Did you know that are you should have pain free periods with no side effects such as PMS? We all have been conditioned to believe that period symptoms are normal. 

Well they are not. 

A Normal Period is…

It starts and ends without any of the following: 

• No pain 
• No brown blood (Blood should be a bright color from start to finish, brown blood indicts old blood)  
• No cramping
• No bloating 
• No breast pain/discomfort
• No emotional shifts 
• No headaches 

Your monthly cycle shows you the state of your health. If you have some or all of the above symptoms, your body is sending you a message. You either have a structural blockage or misalignment, hormonal imbalance, or a vitamin, mineral, and/or nutrient deficiency. All things that can be fix with the proper care and time. 

I personally have suffered from extremely painful periods (pain level above a 10) from the age 14 to my mid twenties. I was able to heal the extreme pain with acupuncture and diet. Currently, I manage my period and I’m mostly pain-free using the 4 prevention tips below. When I do find myself with a slightly painful period (2 to 3 pain level), I have usually been slacking on my self care. And it is a reminder to get back to taking care of my reproductive health. 

Is your uterus in alignment? Your uterus is held up by muscles and ligaments. Then can become weaken or loosen due to various reasons: trauma, surgery, emotions, pregnancy, state of your health or age. Your uterus can fall forward, downward, backwards or be off to one side. A misaligned uterus will have a lack of proper energy, blood and lymphatic flow. Thus, it will affect your period, your fertility and your overall health. Book a session with a Mayan Abdominal Therapist who can help you get your uterus back into place. 

2. Avoid COLD

Extremely Limit:  cold foods, cold drinks, sitting on cold surfaces or walking on cold floors. When cold enters your body it creates congestion, this leads to stagnation of blood and energy and results in pain. Cold contracts muscles and prevents blood and your body’s warm to permeate the area. Think of a frozen pipe or water hose in both situations the expansion of the ice don’t allow water to flow, and over time it can cause serious problems. The same is happening in your body, cold stays in your body and disturbs your natural flow. This will cause menstrual pain, hence why heat feels so good.  

Use tampons? You may want reconsider that choice. Tampons can increase your menstrual cramps. You want your period to flow, out of your body. Tampons inhibit your natural outward flow of your menstrual blood. It causes blood to get backed up and stagnate. This contributes to your discomfort and/or pain. Also tampons dry out your vagina of the self lubricating and self cleaning fluids that are needed to keep you balance and free of infections. A majority of tampons are filled with toxins, that are getting directly absorbed in your bloodstream. And they leave mirco fibers (toxic) behind in your vagina. Overall, even organic tampons are not recommended. Especially if you suffer from menstrual cramps, it is so important to allow your menstrual blood to flow freely. 

Next blog post will be about safe menstrual pads…

When there is a stagnation of qi it can lead to a blood congestion. Cramping with blood clots?  This means you have blood stagnation. Blood congestion can also be the result of IUDs, surgeries, or birth control pills.

Things you can do to get your liver qi moving: 

Exercise– moving your body will get your lymphatic system circulating, and helps to release your emotions. Great for mental clarity and overall health. 

Diet– especially a week before your period. Eat less to no sugar, no processed foods, drink more water. Include more cruciferous veggies into your diet, leafy greens, and clean meats- no chemicals or added hormones. 

Stick your tongue out in a mirror? Is it a pale red or light pink? If so, you may be anemic or have what we call blood deficient. You will want to include more iron rich foods in your diet. And if you can stomach it, eat some grass fed liver. 

Limit caffeine and alcohol. You can also include teas such as milk thistle to support the liver. 

Everyone woman has an individual story about their period journey. And it changes as we do. You may want to consider seeing a natural healthcare provider to help you look into other factors that could be affecting your menstrual pain like your thyroid  and digestive health that could need supplementation. 

A great to jump start your lifestyle change is to do a 10 day cleanse. Get in the habit of eating healthy, and cut out foods that are not contributing to your wellbeing. 

Want to do a cleanse? Email me hello@pelviswellnessmethod.com and we can set up your free consultation. 

There is also vaginal steaming for preventative care…Check out more information on that here. 

For more specific information on how I can help you with your period send me your information HERE. 

And if you are not local to Los Angeles, no worries. We can work via online. Connect with me HERE. 

