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Copyright © 1997 by Larry Tepper
All rights reserved. Inquiries should be addressed to
Twelve Star Publishing, P.O. Box 123, Jefferson, MD 21755
In my practice of Chinese Medicine, I see a lot of women
who suffer from PMS. Not that my practice is at all unusual. In
fact, the general consensus among practitioners is that the incidence
of PMS has risen dramatically over the past 50 years. According
to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the root cause of PMS is
a condition referred to as Stagnant Liver Qi, the primary cause
of which is stress. From this perspective, we can identify some
of the major social factors which have contributed to the increase
in PMS, and then suggest some tips for its prevention.
Traditional Chinese Medicine is based on the concept of
vital energy, or Qi (pronounced "chee"). Vital energy
is what separates you from a corpse. Qi governs all of your physiological
and psychological functions. When vital energy flows smoothly
through the body, a person feels at one with her environment,
a state called Wellness. However, when the vital energy is not
able to flow freely, energetic imbalances occur, and a person
feels separate from her environment, a state of Dis-ease. Dis-ease
can range from a vague feeling that one's life has little meaning
to tissue damage (a condition referred to by western medicine
as disease). Thus, TCM does not distinguish between emotional
and physical pain. Both are indicative of an underlying energetic
imbalance.
From this perspective, the secret to health and happiness
is simply to nourish and treasure your vital energy. Thus, TCM
considers lifestyle and dietary modification to be an essential
part of a comprehensive and successful treatment plan for PMS.
The following list of social factors are among the major
contributors to the increase in stress levels in today's world:
Environmental Stress
We live in a toxic world. In addition to air and water pollution,
we also suffer from electromagnetic, microwave, and noise pollution.
Nutritional Stress
Much of our fresh food today comes from corporate farms, where
the unbalanced emphasis on maximum production ultimately produces
anemic food. Not only are many Americans eating a poor quality
diet, but we are not properly digesting a lot of what we do eat!
A woman cannot possibly have a healthy menstrual cycle when she
has nutritional deficiencies.
Occupational Stress
As our society becomes more automated, people find themselves
having to adapt themselves to the needs of machines. Spending
long hours interacting with a computer or constantly flying between
time zones and/or seasons will inevitably result in a dysfunctional
menstrual cycle.
Emotional Stress
In our society, women are caught between many conflicting choices
such as motherhood, career, sexual freedom, and familial commitment.
Difficult and complex issues such as these can cause a woman's
Qi to stagnate if left unresolved.
So what is a busy woman to do? Fortunately, there are some
simple things women can do for themselves to help prevent PMS.
These include:
Daily Relaxation
Deep relaxation for at least 20 minutes a day is one of the most
important things that we can all do to nourish our Qi. Without
calming the disturbed mind, the efficacy of TCM or any other therapy
will be greatly reduced. This can take the form of meditation,
listening to a relaxation tape, walking, or even taking a bath.
Do whatever works for you.
Avoid vigorous exercise during menstruation.
Excessive exercise can cause Qi and/or blood to flow erratically,
resulting in various gynecological problems. This is a timely
reminder, given the popularity of aerobic exercise these days.
We all need adequate exercise to maintain health, but too much
is just as bad as too little.
Eat and drink moderately.
This means not eating too little or too much. The overwhelming
majority of patients with eating disorders are female. This is
the result of the overemphasis that our society places on women's
bodies coupled with the individual's lack of self-acceptance.
When people feel grounded and centered inside, they naturally
eat just enough food to maintain their optimum weight.
Maintain regular waking and sleeping hours.
Maintaining a regular schedule implies a well-regulated lifestyle
with adequate exercise and rest. One's daily schedule should also
be in harmony with the larger macrocosmic cycles of day and night
and the seasons of the year.
Avoid stimulating foods.
This means avoiding alcohol, caffeine, sugar, chocolate, excessively
spicy foods, and so-called recreational drugs, all of which can
disrupt the functioning of the energetic liver by generating stagnation.
In addition, if a woman suffers from bloating or edema, she should
refrain from eating dairy foods or drinking citrus juices.
Cultivate equanimity.
This means cultivating a positive attitude which emphasizes the
good in life, in others, and in oneself. Every cloud has a silver
lining. The choice is ours as to whether we wish to focus on the
positive or negative aspects of our lives. One can consciously
cultivate joy, generosity, and loving kindness, which in turn
promote the free and easy flow of Qi and blood.
The longer I practice TCM, the more convinced I am that
most PMS problems are the result of our unrestrained, unbalanced
lifestyles. Living in violation of natural law, we align the forces
of nature against us. Instead of seeing our symptoms as an affliction
to be suppressed with whatever means are available, TCM can help
a woman to understand what they are telling her about herself.
By teaching her how to take responsibility for her own mental
and emotional balance, diet, exercies, rest, and positive outlook
on life, TCM can help a woman come more fully and completely to
life.
.