Acupuncture for Menopause

What is Menopause?

Menopause is the period in a woman’s life after menstruation, when she is no longer fertile. As with the start of puberty, menopause brings about many changes in a woman’s body as hormones fluctuate and ovarian follicles become less active, creating different symptoms that are oftentimes uncomfortable. These changes come about around the age 45-55, and generally begin around 4 years before the last period. Menopause officially starts after one consecutive year without menstruating, and symptoms can last for around 4 years. Common symptoms include hot flashes, night sweats, weight gain, insomnia, vaginal dryness, reduced libido, painful intercourse, hair loss, hair growth in new places like the face, neck, chest, or upper back, depression, anxiety, sore or tender breasts, and many others. These symptoms vary from woman to woman, and also vary in severity as well.

While hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a common treatment for menopause symptoms, acupuncture is another viable option for women who can’t, or don’t want to, use HRT. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), menopause is a time when women become Yin deficient, meaning the cooling, moistening, and calming aspects of their physiology are weakening. To treat this, TCM aims to nourish Yin/blood, move stagnant liver Qi, clear heat, calm the spirit/mind, and harmonize Yin and Yang. Menopause can cause stagnation, which leads to heat and Yin deficiency. Acupuncture helps move stagnation, offering relief from many symptoms.

Common Symptoms and Treatment

• Hot flashes/night sweats: Hot flashes are thought to be a result of hormonal changes and changes in the hypothalamus, which regulates temperature. Studies show that acupuncture affects hormones related to menopause and sleep, such as estrogen and melatonin. One study found that acupuncture decreased the secretion of calcitonin gene-related peptide, a vasodilating neuropeptide that has been shown to affect hot flashes. Acupuncture helps your body function better, and can help bring your body back to homeostasis in times of transition, like menopause. Menopause can cause a Yin imbalance, leading to excess stagnant heat in the body. Acupuncture can move that stagnant heat, offering relief.

• Pain: By placing needles at pressure points throughout the body, the central nervous system is stimulated to release pain - relieving chemicals like endorphins. The chemicals can help to alleviate aches and pains associated with menopause.

• Mood swings/ Anxiety: Menopause can cause mood swings because of hormonal changes or imbalances that occur at this time of transition. Acupuncture balances Qi, minimizes the frequency and intensity of mood swings, and increases endorphin, dopamine, and norepinephrine levels, creating a positive mood. Researchers found that acupuncture alters neurotransmitters in the brain, alleviating conditions like anxiety and nervousness. Acupuncture can relax your body and relax your mind as well.

• Insomnia and Fatigue: Insomnia and fatigue associated with menopause can be caused by fluctuating hormone levels and sleep disturbances, like hot flashes or pain. Acupuncture increases blood flow and lowers blood pressure in your body, reducing fatigue-inducing stress, balances the nervous system, and releases nocturnal chemicals like melatonin, which aids in better sleep.

• Vaginal dryness: The hormonal imbalances caused by menopause can reduce the natural lubricant created by the vagina, leading to dryness or pain during sex. Estrogen is responsible for creating these lubricants, and with estrogen levels decreasing during menopause, vaginal fluid production decreases as well. Menopause causes a Yin deficiency, which is the moistening energy in the body. Acupuncture can bring the body back into harmony by balancing Yin depletion with Yang energy, restoring natural vaginal lubrication production.

Acupuncture is a safe, non-invasive, natural way to bring your body back into balance during times of transition and fluctuation, like menopause. By releasing various hormones like endorphins, dopamine, increasing blood flow, releasing stagnant heat, boosting melatonin production, and altering neurotransmitters in the brain to reduce feelings of anxiety, acupuncture can help treat many symptoms caused by menopause, and can offer great relief.

Schedule your next acupuncture session here!

Resources

“Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs for Menopause”. Retrieved from https://lotusleafacupuncture.com/tag/vaginal-dryness/.

“Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine for Insomnia”/ Retrieved from https://www.morningsideacupuncturenyc.com/blog/acupuncture-and-chinese-medicine-for-insomnia.

