How you experience menopause is different from every . . . → Read More: Acupuncture for Hot Flashes and Night Sweats]]> Not long ago, I sent my sister a care package. It wasn’t packed with brownies and cookies and other goodies to eat. Her care package had only one thing; a Chinese herbal formula to treat the night sweats that are waking her several times every night.

How you experience menopause is different from every other woman. Your family history, physical and psychological makeup and overall health all play a role in whether or not you will have menopause symptoms or sail right through unaffected. Your views of aging and menopause, and those of the people around you, may also shape your experience. Over the past 50 years, with the availability of hormone replacement therapies, women have had the option of treating the discomforts associated with menopause medically. The upshot of this practice is that menopause if viewed by some as a disease or hormone deficiency, with hormone supplementation required to reestablish a healthy balance.

Practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine offer another paradigm in which to consider the experience of menopause. They understand that signs and symptoms associated with menopause are indications of some kind of imbalance deep within the body. In general, imbalances are years in the making, and physiological events, such as adolescence, childbirth, or menopause, magnify the imbalance and result in symptoms. With menopause, underlying imbalances can certainly affect your symptoms.

So what’s out of balance if you’re struggling with hot flashes and/or night sweats? Well, it could be a couple of things. First, your Essence could be depleted. Essence is one of the most important substances in your body and provides you with the energy you need to power all the functions of life. As you age, Essence slowly becomes depleted. This depletion causes many of the common signs of aging, such as gray hair, thinning bones, weakness in your back and knees, memory loss, and fatigue.

Depleted Essence can also cause menopause symtoms, too; here’s how: Essence is similar to estrogen, in that Essence is responsible for puberty, fertility, libido, and menopause. During menopause, Essence drops dramatically, and this loss can create an imbalance that is associated with a wide variety of symptoms. A common problem is that when Essence is depleted, it may lose the ability to keep Yang in check. Yang is the active and warming energy in your body, and when it flares unchecked, you may feel that warmth in the form of hot flashes or night sweats.

Another common scenario for women who are struggling with menopausal heat is an imbalance between Yin and Yang. If Yang is hot and active, Yin is the opposite; cooling and rejuvenating. In many ways, Yin is similar to Essence in that it is restorative and nourishing. During menopause, Yin also tends to drop, causing Yang to flare up and make you feel hot. The heat associated with this drop in Yin is frequently felt at night, which is the cool, restorative, and quite time of day–just like Yin. Against the backdrop of night, the active heat of Yang is more pronounced, resulting in night sweats.

It’s important to mention that stress can aggravate your heat symptoms.  That’s because strong emotions, especially stress, have the ability to make your energy stagnate.  Similar to a car engine seizing up without oil, your stress, anger, or frustration creates heat. 

An untreated depletion of Essence or an imbalance between Yin and Yang will ultimately cause symptoms. So what can you do? First, you can protect your Essence through good diet, sleep, and balancing your work with rest. An over-the-top lifestyle, such as working long hours, late nights, and too much sex, drugs, and rock and roll will, in time, deplete your Essence.

You can also address depleted Essence or a Yin/Yang imbalance through acupuncture and Chinese medicine. After a complete evaluation, you acupuncturist will develop a treatment plan to address your specific imbalance(s). She can incorporate the use of acupuncture with herbs, diet, stress relief, and lifestyle changes to balance your body and alleviate your symptoms to help you sail through menopause in a natural and drug-free way.

From time to time we’re asked whether acupuncture can help someone with an eating disorder, such as anorexia, bulimia, or obsessive overeating.  As with any condition, there is no one size fits all—everyone is different and heals at their own pace and in their own way.  That said, at Acupuncture in the Park, . . . → Read More: Eating Disorders and Chinese Medicine]]>  

From time to time we’re asked whether acupuncture can help someone with an eating disorder, such as anorexia, bulimia, or obsessive overeating.  As with any condition, there is no one size fits all—everyone is different and heals at their own pace and in their own way.  That said, at Acupuncture in the Park, we have worked with a number of patients who have suffered with eating disorders and who have been helped—sometimes dramatically so—from acupuncture.

