ACUPUNCTURE & MENOPAUSE

A small 2019 study found that one weekly acupuncture treatment for 5 weeks reduced hot flashes, night sweats, mood changes, and sleep disruptions in people dealing with menopause symptoms.

While the researchers couldn’t rule out the placebo effect in their study, they also concluded acupuncture provided a quick and meaningful reduction in symptoms for the participants without severe adverse effects.

There are several symptoms of menopause that acupuncture may help with, including:

• Night sweats

• Hot flashes

• Pain

• Mood changes

• Anxiety

• Insomnia

• Fatigue

• Vaginal dryness

Hot Flashes & Night Sweats

Chinese medicine is rooted in yin and yang theory, the idea that all things are composed of two opposite forces; if they are in balance then we are healthy. As we get older our yin depletes, especially kidney yin leading to and imbalance in the Fire/Water axis resulting in heat. Nourishing the kidneys is the first port of call with hot flashes.

Pain

The American College of Physicians recommends acupuncture for those managing lower back pain. Using acupuncture needles at pressure points in the body can stimulate the central nervous system, causing it to release pain-relieving chemicals, such as endorphins. These can help alleviate aches associated with menopause.

Mood changes and anxiety

A 2013 research review found that acupuncture can alter neurotransmitters in the brain to alleviate conditions such as anxiety and nervousness, improving overall mood.

Pain

One 2019 study on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and acupuncture for insomnia in people who had experienced cancer found that, while CBT was more effective, acupuncture still showed clinically significant results.