When you really think of it, PMS is simply a symptomatic response to a very regular event in a woman’s life: menstruation. What triggers PMS? Medical science has identified a number of possible triggers from endometriosis to fibroids and cysts; and from pelvic inflammatory disease to chronic yeast infections and emotional stress.
All of the above symptoms can be reactions to slight imbalances inside a woman’s delicate endocrine system. Oftentimes the imbalance can be so small that it is complex even for modern scientists to detect. These sub-clinical imbalances can throw off the entire endocrine system so that it no longer functions properly, thereby creating a dysfunction in the way a woman’s body breaks down hormones.
Even though we understand that PMS is due to hormonal imbalances, stress, poor diet, lack of good exercise or sleep, and either our modern “on-the-go-lifestyle” or its antithesis the “couch potato sedentary lifestyle” can make the problem worse.
Interestingly enough, women seem to have an increased risk of PMS if they are older than 30; experiencing obvious stress in their lives; eat poorly; experience consequences from birth control pills; have appetite or weight issues; lack appropriate exercise; have undergone a traumatic or hard pregnancy; have already had children; or have a family history of depression.
Western medicine suggests diet & lifestyle changes combined with prescription medications and antidepressants or tranquilizers. Although these can bring temporary relief, the medications can cause unwanted side effects & don’t tackle the underlying cause of {PMS|Pre-Menstrual Syndrome). What should an individual who is experiencing the symptoms of Pre-Menstrual Syndrome do other than take prescription or over-the-counter medications and hope it’ll help? She can ASSERT herself:
Acupuncture
Supplement
Self-massage
Eat properly
Relax and meditate
Take time for the right kind of exercise
More information on the above suggested beneficial approaches can be found in the main article on our website chicago healers, but some quick tips are shown below:
Acupuncture
Balance and harmony can be brought back naturally, without medication, through successful acupuncture treatment. (Confirmed in 1997 by the NIH – National Institute of Health)
Supplement
Camomile tea relieves cramps & nausea, evening primrose oil helps to reduce bloating & water retention, black cohosh & chaste tree supplements have been known to relieve cramps, breast tenderness, headaches, pain & hormonal imbalances. Use a high-potency multivitamin & mineral complex with vitamins A,C,E,B.
Self-massage
There are 2 major acupuncture points in the ear that help reduce PMS symptoms. The Endocrine Center found in the intertragic notch, and the Shen Men (calming point) found in the triangular fossa. Perform a daily massage of those 2 areas of the ear until they feel warm.
Eat properly
Eradicate caffeine & nicotine from your diet. Start eating organic foods and hormone-free meats. Eating a greater number of alkaline foods provides the right pH for balancing the hormone system and hormone production. Low-fat, high-protein foods, help boost energy levels. Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to help alleviate cramps. Avoid high sodium foods.
Relax and meditate
Stress creates a physical reaction in our bodies that includes all of the pre-menstrual symptoms. Stress hormones redirect blood flow in such a way that blood over-nourishes certain parts of the endocrine system & under-nourishes others, so we don’t produce the right balance of hormones, and thereby create increased PMS symptoms. Take warm baths. Use guided-imagery or meditation CD’s.
Take time to exercise properly
Over-exercise & pushing your body to its limit, is not effective for PMS relief. Gentle Hatha Yoga offers an elegant way for a woman to help balance her mind, body & spirit.
Remember, PMS is an acronym for a group of physical & emotional symptoms. It doesn’t determine who you are. It doesn’t mean you are broken. It means that your body is hormonally & energetically imbalanced. ASSERT yourself & become physically, mentally, emotionally & spiritually balanced-& start feeling like the woman you were meant to be.
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