| Acupuncture has been practiced for thousands of years in China. It shows obvious results for a wide variety of diseases and conditions.
According to TCM theory, Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) is mainly due to functional disorders in the liver, spleen and kidneys leading to disturbances in blood and qi flows inside the body. Acupuncture has the effect of opening up the meridians and maintaining balance in the body, which generally eases the emotions and pain assoicated with menstruation.
It may take a few cycles to show an overall improvement; however, alleviation of symptoms like bloating or cramps can be seen soon after the first month or even after the initial treatment. Guidelines for selecting acu-points are based on syndrome differentiation. Application techniques vary according to physician.
In each acupuncture session, skills that are used by acupuncturist are far more than simply locating the right points on the body surface; the needles must be correctly insert and manipulated to achieve the desired effect, which is termed as arrival of qi (de qi) in TCM. The manipulation of the needles involves techniques like lifting, thrusting, rotating, flicking or stroking. These needling techniques are divided into three categories:
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Reinforcing techniques are adopted to invigorate the body resistance and recuperate the under-functioning of the body. The skills are generally slow, gentle and short duration. |
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Reducing techniques are adopted to eliminate the pathogens and suppress the hyper-functioning of the body. The techniques are generally rapid, forceful and long duration. |
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Even techniques are adopted when there is no particular reason to use the above techniques. |
Below shows a protocol for PMS associated with Liver-qi Stagnation:
Selected acu-points include zhong-ji, tai-yang, bai-hui, shen-men, zhong-wan, zu-san-li and guan-yuan. Using even techniques until the individual feels the arrival of qi ( de qi), and then the needles are retained for half an hour. Apply once a day, 15 days for one course.
Analysis: the major acu-point is zhong-ji, which is located in the Conception Vessel and serves to regulate the qi movement of the whole body. Guan-yuan also belongs to the Conception Vessel and serves to relieve abdominal distention and pain. The tai-yang (nomeclature of extra point), bai-hui ( Governor Vessel ) and shen-men (Heart Meridian ) help to relieve headache and insomnia. The zhong-wan (Conception Vessel) and zu-san-li ( Stomach Meridian ) are indicated for gastric discomfort and poor appetite.
Suggested Acu-points for Body Acupuncture:
| 1. Mood Swings |
| Shen-men, bai-hui and san-yin-jiao |
| 2. Breast Tenderness |
| Ru-gen, gan-shu and tan-zhong |
| Add xing-jian, tai-chong for severe qi stagnation. |
Add pi-shu, shen-shu, tai-xi and zhao-hai when accompanied with yin deficiency. |
| 3. Headache |
Tou-wei, bai-hui, feng-chi, tai-yang, he-gu, zu-san-li and san-yin-jiao
Use both reinforcing and reducing needling techniques. |
| Add tai-chong and xing-gian when associated with hyperactive liver-fire and mainly use reducing techniques. |
| Add qu-quan and fu-liu when associated with blood deficiency and mainly use even techniques. |
| 4. Edema |
Pi-shu, shen-shu, yin-ling-quan, shui-fen, shui-dao, pang-guang-shu and san-yin-jiao
Use reinforcing techniques. |
| 5. Oral Sores |
| Shang-yang and nei-ting |
| Add san-yin-jiao and yin-ling-quan when associated with heat invasion. |
| Add tai-xi, zhao-hai, jing-jin, and yu-ye when associated with yin deficiency. |
| 6. Skin rash |
| Qu-chi, he-gu, xue-hai, wei-zhong, ge-shu and tin-jing |
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