For thousands of years, Chinese medicine has been aware of the importance of the menstrual cycle as an indicator of general health in women. Balancing a woman’s menstrual cycle is a key component in helping to resolve many diseased conditions.
This is not something we commonly find linked with western medical diagnosis and I can safely assume most women have not been asked about their menses by their primary care physician unless they have a complaint with direct gynecological origins.
Of course herein lies the major difference betrween the traditional allopathic medical model and the holistic healthcare model. Instead of dissecting the human body into seperate parts and systems, the holistic approach sees the body as a series of inter-relationships.
None of the individual parts are viewed as isolated from the entire unit, as a result there isn’t a pre-determined differential diagnosis for any disease condition. In terms of treating gynecological issues, this is why Chinese medicine can be so effective in creating a deeper and more prolonged resolution of symptoms.
In my private practice in Baltimore, MD I have treated numerous cases of dysmenorrhea with very satisfactory results, often when my patients have been told there was nothing further to be done from a western medical perspective. Let’s face it, menstrual cramps are really considered to be “normal” and are often not associated with any type of imbalance in the body.
Chinese medicine teaches us that cramping is a source of stagnation and therefore indicates the menstrual flow is not procedding as smoothly as it should. Menstruation is considered to be a time of rejuvenation as the female body cleanses itself in preparation for a new cycle of fertility.
If things are proceeding in a healthy manner PMS should not occur and women should actually feel better during the menses. I can imagine any women reading this right now are having their doubts, but I have seen this first hand in my practice.
It is possible to stop dreading your menses and actually look forward to renewed physical and mental energy during this precious time in a woman’s natural cycle of life.
