Why is that and what can be done to alleviate this pain? If we look at PMS from the holistic lens of Traditional Chinese Medicine, we see that Qi (energy or lifeforce) is either deficient or in excess as a result many women experience pain during menstruation. This can be correlated to Yin or Yang. Yin is water and Yang is fire.
Balancing these elements is key to keeping the body in harmony. Excess Qi which means stagnation of Qi/blood or an accumulation of cold symptoms are:
- Menstrual cramping and pain (sharp pain)
- Heavy and dark/red-colored flow with blood clots
- Dark urine
- Thirst
- Constipation
- Dark/red tongue color
Qigong Exercise for Excess: Throwing the Trash from 8 Trigram (breathing in from the nose out from the mouth)
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We expel air out of our mouth on the exhale as we bring our arms and heels down. Thereby removing excess Qi and with heel drop, expelling toxic Qi which irrigates the nervous system and helps to regulate PMS.
Whereas Deficient Qi means the body lacks cooling, so some women may experience anxiety, become irritable or have migraine headaches. The symptoms of Deficient Qi are:
- Menstrual cramping and pain (dull pain)
- Scant and dark-colored flow with blood clots
- Cold body
- Bloating
- Fatigue
- Pale tongue color
Qigong Exercise for Deficiency: Spiral Palm from 8 Trigrams (breathing in and out of the nose)
As we spiral our arms up the centerline we inhale. When we reach the top of the head, we exhale moving the arm and palm behind us. When it reaches shoulder level (behind us), while our eyes are following our palm, we INHALE from here into our Lower Dan Tien, we gather maximum energy into LD. This combats fatigue and energizes the body.
Ways to relieve Menstrual Pain by applying pressure on acupressure points:
LI 4 Valley of harmony or Union Valley point located on the squidgy part between the thumb and forefinger.
With index finger and thumb apply pressure. Stimulating this point helps to reduce stress, aches in the body, headaches, and neck pain. Pressing this pressure point may result to induce labor so avoid this point if you are pregnant. Massage the pressure point for 4-5 seconds taking slow deep breaths.
LI 3 (Liver3) Great Surge point located between Big toe and second toe. Find this point by moving your finger straight down from between your first two toes. Apply firmly, deep pressure to that point sore for 4-5 seconds. This point promotes flow of Qi and blood, PMS, Breast tenderness, painful periods, irritability, insomnia and anger.
This point is also another powerhouse just like the LI 4. Both points are often used together so you will feel that extra calming effect and reduce anxiety and stress. Therefore these are very helpful to use for PMS, irritability, painful periods, breast tenderness, and even delayed periods that will result in a more complicated illness or sickness.