Women’s Health Series: How Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture treat Breast Pain

Vast majority of women have breast pain from time to time. It is one of the most common benign breast symptoms. Breast pain is also known as mastalgia or mastodynia and it is the number one reason why women visit clinics specializing in breast care.

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What Causes Breast Pain in Western Medical Science

Hormonal Causes

The most common type of breast pain occurs prematurely and is related to hormonal changes in the body that are part of women’s menstrual cycle.

In the luteal phase of menstrual cycle which is two weeks before the period begins, all women have an increased tendency to retain fluid and to gain a pound or two. But in susceptible women, this slight fluid increase, as well as other hormonal changes associated with the menstrual cycle, can cause pressure or inflammation in the breast tissue, resulting in breast tenderness.

The same inflammatory chemicals such as prostaglandins and cytokines that cause menstrual cramps can also cause breast tenderness.

Indeed, breast tissue undergoes cyclical changes each month that correspond to those occurring in the female uterus. However, the key distinction is that the accumulation of fluids and tissue in the uterus is expelled from the body as menstrual flow. In contrast, the fluid and cellular tissue accumulation in the breasts is merely reabsorbed back into the body. Consequently, it is understandable why breast pain is prevalent among women, particularly if they experience significant inflammatory factors due to dietary and lifestyle choices that promote cellular inflammation.

Idiopathic Reasons

Some women experience breast pain that is not related to menstrual cycle at all. No one knows the causes of this and in Western medical Science this category is given the name of idiopathy.

These idiopathic reasons can be related to inflammation in the body or due to neuroendocrine changes resulting from subtle interactions between our environment, perceptions and hormonal and immune systems.

What Causes Breast Pain in Traditional Chinese Medicine

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), breast pain is frequently associated with the stagnation of qi (vital energy) and blood, especially related to the Liver meridian. This condition may also be connected to emotional factors, hormonal fluctuations, and various visceral imbalances. Typical TCM patterns encompass Liver qi stagnation, which can be affected by stress, frustration, anger as well as stagnant blood, resulting in sensitive lumps and pain.

Energetic Perspective of Breast Pain in Traditional Chinese Medicine

In the perspective of energetics, women’s breasts are organs of nurturance and symbols of sexual desirability. As the Liver meridian passes through the breasts, conditions related to the breasts have close associations with emotions and feelings of loneliness, sorrow, rage and anger which are emotions related to Liver meridian and the Liver organ according to TCM.

Women who experience frequent breast pain problems are similar in character and personality to women who have breast cancer. They are often self-sacrificing, feel that embracing their sexuality is a sin, lack of ability to discharge their negative emotions especially anger and hostility and often hide these deemed negative emotions behind a mask of pleasantness or act as the “good girl” for social acceptance.

Conventional Treatment of Breast Pain

Unfortunately like so many other women’s health issues, breast pain too often has been viewed as the medical profession as a neurotic “all in her head” kind of disease, and so it has not received the attention and care that it deserves. But all of us know that pain is a sign of imbalance somewhere in our lives. And breast pain is no exception.

Conventional painkillers, anti inflammatories are usually prescribed for breast pain just like any other pain conditions.

And if the medical doctor indeed dismiss the woman having breast pain as a psychological problem which most doctors do when they cannot find the physiological reasons for any health condition, psychopathic drugs will be given.

Holistic Treatment of Breast Pain

Acupuncture

Acupuncture aims to unblock energetic pathways, relieve pain through anti inflammatory effects and aids in stress relieve in order to relieve pain in the breasts.

Acupuncture has the ability to regulate various systems within the body, including the endocrine, vascular, and nervous systems.

Furthermore, acupuncture is well known to help with emotional release to counter suppression and internalization of emotions and feelings, especially those that are negative and hostile.

All these can assist in managing breast pains and may also contribute to its elimination.

Herbal Medicine

Herbal formulas can help to address the underlying patterns of imbalance, such as clearing heat, moving circulation and regulating the Liver.

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Final words about Healing for Breast Pain

Breast pain is a very common condition that most women will experience at least once in their womanhood. However prolong chronic experience of the discomfort and aggravating patterns of such episodes can signify deeper imbalances especially at the emotional level such as trauma, depression, anxiety and learned helplessness. All of which can alter the body’s immune and hormonal systems leading to the presentations of breast pains.

Just like any other breast conditions, overgiving is the key risk factor.

Although breast pain is almost always a no for sign of cancer, even though in a few cases the answer is a yes, it is warning sign that the woman experiencing this in persistence need to address a deeper cultural wounding.

Read more on Women’s Health: How Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture treat Infertility, Premenstrual Syndrome, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Endometriosis, Fibroids, Recurrent Miscarriages, Irregular Period, Menopause, Menopause and Adrenal Fatigue, Menopausal Hot Flashes, Breast Cancer here.