Acupuncture for Menopause
How Can Acupuncture Help Ease Menopause Symptoms?
You might not think acupuncture has anything to do with menopause. But the acupuncture points that relate to female reproductive organs can help balance hormones through activating these acupuncture points during acupuncture treatments.
Acupuncture can help boost immunity as well as calm mood swings and sleep disturbances, which may increase a menopausal woman’s risk of developing other diseases like anxiety, insomnia, and depression.
In this blog, our world class acupuncturist in Gainesville, FL elaborates how acupuncture can improve your quality of life and relieve menopausal symptoms.
What is menopause?
Menopause is a natural event that signals the end of a woman’s reproductive life. It occurs around 50 years old, typically three to five years after the last menstrual cycle. Menopause literally means “pause in menstruation”.
The average age of menopause is 51. During perimenopause, or the years leading up to menopause, a woman’s periods become irregular and less frequent.
The following physical symptoms could accompany these changes:
- Hot flashes
- Night sweats
- Insomnia
- Mood swings
Other symptoms may be related to hormone imbalance like vaginal dryness, thinning of the vaginal walls due to lack of estrogen, an increased risk of urinary incontinence, and constipation.
What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a form of traditional Chinese medicine that can be used to prevent and treat diseases. It works by balancing the energy in the body, consequently relieving discomfort, pain, and other associated signs and symptoms. This is achieved by inserting thin needles into specific acupuncture points in the body, depending on the goal of treatment.
5 ways acupuncture can help menopausal women
Acupuncture’s benefits have been popular, especially for patients who suffer from chronic stress and pain. But the beneficial effects of this ancient Chinese therapy goes way beyond these. If you are in menopause, and have been experiencing discomforts, acupuncture can help you in the following ways:
Relieves psychological effects of menopause
Acupuncture can stimulate blood flow, both locally at the acupuncture point and throughout the whole body, which leads to an increase in energy (Qi). This stimulation of Qi will help relieve some symptoms of menopause, such as anxiety or insomnia, and increase your chances of getting a restful sleep at night.
Diminishes symptoms of hormone imbalance
What acupuncture does for women in menopause is relieving the symptoms of their hormone imbalance. There are several acupuncture points that relate to the female reproductive organs; acupuncture can help balance hormones by activating these acupuncture points during treatment sessions with an acupuncturist. In addition, a study has shown that rebalancing hormones can improve the quality of sleep in postmenopausal women.
Boosts immunity and improves mood
Acupuncture can also help boost immunity, calm mood swings, and limit sleep disturbances, which may put menopausal women at risk of other diseases like anxiety, insomnia and depression.
Helps with hot flashes
A hot flash is a feeling of intense warmth that quickly spreads across the body and face. It typically lasts for several minutes but can sometimes last up to an hour or more. Acupuncture helps with hot flashes by stimulating acupressure points located throughout the body. It also helps reduce their frequency and severity.
Helps ease the transition from perimenopause to menopause
Acupuncture may help you to have a smoother transition into menopause. A couple of sessions can alleviate symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, muscle tension, mood swings, and sleep disturbances caused by hormone imbalance during perimenopause and menopause stages.
What to expect during acupuncture treatment for menopause?
No two acupuncture treatments are the same, as the approach may differ based on the patient’s signs and symptoms. There are several acupuncture points used for menopause. These acupuncture points can be located by looking at the channels (meridians) of the body and matching them to the symptoms experienced by menopausal women.
Treatments include needle insertion and pressure being applied to specific points on the body. Each treatment may last around 1 hour and may be done weekly or biweekly depending on your symptoms and how they respond to the therapy.
Sometimes, treatments may also include herbal remedies or Chinese medicine prescribed based on your diagnosis.
Acupuncture is safe and effective as long as:
- It is performed by an experienced and qualified acupuncturist.
- The treatment plan is individualized to address the specific symptoms of the patient.
- Proper acupuncture technique is observed.
- Clean and sterilized needles are used.
Usually, acupuncture treatments for menopausal symptoms would last for an hour or more, depending on the acupoints involved.
Answers to common questions about acupuncture for menopause:
What are the benefits of acupuncture for menopause?