Each person with an eating disorder comes with a unique set of circumstances, and can have one (or more) of a variety of  imbalances in Chinese medicine.  However, whether the condition is anorexia, bulimia, overeating, pathological food restriction, or night eating, in Chinese medicine the following organs are affected by eating disorders:

Heart.  While you tend to think of your Heart as something that primarily pumps blood and is prone to heart attacks as you get older, the Heart organ system in Chinese medicine houses something called the Shen.  The Shen is the home to your mind, memory, consciousness, and spirit.  While these functions are attributed to the brain in Western medicine, we tend to intuitively know that the Heart is also an organ of feeling.  (Think valentines, having a “broken heart” or heartfelt thanks.)

As an organ of emotion and spirituality, there is always some level of Shen imbalance in people who are struggling with an eating disorder.  We believe that your approach to eating mirrors your approach to life, and if you’re binging, vomiting, not eating, or unhealthily restricting your food intake, your heart and spirit are as out of balance as your physical body.  In Chinese medicine, an eating disorder would be considered a Shen disturbance.

Liver.  Your Chinese Liver system is also concerned with emotions.  The Liver is responsible for the smooth flow of everything in your body, including your emotions. When what you desire is very different from the reality of your life, it can evoke strong feelings of anger, frustration, and low self-worth.   When those feelings are constantly suppressed, Liver energy becomes stuck and can show up as irritability, angry outbursts, and yes,  pathological eating.  In some people, especially those with eating disorders, strong emotions are turned inward and may also become depression and anxiety.  In the patients we’ve treated with eating disorders, there is always some element of Liver stagnation.

Spleen.  The organ system most damaged by eating disorders is your Chinese Spleen.   Paired with the Stomach, your Spleen is responsible for the process of taking in food, digesting it, and converting it into the energy and nutrients your body needs to function on an everyday basis.  Your Spleen is also in charge of holding things in and up in your body.

An eating disorder can damage your Spleen in a couple of ways.  First, the digestive process can be impaired, even years after an eating disorder, causing symptoms such as stomachaches, gas, heartburn, constipation or loose stools, and even lack of energy or fatigue. 

In addition, we have seen in a couple of women in our clinic who have recovered from their eating disorder, but who have damaged the holding function of their Spleen.  This has shown up in an ability to become pregnant, but a tendency towards miscarriages (an inability to “hold” the fetus).  Another sign of damage to the Spleen is easy bruising, as the blood isn’t being “held” in the vessels very well, and chronic diarrhea as…well, you get the point.

Kidney.  Your Chinese Kidney is the home to all the vital substances in your body—Yin and Yang, Qi and Blood, and Essence, which is kind of like your DNA and body constitution all wrapped into one.  Your body constitution is a gauge of how healthy you are, and it’s affected by how you live your life.  For example, you may be a big, strong and healthy person who damages your health by partying, eating poorly and skimping on sleep—all things that can deplete your body constitution.  In contrast, you may be smaller and not be as strong, but if you guard your health by eating well, sleeping, etc. you may live to reach a ripe old age.

My point is this—eating disorders damage your body constitution, and as a result, the health of your Chinese Kidney.

The good news is that if you are suffering from an eating disorder or have a history of an eating disorder, all is not lost.  First, you need help from a mental health professional who is skilled in treating people with eating disorders.  Then, when you are ready to get your body back into balance and repair the damage, Chinese medicine, through the use of acupuncture and herbs, can help by calming your Shen, soothing your Liver, strengthening your Spleen, and rebuilding and strengthening your Kidney.

Yes. In fact, gynecological conditions are some of the most successfully treated problems by acupuncture or Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).

Premenstrual Syndrome covers a broad spectrum of symptoms before a period. Symptoms may be emotional, such as depression, irritability, sadness, anxiety, or poor concentration. PMS may also involve physical symptoms, such as . . . → Read More: Will Acupuncture Get Rid of My PMS]]> By: Shelley Conn 

Yes. In fact, gynecological conditions are some of the most successfully treated problems by acupuncture or Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).

