A
small, yet intriguing study published in Acupuncture in Medicine found that
traditional Chinese acupuncture curbed the severity of hot flashes and other
menopausal symptoms. Fifty-three middle-aged, postmenopausal women were divided
into two groups; one received such treatments twice weekly for 10 weeks, while
the other experienced “sham” acupuncture with blunt needles that did not
penetrate the skin. In both groups, levels of estrogen and other hormones were
measured before the study began and before and after the last session.
Menopausal symptoms—hot flashes, vaginal dryness, urinary tract infections and
mood swings—were also measured before and after the treatments, using a
five-point menopause rating scale (MRS) in order to assess their severity.
At the end of the study, the
women receiving Chinese acupuncture scored significantly lower on the MRS
scale, with hot flashes seeing the sharpest decrease. The researchers explain
that acupuncture boosts production of endorphins, which may stabilize the
temperature control system of the body. They say that more investigation is
needed because the study was small, but note that its results seem promising,
suggesting that traditional Chinese acupuncture could be an alternative for
women unable or unwilling to use hormone replacement therapy to relieve
menopausal symptoms.
Source: This article appeared in the May 2012 issue
of Natural Awakenings magazine.
Deborah Farley
is a licensed acupuncturist, naturopath and owner of the Acupuncture Clinic of
Richmond, in Richmond, Virginia. She's a leading authority on using nutrition
and Chinese medicine for treating symptoms and root causes of illness. For additional resources to improve your
health and wellness, visit www.debifarley.com or call 804.288.3927.
