Tag Archives: Acupuncture

Perimenopause and Menopause in Chinese Medicine.

The transition into perimenopause and menopause can often be a wild ride.

Fluctuating hormones and symptoms like hot flushes, mood swings, sleep disturbance, and brain fog can be tough to navigate. While menopause typically occurs in early 50s, the years leading up to it (perimenopause) can be equally challenging.

Having gone through menopause in the last couple of years, I get how there can be many emotions at play too. At times relief and a sense of freedom, at other times grief, in acknowledging a transition from one life phase to another. But also, surprise… For example, I could never have imagined how my skin wouldn’t quite fit anymore – until it happened.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), this is an important life phase and an opportunity to re-calibrate and reset. Constitution, lifestyle, environment and state of health, can really influence how your body navigates the process. There is so much Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture has to offer… wherever you are at. We all have a unique experience of this process, therefore, an individual and targeted approach with Acupuncture, herbal medicine, diet and lifestyle changes can help smooth this transition.

When it comes to navigating the highs and lows of this time, I find, the more you can settle your nervous system the better. For me, that means a little less cardio, a bit more yoga, more strengthening and a piling on of the joyful things.

Because the more you can nourish your heart by doing the things that you love and being true to yourself, the more resilient and stronger you can become.

Some Chinese Medicine Strategies to help support during this time:

  • Build Qi and Blood Reserves: Supporting the spleen and stomach Qi in Chinese medicine is crucial to aid digestion, boost energy, nourish skin, hair, and promote nutrient absorption. Eat plenty of whole, nutrient-dense foods like soups, slow-cooked meals and root vegetables. Increase your protein intake in the morning when your digestion is at its peak strength. Avoid processed and refined foods.
  • Lighter Evening Meals: Eat before 7pm to improve digestion and support peaceful sleep.
  • Support Liver Qi: Help your liver to cleanse and detoxify by eating lots of leafy greens and cruciferous vegetables. Include exercises that stretch through the sides of the body and ribcage to aid your liver qi.
  • Boost Kidney Energy and Soothe the Nervous System: Include mindful practices such as yoga, tai chi or qi gong. Take walks in nature and schedule some quiet reflective time to calm the mind and support adrenal health.
  • Nourish the Heart: Find the things that bring you joy and do more of them. Even if you can only manage small snippets of time to start with. Connect into your creativity and self-expression.
  • Chinese Herbs and Acupuncture: Treatment can help by addressing the underlying issues that contribute to your individual symptoms. Acupuncture can also be great at addressing stress levels and chronic pain. This in turn may help sleep and mood.

Elisabeth x

SHOULDER PAIN – ACUPUNCTURE

Shoulder pain is a common musculoskeletal complaint, affecting up to one third of the population in their lifetime. Symptoms may include pain, loss of function and a decrease in strength. Symptoms can be debilitating and greatly affect quality of life 1.

Acupuncture is a health modality that has been practiced for thousands of years. Providing an holistic approach to health-care, acupuncture can integrate well with many other treatments. Whilst the research on its effects for shoulder pain is ongoing, several studies indicate its benefits when used in combination with other therapies.

A systematic review (SR) conducted in 2017, suggests Acupuncture can be an effective treatment for shoulder pain, when used with other management strategies such as physiotherapy or exercise, as part of a multi-modal approach 2.

In a SR in 2015, specifically relating to ‘shoulder impingement syndrome’, it was demonstrated that combined treatment lead to more favorable outcomes than single intervention therapies. In early cases, exercise combined with other therapies such as acupuncture, and kinesio taping was recommended 3. As part of this review, a study on acupuncture in association with physiotherapy showed an improvement in shoulder function and reduction in pain. There was an overall decrease in analgesic use by the participants 4 .

The shoulder can be easily injured. A shallow ball and socket joint, the muscles and tendons of the rotator cuff are largely responsible for anchoring the shoulder in place. The rotator cuff enables overhead movements and the rotation of the arm towards and away from the body.

Shoulder injury can result from overuse, weak muscles and degenerative changes. Therefore, sport or work related activities, wear and tear – or a combination of these, may lead to shoulder pain 5.

Some musculoskeletal causes of shoulder pain include – tendonitis, rotator cuff tears, frozen shoulder, bursitis and shoulder impingement syndrome 6.

If you are suffering from shoulder pain, a course of acupuncture may be a useful addition to your care. During a consultation, a patient’s presenting symptoms, lifestyle and general health will be carefully assessed when putting together a treatment plan.

Please contact me via the clinics or contact form if you wish to discuss treatment and how it may be of benefit to you.

Elisabeth