Endometriosis is a medical condition suffered by many women at their reproductive age. The condition is highly influenced by their hormone cycle due to the monthly hormonal effect on the growth and shedding of the endometrial cell that grows abnormally outside of Uterus. The severity of the endometriosis depends on the level of the adhesion and scarring tissue from this abnormal growth of the endometrial cell outside of Uterus. Some may experience the excruciating pain at the bowel when there is the involvement of adhesion tissue to the wall of the intestine or bladder. The infertility rate in endometriosis is higher when there is blocking of the tube fallopian following endometriosis condition. The cause of endometriosis still remains unknown although the most accepted theory is retrograde menstruation flow as proposed by Samson in 1921. The endometrial cell ectopically implanted into the ovary and the adjacent pelvic peritoneum, then grow and form ectopic lesions.
Endometriosis in Chinese Medicine Perspective
With the limited treatment option available for endometriosis in the mainstream health care system, many have turned to holistic medicine therapy to find relief for endometriosis conditions. Chinese Medicine and acupuncture treatment are some of the natural therapy is chosen by many endometriosis patients and find improvement of endometriosis-related pain especially menstrual pain.
The famous Chinese Medicine saying " Tong Zhe Bu Tong, Bu Tong Zhe Tong", this quote translated as "free flow lead to pain-free, the resistance of flow results in pain".
One of the vital principles of the Chinese Medicine principle is to ensure the unobstructed movement of Qi, blood, and fluid through the body. Any form of obstructed flow in the body could lead to stagnation and eventually form qi and blood stasis or phlegm damp according to Chinese Medicine principle. Therefore, most patient who diagnosed with endometriosis is diagnosed with blood stasis pattern.
Seem simple yet the treatment of endometriosis in Chinese Medicine is not as simple as move the Qi and Blood stagnation. The fundamental pattern diagnosis of Chinese Medicine is always incorporated before initiation of any Chinese medicine therapy. Some of the pattern diagnosis associated with endometriosis are identified but not limited to below:
- Qi and blood stasis
- Liver Qi stasis with blood stasis
- Spleen and liver blood deficiency with blood stasis
- Kidney deficiency with blood stasis
- Cold retention with blood stasis
- Heat obstruction with blood stasis
- Chong and Ren Mai disharmony with blood stasis
Treatment Principle of Chinese Medicine in treating Endometriosis
It is very often patient presented with multiple complications and diagnosed with numerous combined pattern diagnosis. The beauty of Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture is the individualized treatment principles that can be tailored accordingly. Placement of needle on the acupuncture point not only focuses on promoting the qi and blood flow of the uterus area. With the right technique and intention on the correct insertion of the needle on acupuncture point, it is possible to create a reducing or tonifying effect to bring balance back to the body. For chronic deficiency conditions, Chinese medicine herbs is often incorporated in the treatment strategy to resolve blood stasis, warm the channel, and tonify blood. Moxibustion, ear acupuncture or electroacupuncture are sometimes incorporated in the acupuncture treatment to improve the efficacy of the treatment.
As the condition of the endometriosis is influenced largely by the hormonal circle, the lifestyle and dietary adjustment are also adjusted according to the hormonal cycle. Whilst the yin is peak during the menstrual period, it is important to keep the body warm just like how we protect our body from cold during wintertime. It is time to cave in within the body, listen to their body, and give what the body needs. The new inspiration of Spring often kick in after the menstrual period. All the nourishing and tonifying treatment should be incorporated during this time while the yang qi is slowly peaking. The tonifying treatment should then be reduced one week before the menstrual to follow the body yin yang balance in preparation for the shedding of the endometrial lining of the uterus. Thus, the free flow of Qi and blood is the major focus of the treatment principle one week before the menstrual period and during the menstrual period.
