Endometriosis - Alternative and Natural Treatment

Alternative and Natural treatments for Endometriosis - how it works!

Alternative therapies and natural treatments for endometriosis are obtaining excellent results in actively assisting the healing of this disease for many women. There are more and more success stories coming forward of women who have achieved partial or complete healing of Endometriosis using natural treatments.

HOLISTIC MEDICINE

Many of the alternative and natural therapies deal with the mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of health, in addition to the physical body. This is where natural treatments have a huge benefit for women with Endometriosis - because this disease affects the whole person, not just the body.

The name ‘Holistic Medicine’ comes from the connection between mind and body. Holistic practitioners treat the whole person as opposed to the individual organs where symptoms occur.

Alternative medicine is made up of a rich variety of techniques and medical systems that for the most part, are still unfamiliar to the majority of people in the West. They are therefore, an ‘alternative’ to what most people are using when they need health care.

Much of what is labelled alternative medicine comes from other cultures or from ancient healing traditions. The use of herbs as medicine is an ancient practice found all over the world. Acupuncture comes specifically from ancient China and has been documented as being in use as early as 2697 B.C.

The World Health Organization estimates that between 65 and 80 percent of the worlds population rely on traditional medicine as their primary form of health care.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ALTERNATIVE AND CONVENTIONAL MEDICINE?

Generally speaking, most high quality alternative medicine is founded on six core principles and practices that differ from the principles and historical practices of conventional medicine. They are:

• The healing power of nature first, and technique and technology second
• Patient centered rather than physician centered
• Do no harm - many alternative medical systems are rooted in the principle of ‘always use the least drastic harmful therapies first’. This means that alternative medical providers, in general, choose techniques and therapies which are the least invasive or harmful to get the desired result
• Results generally take longer - but this ensures long term health and not a quick fix it
• Use of natural and whole substances
• Higher standard of health

The whole area of alternative medicine is becoming more main- stream in western society as a means for people to take care of their health, for reasons including:

• the realization that, contrary to previously held beliefs, conventional medicine (the medicine of antibiotics, surgery, chemotherapy etc.) cannot solve all of societies health problems
• the growing acceptance that health is more than just ‘the absence of disease’ and involves more that just the physical body
• the growing body of scientific research, as well as public awareness, that many alternative medical treatments are more effective, more economical, and less invasive and less harmful than conventional medical treatments

SO WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT ALTERNATIVE AND NATURAL THERAPIES THAT CAN HELP ENDOMETRIOSIS!

Acupuncture and Endometriosis

Acupuncture is part of Traditional Chinese Medicine and has been practiced in China for thousands of years, but became widely known in the West only in the 1970s, when its use as an anesthetic received sensational press coverage. Practitioners insert fine, sterile needles into specific points on the body as a treatment for disorders ranging from asthma to alcohol addictions, but most often in the West as a means of pain relief.

Acupuncturists are trained in the art of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and will combine the use of herbs along with acupuncture treatments.

In the Oriental method of gynecology, known as "fu-ke" in the language of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), one of the most important approaches is herbal medicine. This will include the use of many parts of plants, usually including roots, barks, flowers, and fruits. Endometriosis, premenstrual disorders, irregular periods, heavy bleeding, reduced fertility, hormone related imbalances and pelvic pain, can be treated with the help of acupuncture and herbal medicine.

Acupuncture points and herbal formulas are chosen in accordance to the individual’s TCM diagnosis and can vary from person the person. The acupuncture points commonly used in the treatment of endometriosis can be located on the ears, abdomen, wrists, feet, legs, and back. Needles are usually retained for 20 to 45 minutes. Prescribed herbal formulas vary from person to person.

The acupuncture points and herbs chosen help to facilitate the free flow of energy through the body. Some of the points and herbs are used to move blood, break up stagnation and stop pain. Each point and herb selected has its own therapeutic importance in the treatment of endometriosis depending on the TCM diagnosis of the individual.

The treatment of endometriosis with acupuncture usually requires a commitment of enough time to rebalance the body's systems. This will vary from one woman to another, and will be dependant on the severity of the disease. Please see this article on Acupuncture for more details.

