Ladies, we all know that the wonderful thing called “menopause” can have a few negative qualities that tend to override the redeeming ones. Do you experience hot flashes that feel like you are in a sauna? Are you looking for a way to rid yourself of those heated moments? Look no further! The old Chinese tradition of acupuncture is here to help reduce the intensity of your hot flashes.
Although the most common ways to help treat hot flashes are herbal remedies and hormone replacement therapy, a new study suggests that acupuncture may be your best bet. The study, conducted in Turkey, revealed that acupuncture helps lessen the severity of hot flashes and other symptoms related to menopause. Of the 53 women in the study, 27 of them received the traditional Chinese acupuncture and those women reported a significant decrease in the intensity of their hot flashes.
In addition to weaker hot flashes after a few acupuncture treatments, women also begin to feel more relaxed. With anxiety being associated with hot flashes, the weaker the hot flash, the less anxiety a women feels, allowing her to feel much more at ease. One reason acupuncture treatment may help reduce hot flashes is due to the increase in production of endorphins that could help regulate a more stable body temperature.
Not too thrilled about being stuck with needles? Have no fear, self-acupressure is here! There are many different “points” of the body that are associated with hot flashes, but there are three easy ones to apply pressure to at home. The first point is located below your hand, about half the width of your thumb, on the inside of the wrist, on the pinkie-finger side. This point is used when night sweating decides to join your hot flash party.
The second point is located near the ankle. One hand’s span up from the highest point of the inside of the ankle, right behind the bone, is where you will feel a soft depression. The point is right there and is used for all types of hot flashes.
The last point is located on the bottom of the foot, between your second and third toe. This point is good to engage when hot flashes attack your upper body and your face is flushed.
To put these points to good use, use your thumb or finger to apply firm pressure directly to the point. You can circle your thumb or finger pressing the point in a clockwise rotation for about 5-10 seconds. If you don’t think it is helping, double check that you are in the correct spot and then apply the pressure from a different angle.
Although hot flashes may come and go quickly, they are still unbearable! Acupuncture, or self-acupressure, treatment is a great way to help reduce the severity of hot flashes and may even help you relax.
This post was written for Fit and Sound by Dr. Anne Hermann. Anne is the owner and operator at Herman Wellness, a Tampa Acupuncture and Weight Loss Clinic.
Photo credits: tampaacupuncture.org