Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is the cluster of physical and emotional symptoms – mood swings, breast tenderness, bloating, headaches, cravings – that appear in the days before a period and ease once it starts. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, PMS is not one single problem: the same monthly symptoms can come from quite different imbalances. Finding your pattern is what lets us treat the cause, not just the symptoms.
Most people with PMS fit mainly into one of these patterns (sometimes a mix of two). Read the symptoms – which one sounds most like you?
PMS: Irritability, low mood and breast or rib-side distension build up in the week before the period and ease once bleeding starts; the cycle may be a little irregular.
PMS: Strong anger or irritability, headaches and feeling hot before the period; periods may come early and the flow is often red and heavy.
PMS: Bloating, fluid retention and tiredness dominate before the period; the flow is often pale and may be either light or prolonged.
PMS: Low mood, tearfulness and tiredness before or towards the end of the period; the flow tends to be light and pale, and cycles may be long.
Not sure which one fits? That’s normal – many people have a mix. At your first consultation we look at your tongue, take your pulse and ask detailed questions to confirm your pattern.
Your treatment plan follows your pattern – the same condition can need quite different treatment.
Acupuncture to move Liver Qi and relax the body, often timed for the week before your period, with cupping on the back for tension and a herbal prescription to smooth the flow of Qi. Many patients notice their mood and breast tenderness ease within the first one or two cycles.
Calming, ‘draining’ acupuncture points to settle the Liver and clear heat, usually combined with cooling herbs. Moxa is not used here because the pattern is already ‘hot’.
Tonifying acupuncture with moxibustion (warming) to strengthen digestion and help the body clear fluid, plus herbs and simple diet advice (fewer cold, raw and sugary foods). Bloating and energy usually improve first.
Gentle acupuncture and moxibustion to nourish Blood and support the Liver, with a Blood-building herbal prescription and dietary advice. Energy and mood tend to lift gradually over a few cycles.
For PMS, progress is usually judged over 2–3 cycles, though many patients notice milder symptoms from the first cycle of treatment.
Most patients start to notice a change within the first two to three weeks of regular treatment.
Improvements become more consistent. If treatment stops as soon as you feel better, the body hasn’t settled yet and symptoms can slip back to where they started.
Continuing a little longer after you improve lets the new balance hold. Stopping at this point, symptoms are much less likely to return.
We space sessions out and finish. You won’t need to rely on treatment forever.
Every case is different: some conditions are stable within 1–2 months, longer-standing ones can take up to around 6 months. We’ll give you a realistic estimate at your first consultation.
I had acupuncture and cupping with Emma, and she truly worked wonders on my back and neck. I came in barely able to turn my head, and now I feel so much better relaxed, pain-free, and mobile again. I’d had a bad experience elsewhere before, but Emma completely turned things around. Highly recommend!
I am very satisfied with the herbal remedies for perimenopause. I don't have hot flashes after the medication. And electric acupuncture soothes my plantar fascists on both feet. The capsules for bowel movement are working very well.
The staff specially Yao meng did an excellent job. In addition she is very kind and explain to the patients what to expect. Thank you very much.
I highly recommend Acupro. They are very professional and take the time to tailor your treatment for you.
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