ACUPUNCTURE FOR PERIMENOPAUSE SYMPTOM RELIEF
NAVIGATING THE WORLD OF PERIMENOPAUSE TREATMENT? LOOKING FOR WHOLE-PERSON SUPPORT FOR YOUR PERIMENOPAUSE SYMPTOMS? FEEL LIKE EVERYWHERE YOU TURN, SOMEONE IS TRYING TO SELL YOU PERIMENOPAUSE SUPPLEMENTS AND VITAMINS?
WE PROVIDE BETTER HEALTHCARE FOR PERIMENOPAUSE SYMPTOMS WITH CHINESE MEDICINE.
Perimenopause, the transition leading to menopause, can begin as early as the mid-30s. Here at Vessel Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine in Brisbane, we believe that the transitional years of perimenopause offer an opportunity to make changes that will positively shape your future.
Perimenopause can bring a wide range of challenges or symptoms that can affect your physical, emotional, and mental well-being. At Vessel Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine, we support you through this transformative phase with Acupuncture, a practice grounded in the ancient wisdom of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and backed by modern evidence.
Understanding Perimenopause
During perimenopause, you start producing less progesterone, and estrogen fluctuates. This hormonal turbulence can lead to symptoms such as irregular cycles, breast tenderness, body aches, bloating and abdominal weight gain, headaches, and brain fog.
Perimenopause is also a time of metabolic upheaval, and insulin resistance might become a new part of your health picture.
In the later phase of perimenopause (before the final bleed), estrogen begins on a downward trend, and new symptoms can creep in – mood changes, hot flushes, night sweats, brain fog, weight gain, insomnia, changes to desire and sexual pleasure and genito-urinary health.
Whilst these symptoms can be disruptive, you can manage them with the right healthcare team and rediscover vitality and ease through midlife and beyond.
Perimenopause is a natural process, yet symptoms can significantly impact daily life. Acupuncture offers an evidence-based, holistic, non-invasive approach to help manage these changes and bring harmony to your body.
Acupuncture can be used alongside Western medical interventions such as Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT) and is safe when provided by qualified practitioners. At Vessel, we support informed, autonomous healthcare choices and can help you whether or not you use MHT as part of your approach.
From a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perspective, menopause is influenced by the decline of Jing (essence), the foundation of life, growth, reproduction, and aging. This decline affects the body’s cooling, moistening, and nurturing aspects (Yin) and the warming, activating, and energising aspects (Yang). TCM theory also emphasises the importance of maintaining a smooth and free flow of Qi and Blood, as stagnation can contribute to various menopausal symptoms such as mood swings, body aches, fatigue, and irregular menstruation.
At Vessel Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine, we recognise that every person’s experience of perimenopause is different, and we tailor your acupuncture treatments to meet your unique needs.
After your first appointment, you will receive a comprehensive treatment plan outlining the frequency of treatments and the duration of time we expect to need to see lasting changes.
You can read more about how we approach treatment plans here.
Managing Perimenopause
Everyone’s experience of perimenopause is different. What works for one person may not work for another. It’s helpful to build a healthcare team that can tailor a treatment plan to your specific needs and preferences. This team might be comprised of your GP, gynecologist, nutritionist or dietician, exercise physiologist or pelvic physiotherapist and a psychologist.
Your areas of focus for managing perimenopause should include:
Regulating the Hypothalamic Pituitary Adrenal (HPA) Axis
The HPA axis plays a crucial role in stress response and hormone regulation.
Supporting Mental Health
This is a season in life of great change, and change always provides growth opportunities. It is also a time when teenage children and elderly parents might demand your attention. Schedule adequate time for self-care and build a team around you this may include a psychologist, counsellor or Menopause Doula.
Address Inflammation & Metabolic Health
Chronic inflammation can contribute to menopausal symptoms. Eliminating processed foods and incorporating anti-inflammatory whole foods into your diet can be helpful.