Acupuncture can help with psychological symptoms of menopause like anxiety, insomnia, hot flashes, night sweats, and other physical symptoms caused by hormone imbalance.
What acupuncture points will be stimulated to treat my symptoms?
Acupuncture points on the ears, kidneys, liver, gallbladder meridians (points on your skins) may be stimulated to balance your hormones.
Is acupuncture painful?
You’ll feel very little to no pain or a tingling sensation when the acupuncture needles are inserted.
In addition to acupuncture, what other treatments will I receive?
Our expert in Chinese medicine in Gainesville, FL may teach you stress management techniques and prescribe you soothing TCM herbs to further improve your symptoms.
How many sessions will I need?
Acupuncture can ease menopause symptoms, but the number of sessions differs from patient to patient and depends on severity. For lasting relief, acupuncture should be used alongside dietary changes and herbal treatments.
What is an acupuncture treatment plan like?
Acupuncture is usually given once every week for around 10 sessions, depending on your needs, until you experience significant improvement in your symptoms. The first session may last up to 1.5 hours, while subsequent appointments may take around 1 hour.
How does acupuncture for menopause work?
Acupuncture involves the insertion of thin acupuncture needles into specific points in your body to stimulate the nervous system. This creates a reaction that releases chemicals, consequently reducing pain, stress, and hormone-related symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats. The acupuncture points stimulated during treatment are those linked with female hormones.
Does acupuncture have adverse effects?
No, but you may have some short-term minor side effects such as fatigue, dizziness, or nausea while your body adjusts to the acupuncture treatment. These side effects are mild and usually disappear after you’ve had a few therapy sessions. However, if they persist for more than 1 week, please contact your acupuncturist immediately.
Should you get acupuncture for menopause?
Menopause is a difficult time for women. Some of the symptoms often experienced during this stage in life include hot flashes, night sweats, sleep problems, and mood swings that can negatively affect your mental health and immune system.
If you’re experiencing one or more of these unpleasant effects from hormone imbalance, acupuncture might be worth looking into. In fact, a study has shown that acupuncture is a safe, fast, and effective treatment option that alleviates moderate and severe symptoms of menopause without any side effects or risk for drug interactions.
How to choose an acupuncturist for menopause?
Ideally, you want to have an acupuncturist who is familiar with treating women during menopause, like Dr. Weiwei Guan. This ancient Chinese technique is a learned art, and not all acupuncture practitioners are familiar with acupuncture for menopause. It is important to ask questions regarding the treatments used by your acupuncturist, as well as their experience and qualification, before agreeing to proceed with treatment.
What to expect during your consultation with our acupuncturist?
During your consultation with our world class acupuncturist, Dr. Weiwei Guan, you will be interviewed about your medical history, lifestyle, and how your symptoms affect your daily life. She will use this information to create a custom treatment plan and determine what acupuncture and traditional Chinese treatment suits you best.
Where to get acupuncture treatment for menopause symptoms? – Guan Physical Therapy and Acupuncture Gainesville
If you are looking for an established acupuncture clinic that offers acupuncture to relieve symptoms of menopause, visit us at Guan Physical Therapy and Acupuncture Clinic.
For more than 130 years, our world-class acupuncture has eased aches and pains, promoted nerve recovery, rebalanced hormones, and helped menopausal women improve their quality of life.
We also offer:
- Acupuncture for back pain in Gainesville
- Acupuncture for knee pain in Gainesville
- Acupuncture for weight loss
- Acupuncture for constipation
- Physical therapy combined with acupuncture
- Chinese Herbal Medicine
And many more!
If you are interested in an appointment or have questions, contact us or give us a call at (352) 353-0288.
The material contained on this site is for informational purposes only and DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PROVIDING OF MEDICAL ADVICE, and is not intended to be a substitute for independent professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health.
World-Class Acupuncturist, Dr. Weiwei Guan
Dr. Weiwei Guan
Doctor of Physical Therapy from University of Florida
Nationally Board Certified Oriental Medicine Diplomat
Licensed Physical Therapist
Licensed Acupuncturist
5th Generation of China’s Leading Acupuncturist Family