Women's health · Menstrual health
Does this sound familiar?
The TCM view
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the menstrual cycle is read in phases, and details like timing, flow, color, clotting, pain quality and how you feel before and after your period all help define a pattern. Treatment is adjusted to where you are in your cycle.
The medical view
Biomedically, period pain is often driven by prostaglandin-mediated uterine contractions, and cycle irregularity can reflect anything from stress and sleep to thyroid conditions or PCOS. Dr. Kristina will ask about your medical workup and encourage evaluation when symptoms warrant it — acupuncture is used alongside, not instead of, that care.
Your care at Seven Medicine
How long care usually takes
Because the cycle is monthly, change is usually assessed over several cycles rather than several days. Many plans are built around roughly three cycles of consistent care, then reassessed — your timeline may differ.
01
Treatment focus shifts across the follicular, ovulatory and luteal phases and around menstruation. Tracking your cycle helps us time visits well.
02
Two people with painful periods can have very different patterns. Your plan reflects your specific presentation — not a generic protocol.
03
Food therapy, sleep, movement and stress strategies matched to your pattern, reviewed at follow-up visits.
04
Chinese herbal formulas may be recommended after a review of your medications.
Research
Reviewed October 2026. Research describes groups of people, not guarantees for any individual. Explore the research →
A 2016 Cochrane review of 42 trials found lower pain scores with acupuncture than with no treatment or NSAIDs in several studies, but results versus sham were inconsistent and overall quality was low. The reviewers concluded there isn't enough evidence to say whether acupuncture or acupressure work for period pain.
Patient experiences
Individual experiences vary. Testimonials reflect personal experiences, not typical or guaranteed results.
Meet your practitioner
DAcCHM, M.CM, L.Ac., Dipl. Ac.
Dr. Kristina completed her Doctorate in Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine as valedictorian, summa cum laude, after earning master’s degrees in both acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine. Her clinical training spans hospital and rehabilitation settings in Minnesota and clinical study in Zhengzhou, China.
She explains your care in both TCM and familiar medical terms, so you understand what she’s seeing, why she recommends what she does, and how you’ll know if it’s working.
Dr. Kristina holds a clinical doctorate in acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. She is a licensed acupuncturist, not a medical physician (MD/DO), and works alongside — not in place of — your medical team.
FAQ
It varies. Some people notice changes in the first cycle; for others it takes longer. We generally evaluate progress over two to three cycles, using your symptom tracking and clinical findings.
If you have very heavy bleeding, bleeding between periods, new severe pain, or periods that have stopped, please see your physician for evaluation. Acupuncture can be part of your plan once serious causes have been considered.
Yes. Many patients receive acupuncture while using hormonal contraception, and some come in when they're transitioning off it.
It helps. Bring whatever you have — an app, notes or your best recollection. Tracking gives both of us better information over time.
Still have questions?
or call(507) 258-7771
