Unlike Western bio-medicine, Chinese medicine follows a physics model which posits that all existence manifests as if on a continuum from the least substantial and most energetic to the most substantial and least energetic.  Acupuncture is most effective when working at the least substantial/most energetic end of the continuum, at the level of energy, thought and emotions.   While Chinese herbs can be effective further down the continuum once morphologic or pathologic changes begin to occur, both acupuncture and herbs work to restore balance so that the body’s inherent wisdom can effect a therapeutic change toward health. 

In menopause, there is thought to be a relative deficiency of yin (blood, fluid, hormones, in short, everything that moistens and makes supple) thus allowing the yang (that which is energetic, warm and drying) to prevail.  Though it may feel like the yang is excess (agitated sleep, red face, hot flashes, irritability, migraines), it is simply running amok without the counterbalancing yin to hold it in check.  Chinese medicine may not use the language of biomedicine, but its outcome effects our internal systems and can result in a sometimes subtle, but nonetheless measurable regulation of the hypothalamus, hypophysis and neuroendocrine systems (see International Journal of Clinical Acupuncture, Vol 9, number 4, 1998, "Body Acupuncture plus Ear Pressing in the treatment of Menopausal Syndrome," Ji Ping, Ma Ren-hai, and Wang Zhong-xiang). 

Acupuncture and Menopause

At the core of menopause is Kidney Yin/Qi deficiency.  For the woman, it is the hallmark of our entry into our seniority and it indicates an exhaustion of our congenital essence, or our endowment of life-energy.   One of the best ways to avoid depleting this precious resource is to eat well, rest thoroughly and exercise sensibly.  The Kidney may be thought to house our finite seed of life, but our Spleen/Stomach is the system that makes new energy and blood every day by its ability to transform the food we eat, the fluids we drink and the air we breathe.   Using a financial image, I think of the Kidney energy as being our Principal and the Spleen/Stomach energy as being our Interest.  The best way to promote longevity and reduce the impact of menopause is to live off the Interest without draining the Principal as long as possible by giving the Spleen/Stomach what it needs to function most optimally:

Warm, cooked foods
Limit cold, frozen or raw foods, especially during cold weather
Limit dairy foods for their clogging capacity and a tendency to create dampness by being difficult to digest
Avoid coffee, alcohol, greasy or heavily spiced foods, etc.

Acupuncture and Menopause, while using the whole plant and not simply the refined constituent and in dosages quite smaller than that received pharmaceutically, nonetheless does add estrogen.  This may not be a problem for the majority of menopausal women, but if you have a history of estrogen-dependent cancer, many Chinese herbs should be avoided.  Modern research has shown that estrogen can stimulate the growth of breast or ovarian cancer cells.

But don’t rule out Chinese herbal medicine completely; there are some wonderful formulas that are tonics without affecting hormone levels--the best advice is to consult a Board Certified Herbalist for help to address your specific presentation.

Osteoporosis

Chinese herbal therapy can be instrumental in addressing osteoporosis and reversing it, but the best defense is to go on the offense during your 30’s and 40’s.  Avoid caffeinated drinks as they leach calcium, embrace regular weight-bearing exercise as it is in response to this  that our bones become stronger, and include calcium and magnesium in the daily supplement regimen.  

Debbie Grimes
M.S., L.Ac., Diplomate NCCAOM
Acupuncture Healthworks

see also Chart comparing different approaches to Menopause

Log in or Subscribe to Membership Community to discuss this article in the Forum...