Acupuncture and Menopause:-

 Creating Physical and Emotional Health with Acupuncture

With its close understanding of the female body, Acupuncture has always addressed the special needs of women throughout their lives. Menopause, in particular, is an area in which Acupuncture Therapy shines. Acupuncture Therapy have the ability to detect energetic changes that occur in the body and quickly relieve uncomfortable symptoms that accompany the onset of menopause.

What is Menopause?

Menopause is a transitional period marking the cessation of ovulation in a woman’s body. Most women stop menstruating between the ages of 48 and 52, but symptoms can begin as early as 35. Symptoms vary from mild to severe, and are brought on as our bodies try to adapt to decreasing amounts of estrogen. Symptoms include hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, fatigue, mood swings, memory loss, vaginal dryness, headaches, joint pain, and weight gain.

From an Eastern Perspective

According to Acupuncture Therapy, menopause occurs when a woman’s body begins to preserve blood and energy in order to sustain her. The kidney is the organ system in Acupuncture Therapy that is viewed as the root of reproduction, vitality and longevity. Menopause signifies the depletion of the fertility essence stored within the kidneys. Blood and essence from the kidneys are conserved and cycled through the body to nourish the woman’s spirit and extend her longevity. Thus, in Acupuncture Therapy, menopause is seen as true change in life from mother to enlightened and wise being.

Treating Menopause with Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine

Few areas of women’s health stir up as much confusion and debate as Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), which is normally started when the first symptoms of menopause appear. While HRT may alleviate hot flashes and prevent osteoporosis, they may also increase the risk of breast, ovarian and uterine cancer, and have a number of significant side-effects. But HRT isn’t the only solution, Acupuncture Therapy has long recognized that health and vitality can be sustained over a woman’s lifetime by restoring balance within the body and supporting the natural production of essential hormones.

Acupuncture Points for Menopause
    
While many different acupuncture points are used, depending on your specific symptoms and the state of your overall health . Acupuncture Points helps in  strengthening  the spleen, resolves damp, promotes the smooth flow of Qi, strengthens the kidneys, nourishes blood and yin, benefits urination, regulates uterus and menstruation, moves and cools blood, relieves pain and calms the mind .Acupuncture point helps clear the spirit and rebalances the yin and yang elements of the body.

Study on Acupuncture for Hot Flashes
    
Acupuncture Therapy reduces nighttime hot flashes caused by menopause, according to a study published in the journal, Fertility and Sterility.

Researchers found that seven weeks of acupuncture treatment reduced the severity of nighttime hot flashes by twenty-eight percent among menopausal women compared with a six percent decrease among women who had a sham acupuncture treatment.

The effects of acupuncture vs. a sham acupuncture treatment on the severity and frequency of nighttime hot flashes were compared. Taking part in the study were twenty-nine menopausal women experiencing at least seven moderate to severe hot flashes per day.

All of the women underwent nine treatments from trained acupuncturists in sessions over seven weeks. Twelve of the women received real acupuncture using points selected to target hot flashes and sleepiness. The rest of the women received a sham acupuncture treatment using non-penetrating needles at random acupuncture channel points.

Throughout the study, the women reported the number and severity of their hot flashes. The results showed that nighttime hot flash severity decreased significantly (twenty-eight percent) among the women who received acupuncture vs. a six percent drop among the women who got the sham treatment. However, they did not see a similar finding in the frequency of nighttime hot flashes between the two groups.

Researchers and  their colleagues say the results suggest acupuncture deserves further study as an alternative treatment for menopausal hot flashes.

With support from Acupuncture Therapy, menopause can be a time of a revival of vital energy and an opportunity for personal growth. Acupuncture Therapy eliminates stress, tension and anxiety or learn techniques to cope with stress so that you can diminish the effects that it has on your body and mind.

Please call with any questions or to schedule a consultation.