Period pain (dysmenorrhoea) is one of the most commonly treated conditions at Rozelle Acupuncture, and one where patients consistently report significant, lasting improvement.
Acupuncture for dysmenorrhoea is well-supported by research. A Cochrane review found acupuncture was associated with reduced pain scores compared to NSAIDs and placebo for period pain. A systematic review of 60 trials found acupuncture significantly reduced pain intensity and duration compared to no treatment and medication.
In Chinese Medicine, period pain most commonly reflects patterns of Qi Stagnation and Blood Stasis, with or without underlying Cold or Heat. Treatment is tailored to your specific pattern and may include acupuncture both during the painful period and throughout the cycle to address root causes.
Chinese herbal medicine is a powerful adjunct to acupuncture for period pain, classical formulas like Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang have been studied specifically for their effectiveness in treating dysmenorrhoea. Some patients report meaningful improvement within 2-3 menstrual cycles of treatment.