Acupuncture And Fibroids

Can Acupuncture Help Fibroids?

About the author: Gail advocates using natural treatments for fibroids rather than using conventional medication or surgery as this is a workable long term solution. Conventional medication only treats the symptoms and fibroids are likely to regrow, whereas natural treatments, when used properly can eliminate the root cause by rebalancing the body and restoring overall health.

Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/womens-health-articles/can-acupuncture-help-fibroids-4160563.html

Frequently Asked Questions

1. QUESTION:
   acupuncture and fibroids?
   I have fibroids that give me a lot of pain during menstration. The good thing is that I do not bleed a lot, I have a very low blood flow. I went to an acupuncturist twice. The first time she put three needles in my stomache, the second time she put close to ten. This month my period was very odd. I had only spotting for one day (brown powdery blood) and very bad pain in my lower belly (before I had it on my back area), I am very worried, that the blood flow has been rerouted incorrectly. I am 31 years old and have never had children and I am not pregnant. Any ideas??

   • ANSWER:
     I would contact your gyno. I have tried accupuncture as well and had some odd side effects. I would definitly not go back until you speak to a doctor.
     But anytime your period changes my doctor tells me it can be affected by stress, dieting, exercise changes…etc
     Good luck!

2. QUESTION:
   Acupuncture and Fibroids?
   I have fibroids that give me a lot of pain during menstration. The good thing is that I do not bleed a lot, I have a very low blood flow. I went to an acupuncturist twice. The first time she put three needles in my stomache, the second time she put close to ten. This month my period was very odd. I had only spotting for one day (brown powdery blood) and very bad pain in my lower belly (before I had it on my back area), I am very worried, that the blood flow has been rerouted incorrectly. I am 31 years old and have never had children and I am not pregnant. Any ideas??

   • ANSWER:
     TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE AND A WOMAN’S PERIOD
     The Human body is programmed from conception to be a self-healing living organism. If you cut yourself, your cut heals. It may heal quickly or slowly depending upon your immune status, but it will heal. Western Science Medicine cannot heal you; it only tries to assist your body in healing itself. It isn’t very successful when dealing with patients that are very weak; bed sores (decubitis ulcers) is one type of wound that defeats the arsenal of modern medicine. Traditional Chinese Medicine is more successful because we first strengthen the patient’s immune system making it possible for the body to do what it does best, i.e. heal. Traditional Chinese Medicine also believes that a normal healthy body should function as it is designed to do. This is especially true for women. The female body is programmed to undergo monthly cycles of hormonal fluctuations to prepare for fertilization of her egg and the support of a healthy pregnancy. Women should not experience mood swings, bloating, constipation, cramping, irregular menstrual cycles, abnormal bleeding or infertility. American women appear to be especially prone to abnormal menstrual cycles and what has been coined Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS). A healthy woman should not experience the pain and discomfort associated with the monthly cycle that currently is the norm with most American women. As late as the 1960’s Western Science Medicine agreed. However, their answer was that any woman who experienced cramping and pain with her cycle had mental problems. It wasn’t until more and more female MDs started experiencing these problems that it became more accepted that sane, normal women could have some sort of malfunction in her reproductive system resulting in abnormal cycles, abnormal bleeding, pain and cramping, PMS, etc. But why did these problems begin? Most women accept PMS each month, cramping, heavy bleeding, etc. There are a variety of Western pharmaceuticals and Western Herbal products directly geared toward female menstrual problems. But none of these address the reason why these problems are suddenly so prevalent. The treatments offered by Western Science and even Western Herbs only seek to mask the symptoms of menstrual abnormalities. So each period presents with the same (or worsening) symptoms. The woman who suffers each month must live on pain killers, period regulators, seek surgery or wait for menopause. But even then, she will most likely be hit with even worse symptoms as menopause approaches. Most women will start with drugs or herbs to try to control the pain and other symptoms. Generally as the symptoms worsen, women will return to their GYN so often that eventually, the GYN will suggest a laparoscopic examination, maybe a D & C, maybe a hysterectomy, all because a normal process that should proceed with little or no difficulty, turns into a nightmare. Why should American women suffer so? Do all the women of the world suffer the same? Have women throughout history suffered with these symptoms? I don’t believe so. I think that our American lifestyle has contributed to the problems that women face each month.

     
     
     

     To understand how a normal process can go so wrong, we must first understand how a normal menstrual cycle should occur.
     Western Medical Science tells us that the menstrual cycle starts with changes in levels of the female hormones. These hormones stimulate production of a woman’s egg and the hormone Estrogen. Estrogen produces changes in the lining of the uterus and breast as well as stimulating maturation of the egg. After ovulation (release of the mature egg), a different hormone now is produced, Progesterone. Progesterone and Estrogens work on the uterus to prepare a suitable lining for a fertilized egg as well as working on the breast to build tissue necessary for production of milk. If no implantation of a fertilized egg occurs, the progesterone and estrogen production stops and uterine lining is sloughed off producing menses (period). The cycle can then start all over again. This cycle will continue until around age 50. When the hormone levels can’t be maintained, the period stops. In Chinese Medical Theory, the egg has nothing to do with the period. The period comes from Breast Milk. White Milk is produced in the breasts. The milk travels down the Chong Meridian to the Uterus. As the white milk passes down the abdomen, the heat from the Small Intestine turns the white milk red. Good milk production is essential for healthy periods, as is having a Small Intestine that produces a normal temperature. A woman should feel the tenderness and fullness in her breasts prior to her menses starting. This is healthy. If blockage in the Chong meridian occurs Milk cannot travel downward to the uterus. If the Small Intestine is too hot or too cold, conversion to menses will not be normal. If the Breast Milk can not travel on the normal pathway, milk will go elsewhere. If the Milk enters the Heart, Lupus occurs; if Milk enters the Blood, leukemia; if Milk enters the Lungs, lung cancer; if Milk stays in the Breast, Breast cancer. Keeping a healthy flow of Breast Milk and functioning Small Intestine is vital for a woman’s health, not just for normal periods.

