Menopause
and Oriental Medicine
a Complementary approach
by ramon l. gutierrez
M
arie, a multi-talented entre-
eventually noticed a drastic difference.
preneur suffered from meno-
The frequency and severity of the hot
pausal symptoms for over ten
flashes and night sweats substantially
years. She woke up with night sweats
decreased. Marie was almost symptom-
and hot flashes almost daily, and often
free within four weeks. Unlike many
felt miserable, irritable and depressed
drugs, she found the herbs to be friend-
Her condition also caused her great
lier to her body. She didn’t experience
fatigue. There were days when simple
the same side effects that other medica-
errands seemed impossible to do. Get-
tions had given her.
ting out of bed in the morning became
Throughout the treatments Ma-
a chore.
rie was educated on how Oriental
She is not alone. There are many
Medicine views symptoms of hormone
menopausal women, just like her, who
imbalances such as hot flashes and
also experience such symptoms. Thank-
night sweats in a different light. These
fully, there are natural and safe methods
symptoms are understood to be a mani-
to help ease these symptoms without
festation of imbalances, which result
harsh side effects that often accompany
from a stagnation in the flow of energy.
many medications.
Energy imbalances from stagnation
Recent evidence correlates the
may either translate into an excess or
problem of hot flashes with imbalances
deficiency state. Hot flashes and night
in hormones. Although non-curative
sweats have always been traditionally
estrogen replacement therapy has been
viewed as a deficiency of the female
the standard of treatment, this drug
energy called “yin.” Since the “yin”
approach to hot flashes is not the only
energy is cooling, a deficiency state will
proven remedy. There are equally ef-
allow its opposing male energy called
fective approaches, which have proven
“yang” to be more exuberant. Since the
preventive values as well.
“yang” energy is warming, a deficiency
One such means is the avoidance
of “yin” will bring about heat symptoms
of factors that trigger hot flashes. Do-
in the body such as fever, night sweats
ing away with spicy foods (cayenne,
and hot flashes to name a few. Other
pepper, ginger), acidic foods (pickles,
symptoms may include insomnia and
citrus, tomatoes), hot drinks, caffeine,
mood changes resulting from the excess
alcoholic beverages, white sugar, hy-
heat that can literally make someone
drogenated and processed foods may
feel like a “hot wire.”
significantly reduce the severity of the
By using a more natural approach
hot flashes.
to balancing one’s hormones during
Another effective approach, which
menopause, one can be free to experi-
is fast gaining popularity, is the use of
ence all the benefits of entering new,
treatment modalities in Oriental Medi-
enriching phase of life.
cine, which include acupuncture and
the use of herbs.
Ramon L. Gutierrez practices Acupunc-
Marie received acupuncture with
ture and Oriental Medicine at ARC Acu-
herbal therapy. She was diligent with
puncture and Physical Therapy. To learn
follow through on her treatment plan,
more about menopausal symptoms and
kept an open mind and had strong
how complementary forms of treatment
faith in her healing. Although it took
may help, call 386-898-0908 for a free
some time and patience to heal such
consultation. See ad page 15.
a long-standing chronic illness, Marie
16
www.VOFLnatural.com
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