🌿 Folk Prescriptions

Menstrual pain, also known as "dysmenorrhea" or "painful menstruation," refers to abdominal and lumbar pain experienced before, during, or after menstruation, sometimes severe enough to be unbearable, often accompanied by pallor, cold extremities, and recurring cyclically. It is categorized into primary and secondary types. Primary dysmenorrhea occurs without obvious organic pathology in reproductive organs, typically appearing at menarche or shortly thereafter, commonly seen in unmarried or nulliparous women. Weak constitution, chronic illness, mental stress, and heightened sensitivity may cause secondary dysmenorrhea. For primary dysmenorrhea, self-massage can be used effectively; consistent practice often alleviates or eliminates menstrual pain. Specific steps and methods are as follows:
Supine position: Use the right palm to perform palm rubbing on the lower abdomen, starting from the right lower quadrant, moving upward to the umbilicus level, then shifting left to the left side of the navel, continuing downward to Zhongji (CV3), then returning to the right lower abdomen. Repeat this slow movement for about 10 minutes. Then, use the radial edge of one thumb’s tip to push gently over Qihai (CV6), Guanyuan (CV4), and Zhongji (CV3) for 2–3 minutes each. Next, use the tips of both thumbs or middle fingers to press and rub the bilateral Xuehai (SP10), Yinlingquan (SP9), and Sanyinjiao (SP6) for 2 minutes each. Switch to prone position: Bring both hands together, use the fingertip pads of all five fingers to repeatedly massage both Shenshu (BL23) and BaLiao (BL31–BL34) points until a sensation of warmth penetrates deeply. Then adopt a sitting posture and massage both flanks with both palms for 3 minutes to complete the treatment.