Acupuncture for Perimenopausal Symptoms
Struggling with Perimenopause symptoms? I tried acupuncture with amazing results.
I’m no stranger to non-western medical treatments. I love investigating and exploring alternative therapies (although I think that the term alternative might be null and void these days). It feels like with the rise of our collective consciousness and what some are calling the dawning of our age of enlightenment, Eastern and Western medicines are merging, and holistic health is coming to the forefront. Prevention is slowly emerging as the preference to curing ailments and understanding and respecting our bodies as carriers of our souls, rather than beacons of worships is slowly taking hold (and not a moment too soon). I’m a card-carrying member of the holistic health movement. I firmly believe in food as medicine. In prevention rather than cure. In questioning the status quo and researching treatment options. Hell, I’m a poster girl for the holistic health revolution, but I avoided acupuncture like the plague.
The very thought of a myriad of needles sticking into me, after so many throughout my health journey – just didn’t fill me with a sense of curiosity (more abject terror). My illnesses have been defined by needles. At a guess I would say I’ve had 10,000 plus needles for medical reasons and whilst I’m no wuss – I do not embrace needles unless absolutely necessary. Hence my aversion to even considering acupuncture.
That all changed a couple of weeks ago. I’ve been struggling with the later (I hope) stages of perimenopause. At 53, I’m still quite regular so menopause is some time off. My perimenopause systems are fast increasing, and I have been really struggling. I’m on a MRT (HRT) regime which has been so helpful for about four years but when the hot flushes escalated to the point where I was fainting at the gym, sleeplessness was taking over, brain fog descended and I was a jumbled mess, I knew I had to adjust the HRT. I changed HRT doses a couple of times (it can be quite perilous) – the first change invoked dark cloud, I put on 9kg in just over a month and I could barely get out of bed. That HRT got the short shift fairly quickly. The next trial HRT quickly lifted the dark cloud, but a permanent state of agitation descended, and I was constantly irritable, brain fog stayed as did some night sweats (but thankfully other symptoms abated). I was unbalanced though and constantly on edge. Enter acupuncture.
I’m lucky that my very good friend Kate runs Mt Eliza Natural Therapies and is qualified in acupuncture. So, despite my aversion to more needles entering my life, I had complete trust in my practioner. I went in a bubbling hormonal mess and walked out calm and centred. It wasn’t a full recovery immediately and Kate very honestly told me I would feel better in a couple of weeks anyway (as the meds settled down) but that the acupuncture would help. She was absolutely right. I had a close friend’s wedding that night and while the happy tears flowed – I was definitely much less of a hormonal mess (although my husband who supplied the hankies might not agree).
The actual procedure is very easy and relaxing. The needles generally don’t hurt going in (there can be some minor uncomfortableness) but generally its quite easy. You then lie in a dark, warm room and relax. I literally fell asleep. The points where the needs are placed depend on what balancing you need. I am now on my third round of treatment of it has helped me greatly. I am an absolute advocate.
If you’re on the Mornington Peninsula, my good friend Kate O’Brien (Naylor) at Mt Eliza Natural Therapies comes highly recommended – if you’re in other locations just head to APHRA website to find a qualified practitioner.
What is acupuncture exactly? Acupuncture is a form of traditional Chinese medicine. It involves the insertion of very thin needles through your skin at strategic points on your body. It is generally used to treat pain but can be used in preventative health and wellness. Traditional Chinese medicine explains acupuncture as a technique for balancing the flow of energy – qi. Qi flows through meridians in your body. By inserting needles into specific points along these meridians, it is believing your Qi will re-balance. Western medicine sees the acupuncture points as places to stimulate nerves, muscles and connective tissues and that this stimulation could boost the body’s natural painkillers.
For me, it definitely assisted in balancing my hormones. I have an initial burst of energy (for want of a better phrase) and then balance slowly restored. I am definitely calmer and feeling more moments of ease.
You can contact Kate at https://mtelizanaturaltherapies.com.au/
