NEWS RELEASE

Women Find Menopause Relief

with Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine

San Francisco, CA – It is estimated that there are currently over 700 million menopausal women worldwide. With this number expected to reach 1.2 billion by the year 2030, the demand for safe and effective ways to manage the symptoms of menopause is increasing. During National Menopause Month this September, the American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine (ACTCM) will be educating the public about the benefits of treating menopause with acupuncture and Chinese medicine, a safe and natural approach to health care.

In the Western medical system, the symptoms of menopause are often treated with hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which may cause unwanted side effects such as blood clots, heart attack, stroke, breast cancer or gall bladder disease. Conversely, Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practitioners believe that each woman is unique in her experience of the hormonal changes that occur during menopause. As a result, Chinese medicine practitioners create a treatment plan unique to each individual. In TCM, multiple aspects of a person’s overall health are assessed and addressed, rather than just focusing on the treatment of symptoms. Treatment may include techniques such as acupuncture, Chinese herbs, massage, lifestyle/dietary recommendations and energetic exercises.

The 3,000-year-old practice of acupuncture helps women deal with and overcome their health issues by rebalancing the body’s immune system, hormones, and blood flow. According to Chinese medical practitioners, Qi (or energy) is conducted between the surface of the body and internal organs along pathways called Meridians. It is Qi that regulates spiritual, emotional, mental and physical balance. When the flow of Qi is disrupted through poor health habits, stress or other circumstances, disease can result. Acupuncture helps keep the flow of this energy unblocked, thereby helping to maintain a woman’s health.

Acupuncture has been cited by the World Health Organization to treat over 43 conditions, including those experienced by menopausal women. Using acupuncture to treat the health problems that affect women has been growing in popularity; according to a Knowledge Networks survey conducted in May 2000, women are significantly more likely to try acupuncture, as well as other complementary therapies, than men. The North American Menopause Society also reports that in 2003 more than 30 percent of women had used acupuncture.

From 1997 to 1999, Dr. Susan Cohen, D.S.N., APRN, associate professor of University of Pittsburgh conducted one of the first studies in the U.S. to explore the effectiveness of acupuncture in alleviating hot flashes, insomnia and nervousness. The study found that during the course of acupuncture treatments, hot flashes decreased by 35% and insomnia decreased by 50%. A follow-up study revealed hot flashes significantly decreased in those receiving acupuncture, compared to those receiving routine care.

According to Jamie Hampton, L.Ac., a graduate of the American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine and a licensed acupuncturist specializing in women’s health, “Acupuncture is especially effective for menopausal depression and mood swings, and has been shown to be effective against bone loss. Chinese Medicine is excellent for managing the full range of common symptoms from hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, memory loss, irregular menstrual cycles, mood swings, fatigue and more”.

For more information on how traditional Chinese medicine can help ease the symptoms of menopause, or to make an appointment, please contact the ACTCM Community Clinic at (415) 282-9603.