1. Women Feel the Heat
The term "hot flash" refers to a set of symptoms that includes a sudden feeling of being very warm or hot, particularly in the face and upper body, and sweating and flushing. Both men and women can experience hot flashes. However, women get them much more often, especially when they are going through menopause, and the body's levels of the hormone estrogen drop. Estrogen helps regulate the hypothalamus, the part of the brain that controls the body's thermostat. So when estrogen is low, the hypothalamus sends faulty temperature information to the brain and body. Often these episodes occur at night in the form of night sweats.
2. Ways to be Cool
Hot flashes may last only a few minutes, but they can feel very intense. Afterwards a woman may find herself wearing sweat-soaked clothes, and it may take her another few minutes to feel normal again. Some people use hormone replacement therapy (HRT) during menopause to reduce the frequency and intensity of hot flashes. However, these treatments are not safe for everyone, such as women who have had breast cancer, and they may increase the risks for other medical problems like heart disease and some cancers. One possible alternative treatment for hot flashes is acupuncture.
3. Getting to the Point
Acupuncture is a treatment based on principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). According to TCM, life energy flows through the body along well-defined channels called meridians, and disruptions in this flow cause physical and emotional problems. Acupuncture corrects and balances the flow of energy by inserting fine needles into points, called acupoints, along the meridians. The acupoints are places where the meridians come close to the surface of the body. Specific meridians and points influence particular organs, body regions and body functions.
4. Eastern Wisdom Goes West
Although acupuncture has a long and highly respected history in Asia, it has only recently become popular in the West. Western researchers have begun looking at the effectiveness of acupuncture in treating hot flashes. The results appear promising. Not only might acupuncture prove an effective treatment, it is also free of the health risks potentially posed by hormone replacement therapy. Thus acupuncture is a good alternative treatment for those seeking relief for this common menopausal condition.
5. Opt for Pressure Instead
For those who are not comfortable with needles, there are other ways to benefit from the principles of acupuncture. Other treatment modalities, including massage, acupressure and the Asian bodywork technique called shiatsu, also use acupoints. However, rather than inserting needles, these approaches stimulate the points using pressure. You can find practitioners of these treatment approaches at massage therapy studios, pain management clinics, women's health centers and TCM practices.
