Painful periods in Grenoble: the perspective of Chinese medicine

Cramps that grip the lower abdomen, pain radiating into the back, fatigue that precedes them: painful periods (dysmenorrhoea) affect a large proportion of women. In traditional Chinese medicine, they signal a stagnation of Blood and Qi.

Why painful periods? The perspective of Chinese medicine

In TCM, periods require a fluid circulation of Blood in the uterus, driven by the Liver and the Chong Mai. When Cold sets in, when the Liver Qi stagnates (stress) or when the Blood is too thick, circulation becomes blocked: the pain appears. The nature of the pain — eased by heat or worsened by stress — guides the treatment.

Two patterns frequently seen in practice

Cold in the uterus (pain eased by heat)

Intense cramps, worse with cold, relieved by a hot water bottle, clots, feeling cold.

**Tongue**: pale, moist · **Pulse**: deep, tight

Liver Qi stagnation (pain linked to stress)

Bearing-down pain, before the period, with irritability, breast tension, irregular cycles.

**Tongue**: red edges · **Pulse**: wiry

What traditional Chinese medicine offers

Acupuncture

Lower abdomen and Liver points, preferably away from the period, to make the circulation more fluid.

Dietetics

Avoid cold and raw food during the period; favour warm, cooked food, ginger, cinnamon, broths.

Lifestyle

Local warmth (hot water bottle), rest, gentle activity, management of the stress that worsens stagnation.

The acupuncture points most often used for this complaint: F3, RM4, RT6.

The combined approach of sophrology and Chinese medicine in Grenoble

Traditional Chinese medicine and sophrology complement each other: the first acts on the body's energetic balance, the second on the nervous system and stress management. Combining the two makes it possible to treat the ground — the one that sustains the symptom — and the emotional state that accompanies it. In Grenoble, at the Centre Équilibre, this combined approach is built session after session, according to your profile.

Frequently asked questions

Acupuncture during the period?

In general we avoid needling the lower abdomen during the period; the work is done between cycles. The practitioner adapts.

Why does heat relieve it?

In TCM, heat relaxes a Cold that is blocking: it is a marker of the uterine Cold pattern.

When should I see a gynaecologist?

Disabling or increasing pain must be assessed (endometriosis, etc.).

Learn more

→ [TCM practitioner in Grenoble](/praticien-en-medecine-traditionnelle-chinoise-a-grenoble)

→ [Chinese medicine and sleep in Grenoble](/medecine-chinoise-et-sommeil-a-grenoble)

→ [Acupuncture in Grenoble](/l-acupuncture-a-grenoble)

**Ghislaine Morin**, traditional Chinese medicine practitioner and sophrologist, welcomes you at 29 Quai Claude Bernard, 38000 Grenoble. Book on 06 24 90 04 98 or online at https://calendly.com/centre-equilibre-sophrologie

Discover the practice in Grenoble : www.sophrologue-grenoble.fr/blog/articles/est-ce-normal-d-avoir-mal-pendant-les-regles