Menopause simply means the end of menstruation and happens at the average age of 52 in the UK, following a gradual decline in the function of her ovaries and the production of oestrogen. The period of transition to the menopause is known as the peri-menopause. During this phase (which may last for many years) most women notice some menstrual changes such as periods coming closer together, missed periods and sometimes heavy periods. Other signs and symptoms such as: hot flushes, night sweats, sleep difficulties, vaginal dryness and irritability very often accompany these hormonal menstrual changes.
Acupuncture can treat hormonal problems at virtually every stage in a woman’s life. It can be effectively used to help manage menstrual, fertility and pregnancy issues and later provide relief from all the difficult menopausal physical and emotional changes.
Acupuncture can aid the body’s own adaptive changes to hormones and help relieve symptoms through the use of needles at precise points along the energetic channels of the body. The treatment is always entirely holistic, as every woman will experience her symptoms differently. Typically the acupuncturist will discuss at length about the woman’s signs, diet, lifestyle and general health so that a plan of treatment can be formularized. In this way as with all traditional Chinese medicine treatments no points are prescriptive but chosen specifically to address the particular manifestations of those symptoms.
Gradually it is hoped that over a course of treatments, typically 6-8, the woman will notice relief from her symptoms and will almost certainly feel an improved sense of well-being and calm after each relaxing session.
While research around acupuncture is rarely conclusive in terms of its effectiveness by Western standards, this because there are many variables that need to be taken into consideration, many medical professionals and patients alike are more and more supportive of the use of acupuncture in this context – the fantastic results speak for themselves!!!
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