Menopause -- a natural part of a woman’s life cycle

For most women, menopause starts at around the age of 50, but every female will experience a different time line. Perimenopause is the process of change leading up to menopause and can start in some woman as early as their 30’s, and this period can last from 2 – 8 years. During this time a woman may experience irregular periods and other symptoms as well. What causes menopause is the change in reproductive hormones due to the decreasing rate of ovulation.

Menopause and Acupuncture

According to Chinese Medical theory, menopause occurs when a woman's body begins to preserve blood and energy in order to sustain her vitality and allow for the maximum available nourishment for her body, especially her kidneys. Thus, in the Chinese Medicine, menopause is seen as true change in life from mother to enlightened and wise being.

The mental and emotional symptoms that a woman experiences will help create a clear picture on which practitioners can create a specific treatment plan. The basic foundation for Oriental Medicine is that there is a life energy flowing through the body which is termed “Qi” (pronounced chee).

Remedies for Menopause from Acupuncture

Acupuncture and herbs can alleviate many menopausal symptoms by rebalancing the hormonal system, especially headaches and migraines, hot flushing (hot flashes), heavy flooding periods, back pain and sagging skin tone. Heavy and erratic menstrual bleeding in premenopausal women can be relieved by this technique. This also relieves the pain and headache associated with menstruation.

Proven Results for Relief from Menopause with Acupuncture

A Swedish study of twenty-one women with menopausal hot flashes found that acupuncture significantly reduced symptoms; with its effects lasting at least three months after treatment had ended. Acupuncture may be used alone or in combination with herbs and other remedies. Some alternative practitioners suggest that acupuncture affects aspects of the nervous system that give rise to hot flashes.

Call Jeff Faudem, licensed acupuncturist at Healing Arts Medical Center to discuss how you can obtain relief from menopause with acupuncture.