How to Relieve Menopause With Acupuncture

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, menopause is seen as a means of conserving a woman's Qi after her child-bearing years are over. The resources that were once used in the preparation of the uterus for a pregnancy and subsequent shedding of blood now may be retained. Symptoms of menopause are therefore caused by underlying problems with the Qi.

Instructions

1. View menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats as primarily caused by a constrained liver Qi and kidney yin or yang deficiency, although the heart, liver and spleen are often involved.

2. Use acupuncture to balance the Qi and strengthen internal organs. The acupoints to be stimulated depend on whether the symptoms are primarily caused by a deficiency of kidney yin or yang.

3. Detect evidence of kidney yin deficiency. These symptoms include a bright red menstrual flow, back aches, dizziness, hot flashes, insomnia, sweating and tinnitus. The skin may be dry and the tongue should have little coating. The stools should be hard and dry with scant yellow urine.

4. Identify signs of kidney yang deficiency. These symptoms include a dark menstrual discharge with blood clots, the loss of appetite, a dull complexion, cold extremities, listlessness and edema. The tongue may be pale and sometimes tender. Urination is frequent and occasionally accompanied by a clear vaginal discharge.

5. Initiate treatment with acupuncture while a woman is still on Hormone Replacement Therapy. Women with thyroid disorders and those undergoing chemotherapy will need additional treatment.