Premenstrual Syndrome covers a broad spectrum of symptoms before a period. Symptoms may be emotional, such as depression, irritability, sadness, anxiety, or poor concentration. PMS may also involve physical symptoms, such as breast tenderness, a change in bowel habits, acne, or loss of libido. Symptoms can vary widely in terms of severity, and may change from month to month.

Within the framework of modern medicine, problems associated with PMS are treated as any other disease. Its “symptoms” are treated with over-the-counter or prescription drugs or hormones. Severe PMS is considered an indicator that an underlying imbalance exists. Treatment is focused on correcting the imbalance, or the source of the problem, not just treating outward “symptoms”.

Imbalances can arise from a variety of factors, including poor diet, too much work physical or emotional trauma, constitutionally weak Qi (energy) or stress. These imbalances ultimately cause a blockage of Qi or blood in one of the body’s organs or energy pathways. When Qi and blood become blocked, they stagnate and are unable to properly nourish the body. This stagnation frequently manifests in women in the form of PMS.

Your practitioner may use a variety of modalities to treat your PMS. Depending on your specific imbalance, he/she may use Acupuncture, Chinese herbs, dietary therapy, bodywork and lifestyle changes. When performed by a Licensed Acupuncturist, acupuncture is a safe, natural, drug-free, and effective way to treat PMS.

Can problems associated with menopause be treated with acupuncture?

Yes. In fact, gynecological conditions are some of the most successfully treated problems in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Practitioners of TCM may use a variety of modalities, including acupuncture, Chinese herbs, diet therapy, and a form of massage called . . . → Read More: Acupuncture and Menopause]]> By: Lynn Jaffee

Can problems associated with menopause be treated with acupuncture?

Yes. In fact, gynecological conditions are some of the most successfully
treated problems in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Practitioners of TCM may
use a variety of modalities, including acupuncture, Chinese herbs, diet therapy,
and a form of massage called Tui Na.

How are the symptoms of menopause treated differently in Traditional Chinese
Medicine than in modern medicine?

Within the framework of modern medicine, problems associated with menopause
are treated as any other disease. Its “symptoms” are treated with prescription
drugs or hormones. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, menopause is a natural part
of the aging process. Any problems associated with menopause are considered
indicators that an underlying imbalance exists. Treatment is focused on
correcting the imbalance, or the source of the problem, not just treating
outward “symptoms”.

What exactly is out of balance?

In Traditional Chinese Medicine longevity is associated with essence. Essence
is given to us by our parents at the time of conception, and provides us with
the basic energy to power all life functions, including growth, maturation, and
reproductive function. When essence is plentiful, we are able to easily recover
from illness and adapt to change. When we age, we slowly drain essence from our
body. When essence is completely depleted, we die. Some people use up essence
more quickly than others, depending on their constitution and lifestyle. Signs
that essence is declining include graying hair, loss of libido, backache,
fatigue, and of course the end of the menstrual cycle, or menopause. If a woman
has lost an inordinate amount of essence, she may experience problems during
menopause.

Another imbalance that may create problems during menopause is the slowing of
the flow of Yin. Yin is a cooling and nourishing substance in our body. Often
Yin in low in women who are experience menopausal problems such as hot flashes,
night sweats, heart palpitations, insomnia, and dry skin.

In some women, problems associated with menopause are caused by a decrease in
Yang, which is the warming and transforming substance in our body. When this
happens, women may experience water retention, weight gain, edema, indigestion,
high cholesterol and high blood pressure.

Can low Essence or Yin be replaced?

Yes. While we receive essence from our parents, it can be replaced to a
certain extent. A deficiency of Yin or Yang, actually an imbalance between the
two, can also be rectified. Correcting any of these imbalances may require
acupuncture, Chinese herbs and diet and lifestyle changes.

Is acupuncture safe?

Yes. When performed by a Licensed Acupuncturist, acupuncture is safe. It is
also a natural, drug-free, and effective way to address menopause.