Menopause

Therapies used to treat Menopausal symptoms

Aromatherapy
Yoga
Hypnosis
Chiropractic
Ayurveda

Aromatherapy

Essential oils are produced from different parts of aromatic plants. They are then concentrated and their properties become more potent. They can be used blended in carrier oils before coming in contact with skin. The smell or inhalation of them also has an effect. The oils can be used in the bath, or for massage.

BERGAMOT reduces depression
CHAMOMILE like the tea can aid a feeling of calm
CLARY SAGE is useful for PMS
FENNEL helps alleviate water retention
GERANIUM has a regulation effect and can help with anxiety and feelings of restlessness
JASMINE helps with depression tension and anxiety
JUNIPER has a detoxifying effect.
LAVENDER is useful in aiding sleep
ROSEMARY helps prevent fluid retention when used regularly for massage

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Yoga

Yoga can alleviate menopausal symptoms such as insomnia, depression, hot flashes, and mood swings. The deep breathing and relaxation prescribed by yoga is beneficial in improving blood circulation, maintaining muscle tone and flexibility, and increasing the levels of mood-regulating chemicals in the brain, among other advantages. Yoga massages the internal organs, nourishing them with increased blood circulation, as well as toning the interior and exterior muscles.

Yoga provides weight-bearing exercise that encourages strong bones. And it can contribute to lower cholesterol and improve the efficiency of the heart. Thus it is beneficial for osteoporosis and heart disease, two concerns of menopausal women. Yoga sessions include a combination of breathing exercises, warm-ups, poses, and meditation.

In one of the few studies concerned with hot flashes and body management, researchers at the Wayne State University School of Medicine studied 33 women with frequent hot flashes and their responses to deep breathing, muscle relaxation, and brain-wave biofeedback. Deep breathing was associated with a significant reduction in the frequency of hot flashes, while the other two techniques had no effect. This study's small scale makes one reluctant to draw any conclusions. However, the authors speculate that deep breathing somehow works to after the sympathetic nervous system activity that gives rise to hot flashes.

The following poses might be part of a complete yoga routine that can help alleviate menopausal symptoms. It emphasizes good posture and breathing:

Stand up straight with your feet together.

Put your hands behind your back and clasp them together. Keep your arms straight.

Inhale deeply.

As you exhale, slowly bend forward, letting your arms extend straight up toward the ceiling and your head hang down gently. Try not to bend your knees.

Inhale and slowly come back up to a standing position.

Repeat two times.

Listed below are some common problems associated with menopause and yoga postures that help them. Choose one or more of the poses from the category you need to work on, or do them all, as you wish. Just be consistent. Detailed descriptions of how to do the postures can be found in our yoga section. Start with standing poses, go to the sitting poses, and end with the lying-down postures. A good practice is to start each session with the Complete Breath and end with the Corpse Pose. The idea is to relax. So, don't force your body; never cause pain. The biggest mistake beginners do is to overindulge. Go slow. Read the section for beginners of yoga in our yoga section.

These are not quick fix solutions. Natural remedies work gently with the body, over time. Make it part of your daily routine from now on. It is a good idea to check with your health care provider before beginning any exercise program.

Constipation
Bow, Corpse Pose, Fish, Knee to Chest, Plow, Posterior Stretch, Uddiyana, Yoga Mudra.

Depression, Nerves, Tension
Alternate Nostril Breathing, Complete Breath, Corpse Pose, Mountain, Plow, Shoulder Stand, Sun Salutation, Yoga Mudra.

Energy
Complete Breath, Corpse Pose, Shoulder Roll, Yoga Mudra.

Hair
Scalp Stimulator, Modified Head Stand.

Insomnia
Cobra, Corpse Pose, Locust, Mountain, Posterior Stretch, Shoulder Stand.

Memory
Corpse Pose, Modified Head Stand, Shoulder Stand, Sun Salutation.

Menstrual Regulation
Bow, Cobra, Fish, Locust, Plow, Posterior Stretch, Shoulder Stand, Uddiyana.

Osteoporosis
Mountain, Sun Salutation.

Reproductive Organs
Bow, Cobra, Complete Breath, Kneeling Pose, Locust, Posterior Stretch, Uddiyana.

Sex
Complete Breath, Kneeling Pose, Plow, Posterior Stretch, Shoulder Stand, Uddiyana.

Skin
Including against wrinkles: Lion, Modified Head Stand, Sun Salutation, Posterior Stretch, Shoulder Stand, Yoga Mudra.

Weight Regulation
Bow, Cobra, Fish, Leg Overs, Locust, Plow, Posterior Stretch, Shoulder Stand, Side Raise, Side Stretch, Sun Salutation, Thigh Stretch, Uddiyana, Circles, Yoga Mudra

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Hypnotherapy/Self Hypnosis

According Karen Olness, M.D., of Case Western Reserve University, "hypnosis is a form of self-induced, focused attention that can make it easier for you to relax or learn to control your body's functions." This experience of extraordinary focus of attention brought in by hypnosis can be harnessed to influence your bodily states. The person can use imagery, relaxation, or autogenic suggestions in a richer and more powerful way without being distracted during the hypnotic state.

Hypnotherapy is useful in a number of ways to combat the menopausal problems. Hypnotherapy involving cell command therapy, hypno-healing and self-hypnosis can help with relaxation and stress reduction and also provide positive affirmations for health, energy and well-being.

You can use the following affirmations to improve your emotional well-being and improve your self-esteem.