“Acupuncture, as Practiced in Clinical Settings, May Significantly Improve Menopause-related Symptoms”. Retrieved from https://www.nccih.nih.gov/research/research-results/acupuncture-as-practiced-in-clinical-settings-may-significantly-improve-menopauserelated-symptoms.

“Acupuncture for Menopause: How This Alternative Therapy Brought Me Relief”. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/menopause/acupuncture-for-menopause-how-this-alternative-therapy-brought-me-relief#Acupuncture-benefits-for-menopause.

“Acupuncture Increases Nocturnal Melatonin Secretion and Reduces Insomnia and Anxiety: A Preliminary Report”. Retrieved from https://neuro.psychiatryonline.org/doi/full/10.1176/jnp.16.1.19.

“Acupuncture may ease troublesome menopausal symptoms”. Retrieved from https://www.bmj.com/company/newsroom/acupuncture-may-ease-troublesome-menopausal-symptoms/.

“Acupuncture Treatments for Hot Flashes and Night Sweats”. Retrieved from https://www.redpandaacupuncture.com/single-post/2018/03/08/acupuncture-treatments-for-hot-flashes-and-night-sweats.

“Let's Talk About Vaginal Dryness”. Retrieved from http://www.sweetbeetacupuncture.com/blog/2017/12/11/vaginal-dryness.

“Perimenopause: 5 Ways Acupuncture Can Help”. Retrieved from https://encircleacupuncture.com/perimenopause-5-ways-acupuncture-can-help/#:~:text=Studies%20have%20shown%20that%20acupuncture,energy%20levels%20during%20the%20day.

“Treatment of Mood Swings With Acupuncture”. Retrieved from https://www.amcollege.edu/blog/treatment-of-mood-swings-with-acupuncture#:~:text=Balancing%20the%20energetic%20qi%20flow,recommended%20by%20your%20acupuncture%20physician.

Massage: More Than Just a Luxury Service

Massage therapy is often thought of as just a luxurious day at the spa, a day of relaxation and peace that alleviates all your stress. While that is true, regular massages offer so many benefits beyond just relaxation that promote overall wellness and health. Dr. Mark Hyman Rapaport, MD, the Chief of Psychiatric Services at Emory Healthcare, has led multiple studies focusing on the effects of massage, and has found that positive effects can be felt after just a 20 minute session. Other studies have shown that massage therapy can help boost the immune system by increasing how active the body’s killer-t cells are, which help fight off viruses and cancer cells.While the regularity of your treatments depends on your condition, weekly to bi-weekly massages are encouraged.

It is important to adjust treatment to reflect the change in external factors, especially in the winter when our bodies' defenses against colds, viruses, stress, anxiety, joint pain, low energy, and emotional upset are lowered. Due to the cold temperatures and long nights, physical activity is less appealing, causing decreased energy due to the lack of circulation. A massage can help make up for this by circulating blood, boosting energy, relieving stress, as well as other positive effects.

These positive effects include:

• Anxiety relief

• Aids in better sleep

• Balances immune responses

• Boosts focus

• Heals injuries

• Strengthens the immune system

• Cold and flu preventative

• Slows the nervous system

• Decreases heart rate

• Lowers blood pressure

• Changes EEG patterns

• Increases lymph flow

• Improves mood

• Increases energy

Types of Massage

Susan Arenkill, our Certified Massage Therapist and Reiki Master, offers the following massage services, with half hour sessions starting at $50. She can incorporate energy work into her massages, like Reiki, a form of energy healing centering around life force that promotes healing, or chakra balancing, which is the technique of channeling or clearing energy in the 7 chakras, or energy centers, located along the spine.

Swedish: This type of massage is all about promoting relaxation by releasing muscle tension. This technique is done with gentle pressure, and is beneficial for people who hold tension in their neck, shoulders, and lower back. Daily activities like sitting in a chair or working at a computer can cause tension in these areas, but Swedish massage is not limited to just the neck, shoulders, and back. This type of massage is best if you are primarily looking for relaxation and muscle tension relief from stress.

