World Menopause Day and Acupuncture

Acupuncture can help you with your peri- menopause and menopause journey to find your Second Spring, for healing and growth.

World Menopause Day is observed annually on October 18th. The purpose of the day is to raise awareness of menopause and the support options available to improve health and well-being.

Menopause can be life-altering

Menopause can be a profoundly life-altering experience for many women, and the range and severity of symptoms vary widely. The average age of 51 is a useful benchmark. Though menopause can begin earlier, perimenopause slowly showing signs. Or even earlier in cases of premature ovarian insufficiency.

How Acupuncture Helps During Menopause

Hot Flushes and Night Sweats are one of the most commonly reported symptoms during both perimenopause and menopause. Hot flushes can range from a feeling of heat rising with a little sweating to full-blown heat with profuse sweating. Night sweats can occur several times a night in more severe cases, which is very disruptive to sleep, meaning tiredness then becomes an issue as well.

Acupuncture aims to treat both of these symptoms by nourishing Yin and supporting the Heart (Fire) & Kidney (Water) connection. Water controls Fire, so if it is not strong enough, Fire can get out of control- hence hot flushes! Night sweats are seen as a sign of a lack of Yin. Research findings suggest that acupuncture can be very effective at reducing hot flushes and night sweats.

Evidence: Research suggests acupuncture can significantly reduce the frequency and intensity of hot flushes and night sweats.

Loss of sense of self/anxiety/depression. As well as all your hormones changing, many changes happen around menopause. Family changes, career changes, a desire to change the pace of life/move home, as well as a fear of change. So, along side Menopause can impact your sense of self, causing anxiety and even depression. Menopause can also cause brain fog, Anxiety, panic attacks, memory lapses, and difficulty concentrating.

Focus often shifts at this stage of life from surviving to a desire to connect to our purpose. Acupuncture focuses on re-establishing the connection to our authentic self. Balancing your hormones to find the way to move forward.

Effectiveness; Studies show improvement in mood and emotional well-being.

Poor sleep. Sleep can be affected by hot flushes, anxiety or the need to go to the toilet during the night. With your sleep habits and routine disrupting sleep and causing daytime fatigue and exhaustion, which can feel overwhelming.

Acupuncture views this change in sleep patterns as being caused by the effect of disharmony between the Kidneys and Heart and/or a need for Blood and Qi to be nourished to rebalance Yin and Yang.

Studies have shown that acupuncture is helpful in improving sleep quality

Acupuncture whilst on HRT. Many women who are on HRT often have acupuncture alongside their treatment.

Acupuncture helps with dealing with any side effects of the HRT (including spotting, sore breasts, nausea, depression, bloating and headaches). Helping with the effects of menopause. Rebalancing Yin & Yang and supporting overall organ health, energy balance and wellbeing.

Joint Pains are common during menopause and often overlooked. Acupuncture can be a valuable tool for managing joint pain during menopause. Offering a unique perspective on why this pain occurs and how acupuncture helps

Acupuncture helps improve joint pain in menopausal women. Reducing inflammation, improving blood flow, and balancing hormone levels.

Second Spring

In the Traditional Five Element Acupuncture, the concept of menopause is seen as the Second Spring. Offers a refreshing contrast to the often negative framing in Western cultures. Instead of viewing it as a loss, it’s seen as a rebirth, a time when a woman’s vital energy, your Qi, is redirected inward, allowing for personal growth, wisdom, and self-nourishment. Acupuncture Treatment can help you achieve this.

 Acupuncture Treatment

• Diagnosis: your acupuncturist will assess the flow of Qi (vital energy) through meridians (energy pathways). By taking a full medical and emotional history, asking detailed questions about sleep, digestion and menstrual history. To find your Guardian Element – for more information, see page – https://www.southwellacupuncture.co.uk/acupuncture-five-elements/
• Pulse taking: 6 pulses in each wrist relate to the meridians, which help assess your Qi balance
• Individualised Treatment: No two treatments are the same. The acupuncturist tailors the session to the patient’s unique constitution and imbalances. Your Guardian Element guides your acupuncturist in treatment and care.
• Needling: Fine needles are inserted at specific points to stimulate energy flow, restore balance, and promote healing.
• Moxibustion: can also be used, burning the herb Moxa on acupuncture points

Traditional Five Element Acupuncture Treatment 

Embrace Your Second Spring with Acupuncture

Menopause is not an ending; it is a new beginning. Your Second Spring, a time of renewal, growth, and self-nourishment.

At Southwell Acupuncture Clinic, I’m here to support you through this transition with gentle, holistic care. Acupuncture can help restore emotional and energetic balance, ease and guiding you toward a place of strength and wellbeing.

Treatment: I am glad to help give you the emotional and energetic strength to get through your menopause and into your Second Spring. Contact Hannah Charles at Southwell Acupuncture Clinic on page:https://www.southwellacupuncture.co.uk/contact/

Hannah Charles is a founder member of the British Acupuncture Council (BAcC)

The British Acupuncture Council are the UK’s leading regulatory body for acupuncturists. All members are listed on the register of the Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care. For More information, see https://acupuncture.org.uk/

More Blogs you can read on Menopause