Acupuncture - Menopause symptoms helped... The menopause is a natural phase of a woman's life and it is quite 'normal'. However  many of the symptoms which can arise at this time are anything but 'normal' and can be very upsetting. Many of my clients use acupuncture to help ease them through the more unpleasant parts of the menopause, and If what my clients tell me is correct, I would really urge you to use acupuncture to help you through it too. Acupuncture and herbal medicine offer a gentle but effective way to deal with the symptoms that can appear around the time of the menopause. Over the years, I have seen many women who have found acupuncture treatment has helped them hugely during this time. Chinese herbs and acupuncture, have also demonstrated in numerous studies that they have a marked effect on the endocrine system, and they can help calm or eliminate; hot flushes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, anxiety and other conditions that can otherwise make life pretty miserable. Often treatment can be quite effective even after just a few sessions. Indeed some of my clients have reported that they quickly went from a situation of having hourly hot flushes, to having perhaps only one or two between weekly sessions. I firmly believe that most of the women I treat for menopausal symptoms benefit hugely from acupuncture. Please give me a call and let's discuss how acupuncture could help you - my number is 086 155 63 84 or (01) 2016421. Client Testimonial: Menopause - Bernadette Quiney, Bray “Having been on HRT for almost 10 years I was advised by my doctor to stop taking it about 2 years ago. Since then I have had terrible problems with hot flushes. I was getting them very badly almost every hour! It was really affecting me, with sweats, prickly heat sensations and facial flushing which even extended to my hands. My energy levels were also wiped out.   In June of 2008 I decided to give acupuncture a try having heard that it might be able to help. I saw Mark Goulding who gave me acupuncture and some herbs and I noticed a big improvement straight away! After only a few sessions (once a week) there was a huge reduction in the number and strength of the hot flushes. After 6 weeks I was only getting 1 or 2 hot flushes a day. To further improve matters Mark suggested we try a modified herb combination which he would get made up specifically for me. The new herbs (and acupuncture) worked a treat and have completely stopped the problem! Six weeks after starting the herbs I haven’t had a single hot flush. My energy has also come back and I’m absolutely delighted with my progress. I would definitely recommend anyone who is suffering from menopausal symptoms to try acupuncture and herbs.” - Bernadette Quiney, Bray, County Wicklow.   Research into Acupuncture and Menopause Acupuncture Shows Promise for Menopausal Relief In a randomized, two-group clinical study, researchers used acupuncture for relieving menopausal hot flushes, sleep disturbances and mood changes. The experimental acupuncture treatment consisted of specific acupuncture body points related to menopausal symptoms. The comparison acupuncture treatment consisted of a treatment designated as a general tonic specifically designed to benefit the flow of Qi. Results from the experimental acupuncture treatment group showed a decrease in mean monthly hot flush severity for site-specific acupuncture. The comparison acupuncture treatment group had no significant change in severity from baseline over the treatment phase. Sleep disturbances in the experimental acupuncture treatment group declined over the study. Mood changes in both the experimental acupuncture treatment group and the comparison acupuncture treatment group showed a significant difference between the baseline and the third month of the study. The researchers conclude that acupuncture using menopausal-specific sites holds promise for nonhormonal relief of hot flushes and sleep disturbances. Cohen, S.M. et al. Can acupuncture ease the symptoms of menopause? Holistic Nursing Practice 17(6):295-9.