Hot flashes, mood swings, anxiety, insomnia and fatigue are just some of the symptoms that can occur in conjunction with menopause.
If there are women who can handle them easily, others are much more in trouble and are looking for ways to cope with them. One of these could be to resort to acupuncture.
with needles.
The needles used to practice acupuncture are extremely thin, and during the sessions the therapist inserts them into the most superficial layers by performing a quick but very delicate maneuver, which for the patient is completely painless. The only sensation that could be felt is a slight localized tingling, often accompanied by that of a very slight electric shock. Once in place, the needles are left inserted under the skin usually for about 25-30 minutes before being removed. The number of sessions needed to see benefits varies according to the disorder and the person receiving the treatment.
Acupuncture is a medical therapy but also a psychological one and in order to give results it is necessary to establish a relationship of trust between patient and therapist. For this reason it is essential to contact only a specialized center and regularly qualified professionals.
, and which marks the end of the fertile age. It usually appears around the age of 50 but can occur even earlier.
According to a small study from 2019, it seems that undergoing sessions for 5 consecutive weeks of targeted acupuncture significantly reduce a large part of the symptoms of menopause.
Although the researchers could not rule out the placebo effect in their study, they also concluded that acupuncture was a safe, cheap and simple procedure, with very few reported side effects and therefore highly recommended for women experiencing more or less severe problems during this passage.
The symptoms of menopause that acupuncture can help are:
- hot flashes,
- night sweats,
- ache,
- mood swings,
- anxiety,
- insomnia,
- fatigue,
- vaginal dryness.
Hot flashes and night sweats
Traditional Chinese medicine is based on the theory of yin and yang and the idea that all things are composed of two opposing forces. When the forces are in balance the body is healthy.
Whenever a woman has hot flashes, she evaluates the relationship between yin and yang in her kidneys and if unbalanced acupuncture tries to bring her back into balance. In addition to undergoing this treatment, patients are advised to always remain hydrate and eat a healthy diet that eliminates or minimizes foods that could contribute to hormonal fluctuations, such as soy.
Ache
The American College of Physicians recommends acupuncture for those with lower back pain. Using needles at pressure points in the body can stimulate the central nervous system, causing it to release pain-relieving chemicals, such as endorphins, which can help relieve pain associated with menopause.
This technique could be one of the natural remedies for earache.
Mood swings and anxiety
Researchers who carried out a study in 2013 found that acupuncture can alter neurotransmitters in the brain, alleviating conditions such as anxiety and nervousness and improving general mood.
Insomnia
A 2019 study paralleled cognitive behavioral therapy and acupuncture as a cure for insomnia, finding that acupuncture improvements were many and clinically significant.
Specifically, the actions carried out on the intersection of the three yins, just above the inner ankle, would have been beneficial.
In addition to receiving needle treatment at this point, soaking your feet in warm water with Epsom salt to the intersection of the three yins can help improve sleep. When the Achilles tendon relaxes, the neck and cervical spine automatically relax as well and this helps you sleep better.
Fatigue
Acupuncture can help increase blood flow and lower pressure in the body, which can reduce the stress that induces fatigue on the muscles.
Additionally, a 2017 study found acupuncture to be effective in reducing general fatigue and chronic fatigue syndrome.
Vaginal dryness
Hormonal imbalances during menopause can reduce the natural production of fluid in the vagina, leading to dryness and pain during sexual intercourse.
Undergoing targeted acupuncture sessions can help rebalance the system and stimulate the release of neurochemicals which in turn counteract vaginal dryness.
