COLORADO SERENITY - December 2004 (Women's Health - Menopause - Relieve Menopause Symptoms with Acupuncture)

Tracy Saraduke, RN, M.Ac. L.Ac.

3082 Evergreen Parkway, Suite 2

Evergreen, CO 80439

(303) 670-9181

www.acuwebpage.com

It's not exactly a news flash (or even a hot flash) that menopause is on a lot of people's minds these days. Just consider the fact that there are dozens of books and at least one popular musical on the subject. And while it is fun to commiserate with friends, for many women dealing with the problems associated with menopause is no laughing matter.

While Western medicine tends to view menopausal disorders as a problem with hormone levels, Oriental medicine sees them as a deficiency of Qi (energy flow) and an imbalance between the Yin and Yang in the body. In order to correct this imbalance, many women are now turning to meridian therapy in the form of acupuncture.

In meridian therapy the acupuncturist stimulates certain meridians in the body to encourage the flow of Qi and balance the Yin and Yang. In menopause, the most likely imbalance is between the upper (Yang) half of the body and lower (Yin).

In a healthy body, the Yang Qi produced by the upper warmer descends and the Yin Qi generated by the lower warmer ascends. The Qi above and below interact and maintain health. However, when this interaction is obstructed, the Qi stagnates and causes a variety of symptoms.

When the Qi stagnates, Yang Qi becomes heat unable to descend. This can cause stiffness in the shoulders, headache, ringing in the ears, nose and throat problems and the infamous hot flashes as the heat in the upper body tries to dissipate.

When the Yin Qi is obstructed and does not go up it can cause such problems as backache, stomachache, menstrual irregularities and cold feet.

Many menopausal disorders are associated with emotional and psychological factors. Anxiety, quarreling and stress can overwork the kidneys and weaken them. If the kidneys are weak and are not able to stabilize the Qi, it moves upward and causes palpitations, headaches and insomnia that can lead to even more anxiety. If the liver is weakened symptoms may include irritability and emotional instability.

There are various treatments for menopause disorders, but meridian therapy is considered one of the most effective. In addition, a happy marriage and a healthy sex life help to activate the lower warmer and prevent blood stagnation. What other incentive do you need?