Empowering Women’s Health: Dr. Krystal Couture’s Chinese Medicine Wisdom on A League of Our Own
On “A League of Our Own,” host Ashley Blum sat down with Dr. Krystal Couture to explore how Chinese medicine and acupuncture support women at every turn of life’s great cycle. Here’s a closer look at their conversation—and why these time‑honored practices deserve a place in modern women’s health care.
Rediscovering an Ancient Healing Tradition
Chinese medicine stretches back more than three millennia, born long before blood tests and imaging scans. Dr. Couture reminds us that early practitioners relied on close observation, plant remedies and hands‑on techniques to restore balance. “Your body knows how to heal,” she says. “Our role is simply to listen, find the source of imbalance and give it what it needs to flourish.”
Unlike many Western treatments that target symptoms, Chinese medicine identifies the root disruptions in energy (Qi), blood and organ systems. By addressing that source, symptoms naturally ease—and the body’s innate wisdom takes over.
Menstruation: Cultivating Embodied Awareness
The debut of a woman’s cycle is a pivotal moment. Dr. Couture emphasizes education and curiosity: “Young women become true authorities of their health when they learn to track their patterns and honor what their bodies tell them.”
Rather than offering a one‑size‑fits‑all fix for cramps, PMS, PCOS or endometriosis, she tailors care to each individual’s blood quality, energy flow and organ imbalances. Tools may include:
Acupuncture points to move stagnant Qi and relieve pain
Moxibustion (warming mugwort at strategic points) to nourish and soothe
Herbal formulas for blood building or stagnation
Food therapy, like black sesame seeds and warming broths, to tonify and gently support
Fertility, Pregnancy & Postpartum: Building a Strong Foundation
In Chinese medicine, menstrual blood is hailed as Tiān Guī—the “heavenly waters” of life. Dr. Couture urges would‑be mothers to begin treatments before conception: “When you arrive for IVF or fertility planning with a robust foundation, you often see faster results and gentler pregnancies.”
During pregnancy, acupuncture and tailored herbs help regulate energy, ease nausea and calm the nervous system. Movement (gentle yoga or walking), nutrient‑dense foods and stress‑management practices ensure both mother and baby thrive.
After birth, women enter a critical “rest and restore” phase often called “sitting the month.” While a full 30–40‑day retreat isn’t realistic for most, Dr. Couture recommends:
Protected rest—limit visitors and heavy lifting.
Warming, nourishing meals—ginger‑infused broths, red dates, bone stocks.
Targeted acupuncture or cupping—to replenish depleted Qi and blood.
“This sacred pause replenishes what birth has given and taken,” she notes. “It’s the secret to smoother recovery and emotional balance.”
Mental Health: The Heart‑Spirit Connection
“Mind and body are inseparable,” Dr. Couture reminds us. Each acupuncture insertion sparks a neuro‑endocrine response, releasing endorphins, serotonin and GABA to stabilize mood. Regular treatments offer a powerful reset for stress, insomnia or low‑grade anxiety.
Postpartum depression, in Chinese terms, often stems from a “heart‑blood deficiency”—the heart (seen as the spirit’s dwelling) lacks enough blood to ground the mind. By combining blood‑tonifying herbs, gentle needling and food therapy, practitioners restore the heart’s “throne,” anchoring emotions and easing postpartum blues.
Menopause: Awakening the “Second Spring”
Far from an ending, menopause is celebrated in Chinese medicine as a “second spring,” a chance to redefine purpose and embrace new freedom. Starting around age 35, Dr. Couture encourages quarterly acupuncture and nourishing herbal formulas to soften the transition into perimenopause.
During hot flashes, mood swings or insomnia, she turns to:
Acupuncture points that cool excess heat and relax the mind
Yin‑tonic herbs (e.g., rehmannia, ophiopogon) to build foundational reserves
Mind‑body rituals like tea‑time meditation or gentle qi gong
By reframing menopause as renewal rather than decline, women move into their later decades with clarity, vitality and grace.
Bringing It All Together
Chinese medicine invites women to become active participants in their own health—tracking cycles, choosing nourishing foods, honoring rest and seeking supportive therapies. From first periods to the wisdom of the second spring, Dr. Couture’s message is clear: balance isn’t a luxury, it’s our birthright.
