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Acupuncture for
PCOS
(Polycystic Ovarian
Syndrome)
Getting back in
sync
Acupuncture for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
can help with a range of unwanted symptoms that the syndrome can bring.
PCOS symptoms are surprisingly common. They vary a lot from one
woman to another, but you may experience:
ovarian
cysts
scanty or absent periods
(although they can also be heavy)
infertility
weight gain
a tendency to blood sugar
instability
depression
bad skin
excess body hair
Your menstrual cycle effectively gets
'stuck' in the first (follicular) half of the cycle. Ovarian
follicles grow, creating the fluid-filled cysts, but none reaches the
stage where it gets ahead of the others and releases an egg so that the
cycle can come to its monthly conclusion.
PCOS is usually
diagnosed from the presence of some or all of the symptoms above combined
with an ultrasound scan showing your cysts and/or a blood test showing
raised testosterone levels. Acupuncture aims to
clear the obstructive effect of the cysts on your menstrual cycle,
restoring a well-balanced monthly flow and reducing the other effects
across your mind and body.
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Research |
A
2003 report by the World Health Organisation (WHO) found that
polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is one of the conditions
"for which the therapeutic effect of acupuncture has been shown but for
which further proof is needed."
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Case study |
"Acupuncture was recommended
to me by my chiropractor, who was treating me for back and
neck problems brought on by being stuck at my desk. I found
Jessica through a web search for local practitioners.
Jessica ran through an extensive questionnaire with me and
identified several conditions that she could help with.
My neck and back symptoms started to ease after my first
treatment, and subsequent sessions, together with my
chiropractor, have finally seen the end of almost constant
pain. The two approaches to treating the symptoms have
really complemented each other and have ensured a speedy
recovery from a long-term problem.
Of all of my conditions/ailments,
the treatments to ease the symptoms of PCOS have had the
most incredible results. My PCOS caused extremely heavy and
painful periods which have always been part of an unusually
long cycle. After just 2 treatments, Jessica had eased the
pain enough that I didn't need painkillers, and had reduced
my cycle to a regular 28 days, not to mention
eased or eradicated many other PCOS-related symptoms. I
can't recommend this treatment highly enough! Jessica takes
an extremely professional and warm approach to her
treatments. She's very keen to ensure you understand how
acupuncture works, and is very patient when asked the same
questions over and over. If you're after a friendly and
holistic approach to your health, look no further."
A project
director in her 30s
click for more case studies |
Treatment
Generally with acupuncture the ideal is to start out
with weekly treatments, and then to spread these out further apart
once you're experiencing improvement in your symptoms. It's
best to think in terms of at least 4-6 treatments. With problems affecting the monthly cycle, it can
often take 2-3 months for the results to become fully clear, so a
typical minimum number of treatments is often a little higher, for
example 6-10, spread over 2-3 months, and the improvements are
generally worth waiting for.
Contact Jessica
Each of us responds differently to
acupuncture. Do
get in touch to discuss whether
acupuncture is likely to be right for you, or to make an appointment.
Other
conditions
Acupuncture can help with a
wide range of health problems, click below to find out more:
© Jessica Kennedy 2005-8, all rights
reserved |