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According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory, premenstrual tension (PMT) also known as premenstrual syndrome (PMS) in the time leading up to your menstrual cycle may be caused by stagnation of Qi. Here are some tips to move your Qi and prevent mood swings, irritability, breast distension and bloating:

• Exercise: anything you enjoy – yoga, Pilates, qi gong, swimming, running – to move your Qi and clear stagnation.

• A balanced diet: avoid caffeine, alcohol and sugary foods which may cause peaks and troughs, exacerbating mood swings and irritability. Limit salt intake to prevent bloating. Eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables and ‘pungent’ foods such as basil, coriander and peppermint. Ensure portion sizes are not too big and chew your food thoroughly!

• Complementary therapies such as massage, reflexology or acupuncture: If you feel like the tips above are not working you may need a helping hand. Massage works in a similar way to exercise, moving Qi when it may be stuck. Tell your practitioner if you have any pain. Abdominal massage may be particularly beneficial at this time. Reflexology and acupuncture work on the meridians of the body to move Qi.
• Remember that PMT is not always caused by Qi stagnation. If you feel like the above tips are not helpful or make you feel worse, seek the advice of a TCM practitioner.

Want to find out more? Contact Sunny. Clinics in St Neots and Letchworth.