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Women Benefit from Acupressure for Menstrual Pain Through Self Help App

A new study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology has shown that acupressure may help to alleviate menstrual pain.

There have been numerous studies on the effectiveness of acupuncture assisting period pain, but now researchers from Charité — Universitätsmedizin Berlin, have found that acupressure could help to alleviate menstrual pain as well.

Acupressure is a technique derived from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Rather than using needles, this technique involves massage or pressure being applied to specific points on the body. The good thing is that this can be taught to women and they can use these methods at home.

Approximately 50 to 90 percent of young women experience pain during their periods. Before we go any further, it is important for all women to know that period pain “IS NOT” Normal and could be a sign of a major gynaecological condition such as endometriosis.

Any woman who gets period pain, should be evaluated by a a healthcare practitioner who specialises in endometriosis and uses a multimodality treatment and management approach.One of my mottos is that Period Pain IS NOT Normal and no woman should have to endure pain each cycle.

While this pain primarily manifests itself as lower abdominal cramping, other symptoms include headache, backache, nausea, bloating, fluid retention and diarrhoea.

The researchers wanted to evaluate whether self acupressure would be more effective at achieving a sustained reduction in menstrual pain than usual care alone (e.g. pain medication and hormonal contraceptives). A total of 221 participants, aged between 18 and 34 years, were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups, both of which received a study app and short introduction. Only one of the groups had acupressure points on their app.

After three months, (37 percent) of participants in the acupressure group reported a (50 percent) reduction in pain intensity. After six months, this proportion had increased to more than half of the women in this group (58 percent). The acupressure group also used less pain medication than women in the control group and reported lower levels of pain overall.

The researchers also noted the they were surprised to see that, after six months, two thirds of participants continued to use self-acupressure and continued to gain the benefits of this age old technique.

Acupuncture and acupressure is something I do recommend to assist any woman with period pain, or conditions such as endometriosis, with other associated symptoms and pain.

If you do need help with period pain, please call my friendly staff and find out how I may assist you.

Regards

Andrew Orr

-No Stone Left Unturned

-Women’s and Men’s Health Advocate

-The Women’s Health Experts

-The Endometriosis Experts