Chinese Herbalism and Endometriosis

Chinese Herbalism is another part of the Traditional Chinese Medicine system. The Nei Jing (Yellow Emperor’s Classic of International Medicine), dating to c. 200B.C. - A.D. 100, is the earliest known document to set out the principles that underlie Traditional Chinese Medicine to this day. It emphasizes the ideals of moderation, balance, and harmony, which are central to the ancient Chinese philosophy of Taoism.

Traditional Chinese medicine is able to understand endometriosis based on the different clinical manifestations, or symptoms, associated with each individual. It is important in TCM to diagnose the patient according to their own specific pattern. Each individual has a pattern that marks the foundation and progression of the disorder.

When determining the pattern of disease in the treatment of endometriosis, TCM takes into account the menstrual history, duration of the cycle, as well as pain, including the time that it occurs, the location, and the nature and severity.

In TCM theory, there are several disease causing factors including blood stagnation, energy stagnation and deficiency, as well as cold and heat conditions that can lead to endometriosis. The origin of the pattern differs according to the individual.

Other factors that are taken into consideration when determining the pattern for endometriosis include: emotional stress, anxiety, constitutional weakness, surgical history, exposure to cold temperatures especially during menstruation, diet, chronic illness or weakness, or a history of genital infections. Please see this article on Chinese Medicine for further details.

Herbalism and Endometriosis

Herbal medicine is the treatment of disease using medicinal plants, both internally and externally, to restore the patient back to health. It is a system of medicine that relies on the therapeutic qualities of plants to help the patient by enhancing the body’s own recuperative powers. It is a natural method of healing based on the traditional usage of herbs coupled with modern scientific developments.

Though there are those in the orthodox medical world who ignore herbal medicine, even condemn it, the constituents of herbs have provided the blueprint for many of the most effective and widely known drugs used today. ‘Orthodox’ medicine has its roots in herbal medicine.

Orthodox medicine is based on drugs isolated from plants, or more often manufactured in the laboratory. The herbalist advocates the use of the whole plant as a gentler and safer way to restoring a patient to health

For the treatment of Endometriosis, one of the first tasks in herbal medicine is to try and re-balance the hormone levels in the body. Then other herbs will be introduced to strengthen the immune system so that the body can then begin to eliminate the disease. As with other alternative treatments, using herbal medicine for Endometriosis will involve a time commitment to achieve success. For more information please see this article on Herbal Medicine for further details.

Homeopathy and Endometriosis

Homeopathy is a therapeutic method of medicine in which very dilute doses of natural substances (plant, animal, mineral) are administered to a patient to treat symptoms that would be induced in a healthy individual by ingestion of that same substance.

Homeopathy stimulates the body’s own defenses to correct illness and allow symptoms to dissipate. The minute doses of drug substances used in homeopathy do not cause any side effects. Homeopathy can be used for short term (acute) illnesses and long term (chronic) illnesses.

The healing method of homeopathy looks at each patient and develops a remedy or treatment plan strictly for him or her. It invokes the powers of healing inherent in individuals (our Immune system) to develop a successful therapy. The more one knows about the patient, the symptoms, likes and dislikes, what makes them better or worse, it helps in developing a ‘symptom picture’ of the patient that can lead to a successful treatment.

For the treatment of Endometriosis, homeopathy treats the individual not the disease. A homeopath will ask many questions of the patient to get a clear ‘picture’ of the individual. No two women are the same, and no two treatment programs for Endometriosis will be the same when using homeopathy. There may be common factors which are shared between women when they have Endometriosis, but in homeopathy the treatment is specific to the way each woman has reacted to Endometriosis and to other factors in her life that have led to the disease developing in the first place. Please see this article on Homeopathy for further details. Also read this Homeopathy article to understand further how Homeopathy works.

Naturopathy and Endometriosis

Also known as ‘ Natural Medicine’, naturopathy developed in the late 19th century, founded on an ancient belief in the power of the body to heal itself. Naturopathy believe that the body’s natural state is one of equilibrium, which can be disturbed by an unhealthy lifestyle. They look for underlying causes of a problem rather that treating symptoms alone, combining diet and non-invasive therapies where possible to stimulate the healing process. Naturopathy is practiced throughout the Western world and some of its principles have been adopted by conventional medicine.

The treatment of Endometriosis using Naturopathy is a totally holistic approach and will include many areas of a patients life. The endometriosis program in Naturopathy will consider diet, lifestyle, cleansing and hormone balancing herbs, as well as herbs for pain relief and external preparations to clear toxicity in the abdominal area. Instructions and suggestions for gentle exercise programs may also be included. Please read this Naturopathy article to understand further how this treatment can help Endometriosis.

