Menopausal Symptoms
In China and many East Asian countries, menopause is viewed very much as a normal life transition, with many women making dietary changes and having acupuncture treatment as part of their daily lives.
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is rooted in the theory of yin and yang, the idea that all things are composed of two opposite forces. When those forces are in balance, says TCM, the body is healthy. The menopause is a time where yin naturally becomes depleted. The TCM approach to holistically treating perimenopause/menopause usually involves tonifying the Kidneys and regulating the Liver.
The traditional acupuncturist will take a look at your diet, lifestyle and emotional health. Working long hours, poor diet and high stress levels are recognised to upset the body’s natural equilibrium. The skill of the acupuncturist lies in identifying the root of the problem and selecting the most effective treatment. The choice of acupuncture points is unique to each patient’s needs.
Do any of the following symptoms sound familiar?
hot flushes
heavy sweating
mood swings, iritability and emotional vulnerability
sleep disturbance and insomnia
fatigue
skin and hair problems
‘fuzzy’ brain
joint pain
vaginal dryness and reduced sex drive
How does acupuncture help?
From a bio medical viewpoint, acupuncture is believed to stimulate the nervous system, influencing the production of hormones and neurotransmitters. The resulting bio-chemical changes stimulate the body’s natural healing abilities promoting physical and emotional wellbeing. There has been lots of research on the effectiveness of acupuncture for menopause. One study published in the British Medical journal states that a brief course of acupuncture may help ease menopausal symptoms.
Among women dealing with moderate to severe symptoms acupuncture was associated with reductions in hot flushes, excess sweating, mood swings, sleep disturbances and hair problems. The findings prompt the researchers to conclude that acupuncture offers a “realistic “treatment option for women who can’t, or don’t want to use hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
If you feel that acupuncture could help you to manage your stress and anxiety then please get in touch.