Endometriosis
Definition: Patches of
endometrial tissue that are normally found only in the uterine lining (endometrium)
growing outside the uterus, usually in the abdominal cavity (ovaries, uterine
ligaments, intestines, ureters, bladder, vagina, surgical scars) , although it
may appear in other parts of the body (chest lining, brain). It quite commonly
is attached to the outside of internal organs and most often adheres to the
ovaries and uterine ligaments. This tissue still keeps the same traits it would
have if it still were present inside the uterus; grows and builds mid cycle, and
bleeds during menstruation. This causes pain of varying degrees in different
women. When this continues for some time, the misplaced tissue may cause
scarring that leads to an adhesion (sticking together) of internal surfaces
(organs, ligaments) and may eventually inhibit proper functioning of certain
aspects of the body.
Causes: Endometriosis seems to
run in families (mostly Caucasian). Also, giving birth for the first time after
the age of 30 seems to be a risk factor. The best theory to date of why this
condition comes fourth is said to be during menstruation, some of the
endometrial tissue that is usually shed through the vagina, flows backward out
the uterine (Fallopian) tubes.
Signs & Symptoms: pain in the
lower abdomen and pelvic region, irregular menses, spotting between periods or
before periods, infertility (difficulty conceiving), pain during sexual
intercourse, abdominal swelling, pain during bowel movements, bleeding from the
rectum during menstruation, lower abdominal pain during menstruation, and there
are sometimes no symptoms at all.
Diagnosis: when a woman shows
typical signs described above, or has unexplained infertility one may suspect
Endometriosis. There may also be palpable masses in the lower abdomen. To see
if there is endometrial tissue outside of the uterus, a doctor will use a small
fiber optic viewing tube called a laparoscope that enters the abdominal cavity
through a small incision made just below the navel. Sometimes it may not be
conclusive by only viewing so a biopsy (small sample) will be taken.
Ultrasounds, MRIs, barium enemas, CT scans, and x-rays may also be used to
determine the extent of the disease.
Blood tests that show
antibodies for endometrial tissue are also a signal that the body may be
attacking regular body tissues that are out of place.
Acupuncture Treatment: when you
go to see your acupuncturist or Chinese medicine practitioner, they will take
you through a series of questions quite unlike your western medical physician.
These questions are based on finding a Wholistic pattern of disharmony in the
body. The belief is that when the bodies disharmonies are balanced, and the
patients constitution strengthened, the healing powers of the human will run at
optimal levels. They should also go through many other aspects of your life to
determine what may be energetically contributing to the disease condition. The
following are common patterns people fit into, and common Acupuncture treatment
points that will be administered.
From a Chinese Medicine point
of view this disease usually falls under the categories of Painful periods or
abdominal masses.
Qi deficiency with Blood Stasis
chronic, irregular painful
periods, dislike massage, large clots, infertility, pain during sex, Spleen
deficiency symptoms- fatigue, bloating, heavy pressure on the anus, T- swollen
pale with teethmarks purple, P- deep thin weak
P/T nourish Qi to move Qi and
Blood
Acupuncture RN, foot Yangming,
Du 20, RN 6, BL 20, ST 36, BL 32, Zi Gong, GB 36
Heat stagnation with Blood Stasis
painful, dislike massage, large
clots, infertile, irregular menses, heat shows more during menses, trichomonas
infection, thirst, constipation, P- wiry rapid, T- red, yellow coat
Acupuncture sedate, LI 11, TH 6,
BL 17, SP 6, 10, Zi Gong, LR 5, RN 1
Cold stagnation
Acupuncture RN 4, 6, 8, GB
26, ST 25, KI 12, RN 1 (heavy moxa)
