Most women of reproductive age experience at least mild premenstrual symptoms at some time in their lives. However, around 2–10% of women have premenstrual symptoms that severely disrupt daily living.
Research suggests that acupuncture may help reduce symptoms of PMS by:
- increasing relaxation and reducing tension (Samuels 2008). Acupuncture can alter the brain’s mood chemistry, reducing serotonin levels (Zhou 2008) and increasing endorphins (Han, 2004) and neuropeptide Y levels (Lee 2009), which can help to combat negative affective states.
- stimulating nerves located in muscles and other tissues, which leads to release of endorphins and other neurohumoral factors, and changes the processing of pain in the brain and spinal cord (Pomeranz, 1987, Zijlstra 2003, Cheng 2009);
- reducing inflammation, by promoting release of vascular and immunomodulatory factors Kavoussi 2007, Zijlstra 2003).
Charlotte Green practices acupuncture in Preston, and her clinic is conveniently located for patients travelling from throughout Lancashire.
Fertility Acupuncture 