Big Love on your Healing Journey!

xo Carine

Are you a bit queasy about acupuncture needles? Unfortunately, even the word needles deters people from getting acupuncture sessions. Let me share that you can experience a gentle acupuncture session without needles.

No matter how much I reassure people that it doesn’t hurt, there is resistance. I had total needle phobia until I started getting regular acupuncture sessions. So no judgement, I get it. And not all acupuncturists are the same with their needle technique and healing approach.

However, I am a gentle needler. Since I also abhor pain, and inflicting it on others.

My words are not enough for most. Since we all have a bit of  “I’ll believe it when I see it” understandable attitude and in this case it would be “feel it”.

But have no fear. I have some solutions for you. There are other amazing ways to get the benefits of acupuncture WITHOUT the use of any needles.

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5 GENTLE WAYS 

1. CUPPING

Cupping is one of the oldest aspect of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Cups are placed on the skin, usually along the back, sacrum and hip area (though you could cup most places in the body). A vacuum is created with either a pump used with plastic cups, or with fire and glass cups. The heat from the flame, removes the oxygen in the glass cup causing the skin to be sucked into it.

When the skin is drawn into the cup, it opens up the skin’s pores. This is important for stimulating blood flow, balancing and moving qi (energy), breaking up nodules and obstructions, pulling cold out of the body and allowing toxins to leave.

Cups could also be be place on oiled skin and moved. Moving cups along meridian lines have all the benefits listed above and feels great.

Cupping can be used for sore and painful muscles, respiratory and immunity imbalances, as well as overall wellness. It reduces pain and promotes relaxation.

The use of moxa will move stuck energy and increase circulation. It reduces pain and  provides more comfort. Especially important in your pelvic cavity. Often stagnation of energy in the pelvic area can refer pain to the neck, shoulders or down your legs.

Cold- moxa brings heat into your body. Cold contracts, holds, and limits circulation causing pain and discomfort. Moxa smoothes the cold with its penetrating heat and herbal oils.

Moxa is a powerful ally on various acupuncture points and meridians for physical pain, urinary dysfunctions (incontinence), digestive imbalances (bloating/gas), gynecological issues (moxa works miracles on menstrual cramps) and is great for pregnancy. Moxa is a wonderful option for pregnant moms who are suffering from back pain. It also good for babies, bringing more blood and circulation to the placenta.

There are multiple health benefits from moxa, and much like cupping it is also reduces pain and promotes a warm cozy sense of relaxation.

3. GUA SHA 

Gua Sha is other aspect as of TCM. Gua Sha means “scaping sha-bruises”. The skin is scaped to produce light bruising. Blood is being brought to the surface of the skin. This allows for movement of stagnant blood or blockages. Gua Sha also promotes more healing by allowing more oxygen to circulate in the area.

Gua sha boosts your immune system and reduces inflammation. A great option when you feel like you are getting sick. Gua sha can help your body release the toxins faster.

Used for physical pain (neck, shoulders, back, etc), migraines /headaches, or cold/flus/fever, and allergies.

Gua Sha is yet another way to get blood and energy flowing in your body.

4. MASSAGE 

Massage has many forms, manually applying pressure to various parts of the body to relieve pain and ease tension. In TCM Tui Na is the manipulative therapy used to promote movement in the body. It has always been a part of the medicine.

I use massage to help move the lymphatic system and promote movement of blood and qi. Acupressure along with various manual manipulations will get blood and energy moving.

Of course essential oils are used in a variety of ways, and have an array of therapeutic values.  Aroma Acupoint Therapy sessions are different as the oils applied have similar properties as the acupuncture points. And it is using the acupuncture meridian energy system to promote the movement of energy.

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Acupuncture is an energy medicine, it is about creating balance in the body and moving qi (energy) to promote more flow. The beauty of all these gentle methods is they utilize the acupuncture meridians, and can all be combined or used separately. All can also be mixed with acupuncture needles. Sessions are a mixture of what is best needed for the client.

There is also nutrition, supplements, herbal medicine and more. Acupuncture is one part of TCM, a holistic medicine that incorporates different approaches to healing a person’s mind, body and spirit.

If you have doubts about needles, you can still benefit from acupuncture sessions. And you should. Get that energy moving. It is important to keep your body healthy and thriving!

Email me with any questions or concerns: info@carinecamara.com.

Book your needle free appointment today.