Treating Endometriosis

Acupressure for Stomach Pain

At this stage there is no cure for endometriosis but plenty of ways that it can be managed. Depending on the severity and conditions of the case, treatment can get rid of symptoms completely or at least give a better quality of life by managing them. Understandably, many women want to get rid of the pain and other symptoms associated with endometriosis, as this condition can make everyday life quite difficult if it continues to be untreated. 

A number of surgical and medical options are currently available on an individual basis (your doctor will let you know what you can opt for as both methods have their own pros and cons). Medication is usually a first step to investigating management of the condition. If there is no improvement, surgery or a combination of both is recommended. Whether gradual or sudden it is important to keep in mind that there is no ‘one size fits all’ answer to endometriosis treatment. You may also be provided with more than just one option and it may take some time before you find out which one works best for you.

Treatments 

Pain Medications

Over the counter pain medications for example ibuprofen although these aren’t effective for all cases.

Hormone Therapy

Taking supplemental hormones can sometimes relieve pain caused by endometriosis. Medication therapy is used to regulate the body’s natural hormone growth. 

Hormonal Contraceptives

Hormonal contraceptives decrease fertility and may even eliminate the pain of endometriosis, regardless of its severity. Birth control pills, patches and  vaginal rings can help treat this disorder by stopping or slowing down monthly growth and build up of endometrial tissue. The medroxyprogesterone (Depo-Provera) injection is also effective in stopping menstruation, which disables the endometrial implants and hormonal cycle. It relieves pain and other symptoms like headaches during menstruation although is not often a first choice due to its counter reaction of decreased bone density, weight gain, and increased incidence of depression among other side effects.

Estrogen Blockers

Women on hormone therapy often take GnRH agonists and antagonists, which block the production of estrogen. Estrogen is the main hormone responsible for changes in a woman’s body during puberty and particularly during menopause. By blocking it, one can create an artificial menopause. Side effects of vaginal dryness and hot flashes may occur on the medication.

Danazol

Danazol, or Danocrine, is another medicine that stops your periods and may relieve some of the symptoms. While taking Danazol, you will continue to ovulate normally, although your regular cycles can still be unpredictable. Side effects include acne and hirsutism which is growth of coarse hair in places like on your face or lower abdomen.

Conservative Surgery

Conservative surgery for endometriosis is recommended when a woman has not experienced success with hormonal treatments, if severe pain exists or the patient has an increased chance of becoming pregnant and giving birth. The short term goals of conservative surgery in this instance are to remove and/or destroy endometrial growths without doing any damage to the reproductive organs.

Hysterectomy

Surgery is most often recommended as a last resort to treating endometriosis. During this most extreme of surgeries, the surgeon removes your uterus and cervix along with your ovaries due to the fact that these organs make estrogen. Your estrogen levels can lead to more growth of endometrial tissue. Once these organs are out, the doctor will remove visible lesions. 

acupuncture for infertility

At Centre of Balance we treat Endometriosis with Chinese Herbal Medicine and acupuncture. Our Methods begin with an in depth examination of your life style and the factors of your condition. The focus of Chinese medicine is to restore balance in the function of the organs. We manage Endometriosis with Chinese herbs and acupuncture to 

  • Support lifestyle and dietary changes to improve the body’s vitality
  • Stimulate blood flow to the uterus by removing the stagnant qi and blood
  • Assist in relaxing and relieving stress associated to the disease
  • Regulate hormonal balance by improving the function of the liver
  • Reduce cramps and regulate the menstrual cycle

Chinese Herbal Medicine is a natural approach to health management with no need to worry about any side effects. Contact us at Centre of Balance to see how we can help you.

Our Offer to You

Fill in our online questionnaire for free – and save the $135 it would cost you to do this detailed medical history in person with a practitioner.  You can request a phone call from a practitioner after they have read your online form, or just book your initial exam for $40.  Call us on 07 846 7956 to book, or fill in the questionnaire now.

