Acupuncture for Endometriosis - Cure or Pacifier?
By Shelley Ross [1]

For practitioners and enthusiasts of acupuncture, endometriosis is simply
another illness to deal with and cure. For scientists, however, acupuncture may
be a pacifier, or a means for patients to believe that they are being cured.
The thinking is that women may be seeing results from acupuncture treatments
due to the consequent positive thinking that a prospective cure can bring. Is
acupuncture for endometriosis a real solution?

In order to understand if there is a link between acupuncture and easing
endometriosis pains, one needs to understand the underlying concepts of
acupuncture.

A component of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) acupuncture works with a
universal store of energy known as chi. Chi is present in all nature, and flows
through our bodies.

Uninterrupted, chi can bring good health and can put humans in harmony with
their environment. When the flow of chi through our body, or in nature is
disrupted however, illness and destruction can result.

Acupuncture seeks to allow chi to flow through normal channels once more
and, in so doing, reverse sicknesses or bring relief to those in pain.
Acupuncture does this through the use of tiny needles, which are inserted in
strategic points of the body where the chi flow can pass undisturbed.

If chi balance is restored, acupuncture promises, healing can begin. This
promise has long drawn the busy Western World to this medicine of the East; in
fact, enthusiasts of acupuncture testify to its ability to make them relax and
think better, even lead healthier lives. In order to see what acupuncture can
do for endometriosis, it will help to understand how endometriosis happens.

During a woman’s monthly cycle, her uterus forms an inner lining called the
endometrium, which is designed to nurse a fetus should incoming sperm fertilize
an egg. If no fertilization occurs, the endometrial lining will pass out of the
body during menstruation.

In some cases, however, the endometrial lining passes to other parts of the
body, causing internal bleeding, scarring and disruption to normal bodily
functions. This condition is known as endometriosis, and those who suffer from
it also experience intense, progressive bodily pain. Doctors can treat
endometriosis by controlling the levels of estrogen in the body, or by
prescribing pain medication so those women can deal with the pains that come
with the disorder. Surgery is another option that can remove the misplaced
endometrial tissue and associated scarring and adhesions, although this may
only offer short-term relief and a number of surgeries maybe required.

Due to the lack of comprehensive medical and surgical treatment a number of
women seek alternative means to treat their condition or to compliment other
treatments.

When attending a session with a TCM practitioner they will ask you many
questions regarding your menstrual cycle and also about your life. The
treatments are very much targeted to each individual and the acupuncture points
chosen will vary from person to person. Common points are on the neck, ears,
back, abdomen and legs.

Alongside the acupuncture sessions, herbal remedies will be given too. These
are also tailored for the individual and act in conjunction with the chosen
acupuncture points.

By rerouting the chi, the inserted needles can supposedly make people with
endometriosis feel better and stronger - strong enough to deal with the pains
of their disorder. In other words, acupuncture helps endometriosis, but does
not heal it.

It is thought that acupuncture helps in a number of ways, it can relax a
woman and make it easier to deal with the pain and discomfort, increase blood
flow to the abdomen which promotes healing and may act as a pain reliever by
releasing endorphins into the system. Discover more information on natural
alternatives for treating endometriosis by signing up to the newsletter below.

If you are interested in using acupuncture for endometriosis pain relief,
then consult with your doctor first and talk about what other therapies are
available. If you are given the go ahead for acupuncture, look for licensed
acupuncturists in your area, or consult with fellow endometriosis patients on
the acupuncturists they have gone to.

Sign up for Shelley Ross' free Endometriosis newsletter - Overflowing with
easy to implement methods to help you discover more about endometriosis
treatment [2]. In the newsletter you'll receive regular information like this
article on overcoming Endometriosis [3] along with additional natural treatments to
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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shelley_Ross [4]