How does moxibustion treat menstrual cramps?

  Dysmenorrhea is one of the most common conditions that women suffer from. In life, many women feel pain in the abdomen, sweating, weakness, or in severe cases, rolling in bed, vomiting, or even fainting from the pain, which seriously affects their life, work and study.  Chinese medicine believes that most of these are caused by the long-term accumulation of cold condensation, Qi stagnation, blood stasis, but also because of Qi deficiency deficiency. In Chinese medicine, it is mentioned that “where the evil is, the qi must be deficient”, and moxibustion has the effect of replenishing the vital energy and opening the meridians, which can improve the symptoms of dysmenorrhea in women. The moxibustion treatment starts from 7-10 days before menstruation until the end of menstruation, as long as you can adhere to the moxibustion treatment, can play a very good effect.  For patients with dysmenorrhea due to Qi deficiency, they are prone to shortness of breath, fatigue, bloodlessness, pale menstruation and low or high menstrual flow (high menstrual flow is due to Qi deficiency that prevents blood from being fixed). The selected acupuncture points are mainly Qi Hai, Shu San Li and San Yin Jiao. Three moxa sticks are used together, and the duration of moxibustion for each point is 30-60 minutes twice a week, depending on the severity of the pain.  For patients who suffer from cold clotting, blood stasis, or qi stagnation, these patients mostly present with low menstrual flow, clots, dark color, dull complexion, freckles or chloasma, and more pain. The selected points are Guan Yuan, Di Yu and Tai Chong. Intermittent salt moxibustion, intermittent ginger moxibustion, and intermittent saprophytic cake moxibustion are also available.  Further, some women with heavy menstrual bleeding, or with functional uterine bleeding, should moxibustion the hidden white point, moxibustion of this point has a hemostatic effect. In addition to gynecological bleeding, other diseases such as postpartum hemorrhage can also be stopped by moxibustion of this point. Moxibustion of this acupuncture point depends on each individual’s situation, and is usually started 7-10 days before menstruation, with 10-20 minutes of moxibustion each time until the end of the period.  Moxibustion of the Shen Que point (navel) is a good choice as a regular regimen. Twice a week, moxibustion for 30 minutes each time. It is good for regulating menstruation and strengthening the body.