     American women are not taught proper diet or exercise. Our grandmothers and great grandmothers understood the importance of taking care of themselves during their menses. Modern women ignore these strictures as old fashioned or sexist. During the menses, a woman should not drink cold drinks, swim or bathe (showers are okay). Energy should be conserved. Hot teas and moderate exercise are important. The most dangerous time for a woman to contract the flu is during her period. The virus will go deep as the Breast Milk travels inward and downward. The flu virus will stay in the woman for decades and each time she has her period the flu will be reactivated. This is why so many women feel lousy while menstruating. For information regarding specific complaints unique to women, please go the appropriate site.http://www.susanhathawaytcm.net/id10.htm

     I have used acupunture for many of these things you talk about, for more on it ck out this link , with an acupuncture
     finder at the bottom just put in your zip for one near you.
     http://www.peaceful-organic-planet.com/acupuncture.html

3. QUESTION:
   Suffering from multiple fibroids and very anaemic?
   Suffering from multiple fibroids, trying to get pregnant for 20 months, suffered a miscarriage 10 months ago and nothing is happening since. Test show iron levels very low, take iron tablets daily to build back up but every month suffers very heavy periods and feels washed out again afterwards and low iron stores. Doctors wont do any surgery as wish to have a family – am getting desperate and thinking its never going to happen. Have been having acupuncture for 3 months, am 37, partner 31. Any advice on how to reduce the fibroids without surgery and build iron levels back to up at least normal levels and keep them high?

   • ANSWER:
     You could try taking an iron liquid supplement. take your iron with vitamin c as this helps your body to absorb the iron better. Do not take your iron supplement with caffeine as this stops your body from absorbing it!
     I would question your Doctor why he is reluctant to remove the fibroids…..they act as an IUD does and prevents you from getting pregnant. ALso during pregnancy due to the hormones fibroids grow and this can cause problems for a growing pregnancy. You would be at higher risk of miscarriage (as you know), higher risk of premature delivery and high risk of post partum haemorrhage. I know women that have had multiple fibroids removed and have been able to fall pregnant easily. You may just need to have a caesarian section due to the scars on your uterus from surgery. Goodluck, I hope everything works out for you!!!

4. QUESTION:
   Shrinking Fibroids Naturally??? Can it be done?
   I was just diagnosed with having 3 fibroids. One of which is 6cm and is causing some pain on my right side. I have known about these fibroids, but have approached the “wait and see” attitude until now. Because of the pain, and heavy bleeding each month, I am faced with a decision to make in terms of getting them taken out. I have however decided AGAINST an hysterectomy. I know of too many side effects resulting in having one. Ablation is not a choice either, as my fibroid is too big. I don’t want Lupron either. I am 47 years old, and Lupron is temporary. I won’t make it too menopause with this approach. I am thinking about three options. Mynectomy, Embolization, and natural alternative methods. The later is much more appealing to me, as I live a holistic lifestyle, and I’m scared to death of surgery and meds. Has anyone had any success in shrinking fibroids naturally?? I would be very much interested in reading about your experience and how you achieved results if any. Chinese medicine? Herbs? Acupuncture? I’m all for it if it keeps me off the operating table. Thanks for the advice…

   • ANSWER:
     Hi! I might I have some useful info for you. You want to try and reduce the amount of estrogen in your system since that’s what they need to grow. Here’s a list of some things you could try:

     Serrapeptase: This is an enzyme that eats cysts for food. I think it is amazing for inflammatory conditions and it should shrink your fibroids with continued use. Sold widely online and in health food stores.

     Myomin: A blend of Chinese herbs was developed by an Oriental naturopath, Dr. Chi. The supplement limits estrogen production, acting sort of like an “aromatase inhibitor” similarly to stronger prescription drugs (Aromasin, Evista and Tamoxifen).
     Sold online at www.energeticnutrition.com or www.chi-health.com.

     This supplement will you reduce estrogen load and when fibroids don’t get the estrogen they need, bloating might occur, especially right before your period and for a few days into your cycle. So it appears that your fibroid condition is worsening. Bloating should subside midway through your cycle. A colored discharge may also occur for a few months as the fibroids slowly dissolve and exit the body.

     I3C or DIM: This supplement is extracted from broccoli, cauliflower and other cruciferous veggies. It helps reduce estrogen in the body so the same warnings exist for this supplement as for Myomin.

     Evening Primrose Oil: It’s extracted from the seeds of a wildflower and provides you with gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). This can help relieve painful menstrual cycles, endometriosis and fibroid tumors too!

     Diet: No more fried food, dairy or meat because these may fuel the growth of fibroids. Eat more salads and fruits. Drink juices that are red and fresh, like pure pomegranate, grape or cranberry juice.

     Medicine: Wean off your birth control or hormone replacement drugs (with your doctor’s blessings) because these forms of estrogen fuel fibroid growth.

     If you’re interested in a natural progesterone, let me know. Hope this helps you! Sonja BalancedVictory@yahoogroups