with no needling and can help with a range of health issues from chronic pain to digestive troubles

There are several methods for applying and with direct moxibustion, the moxa cone rests on the body at the treatment point. The practitioner lights the cone and lets it burn slowly down and once the patient begins to feel heat, the practitioner removes it.

Moxa can also be placed on the acupuncture needle and ignited. It burns on the needle until it’s extinguished. The heat travels through the needle to the acupuncture point.

Indirect moxibustion doesn’t actually touch the skin. Instead, the practitioner will hold it about an inch from the body and then remove it once the skin becomes red and warm and will repeat this action

Moxibustion for breech baby

Moxibustion is used in Chinese medicine as a way to help with breech position in child birth when a baby is positioned feet first in the birth canal making the birthing process more difficult. It is usually done between 34 to 36 weeks of pregnancy by using indirect moxa method where a moxa stick is moved back and forth over a point called “Extremity of yin” Bladder 67

It is important that this is done by a trained licensed practitioner for safety and effectiveness and in most cases once Mum has been shown how it is done by a professional then the procedure can be done at home

So what is “5 Element Acupuncture”

Acupuncture has been around for at least 2000 years with 5 Element hinging on the daoist idea that we humans and everything in nature too is composed of the 5 Elements and we need to live by natures laws and cycles to live a long, Healthy and happy life!

Just like the natural world, if something within us is out of balance then the entire system begins to break down because everything is connected. Five-Element theory enables us to identify the cause of our struggles, be they physical, mental or existential, and illuminates the path to healing.

Maintaining balance today when we all live busy, modern lives can be tough and we can often experience both physical and emotional trauma. We often only notice a problem when we become unwell, depressed, anxious or experience physical pain and can suffer from physical and mental exhaustion meaning something has upset the balance of the elements within us

As a 5 element acupuncturist I aim to address that imbalance and bring my patient back into alignment with nature’s ebbs and flows. So rather than treat a specific condition which may be a symptom of your imbalance I look for the root cause of the problem and use my needles to access energy and the flow which allows the body to regain balance and aid the natural healing process