Acupuncture, massage, and herbal therapy have all been linked with success in treating the symptoms of endometriosis including pain reduction and improved fertility outcomes

An estimated five to seven million American women currently suffer from this endometriosis, according to the Journal of the American Medical Association. Endometriosis is derived from the word "endometrium," which is the lining of a woman's uterus.

In this condition, organs like the ovaries, fallopian tubes, ligaments surrounding the uterus, and possibly the lungs, head, and other locations, can have endometrial cells as well as the uterus. However, unlike the uterus, these cells are not expelled from the body during menstruation, but rather linger and are slowly absorbed into the body. This can cause symptoms ranging from pain during intercourse, painful menstruation, low back pain, nausea, fatigue, and infertility.

Diagnosis is performed via laparoscopy. A laparoscopic procedure requires that a lighted optical tube be inserted through a small incision in the navel.

The causes of endometriosis are still unclear, although many theories have been made with attention to, genetic predispositions, and autoimmune causes.

Acupuncture, massage, and herbal therapy have all been linked with success in treating the symptoms of endometriosis including pain reduction and improved fertility outcomes.

Traditional Chinese medicine considers endometriosis as a condition of qi and blood stagnation and heat, which means that the woman’s blood circulation is not occurring properly and that heat (read autoimimmune attack is built up in the pelvic region.

The TCM treatment for endometriosis attempts to increase circulation and clear internal pathogenic heat.

When acupuncture needles are applied to points influencing the nervous system, organ functions, and endocrine system, balance can be restored and blood stasis improved and heat cleared.

Oriental medicine, in conjunction with Western medical approaches often show improvement in symptoms and conception rates greater than those seen when using one of these modalities alone.

Sources:

1. http://tcm.health-info.org/Acupunture/treatment/endometriosis.htm

2. http://www.endo-resolved.com/index.html

3. Du, Li, Endometriosis Through the Eyes of Tradition Chinese Medicine, New Life Journal, 2003