More Complementary & Integrative Healthcare Articles
Women’s Health and Acupuncture
Each person is unique and, at the same time, there are commonalities among all human beings. For women, hormones are a key commonality. From the time of puberty, the physical and psychological cycles triggered by hormones can be experienced as positive or negative depending on how well those cycles are integrating into the woman’s life.
When the routine menstrual cycle is accompanied by issues such as PMS, severe cramping and heavy periods, a woman’s life can be disrupted across all arenas. Migraines, anxiety, insomnia and other concerns can also be part of life when the menstrual cycle is not moving smoothly. This does not have to happen.
Oriental Medicine, including acupuncture and Chinese herbs, has several thousand years of knowledge and experience with women’s health. When the knowledge is used today by a trained practitioner in partnership with her patient, a more balanced hormonal picture can be created. With restored balance comes a smoothing of a woman’s interactions within themselves, with others, and with their environment.
Another concern for today’s women is fertility. Many women choose to wait for the right time before becoming mothers. This allows for personal and relationship stability as well as greater financial stability prior to adding children. Unfortunately, pregnancy later in a woman’s life may include difficulties with fertility. Acupuncture can help to enhance fertility and overcome blocks to conception. Here again, each woman is unique and the best treatment should be determined by a trained practitioner who takes the time to listen to and partner with the patient. Acupuncturists also partner with western reproductive specialists when requested by the patient.
Menopause is another natural part of a woman’s cycle of life. It is moving from one phase of life to the next.
Menopause does not need to be a time of hot flashes and night sweats. Changing hormone levels are a natural part of life and acupuncture can assist your body to move through this transition smoothly. Including Chinese herbs with acupuncture is a effective way to have a smooth and easy shift into this new way of being.
