Acupuncture For Endometriosis
If you are suffering from chronic pain because of endometriosis, acupuncture can be one of the best solutions. Studies show that acupuncture is a natural therapy that positively affects pain management.
Endometriosis is a common uterine disorder in women that can lead to infertility. The disease has been estimated to affect 1 in 10 women in the UK.
The study further showed that endometriosis impacts 1.5 million women, which is equal to the number of women affected by diabetes. In addition, the occurrence of endometriosis in infertile women is around 30-50%.
Acupuncture is a common form of traditional therapy that has become the first line of treatment to relieve the discomfort and pain associated with endometriosis. Above all, acupuncture therapy is natural and free from hazardous side effects. In this blog, we will discuss all about the benefits of acupuncture and how acupuncture helps to treat endometriosis.
What Is Endometriosis?
Endometriosis is a common gynaecological disease in which cells resembling the lining of the endometrium or uterus grow outside the womb in other areas of the stomach, like:
Ovaries
Fallopian tubes
Uterus (womb)
Vagina
Rectum
Bladder
Sigmoid colon
The common symptoms of endometriosis include:
Fatigue
Nausea or bloating
Stomach pain
Constipation
Inability to conceive
Painful periods
What Is Acupuncture And How Does It Work?
Acupuncture is an alternative Chinese medicinal therapy that involves the insertion of very thin needles into specific areas of the body to stimulate the central nervous system and increase blood flow to the affected areas.
The stimulation of the central nervous system promotes the release of certain chemicals, like pain-relieving neurotransmitters, which help in relieving pain and discomfort.
A study showed that acupuncture resulted in 62% pain reduction after 4 weeks of treatment in patients with endometriosis.
How Does Acupuncture Relieve Endometriosis?
Acupuncture is not a substitute for medical treatment for endometriosis. In fact, it helps reduce the discomfort and complications of endometriosis, like infertility and pain.
Acupuncture relieves endometriosis by:
Easing pain and inflammation
Improving immune functions
Decreasing the levels of CA-125, an inflammatory marker of endometriosis.
Increasing blood flow to the affected areas, like the pelvis and abdomen.
Where Are Acupuncture Needles Inserted For Endometriosis?
Acupuncture needles are commonly inserted in the lower abdomen or pelvic area to alleviate endometriosis.
Is Acupuncture Effective For Endometriosis?
Endometriosis is an inflammatory, estrogen-dependent, multifactorial disease that causes chronic pelvic pain and discomfort.
Acupuncture is a natural yet effective alternative therapy that can ease endometriosis-related pain and discomfort and reduce its symptoms and complications like infertility.
Patients may require hormone therapy and surgical treatments to treat endometriosis, but acupuncture is considered an effective option to relieve discomfort, inflammation, and pain that comes from endometriosis.
Top 3 Benefits Of Acupuncture For Endometriosis
The top 3 benefits of acupuncture for endometriosis include:
Did you know that chronic pain in periods and after or during sex is the most common and intolerable effect of endometriosis? Moreover, long-term use of painkillers can cause kidney damage or failure, commonly seen in patients who frequently use pain relievers due to the pain of chronic diseases like endometriosis.
Luckily, the number one benefit of acupuncture for endometriosis is its discomfort and pain-relieving effects. As discussed above, acupuncture releases neurotransmitters, such as endorphins, the body’s natural pain killer, by stimulating the central nervous system. This naturally reduces pain without the need to use medications frequently.
CA-125 is a blood marker commonly increased in patients with endometriosis. An increased level of CA-125 causes inflammation. Acupuncture helps to reduce the levels of CA-125 and eases inflammation associated with endometriosis.
Studies report that acupuncture decreases the levels of serum CA-125, which relieves the pelvic cavity pain caused by endometriosis.
It is understood that your immune system must be strong to fight any disease. Dysfunction of the immune system is one of the components that cause endometrial lesions. Research shows that acupuncture boosts immunity and increases WBC and RBC count. An increase in WBCs can help fight infections and diseases, such as endometriosis, and can ease endometrial lesions.
Procedure Of Acupuncture For Endometriosis – Step-By-Step Process
The procedure of acupuncture for endometriosis involves the following steps:
Firstly, your acupuncturist will ask you to lie down before and during the procedure.
Then the acupuncturist inserts thin, single-use, and sterile needles into your pelvic or abdominal area. A typical treatment involves around 5 to 20 needles.
The needles will be left on your body for 20 to 60 minutes.
Lastly, your acupuncturist takes the needles out of your body. If your disease is severe, you may need two sessions of acupuncture per week.
How Long Does It Take For Acupuncture To Work For Endometriosis?
The effects of acupuncture for endometriosis can vary depending on the patient’s condition, body factors, and the severity of the disease.
On average, it takes around 4 weeks to 3 months for acupuncture to start showing a response. Still, some people may feel the changes after one visit, while some may require several treatments to notice changes.
The plan for endometriosis treatment with acupuncture may include two phases. The initial phase involves 6 to 8 weeks therapy with one or two visits per week, and the second phase may include 3 to 4 months therapy with 2 weeks of sessions per month.
FAQs
Q. Is acupuncture treatment painful?
Acupuncture treatment causes minimal to no pain or sensation as the needles are inserted. The needles are hair-thin and ultra-fine, which mostly feels like a mosquito bite upon insertion. Acupuncture is even less painful than blood withdrawal or an injection.
Q. How does acupuncture alleviate pain associated with endometriosis?
Acupuncture eases the pain associated with endometriosis by increasing blood circulation to the pelvic organs and soothing or warming the uterus. In addition, it boosts the endocrine and immune systems by stimulating the autonomic nervous system.
Q. In which patients is acupuncture not recommended?
Acupuncture is contraindicated in any of the following conditions:
Acupuncture is not recommended in patients who are suffering from an active infection, or
Patients having uncontrolled movements or epilepsy.
People who are on anticoagulant therapy.
Immunosuppression or bleeding tendency.
If you suffer from any other chronic disease, it is best to consult your doctor before starting acupuncture therapy.
Conclusion
Acupuncture is a traditional therapy that carries minimal risks of side effects. Studies report that it helps manage chronic pain associated with any long-lasting disease, like endometriosis or migraine. Acupuncture therapy may be time-consuming, and you may require several visits to the acupuncturist. Still, it is a natural therapy and effective for relieving pain and discomfort caused by endometriosis.
Q. What are the disadvantages of acupuncture?
The risks and disadvantages of acupuncture are minimal if performed by a qualified and experienced medical practitioner. They may include bleeding or swelling. But overall, there are no drawbacks to acupuncture. It is a procedure that helps in relieving pain and inflammation naturally.
Q. Can I quit other treatments prescribed by my doctor after starting acupuncture?
You should not quit other treatments or stop going to the doctor or specialist after starting acupuncture. Depending on your disease severity, you may need other treatments as well to treat arthritis, for example, surgery or certain medications.
Acupuncture is only used to help relieve arthritis symptoms. Hence, it is crucial to get your condition diagnosed and treated properly by an orthopedic, and receive acupuncture alongside other treatments to maximize outcomes.
Conclusion
All in all, acupuncture is an effective therapy to relieve arthritis pain and inflammation. It works by promoting blood flow and stimulating the release of natural body hormones, like cortisol and endorphins to alleviate inflammation and pain. Moreover, acupuncture therapy has minimal to no side effects, and can be taken with other treatments like physical therapies, medications, or exercises.