According to TCM (traditional Chinese medicine), there are many different pathologies that may result in your experience of PMS and menstrual cramps. Whenever a new patient comes into my practice, I make sure all of their past medical history is discussed so I can paint a clear picture of what is presently going on in his or her body and why. The “why” is looking at the patient’s environment, her lifestyle, and her emotions to pinpoint how the current situation came to be. PMS, as we know, is totally different in each person. Locate this point: LV3 is found in the tender webbing between the knuckles of the big and second toe. Press both points on each foot firmly, for 60- to 90-second intervals while breathing deeply in through the nose and out through the mouth. Locate this point: This point is in the soft webbing between the thumb and index finger. Find the tender indent in the flesh and that’s the spot. Press these points on each hand firmly for 60- to 90-second intervals, while breathing deeply in through the nose and out through the mouth. Locate this point: It can be located by finding the knee crease on the inner leg and tracing down the tibia bone about 5 to 7 inches until you find a very tender spot. Rub and hold in 60- to 90-second intervals on both sides of the leg; massage the whole tender area on the inside of the shin bone until you feel relief. Continue the breathing in through the nose and out through the mouth. Locate this point: KI6 can be found approximately 1 inch below the inside of the ankle bone. The best location tool is to trace your finger from the ankle bone notch down until it falls off into a tender spot. Once you find it, massage that area for 90-plus seconds, and move your fingers in the surrounding area all along the arch of the foot as there are several other menstrual-cramp-alleviating points there. Locate this point: Located between the eyes on the forehead, it’s right where your third eye is and when gently massaged feels heavenly. Using your index finger, gently stroke the point for 60 to 90 seconds as if you are petting a small animal. This is the only point you don’t need to be firm with; it’s energetically sensitive, so be careful with it. The most important thing with these points and protocols is to remember to breathe—in through your nose and out through your mouth. Relax a little, and if you can, go somewhere safe and comfy while you do them. A high level of comfort will increase the benefits by a long shot! If you’re experiencing chronic menstrual pain and PMS, come see me in New York City or find your local acupuncturist for an appointment. Until then, keep pressing and massaging yourself with the above! Want more? Learn how to clear your brain fog, calm allergies, and bust bloating—all with acupressure. Paige grew up in Vancouver, Canada and became passionate about Alternative Medicine after having several remarkable experiences with it at a young age. After High School she enrolled in Canada’s first Holistic Nutrition program at the Canadian College of Natural Nutrition and graduated a Registered Holistic Nutritionist. From there she traveled extensively through Asia where her passion blossomed into studies as she began taking an interest in Ayurveda, an ancient East Indian medicine. After living in India for several months she moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico to pursue her Ayurvedic training further studying alongside the famous Dr. Vasant Lad at his Ayurvedic Institute. Following Ayurveda, Paige pursued a Psychology degree at the University of Colorado and began to assimilate what she had learned of Eastern Medicine with Western Psychology. Understanding that disease in the body is most often attributed to disharmony within the psyche/emotions, a concept called “Psychosomatic Illness”, Paige was drawn to the integrative philosophy of Traditional Chinese Medicine where everything is believed to be interconnected. After falling in love with the TCM approach to health science, she went on to complete a 4-year Masters of Science degree as well as a Doctorate in Acupuncture and Traditional Oriental Medicine from Pacific College of Health and Science.
