Endometriosis According to TCM
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, Endometriosis is known as ‘menstrual pain’ due to its symptoms.
It isn’t categorised as a disease, and is described as a blood stasis syndrome (stagnation) with formation of lumps. Blood stasis is said to be related to stagnant Qi (which restricts blood circulation) and Kidney Yang deficiency (which affects metabolism).
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine….
…..a women’s menstruation should be painless and with minimal signs and symptoms except our bleeding. When we bleed our blood should be of sufficient volume, a rich, fresh colour and free from clots. The absence of these factors is an endometriosis system, which then needs attending to in order to find balance.
Quite simply – if there is free flow, there is no pain; if there is pain, there is no free flow
Finding our Way to Balance
The most common cause of Qi stagnation is thought to be stress which often results in liver stagnation. It is the liver’s job to maintain the free flow of Qi and inner harmony. The liver is also intricately connected to our menstrual cycle and distribution of blood. When liver Qi is out of balance, it will also affect spleen, kidneys, heart and lungs as they then work together to try and help bring Liver back to healthy function and carry its workload.
In Chinese Medicine, the uterus and the liver are closely related. The liver maintains free flow of Qi of the body, as well as circulation of the blood and delivery to the uterus. The liver, spleen and kidney channels run through the pelvis and all can affect menstruation. If any of these channels are blocked, congested or deficient in women it almost always manifests as some sort of menstrual problem.
The Chinese natural remedy is to manage our emotions so that harmony is maintained. Maintaining an even flow of emotions is the same as maintaining an even, free flow of Qi and blood.
We need to teach ourselves, consciously and deliberately and daily how to relax. This can help to greatly alleviate the severity of any endometriosis symptoms and pain associated with blood stagnation.
What Does This Mean?
Remember that your body is trying to tell you something when you are in pain. In the various phases of our cycle we need to really tune in to how we are feeling at each stage. Track the details of our cycle (see this blog – LINK). Tune in and pay attention to ensuring that we live by our cycle, and energy and hormonal flows, manage our stress and move according to where we are in our own unique cycle.
Ultimately finding our inner balance.
- Ways to Find Inner Balance
- Movement (phase of cycle dependent)
- Stillness
- Warm nutritious food
- Meditation
- Pranayama
- Resting well
- Sleeping well
- Stress management
- Letting go of unrealistic goals
All of which need more or less attention at different parts of our cycle.
Stay tuned for how I can help you in 2023!