References

https://www.healthline.com/health/endometriosis

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Monica

I am originally from Hebei province in China. I hold a NZ bachelor’s degree of health and science with a major in acupuncture. I am honoured to be an acupuncturist at Centre of Balance. Helping patients to alleviate their pain brings me the greatest joy. Chinese medicine emphasises the unity of human beings and nature. During the treatment, I hope to not only relieve your pain but also help you to understand the principles behind acupuncture’s effectiveness, as well as the significant impact of diet, emotions, lifestyle habits, and living environments on disease recovery. Self-healing is an ability that our bodies are naturally endowed with.

I studied acupuncture in New Zealand and completed one and a half years of supervised clinical internship before graduating. In the early stage of my training, I mainly worked with patients experiencing neck, shoulder, and lower back pain. Under the guidance of senior clinical tutors, I gradually developed hands-on experience and confidence in treating musculoskeletal pain conditions.
As my clinical exposure expanded, I began treating a wider range of internal conditions. Alongside traditional acupuncture, I was introduced to Umbilical Acupuncture and Tungs-acupuncture Points. What interested me most about these approaches is that they often do not require needling directly at the painful area, yet can still achieve very effective results.
I was especially inspired by observing my supervisor use Umbilical Acupuncture to treat common conditions such as insomnia, menstrual irregularities, and even rheumatoid arthritis, with very positive outcomes. Another supervisor was highly skilled in Tungs-acupuncture Points and achieved excellent results in treating pain, infertility, menstrual disorders, and a variety of women’s health conditions. After completing my studies and entering clinical practice, once I observed Dr. Szenan Phua using Tungs-acupuncture points to help cancer patients relieve pain, which further strengthened my trust in this treatment method.
I later completed training in Dr. Tan Balance Acupuncture, which had a strong influence on the way I approach treatment. One of the most noticeable features of this method is how quickly patients often feel improvement, especially with pain conditions. Dr. Szenan Phua’s New Balance Acupuncture combines meridian regulation with structural adjustment and internal organ balancing, including techniques such as pulse balancing and spinal adjustment.
From my clinical experience, pain is rarely just a local issue. It often involves underlying organ weakness or structural imbalance. When these aspects are addressed together, treatment can be more thorough and longer-lasting. I also apply this approach to internal conditions, particularly in fertility and women’s health. This includes supporting natural conception, IVF preparation and embryo transfer, pregnancy support, early-pregnancy nausea, and late-pregnancy labour induction. I combine these treatments with concepts learned from a few additional fertility training, which has given me a broader and more flexible clinical perspective. This has reinforced my belief that acupuncture should be adapted to each individual rather than applied through fixed formulas.
Two other areas of study that have been very helpful in my clinical work are Tongue Diagnosis and Dr. Zhu’s Scalp Acupuncture. Although tongue diagnosis is taught in my standard Chinese medicine training, further study allowed me to deepen and refine my diagnostic skills.
My first formal training was in Li’s Tongue Diagnosis, which looks not only at organ patterns, but also at how different areas of the tongue reflect the body’s structure. This system also explores personality traits and changes during pregnancy, making it both clinically useful and engaging. I later attended online lectures on Yin’s Tongue Diagnosis and studied the related materials independently. this learning has helped me make clearer and more accurate pattern differentiation, allowing my acupuncture treatments to be more targeted. It covers a wide range of conditions, including skin disorders, oncology-related presentations, mental health patterns, and joint or limb problems. In practice, tongue observation often provides valuable insight even before a patient begins describing their symptoms.
In addition to the methods above, I regularly use local bloodletting techniques, which can be very effective for improving circulation, reducing swelling, and relieving pain. I also incorporate auricular (ear) acupressure and stimulation, which I commonly use for allergies, insomnia, headaches, stress management, and various internal conditions.
In my clinical work, I value taking the time to listen carefully to each patient and to understand their overall health, lifestyle, and concerns. Based on each individual’s condition, I also provide personalised dietary guidance and lifestyle or wellness advice to support overall health and long-term wellbeing. I commonly support patients with musculoskeletal pain, such as neck, shoulder, knee, and back pain, as well as stress-related conditions, sleep issues, migraines, digestive concerns, and women’s health and fertility-related conditions.