Following is note shared by “YingYang House”
Dysmenorrhea is painful menstruation that arises before, during a/or after menstruation. The pain is mainly in the lower abdomen, however, it can occur in the lower back a/or running down the legs.
Etiology & Pathology:
Etiology:
Emotional Factors – strong emotions (depression, anger) may lead to stagnation of the LV Qi which may lead to a stagnation of Qi & Blood manifesting as painful menstruation.
Cold/Damp Exposure – contact with cold/damp environments (climates, climate controlled buildings, basements) a/or excessive consumption of cold/damp foods (fruit juices, ice cream) may lead to an accumulation of cold/damp in the abdomen which may lead to a stagnation of Qi & Blood manifesting as painful menstruation.
Existing Qi/Blood Deficiencies – symptoms may be exacerbated during menstruation leading to dysmenoorhea.
Existing LV/KD Deficiencies – constitutional weaknesses a/or in women who have had multiple child-births, thus depleting the KD Jing, worsened by the loss of Blood during menstruation.
Differentiation:
When pain is worse prior to a/or during menstruation, this indicates an excess condition:
Qi Stagnation
Blood Stagnation
Accumulation of Cold
When the pain is dull, this indicates a deficient condition:
LV/KD Deficiency
Blood Deficiency
Qi Stagnation – Excess Condition
Signs & Symptoms:
More distention than pain, bloating, breast tenderness is likely, stuffy chest, belching, irritability, short temper.
Tongue: Purplish possible, thin white coat
Pulse: Wiry
Treatment Principle:
Resolve Qi Stagnation
Treatment Points:
LV 2 – move LV Qi, LV 3 may be a better choice
CV 6 – tonify Qi, effect lower abdomen
CV 3 – help to move Qi in the lower abdomen
GB 34 – w/LV 2/LV 3, move LV/GB channel & abdomen w/CV 6
SP 8 – moves Qi and Blood (more for Qi), SP 10 (more for Blood)
SP 6 – direct Blood downwards
If sacral pain – UB 32
Blood Stagnation – Excess Condition
Signs & Symptoms:
Less distention, more pain w/stabbing qualities, no breast tenderness, abdominal pain worse w/pressure, blood clots.
Tongue: Purplish or purple spots which usually appear on the sides, very thin coat
Pulse: Deep, choppy can also be a little wiry
Treatment Principle:
Resolve Blood Stagnation
Treatment Points:
ST 29 – move Blood in the abdomen (also good for starting menstruation in patients who have cessation of menstruation)
CV 6 – move Qi in the abdomen
SP 6 – direct Blood downwards
SP 10 – move Blood and Qi
LV 3 – w/SP 6 move Qi in the lower abdomen
Accumulation of Cold – Excess Condition
Signs & Symptoms:
Pain that is better w/application of heat a/or pressure, scanty menstrual flow, dark blood w/clots that are smaller than the Blood Stagnation clots.
Tongue: White coat
Pulse: Deep, tight
Treatment Principle:
Disperse Cold
Resolve Stagnation
Treatment Points:
CV 4 – w/moxa, tonify Qi, warm & move abdomen
CV 8 – w/moxa, disperse cold
ST 28 – w/moxa, warm abdomen, resolve stagnation
ST 36 – tonify Qi & Blood
LV/KD Deficiency – Deficient Condition
Signs & Symptoms:
Dull a/or intermittent pain of the lower abdomen which arises during a/or after menstruation, pain is better w/pressure, sore back, dizziness, tinnitus (not as prevalent), sallow complexion, lassitude, chronic fatigue, light periods likely w/light red blood.
Tongue: Light red, thin white coat (if extremely deficient tongue may be flabby)
Pulse: Deep, fine or thin
Treatment Principle:
Tonify LV & KD
Move Qi in the Chong Mai and Ren Mai
Treatment Points:
UB 18 – LV Shu
UB 23 – KD Shu
CV 4 – tonify Qi, warm and move abdomen
KD 3 – tonify KD Qi
ST 36 – tonify Qi & Blood
Could add LV 3 or LV 8 – help move Qi in the lower abdomen
Blood Deficiency – Deficient Condition
Signs & Symptoms:
Dull pain after menstruation, better w/pressure, dizziness, palpitations, scanty menstruation.
Tongue: Pale w/thin moss or slightly peeled (peeled section may appear pale as well)
Pulse: Empty, thin
Treatment Principle:
Tonify Blood
Move Qi
Treatment Points:
UB 18 – LV Shu
UB 20 – SP Shu
UB 23 – KD Shu
SP 6 – tonify SP, Blood
SP 10 – tonify & move Blood
LV 8 – nourish LV
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