Orthopedic: This type of massage breaks down pain cycles, re-educates muscles, and increases range of motion after an injury or stress. It is beneficial to those healing from an injury, and focuses on the muscles and soft tissues surrounding joints. Soft tissue injuries like sprains, pulled muscles or torn ligaments, carpal-tunnel syndrome, frozen, shoulder, tennis elbow, tendinitis, sciatica, and bulging discs are all conditions this type of massage treats. Techniques like soft tissue manipulation, muscle compression, muscle contraction, and gentle pressure work to pinpoint areas of pain and promote circulation to those areas.

Reiki: Reiki is a Japanese practice that treats the whole person- mind, body, and spirit, promoting feelings of relaxation, well-being, security, and peace. This practice is based on the idea that life force energy, or Qi, flows through our bodies and is what creates life. If qi energy is low, then illness and disease are more likely to occur, whereas if it is high, health and happiness are abundant. Reiki is performed by placing the hands or palms lightly on the body or hovering above it to move energy along the seven chakras of the body.

Chakra Balancing: Chakras are the seven main energy centers in the body that receive, transmit, and assimilate life force energy, or qi. They are aligned vertically, starting at the top of the head down to the feet. Each chakra is associated with a color, a function, consciousness, organs, ailments, elements, and more. Chakras are connected to each other by meridians, or energy pathways. If a certain chakra is blocked, that means the flow of energy is blocked, causing numerous ailments associated with the particular chakra. If the chakras are open and balanced, qi is free to flow through the whole body, aiding in wellness. Common techniques for balancing chakras include crystals, reiki, sound and color therapy, meditation, yoga and other exercises, and breathing techniques.

Cranial Sacral: Also known as craniosacral therapy, this gentle technique uses a light touch to feel membranes and the movement of fluids in and around the central nervous system. Tension relief in the central nervous system promotes feelings of well-being, eliminates pain, and boosts the immune system. This technique can provide a deep inner balance, relieves stress, body tension and fatigue, relief from headaches and mental fatigue, neck pain, as well as relief from the side effects of cancer treatments.

Prenatal: This massage utilizes techniques from Swedish massage, with modified positions and pressure to ensure ultimate comfort for the expecting mother. The benefits of this massage include reduced swelling, lessens lower back pain, improves sleep, prepares your body for labor and birth, relaxes your body, and relieves pain naturally.

Massage therapy goes beyond luxury; it is a form of self care, of checking in with yourself to assess where you need extra help in your health. Stress relief and relaxation are essential to overall wellness, and have benefits that can keep you healthy year around, but especially in the winter when your body has to work harder. 20 minutes a day can lower your blood pressure, boost your immune system, promote better sleep, relieve anxiety, and circulate your blood for pain relief. Massage therapy is a medical treatment that can connect the body and soul for well rounded wellness and better health.

References

Cruz, Amber. “Reiki: Explaining the Benefits of This TCM Healing Modality”. Retrieved from https://www.eacuwell.com/blog/what-is-reiki.

Gregory, Brielle. “6 Healthy Ways Getting a Massage Benefits Your Entire Body:” Retrieved from https://www.prevention.com/health/g26305736/massage-therapy-benefits/.

“5 Awesome Benefits of Prenatal Massage”. Retrieved from https://celebratebirth.info/2019/08/prenatal-massage-benefits/#:~:text=A%20prenatal%20massage%20is%20a,for%20both%20mother%20and%20baby.

“25 Reasons to Get a Massage”. Retrieved from https://www.amtamassage.org/find-massage-therapist/25-reasons-to-get-a-massage/.

“Chakra Balancing Treatment”. Retrieved from https://atouchofbeauty.com.au/blog/article2/chakra-balancing-treatment/#:~:text=Chakra%20Balancing%20is%20a%20form,extends%20beyond%20our%20physical%20wellbeing. https://pressmodernmassage.com/blogs/going-deep/how-often-should-i-get-a-massage#:~:text=A%20general%20recommendation%20is%20every,the%20end%20of%20the%20pregnancy.

