When Symptoms Start Running the Show
As spring begins, many people feel the pressure to get back into full momentum. In clinic, though, we often see something else: the body is still catching up. Energy feels uneven, the nervous system is more sensitive, and existing symptoms can suddenly feel louder.
At Escapada, we work with that - not against it.
This article gives you a look at how we support the body as a whole, using an Endometriosis case from our clinic. And even if Endometriosis is not your main concern, this may still feel familiar if you are dealing with PMS, cycle-related symptoms, stress, fatigue, digestive discomfort, or persistent tension.
Leonie’s story
May we introduce …
Leonie is 37 (name changed for privacy reasons), successful in her career, full of ideas - and for years, her cycle had quietly dictated her life
Every month, the same fear: When will the pain start? How bad will it be this time?
She rescheduled appointments, hid a hot water bottle at work, and kept functioning while her lower abdomen burned and every movement hurt.
When she first came to Escapada, there was more than pain. There was exhaustion, frustration, and the feeling of being let down by her own body.
Her diagnosis was Endometriosis.
Whats far more interesting for us is, that from a Chinese Medicine perspective, her body also showed a pattern of cold, stagnation, and reduced circulation - and that became the starting point for treatment.
A brief medical + Chinese Medicine perspective
From a western medical perspective, Endometriosis is a chronic condition in which tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus. It can cause severe pain, fatigue, digestive symptoms, and ongoing cycle-related inflammation. An estimated 10–15% of women of reproductive age are affected by endometriosis worldwide.
At Escapada, we work alongside medical care - not as a replacement, but as a complementary approach. In Chinese Medicine, we do not treat “Endometriosis” as one fixed diagnosis. We look at the pattern behind the symptoms. This pattern-based view is one reason TCM treatments can be individualised.
Leonie’s assessment (pulse, tongue, palpation, and case history) showed a clear picture of obstructed flow.
Main TCM patterns
Cold in the Lower Burner → slows circulation and increases pain
Blood stagnation → fixed, stabbing pain and menstrual clots
Phlegm / Damp accumulation → palpable tension, heaviness, and digestive discomfort
From a TCM perspective, cold and phlegm were blocking the circulation of Qi and blood - which in turn intensified pain.
What we did
Our goal was to warm, move, and regulate:
- improve pelvic circulation
- reduce stagnation
- ease pain
- support her system over time
The Escapada Method applied
Leonie’s case reflects the four pillars we work with at Escapada - and also how we support patients through a personalised health plan, not just single treatments.
Because lasting change usually needs more than a one-off session, we usually work in a series of treatments / package-based plan, combining in-clinic care with practical recommendations for everyday life. This allows us to help the patient with symptoms and support the bigger picture at the same time: circulation, regulation, recovery, and resilience.
1) Integrative treatment
In Leonie’s case, acupuncture was the central treatment method, supported by deep heat therapy with infrared light and a cycle-aware treatment plan tailored to her symptoms and constitution.
Acupuncture (1-2 x weekly for 6 weeks): to support circulation, reduce stagnation in the lower abdomen, regulate her cycle, and relieve pain
Deep heat support (infrared therapy): to warm the lower abdomen, improve microcirculation, and reduce cramping
Depending on the person, integrative treatment may also include Chinese herbal support and other Chinese Medicine techniques.
2) Nourishing nutrition
We guided Leonie toward warm, regular meals that were easier to digest and more supportive for her system. The goal was not perfection, but a realistic rhythm that reduced strain, supported energy, and complemented her treatment.
Her nutrition support focused especially on reducing foods that aggravated cold / damp patterns in her case, while strengthening warmth, digestion, and recovery through simple, everyday choices.
3) Mindful movement
We encouraged gentle, cycle-aware movement to support flow and circulation without overloading her system. The focus was on movement that felt supportive and sustainable, rather than pushing through pain or fatigue.
4) Practical self-care support
We worked with simple, realistic routines that supported nervous system regulation, rest, and recovery between treatments. This helped Leonie create more steadiness in daily life and gave her tools she could continue using beyond the treatment room.
Across all four pillars, the intention was the same: reduce overload, improve circulation, and support the body’s ability to regulate.
You May wonder, What changed?
Within six weeks, Leonie reported:
noticeably less cramping pain with her last period
a lighter menstrual flow with fewer clots
more warmth in the lower abdomen
more stable energy across her cycle
After three months, she said something had shifted in a deeper way: she no longer felt constantly controlled by pain. Today, she is a healthy women who looks after herself well and only comes in when she feels like she’s losing her balance and symptoms such as PMS start to show.
Not every Endometriosis case progresses in the same way. But Leonie’s story is a strong example of what can become possible when care is consistent, individualised, and whole-body focused.
Why this matters beyond Endometriosis
Even if Endometriosis is not your diagnosis, you may still recognise parts of this pattern: pain, fatigue, tension, PMS, digestive symptoms, or a nervous system that struggles to settle.
That’s why we wanted to share this case.
Because for many people, the real question is not only “How do I get rid of this symptom?” but: “How can I support my body in a way that makes change possible?”
That is the heart of our work at Escapada.
A gentle spring reminder from us to you
You do not need to force momentum this season.
You are allowed to move toward more balance - with more calm in the body, more clarity in the mind, and support that works with your system instead of against it.
If you see yourself in parts of this - whether through Endometriosis, PMS, cycle-related symptoms, fatigue, or stress - you don’t have to figure it all out on your own.
At Escapada, we support you with a whole-body approach that is individualised, grounded, and designed to work with your life.
Come and see us at our clinics!
