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Traditional Chinese medicine

Acupuncture And Menopause

September 24, 2015 by MWC Staff

When it comes to Traditional Chinese Medicine’s (TCM) approach to treating menopause, we have to start first with some basic concepts. We all have a balance of yin and yang energies in our body at all times. Sometimes we will have more of one and less of another but ideally, we want to have a balance between the two. When they are not balanced, we can start to see some symptoms. Qi, the life-force energy that runs throughout our body, can become deficient and also stagnant. Our qi should course through the meridians with ease at specific times of the day/night. If our qi is deficient or stagnant, again we may start to see symptoms. The organ systems in TCM that play a role in women’s reproductive systems include the Kidneys, the Heart, the Liver, and the Spleen. The Triple Warmer is responsible for fluid metabolism while the Spleen is responsible for qi production from ingested food/liquid. When these 2 systems aren’t running smoothly, it creates a back-up which leads to an accumulation of dampness and then further into the production of phlegm. It is of the utmost importance that we as practitioners focus on getting the most thorough evaluation of the period cycle and the gynecological/reproductive/childbirth histories because it is imperative that we understand how the woman’s body works and what it has been through so far.

The Traditional Chinese medicine’s understanding of menopause is based on the belief that the woman’s body has a 7 year cycle where changes may occur as we enter the next 7 year cycle. Cycle #7 (age 49) tends to be where we see the onset on menopause, with the average age of onset being around age 51. Menopause is not seen as a disease that needs to be cured. It is a natural, normal physiological transition from reproductive possibilities to the non-reproductive time of a woman’s life. Generally, it is due to a decline in Kidney essence, yin or yang aspects of the body but premature menopause can be brought on by stagnation and Phlegm instead of Kidney deficiency.

What contributes to the severity of the signs and symptoms can include emotional stress (worry, fear, anxiety), overwork, and possibly having too many children too close thus taxing he Kidney organ system. Now what sets TCM apart from other medical systems is that differential diagnosing is crucial because there are a few diagnoses to choose from. For example, the signs and symptoms could be a result of Kidney yin deficiency, Kidney yang deficiency, or a combination of both. It could be a mixture of Kidney and Liver yin deficiency which creates some Liver yang rising (this is when we see the hot flashes in the head/face), Kidney and the Heart not harmonizing (the emotional roller coaster experience), the accumulation of Phlegm with Qi stagnation, and finally Blood stasis. Diagnosing and treating menopause with acupuncture and TCM can be very individualized and because of that, it can also be very successful! Chinese herbal formulas may be better than acupuncture in some presentations and can be given in patent form or individualized to meet the needs of the presenting signs using compounded powdered herbs. Yoga and taking time for one’s self is key during this transition and is oftentimes what gets lost. So take that time for yourself and go see an acupuncturist! You and your body will thank you for it!

Filed Under: Acupuncture Information and Research Tagged With: Acupuncture, herbal formulas, menopause, Traditional Chinese medicine

Acupuncture and Herbs: It’s More Than Just The Needles!

July 21, 2015 by MWC Staff

images-13 Traditional Chinese Medicine Therapies You Can Do at Home
If you asked the average person how Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) keeps you healthy, they would probably answer that it uses acupuncture needles.
That is a good start.

TCM is a complex understanding of how Qi, or life force, affects your health. Qi flows through meridians, passing through points which can be used to regulate and control that flow. When the flow of Qi increases, decreases or its quality changes, your health is affected. The most common way to manage the flow of Qi is with acupuncture needles. But TCM is much more than needles. By using these techniques in your daily life, you can be in charge of your health.

Strength training
Increasing your strength can improve and maintain your mobility, control weight and sculpt a muscular body. Lifting weights is one of the easiest and fastest ways to build muscle. Martial arts can also be considered another form of strength training exercises.
Flexibility
Increasing your flexibility will help “loosen” you up and allow you to move more freely. One great way to prevent injury and aid performance is to do stretching exercises before and after endurance and strength training. Yoga and gentle stretching fall within this category.
Balance
More and more, people are seeking balance exercises to reduce stress and harmonize body, mind and spirit. Tai Chi, Qi Gong and certain forms of yoga are exercises designed to maintain balance in the body while cultivating Qi energy that can keep you strong and healthy.
Talk to a qualified professional before you start an exercise routine to best determine what exercises will be most effective in reaching your desired outcome of a healthy, balanced body.

Please pause and consider acupuncture for performance enhancement, identifying the underlying conditions that may predispose an individual to injuries, and for treating sport-related injuries effectively. Remember, acupuncture can be introduced at any phase of a treatment regimen for an injury. It is safe, effective and natural so call your acupuncturist today!

Filed Under: Acupuncture Information and Research Tagged With: Acupuncture, balance, flexibility, injuries, Martial Arts, sports enhancement, strength training, Traditional Chinese medicine

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