Beyond the Cramps: Understanding Your Period Through Chinese Medicine
PMS, painful periods, and irregular cycles aren’t just inconvenient — they can disrupt every aspect of your life. From mood swings and fatigue to cramping that stops you from doing things, it seems that it can never get better.
But here’s the good news: in Chinese Medicine, your cycle is a reflection of your overall health. When your period is uncomfortable or irregular, it’s often your body’s way of telling you that something deeper needs attention.
Your Cycle as a Mirror of Health
In Chinese Medicine, the menstrual cycle is closely linked to the smooth flow of Qi and Blood throughout the body — particularly in the Liver system, which is responsible for regulating the movement of energy and blood.
When the Liver Qi becomes stuck (often due to stress, overwork, or emotional tension), it can lead to symptoms like:
Cramps and pain — because Qi and Blood can’t flow smoothly.
Mood swings and irritability — as Qi stagnates, it affects emotional balance.
Breast tenderness and bloating — stagnation in the Liver channel, subsequently affecting digestion
Irregular cycles — because the body’s natural rhythm is disrupted due to stagnation of Qi and Blood.
How Acupuncture Helps
Acupuncture works to restore harmony by:
Promoting smooth Qi and Blood flow — which eases pain and helps regulate your cycle.
Strengthen your body — which improves mood and energy.
Balancing the nervous system — which soothes emotional tension and stress.
By working with your body’s natural flow rather than against them, acupuncture helps your cycle become a more predictable, less disruptive part of your life.
Finding Balance, Naturally
Your period shouldn’t feel like a punishment. With acupuncture and other of Chinese Medicine’s modalities, you can support your body in finding balance — so that every month feels more like a fresh start, not a setback.
What to Expect When You Visit
When working with period and cycle-related concerns, we’ll start by reviewing your recent cycle history and understanding what your past few cycles have been like. By narrowing down the symptoms that keep returning each cycle, I can identify the pattern you’re experiencing. Through acupuncture, I can help calm your body and support a smoother flow. With a regular sessions, my goal is to make your next cycle more balanced and pleasant.