Menstrual pain is a common physiological problem faced by many women. There are various causes of menstrual pain, and aside from congenital factors, unhealthy habits in daily life can also contribute to the occurrence of menstrual pain. So how can we alleviate menstrual pain? Traditional Chinese medicine teaches you a specific acupoint massage that can effectively relieve it.
Causes of Menstrual Pain in Women
1. Primary Dysmenorrhea
About half of women experience menstrual pain, but it is primary dysmenorrhea in most cases, accounting for approximately 50%. This is a physiological condition. Some discomfort during menstruation, such as lower abdominal pain, is a normal physiological phenomenon. Everyone experiences some discomfort during their menstrual period; it's just that everyone's experience is different. In other words, menstrual pain that affects normal life is considered a disease.
2. Poor Uterine Development
Poor uterine development can lead to abnormal blood supply, resulting in uterine ischemia, hypoxia, and subsequent menstrual pain.
3. Weakness of the Body
The upper abdominal muscles provide support for the organs within the abdominal cavity. If these muscles are underdeveloped, they may not provide adequate support, causing pain due to the pulling effect of the weight of the organs.
4. Mental Stress
Some women feel irritable, anxious, tense, and fearful during menstruation, so they are more sensitive to pain compared to others. Even slight discomfort can be felt as pain, and the more stressed they are, the more pain they feel. This type of pain is primarily caused or exacerbated by psychological factors.
Methods to Manage Menstrual Pain
1. Dietary Adjustment
Women with menstrual pain can drink a cup of hot milk with honey before bed to alleviate the pain. Eating bananas can also help alleviate menstrual pain. Bananas are rich in vitamin B6, which has a stabilizing effect on emotions and reduces abdominal pain.
Eat more vegetables, fruits, chicken, and fish, and reduce consumption of overly sweet or salty foods. A balanced diet also helps alleviate menstrual pain.
It is important to note that caffeine can make people nervous and easily lead to menstrual disorders. Moreover, the fat in coffee can also irritate the small intestine. Therefore, women with menstrual pain should consume less or avoid foods containing caffeine.
2. Heat Compress
Placing a hot water bottle on the abdomen and maintaining body temperature can significantly reduce menstrual pain. Drinking hot water can also help alleviate the pain.
3. Massage
Lie flat on a blanket with your body completely relaxed, stretch your body, extend your arms, and turn your toes inward. Let a friend touch the spine on your back and gently push towards the feet. Repeat this motion about 1-2 times per second. It is important to note that the motion should be a forward and backward push, not a circular motion.
Acupressure to Alleviate Menstrual Pain
Location: It is located on the inner side of the lower leg, 3 inches above the inner ankle, behind the inner edge of the tibia bone.
Explanation: "San Yin Xie" refers to the three yin meridians in the foot. "Jiao" means meeting or convergence. The name "San Yin Jiao" indicates that the qi and blood substances of the three yin meridians in the foot converge at this acupoint.
Method: About one week before menstruation, massage the acupoint San Yin Jiao. Use the thumb of one hand to knead the opposite San Yin Jiao acupoint for about 1 minute, until you feel a sore and swollen sensation.
Efficacy: This can promote the downward flow of menstrual blood. When there is pain in the lower abdomen and lumbosacral area before menstruation, massaging this acupoint can help eliminate or alleviate the pain.
This acupoint is effective for gynecological disorders, including irregular menstrual periods, excessive or insufficient menstrual flow, premenstrual syndrome, and menopausal syndrome.
San Yin Jiao is an acupoint where the three meridians of the spleen, liver, and kidneys intersect. Massaging San Yin Jiao on both legs for 15 minutes each night between 9 and 11 PM, when the Triple Burner meridian is most active, can regulate menstruation and improve skin conditions such as freckles, acne, and wrinkles.
