Acupuncture for Endometriosis
Acupuncture for Endometriosis
What is Endometriosis?
What Causes Endometriosis?
Here are some of the most common causes of endometriosis:
- Retrograde menstruation. Menstrual blood flows backward into the pelvic cavity instead of leaving the body, allowing endometrial-like tissue to grow outside the uterus.
- Hormonal factors. Estrogen seems to boost endometrial tissue growth, which may explain why the condition worsens with hormonal changes.
- Immune system issues. A weakened immune system might not recognize and destroy misplaced endometrial tissue.
- Genetics. Endometriosis tends to run in families, so there is a genetic link.
- Surgical scars. After procedures like C-sections or hysterectomies, endometrial cells may attach to surgical wounds.
- Cell transformation. Certain cells outside the uterus can change into endometrial-like cells because of hormones or immune responses.
Endometriosis Symptoms
Endometriosis symptoms can vary from mild to severe, and some people may not have any noticeable signs at all. The most common symptom is pelvic pain, especially during menstruation, which can feel like intense cramps that don’t go away with typical pain relief. Other symptoms include:
- Heavy periods or bleeding between cycles.
- Pain during or after sex.
- Lower back and abdominal pain.
- Painful bowel movements or urination, especially during periods.
- Bloating, nausea, or digestive issues that can be mistaken for IBS.
- Fatigue and low energy.
- Difficulty getting pregnant, as endometriosis can affect fertility.
Benefits of Acupuncture for Endometriosis
Acupuncture for endometriosis is a great complementary therapy that helps manage related pain and inflammation by boosting blood flow, relaxing tense muscles, and reducing stress, which can all help with symptom relief. Regular acupuncture sessions help ease pelvic pain, lower back discomfort, and painful periods.
But it’s more than just pain relief! Acupuncture for endometriosis and fertility can also support fertility and menstrual health. It helps regulate hormones and improve circulation in the reproductive organs. It can help balance irregular cycles and create a healthier environment for conception. Some people with endometriosis struggle with infertility, and acupuncture is often used alongside other treatments to improve chances of conception.
While it’s not a cure, since this condition is chronic, acupuncture offers a natural and gentle way to manage symptoms.
Does Acupuncture Help With Endometriosis?
Acupuncture helps some people with endometriosis, but research is still somewhat limited. A 2023 placebo-controlled trial found that participants who received acupuncture for 12 weeks experienced an improvement in their symptoms compared to a control group. However, when they stopped treatment, the benefits faded after another 12 weeks, which means that patients need maintenance sessions to preserve health benefits.
A 2023 systematic review examined 15 studies with over 1,000 participants and found low to moderate evidence supporting acupuncture and moxibustion as alternative treatments for endometriosis. Another 2021 systematic review analyzed seven randomized controlled trials and found that acupuncture led to better pain relief and lower endometriosis-related markers compared to control groups.
All these findings are promising and prove that acupuncture can be a valuable addition to your treatment plan.
Acupuncture Points for Endometriosis
Acupuncture for endometriosis pain targets specific points to provide numerous benefits, such as relieving pain, reducing inflammation, and supporting hormonal balance. Some commonly used acupuncture points for endometriosis include:
- SP6 (Sanyinjiao). It’s located on the inner leg, this point is used to regulate the menstrual cycle, reduce cramps, and improve blood circulation.
- CV4 (Guanyuan). It’s just below the navel, this point helps strengthen the uterus and ease pelvic pain.
- LV3 (Taichong). This one is located on the top of the foot, it helps ease stress, regulate liver function, and improve hormonal balance.
- ST36 (Zusanli).This point supports digestion, boosts energy, and reduces inflammation.
- LI4 (Hegu). This point helps with pain relief and provides good overall relaxation.
Finding a Qualified Acupuncturist for Endometriosis
When looking for an acupuncture clinic for endometriosis, it’s important to find a highly skilled practitioner who understands hormonal balance and pain relief. At Pulse Acupuncture, with locations in Clifton, NJ, and Williamsburg, Brooklyn, Marina Doktorman, L.Ac. provides safe and effective acupuncture for endometriosis. Marina fully personalizes treatments to each person, often combining electroacupuncture for greater pain relief, fire cupping or wet cupping for muscle tension, and Gua Sha benefits for extra circulation and relaxation. It all helps create a well-rounded and comprehensive treatment.
Marina also specializes in acupuncture for trigeminal neuralgia, helping those with chronic facial pain. So whether you’re managing endometriosis, nerve pain, or just want to improve your general health, her approach focuses on both symptom relief and overall health. The right practitioner can make all the difference, and at Pulse Acupuncture, you’ll receive the best possible care in a supportive environment.
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Marina Doktorman, M.S., L.Ac., is an experienced acupuncturist who obtained her Masters of Acupuncture from the Tri-State College of Acupuncture in New York City in 2001. During her studies, she focused on Chinese Herbology, a branch of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that utilizes herbs to complement acupuncture treatments. Marina is licensed in both New York (NY) and New Jersey (NJ) and holds a Diplomate of Acupuncture from the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM), indicating her expertise in the field.
Why Pulse Acupuncture?
Experience
Marina Doktorman, L.Ac. has over 20 years of clinical experience.
RELAXATION
At Pulse Acupuncture, we aim to cultivate a spa-like environment.
Comfort
All of our needles are of the highest quality for painless insertion.
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Acupuncture for Endometriosis - FAQ
How does acupuncture work to relieve endometriosis symptoms?
Acupuncture is based on traditional Chinese medicine principles and involves inserting fine needles at specific points on the body. For endometriosis, acupuncture may help by:
- Modulating the nervous system to decrease pain signaling
- Reducing inflammation and promoting blood circulation
- Encouraging the release of natural pain-relieving chemicals
These actions can help alleviate pelvic pain and improve overall well-being.
What should I expect during an acupuncture session for endometriosis?
During a typical session, a licensed practitioner will assess your overall health, ask about your symptoms, and determine the best treatment plan. The session usually involves:
- Gentle needle insertion at targeted points on the body
- A period of rest while the needles are in place (often 20–30 minutes)
- A follow-up discussion about any changes in symptoms
Some practitioners may combine acupuncture with other traditional therapies like moxibustion or herbal recommendations.
Will acupuncture cure endometriosis?
Acupuncture is not a cure for endometriosis. Instead, it aims to alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life by reducing pain, inflammation, and stress. It is best viewed as a supportive treatment that works alongside conventional therapies.
How does traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) view endometriosis compared to Western medicine?
While Western medicine typically focuses on hormonal and surgical interventions, TCM views endometriosis as an imbalance of energy (or Qi) and blood flow. Acupuncture and other TCM therapies aim to restore balance, harmonize bodily functions, and alleviate pain by addressing the root imbalances.
Contact us
Acupuncture therapy at Pulse Acupuncture Practice, at Clifton, NJ and Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NYC offers unique combination of various cupuncture types for healing on all levels: emotional, spiritual and physical by integrating ancient wisdom of energy healing with modern acupuncture techniques.