Acupuncture and Menopause: Navigating the Transition
Change is hard, and “the Change” is no exception. In fact, menopause doesn’t just cause one change but multiple ones, and many women struggle with various symptoms as a result. Finding relief from the symptoms can be challenging, but you do have options–including acupuncture for menopause.
Acupuncture has a long history in Chinese medicine. In recent years, Western medicine has become more aware of its benefits, especially when managing pain. Now, studies show that acupuncture may help address certain symptoms associated with menopause, including the dreaded hot flashes.
At Jennifer Scherbauer DC ND LLC, our approach to treatment includes acupuncture alongside other whole-person techniques, such as chiropractic care and massage therapy. If you’re looking to navigate the change the all-natural way, acupuncture for menopause might be the right choice for you. Keep reading to learn more!
Understanding Menopause and Its Symptoms
So, what is menopause, exactly? As a medical term, it refers to the point when a woman has gone 12 months without a period. However, it’s become a catchall term for the period of transition leading up to that point, officially known as perimenopause or the menopausal transition.
During that transition, your body goes through numerous changes, many of which will continue even once you hit the menopause marker. The source of these changes has to do with shifts in how your body produces estrogen and progesterone, and everyone experiences different symptoms. Common ones include the following:
- Hot flashes
- Night sweats
- Insomnia and other sleep issues
- Joint pain
- Mood changes (such as increased anxiety)
- Decreased bone density and muscle mass
Why You Should Try Acupuncture for Managing Menopause Symptoms
Deciding how to address your menopausal symptoms is a personal choice. Some women opt for hormonal therapy, although this can have side effects. Others make lifestyle changes, like exercising more regularly. And some lucky women experience relatively few symptoms!
Acupuncture is an overlooked option for managing certain aspects of menopause. But if you’re struggling with the following symptoms, it might help you:
- Joint pain
- Hot flashes
- Sleep disturbances
- Mood swings
What to Expect During Your Acupuncture Appointments
A typical acupuncture for menopause session at Jennifer Scherbauer DC ND LLC takes around 30-60 minutes. At your initial appointment, we’ll spend some time talking with you to learn more about your exact symptoms and concerns. This helps guide your overall treatment plan, including how many sessions you’ll need.
During treatment, the acupuncturist will insert thin, sterile needles into various locations on your body. The number of needles and their location will vary based on your treatment plan. If you need to remove any clothing for the treatment, we’ll provide you with a towel or gown to cover yourself.
We typically leave the needles inserted for 10-20 minutes. All you need to do during this period is relax! Also, most people report that they experience little to no discomfort during insertion or while the needles are in place.
Struggling with Menopause Symptoms? Try Acupuncture Today!
Acupuncture offers a drug-free approach to managing “the Change.” It’s most effective when blended with other all-natural treatment techniques, like exercising and eating a healthy diet–something the team at Jennifer Scherbauer DC ND LLC can also help with.
Sources:
https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/9/1/e023637 https://academic.oup.com/jnci/article/111/12/1323/5426666 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7491766/