“Craniosacral Therapy”. Retrieved from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/17677-craniosacral-therapy.

“Reiki & Qi In Traditional Chinese Medicine”. Retrieved from https://www.thereikirefuge.com/2017/11/reiki-qi-in-traditional-chinese-medicine/.

“Top 5 Health Benefits of Regular Massage Therapy”. Retrieved from https://www.nuhs.edu/patients/health-information/articles/top-5-health-benefits-of-regular-massage-therapy/.

“What’s the Difference Between Swedish Massage and Deep Tissue Massage?” Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/swedish-massage-vs-deep-tissue#3.

“What is Orthopedic Massage”. Retrieved from https://www.benevidawellness.com/what-is-orthopedic-massage/.

“What is Reiki?”. Retrieved from https://www.reiki.org/faqs/what-reiki.

How Stress Affects Your Body (+ Mind)

Modern life is fast-paced, busy, rushed, and full of activity. Although we might not realize how stress is affecting our health, it has certainly become a habitual part of our lives.

The last year and a half has brought a lot of uncertainty, grief, and anxiety— just to name a few. There is a lot going on across the world, and we have a lot that we’re carrying on our shoulders. It’s difficult to even begin to comprehend what we are living through. Most of us are wondering — is it safe for me to go back into the office? How will I manage my time when life goes back to “normal”? When even will things go back to “normal”? How do I support my family? What are my boundaries and how are they getting crossed? What am I willing to tolerate for my mental health?

Combine living through a pandemic with living in the Information Age, you’ve got a recipe for exacerbated stress and worry. Stress symptoms can go unrecognized for quite some time, and you could be thinking illness is to blame. Restlessness, obsessive thinking, insomnia, weakened immune system, heart problems, poor eating habits, digestive issues, low libido, acne, depression, anxiety, and lack of productivity are all common signs of stress taking a toll on your system.

Parasympathetic vs sympathetic nervous systems

Activating your parasympathetic nervous system will help manage stress responses, fear, obsessive thinking, rapid heartbeat, or shallow breathing. The parasympathetic system regulates “rest and digest” functions and aims to bring the body to a state of calm. Think: how you feel when you spend time in nature, meditate, or play with animals. Your parasympathetic system helps conserve energy by slowing the heart rate and regulating bodily functions like digestion.

The sympathetic system controls “fight-or-flight” responses and prepares the body’s response to danger or stress-related activities, whether it’s good or bad stress. Think: stimulating the adrenal glands and getting a burst of energy to respond to that perceived danger. Both systems are part of your autonomic nervous system and have complementary functions that operate in tandem to help maintain homeostasis in the body.

What are you not digesting?

We take a lot in from the outside world. Long-term feelings of stress, worry, anxiety, restlessness, and racing thoughts impact the liver, spleen, and stomach causing increased acidity and inflammation in these organs. Stress causes clenching in the abdomen, which can then transfer to the stomach leading to acid and food being pressed upwards (rather than downwards)... commonly known as acid reflux.

Go play + get outdoors

Calm your sympathetic system by turning fear and stressful thoughts into joy and something fun. Watch a funny video or show. Play with your pet or with children. Ride your bike. Go for a 10-minute walk outdoors. Spend time with a friend who makes you laugh. Get out of your head and outside of your self.

Find your center

If you're feeling overwhelmed and your breath is shallow, pull inward to come back home to yourself. Practice taking long, deep breaths. This signals your parasympathetic system to reset and to calm the body down.

When we get out of our own way and out of our habitual behaviors, we create a space that is more self-reflective and at ease. The more self-reflective we are, the easier it is to find our center and be able to recognize when we’re uncomfortable. Deep healing can begin once your consciousness shifts to be more relaxed and open.

Go inward to go outward.

Contemplate

• What experiences have I not been able to digest?

• What am I holding on to that doesn't serve me anymore?

• When have I been obsessed with worry?

• What thoughts don't benefit me?

• How do I self-medicate for stress?

• What brings me back to my center?

• When have I felt gratitude for what I learned from an unpleasant experience?