Chinese Medicine Diagnosis and Treatment for Endometriosis
Chinese medicine doctors cannot, according to the logic of our system, cure endometriosis. But we do treat and cure all the signs and symptoms of endometriosis. Like we stated above the only way we could say we cure endometriosis specifically is if we asked our patients to get a surgery to see if the endometriosis lesions were still there, and of course that is not something any of us would ever suggest.
Western medicine cannot explain why endometriosis occurs, there are theories, but none are conclusive. Some say there is retrograde bleeding where the uterine lining goes up and out of the uterus through the fallopian tubes. Or blame hormonal regulation, thus the attempts to control endometriosis with many variations of birth control. All conclusions are on a cellular and biochemical level about which a patient can’t do anything for themselves to fix the problem. Whereas Chinese Medicine theory regarding the disease pathologies of endometriosis make logical sense, and are also empowering from a human point of view. There are everyday factors that lead to this disease, meaning there are many things a woman can do to rectify her situation.
At Oasis Women’s Clinic we stay within our scope of practice and diagnose within that scope. There are four diagnoses that pertain to endometriosis and those are: Qi congestion and blood stagnation, accumulation of cold causing blood stagnation, heat congestion with blood stagnation, and qi and blood deficiency with stagnation.
The most common cause of qi stagnation is stress. Qi stagnation leads to blood stagnation which can cause pain in the lower abdomen, and infertility. Qi also stagnates due to overeating, blood deficiency, stagnant blood due to trauma (such as surgery,) and what we call “dampness” which is simply sticky turbid and thick fluids congealing and slowing the qi dynamic.
Accumulation of cold is like winter freezing the river, slowing circulation in the body, by way of eating cold foods and/or subjecting yourself to a cold environment without proper clothing. Overeating cold raw foods slowly impedes upon our ability to warm the body and the uterus, causing pain, fibroids, spotting among other things. Or working to the point of fatigue in the cold weather along with a poor diet. Our uterus is particularly susceptible to cold invasion when it is menstruating and is the most important time to avoid cold foods, cold feet, and cold weather or ice plunges.
Heat can also cause stagnant blood. The periods tend to be rusty in color, scanty, painful and full of clots. Usually with premenstrual spotting or spotting during ovulation. This heat is a pathology that typically long standing and comes and goes along with the woman’s stress and diet ebbing and flowing in and out of appropriateness for them at the time.
Lastly qi and blood deficiency leading to stagnation. In this situation the ability to circulate blood is weak. Usually caused by persistent worry and excessive fatigue caused by “spleen deficiency” and dampness (the thick fluids slowing and mucking up our qi dynamic and flow.) Dizziness, hemorrhoids, intestinal cramping and diarrhea are common symptoms. Menstruation is very exhausting to these women as they do not have enough resources to lose that amount of blood whether it is a little or a lot.
Prevention
It is suggested to avoid cold and raw foods prior and during your period. Meaning salads, smoothies, raw fruits, and cold drinks. Also to avoid sex during menstruation as this can lead to dysmenorrhea, and congelated lumps in the pelvis. Also avoid strong and vigorous exercise during menstruation to prevent the the menstruate from diverting from it’s path and escaping elsewhere. Maintain regular sleeping hours, avoid spicy foods and try to be happy, as sad and angry emotions can divert and obstruct qi flow.
“Endometriosis, Infertility, And Traditional Chinese Medicine, A Laywoman’s Guide”
By Bob Flaws
As a reminder this bit of info is merely a drop of water in an ocean of the vast wisdom of Chinese Medicine. We are happy to tell you more! Please book an initial consultation which includes your first treatment. At the very least we will go over your case with you and set you on a good path.