Aromatherapy and Endometriosis

Aromatherapy is a form of healing that utilizes the natural aromatic aspect of plants - the essential oils - both for their scent and for their inherent medicinal properties. These aromatic oils can be found in a wide range of species and are extracted from the seeds, bark, leaves, flowers, wood, roots or resin according to the type of plant.

The word ‘aromatherapy’ can be misleading, because it suggests a type of healing which operates simply through our sense of smell. The fragrance of essential oils is an important part of their overall nature, but only one aspect of it.

In an aromatherapy treatment, essential oils interact with the body in a variety of ways. When a massage oil is prepared with essential oils and rubbed on the skin, the essential oils are quickly absorbed through the cell tissue and into the bloodstream to be transported throughout the body. They can then interact with the organs and systems of the body directly.

Massage is the main method used by professional aromatherapists because it ensures a good absorption of the essential oils and is a very relaxing and healing experience in itself. Different essential oils have different properties so a mixture of oils may be used in an aromatherapy treatment.

Aromatherapy can assist many individual areas of treatment for Endometriosis. The chemical properties of different essential oils can aid digestion, assist with sleep problems, boost the immune system, support the reproductive system, help rebalance the hormone system, and many other subtle benefits.

Aromatherapy is probably better seen as a support to aid healing used in conjunction with other alternative therapies. The healing actions of essential oils will not be sufficient in themselves to help heal the body of Endometriosis. Healing of Endometriosis comes from the strength of the immune system, and the body then heals itself. Many of the other therapies, such as homeopathy and herbalism are much more deep rooted in their actions, whereas Aromatherapy is much more gentle.

But as mentioned above, the known healing properties of essential oils will help with many residual problems associated with Endometriosis.

Scientists working in a number of different fields around the world - doctors, professors of medicine, chemists and biologists - have carried out laboratory tests which prove that essential oils have the ability to prevent the proliferation of harmful bacteria. Most essential oils have antibiotic, antiseptic, anti-viral and anti- inflammatory properties to a greater or lesser extent.

These are the most well known natural or alternative treatments. There are many other alternative therapies available, but all of them have one single aim, and that is to assist the body to heal itself. The natural treatments which appear to be having the best results for the treatment of Endometriosis are Acupuncture, Homeopathy, Herbalism and Naturopathy.

Some of the therapies will be beneficial to help you deal with the emotional aspects of Endometriosis. For example, Aromatherapy can help with emotional issues, stress and depression. Homeopathy is renowned for highlighting emotional issues, some of which may have been buried for years. To choose which therapy is best for you is down to preference of the type of treatment. For example, if you do not like injections and needles then Acupuncture is not suitable for you. If you are not very good at swallowing strong tasting concoctions, then Herbalism may not be for you.

The main issue about using natural treatments for Endometriosis is to not see them as a quick fix. Treatment will take longer, but it will be gentler, safer, and more effective for long-term results.

If you decide to follow the path of natural treatment for Endometriosis, then you need to find yourself a reputable, trained practitioner who should belong to a recognized governing body for their particular practice.

Before embarking on any course of therapy you should ask your practitioner these questions:

• What are the practitioner's qualifications? What sort of training was undertaken, and for how long?
• For how many years has the practitioner been in practice?
• Is the practitioner registered with a recognized professional organization, and does that organization have a public directory
• Does the organization have a code of practise, specifying the professional code of conduct?
• Is treatment available on referral by your doctor? Some therapies, such as chiropractic, osteopathy and acupuncture, are becoming accepted into mainstream medicine.
• Can you claim for the treatment through your health insurance, if you have it?
• What is the cost of treatment?
• How many treatments might you expect to require?

Trust and empathy are important with your practitioner, and treatment is unlikely to succeed without it. Treatment is nearly always conducted on a one-to-one basis, so trust is imperative.

Endometriosis is a very distressing disease and you need to know your alternative health practitioner is aware of the disease and all its implications.

Do not settle for second best because you are in a rush to start treatment or the practitioner is offering cheap treatment. It is preferable to wait until you find exactly the right person to help you; someone you can trust and they have a good understanding of Endometriosis.