Endometriosis
is a chronic, estrogen-dependent disorder characterised by growth of
endometrial tissue in sites other than the uterus, most commonly in the pelvic
cavity, but also in other parts of the body. The cause of endometriosis is not known, but many factors
are thought to be involved in its development. These include
retrograde menstruation; an abnormal quantity or quality of endometrial cells; embryonic
cells giving rise to deposits in distant sites around the body; and the
production of antibodies against endometrial cells.
This ectopic endometrial tissue
responds to the hormonal changes of the menstrual cycle, with subsequent
bleeding, inflammation, and pain. If the ovaries are affected, endometriotic
ovarian cysts may develop. Common symptoms include dysmenorrhoea, dyspareunia,
non-cyclical pelvic and abdominal pain, and subfertility. The prevalence is
estimated to vary from 2-22% of women and, in women with dysmenorrhoea, the
incidence of endometriosis is 40-60%.
Recently some review articles showed
that acupuncture is specifically of benefit in people with endometriosis. Acupuncture
provides effective pain relief, by stimulating nerves located in muscles and
other tissues, leading to release of endorphins and other neurohumoral factors,
and changing the processing of pain in the brain and spinal cord. Acupuncture reduces
inflammation by promoting release of vascular and immunomodulatory factors.
Acupuncture exerts regulating levels of prostaglandins.
The authors of articles suggest that
acupuncture can be used as an independent or complement therapy for the treatment
of endometriosis.
Reference:
Lund I, Lundeberg T. Is acupuncture
effective in the treatment of pain in endometriosis? J Pain Res. 2016 Mar
24;9:157-65. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27069371
Kong S et al., The Complementary and
Alternative Medicine for Endometriosis: A Review of Utilization and Mechanism. Evidence-Based
Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Volume 2014 (2014), Article ID 146383,
16 pages. http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ecam/2014/146383/
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