Supporting Digestive Health
A healthy gut microbiome is essential for overall well-being. Consuming fibre-rich prebiotic foods and fermented probiotic foods can promote digestive health.
Lifestyle Modifications
A healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise, a balanced diet, limited alcohol, and adequate sleep, can significantly improve menopausal symptoms and overall quality of life.
Complimentary Medicine
Traditional Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture can be a useful tool to support symptoms of perimenopause, you may see a summary of research articles at Evidence Based Acupuncture.
Acupuncture stimulates specific points in the body to restore the smooth flow of Qi and support hormonal balance. In TCM, perimenopausal symptoms often coincide with imbalances in Yin and Yang, a deficiency of Blood or Qi stagnation.
A Natural, Holistic Approach
Perimenopause can feel overwhelming, but with support, you can move through this transition with confidence. Let us help you navigate this phase naturally with acupuncture and holistic care. Schedule your consultation today.
A Chinese Medicine Perspective on Menopause, The Second Spring
In Chinese medicine, menopause is known as the 'Second Spring'. It represents the renewal of energy and opportunities as the focus shifts from fertility and reproduction to conserving and nourishing oneself. The body no longer focuses on creating and nurturing a new life but can instead focus that energy inwardly.
Interestingly, although there is a vast body of clinical knowledge on the other phases of menstrual health, there is no mention of menopause in Chinese Medicine literature, just that the Tian Gui ‘heavenly water’ or menses is expected to finish at 49 years.
It was seen as a natural, normal physiological process without adverse effects. To us, this indicates that something in our modern culture and or environment is at the heart of the many uncomfortable experiences we support with treatment.
In Western culture, menopause is often regarded as a period of loss, be it youth, fertility, femininity or health, in other cultures, it is seen as a time for women to step away from the role of nurturer and into the role of a wise woman.
We strongly feel that nurturing a positive and empowered mindset around menopause can impact how we experience the transition.
How Acupuncture Supports You Through Perimenopause
Acupuncture works by stimulating specific points in the body to restore the smooth flow of Qi (energy) and support hormonal balance. In TCM, perimenopause is often linked to imbalances in the Yin and Yang as well as Qi stagnation and Blood deficiency. By addressing these imbalances, acupuncture can help to:
Regulate hormones: Acupuncture engages with the HPA axis, which regulates hormones. Greater hormonal balance may reduce hot flashes, night sweats, stress, depression, and anxiety.
Boost energy and improve sleep: By harmonising the body’s internal systems through various physiological mechanisms, acupuncture supports deeper rest and may help to revitalise energy levels and mental clarity.
Stress, depression and anxiety: The calming effects of acupuncture may reduce the emotional strain of perimenopause, promoting mental clarity and emotional well-being.
Improve circulation and alleviate pain: Acupuncture enhances blood flow and influences the release of pain-relieving chemicals to reduce aches, pains, and discomfort associated with perimenopause.
What to Expect at Vessel Acupuncture
At Vessel, we take an integrative, patient-centred approach to care. Your first visit includes a thorough consultation to discuss your symptoms, lifestyle, and health history. Based on this, we create a tailored treatment plan designed specifically for you.
Your Treatment Plan
Acupuncture for perimenopause is most effective with regular sessions. Depending on your symptoms and health goals, we may recommend weekly or bi-weekly treatments to start. As your body adjusts, we will reassess and adjust the frequency of treatments. Most people experience gradual improvements in symptoms after a few sessions, but lasting change often comes with sustained treatment.
We also incorporate lifestyle recommendations, Chinese herbal medicine, and nutritional guidance to support your journey through perimenopause.
Please note: While many symptoms can be attributed to perimenopause, some may indicate other health conditions. If you have any concerns, it’s important to consult with your primary healthcare provider.
Research into Acupuncture is growing exponentially, but to make any true claims for treatment, more research is needed in all of these areas. You can read more about the evidence base of Acupuncture in our articles here and here.