Acupuncture and herbal medicine for Menopausal symptoms

TCM Perspective:
This case demonstrates the efficacy of integrating acupuncture, herbal medicine, and dietary/lifestyle adjustments to support women through menopause. This approach facilitates achievable, body-respecting changes that yield profoundly liberating outcomes.

Discussion:

A growing number of women are choosing Chinese medicine to manage menopausal symptoms. This case underscores its potential as a highly effective and rewarding therapeutic pathway, addressing the complex interplay of physical and emotional changes during this transition.

Client Presentation:

A middle-aged woman presented with:

• Fatigue
• Bloating after meals
• Eczema
• Joint pain
• Water retention
• Frequent urination
• Feeling cold
• Sleep disruption (frequent nighttime waking)
• Anxiety
• Brain fog

TCM Evaluation:

Traditional Chinese Medicine diagnosis identified:

1. Spleen Qi Deficiency: Weakened digestion and nutrient absorption due to modern diet and erratic eating patterns. This led to fatigue (Qi deficiency) and damp accumulation (water retention, erratic urination pattern).

2. Age-Related Kidney Qi Decline: Contributing to urinary frequency and feeling cold all the time.

3. Heart-Kidney Disharmony & Liver Disturbance: Excess worrying and constant to plan for family affected the Heart-Kidney connection. Heart Fire and Liver disturbance (stress) contributed to restless sleep ("Shen" disturbance) and anxiety.

4. Dampness & Blood Stasis: Manifesting as eczema and joint pain.

A comprehensive TCM protocol was implemented:

- Acupuncture: To regulate organ function, strengthen Spleen Qi, drain dampness, calm the Shen (mind), clear brain fog, and reduce anxiety.

- Dietary Modifications: Focused on supporting Spleen function, reducing damp-forming foods, and optimizing nutrient/energy intake.

- Herbal Formula: Customized to her needs to tonify Spleen and Kidney Qi, nourish vital energies, resolve dampness, and support the acupuncture treatment goals.

Outcomes at 8-Week Follow-Up:

• Digestion & Energy: Complete resolution of post-meal discomfort. Significantly improved energy and productivity enabled her to launch a side business.

• Physical Symptoms: Elimination of water retention and joint pain; restoration of normal urination patterns.

• Sleep: Able to fall asleep quickly and experienced uninterrupted sleep throughout the night.

• Mental Well-being: Resolution of brain fog and significant reduction in anxiety.

  
  

  
  

To enquire or book an appointment, please book online: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule/b973b79d/?locations=Xu%20Clinic.

 

Acupuncture for hot flushes and night sweats

Patient: 

Office manager in her later 40s.

Presenting symptoms:

Menopausal hot flushes and night sweats.

Outcome: 

Reduced frequency and intensity of hot flushes and night sweats.

Dietary & lifestyle change:

Cut down on alcohol consumption, sweet and greasy foods. Visualisation was suggested to self manage episode of hot flushes at work. 

Testimonial:

Acupuncture for hot flushes & night sweats, image source

"I first decided to try acupuncture to see if it could help with my menopausal symptoms. I was having very strong, hot flushes during the day (sometimes as many as 1 per hour) and was waking during the night at least 4-5 times with very severe night sweats. My GP had declined to prescribe HRT as I had a family history of breast cancer and I had tried several natural remedies which had helped at first, but then became ineffective. The constant symptoms and lack of sleep were significantly

affecting my lifestyle .

I have received 5 sessions of acupuncture with Ivy Xu. I noticed an improvement in the night sweats almost immediately, with the number of times woken in the night reducing to 2-3 times and the severity of the symptoms considerably less.

The daytime flushes have also decreased, both in occurrence and severity. On average the symptoms occur between 5-7 times over a 16 hour period, but are more manageable because they are less severe.

Ivy has also given me advice on diet and has shown me some breathing exercises to help control the symptoms. "

Ivy's thoughts:

Hot flushes and night sweats are classic menopausal symptoms caused by a sudden drop in hormone level in the body during menopause, a reduction in Yin in traditional Chinese medicine terms. Acupuncture combined with dietary change can be very useful to make this period more manageable for women, especially those who can not receive hormone replacement therapy for health reasons. 

If you would like further information on this blog or to discuss any conditions you would like to be treated, please do not hesitate to contact me via email ivyxxu@xuclinic.co.uk.