Endometriosis and fibroids.
In TCM masses in the lower abdomen are blood stagnation and accumulation of phlegm that forms nodules or masses. These could be cysts, fibroids, scarring, and tumors. For the proper diagnosis the physician will examine the tongue and check your pulses on your wrist. For blood stagnation, the patient will have purple in the lower jiao area of the tongue, for phlegm the patient will have a thick tongue coating.
In order to treat the mass, it is important to fix the underlying causes. This will be done with acupuncture, food therapy, and herbal medicine. One formula I frequently prescribe has the actions of dispelling blood stagnation and dispersing nodules, invigorating blood, and alleviating pain.
In wester terms this formula:
Antitumor effect to treat benign tumors, resolves cyst and fibroids in the uterus and ovaries, antiproliferative effect to inhibit abnormal growth of connective tissue and dissolve masses and nodules, analgesic and anti-inflammatory actions to relieve pain and swelling. In TCM the goal of this formula is to dispel blood stasis, disperse masses and nodules, invigorate blood, and relieve pain.
The acupuncture point prescription will include points that invigorate the blood. Acupuncturist may also add additional points depending on the other underlying conditions the patient may have. The beauty of acupuncture is that the treatment plan is tailored to your specific issues.
It will be important to avoid raw food and cold drinks. The patient should also avoid processed foods especially meats. If the patient does consume meat it will be important for them to eat meat that is not treated with hormones. Patients with fibroids should avoid coffee because it may contribute to the growth of the fibroids.