Post by ohmandie on Nov 21, 2010 11:27:36 GMT -5
I know several of you here have experiences with naturopaths, but has anyone ever been to a doctor of traditional chinese medicine(TCM)?
On Thursday I went to a TCM doctor 3 hours away from home. She used to be a gynecologist but now practices TCM. She is an acupuncturist and a chinese herbalist. And the best thing is that she knows the pain of endometriosis first hand.
First off I'd like to say that I think many women can't get relief from western doctors because the doctor is treating the DISEASE, not the PERSON.
During my consultation she showed me a book on gynecology and TCM. She showed me the page on endo. She explained that in TCM there are several reasons for Endometriosis, of course blood stagnation being the main culprit. However, each woman has a particular reason for stagnation. Here are the possible reasons:
- Qi and blood deficiency
- Cold Retention
- Thickened blood
- Heat Retention
- Kidney Yang Deficiency
She explained to me that her purpose was to find what my problem was. She took notes of my past and present medical history. She took my blood pressure, checked my pulse in three places on each wrist. She observed my tongue and both eyelids. She then said, "You don't eat red meat do you?" I said I don't. She said, "you get dizzy very easily, correct?" I answered yes. "your hands are ALWAYS cold?" "yes." She then described my pain and periods perfectly, right down to the appearance of my menstrual blood.
She came to the conclusion that my intolerable periods are due to cold retention, but mostly due to qi and blood deficiency.
She suggested that I take a batch of medicine that she would brew specifically for me. She said that realistically she could not help me with acupuncture since she is so far from home for me. It would be hard for me to see her often enough to get the treatments that I need.
But she said that there are things I can do on my own to heal.
For cold retention, I have to keep my hands and feet warm constantly. Also, eat less cold meals especially during periods. Try eating more spicy foods. For qi and blood deficiency...eat more red meat! Red meat creates more blood for the body. Eat more often, which is so hard for me. And avoid stress and too much activity before and during periods.
I must say that just in the couple of days that I've followed her instructions, I've gotten some relief. After eating warm beef soup for a few days, I feel so much livelier. My own gynecologist told me to stay away from red meat, because for MOST women it triggers pain. I find that this is the main difference between western doctors and TCM doctors.
TCM doctors treat the individual not the disease.
I have not received my medicine yet but I will keep you guys updated. I'm so excited for the possibility of pain relief in a natural way!
On Thursday I went to a TCM doctor 3 hours away from home. She used to be a gynecologist but now practices TCM. She is an acupuncturist and a chinese herbalist. And the best thing is that she knows the pain of endometriosis first hand.
First off I'd like to say that I think many women can't get relief from western doctors because the doctor is treating the DISEASE, not the PERSON.
During my consultation she showed me a book on gynecology and TCM. She showed me the page on endo. She explained that in TCM there are several reasons for Endometriosis, of course blood stagnation being the main culprit. However, each woman has a particular reason for stagnation. Here are the possible reasons:
- Qi and blood deficiency
- Cold Retention
- Thickened blood
- Heat Retention
- Kidney Yang Deficiency
She explained to me that her purpose was to find what my problem was. She took notes of my past and present medical history. She took my blood pressure, checked my pulse in three places on each wrist. She observed my tongue and both eyelids. She then said, "You don't eat red meat do you?" I said I don't. She said, "you get dizzy very easily, correct?" I answered yes. "your hands are ALWAYS cold?" "yes." She then described my pain and periods perfectly, right down to the appearance of my menstrual blood.
She came to the conclusion that my intolerable periods are due to cold retention, but mostly due to qi and blood deficiency.
She suggested that I take a batch of medicine that she would brew specifically for me. She said that realistically she could not help me with acupuncture since she is so far from home for me. It would be hard for me to see her often enough to get the treatments that I need.
But she said that there are things I can do on my own to heal.
For cold retention, I have to keep my hands and feet warm constantly. Also, eat less cold meals especially during periods. Try eating more spicy foods. For qi and blood deficiency...eat more red meat! Red meat creates more blood for the body. Eat more often, which is so hard for me. And avoid stress and too much activity before and during periods.
I must say that just in the couple of days that I've followed her instructions, I've gotten some relief. After eating warm beef soup for a few days, I feel so much livelier. My own gynecologist told me to stay away from red meat, because for MOST women it triggers pain. I find that this is the main difference between western doctors and TCM doctors.
TCM doctors treat the individual not the disease.
I have not received my medicine yet but I will keep you guys updated. I'm so excited for the possibility of pain relief in a natural way!