My body is strong and healthy and can become healthier each day.

My female organs are in good shape.

My body chemistry is effective and balanced.

I eat healthy nourishing food.

I'm learning to handle stress.

I'm calm and relaxed.

I work efficiently and competently

I have the freedom and confidence to enjoy life.

I can be happy and optimistic at this time of my life.

My life belongs to me and it brings me pleasure.

I devote time to myself each day.

My friends and family are more enjoyable than they have ever been.

I'm going through menopause more easily and more comfortably with each passing day.

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Chiropractic Medicine

Chiropractic medicine helps restore the body's ability to heal and balance itself by relieving pressure on the spinal nerve roots that control energy flow throughout the body. The adjunctive therapies used in chiropractic medicine can also help relieve the discomforts of menopause and assist the body in strengthening and supporting itself into the later years. Many chiropractic healing programs also incorporate exercise and diet, acupuncture, massage, homeopathy, and kinesiology.

Back pain due to estrogen deficiency or the beginnings of osteoporosis responds well to spinal manipulation and soft tissue work. Chiropractic is also very effective at reducing headaches and migraines caused by tension and stress, and neck problems by restoring normal joint flexibility, and reducing nerve pressure and muscular tension.

Chiropractors suggest that many women who suffer from menstrual cramps also suffer from spinal problems such as back pain. Gynecological problems happen because of the subluxations (dislocations) in the relationship between the spine, lower back, and the female anatomy. They suggest that there is a direct cause/symptom relationship here.

In one study of 122 women, the majority of dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation) sufferers had lower back problems and spinal displacements. This explains why many women who visit a chiropractor for treatment of their back pain report beneficial effects from menstrual cramps as well as other gynecological problems.

Scientific studies have shown that there exists a relationship between spinal health and gynecological problems. In a 1973 study of 496 patients who received spinal care, more than 95 percent experienced relief of general gynecological problems. A 1986 study found spinal care to have a beneficial effect on PMS in particular. In 1990, another study found that "dysfunction of the uterus and structural fixation of the same spinal segments of innervation can be indicative of a somatovisceral reflex.... Adjusting these vertebrae and creating motion in the joints seemed to influence the exiting nerves, restoring proper nervous transmission to the uterus."

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Ayurveda

Ayurveda links menopause with aging. Aging is a Vata (air) stage of life. Thus, the symptoms of menopause experienced by some women are similar to the symptoms seen when the Vata dosha rises and upsets the normal balance of the body. Vata-type menopausal symptoms tend to include depression, anxiety, and insomnia. Menopause may also manifest itself in the other two humors. Women with Pitta-type symptoms are often angry and suffer hot flashes. Kapha type symptoms include listlessness, weight gain, and feelings of mental and physical heaviness. The type of treatment depends upon the dosha in which the woman's menopausal symptoms are manifesting.

For a complete description of the Vata, Pitta and Kapha dosha as well as a diagnostic test to determine your mind body constitution, visit our ayurveda section.

Treatment for Vata-type menopause
Excess Vata (air) may be reduced to proper levels by utilizing oils, incense, herbs and a special diet.

Sesame, almond and olive oil are among the oils that may be used in massage or placed on specific parts of the body, such as the mouth and ears. Herbs may be mixed with the oils. The vapors from essential oils, such as wintergreen, cinnamon or sandalwood, may be inhaled. Incenses, such as myrrh, frankincense and musk, may also be inhaled.

Anti-Vata herbs include ashwagandha, arjuna, astragalus, cardamom, comfrey root, garlic, ginseng, guggul, hawthorn berries, licorice, myrrh, rehmannia, sandalwood and zizphus. Also helpful are herbs that help to strengthen the female reproductive system, such as aloe, saffron, kapikacchu, lycium, and white peony.

The anti-Vata diet includes warm, heavy and moist foods that give you strength. Frequent small meals, mildly spiced and with only a few different types of foods per meal are recommended. Don't eat when you are nervous or worried. If possible eat with your friends.

Treatment for Pitta-type menopause
Women who display anger and suffer from frequent and severe hot flashes may be suffering from menopausal symptoms associated with excess Pitta (fire). For them, treatment would aim to "reduce' the Pitta to proper levels. The treatment may utilize oils, incense, herbs, and a special diet.

Oils used to combat Pitta-type symptoms include coconut and sesame. You may also take clarified butter, called ghee, internally or using it for massage. In addition, inhaling the vapors from essential oils made from gardenia, honeysuckle, lotus and iris may be recommended, as well as incense made from saffron, jasmine or geraniums.

Herbs to be used include aloe vera, arjuna, barberry, golden seal, gotu kola, motherwort, myrrh, saffron, and shatavari. Sandalwood oil is applied to the chest and to the "third eye"- in the middle of the forehead. Meditation and other techniques are used to reduce the pent-up anger, hatred and resentment. Exercise and exposure to the sun are limited.

The anti-Pitta diet consists of cool, slightly dry and heavy foods. Eat the food raw or relatively plain-tasting, not cooked in lots of oil or heavily spiced. Three regular meals a day are suggested, with no eating late at night.

Treatment for Kapha-type menopause
If the menopause is manifesting in the Kapha (water) humor, the woman may feel unmotivated, tired and bloated. Her treatment would be an anti-Kapha regimen.

Mustard oil and linseed oil are often recommended for this condition. Avoid all massage and cooking oils. Inhaling the vapors from essential oils made from cedar, pine and sage, as well as incense made from basil, frankincense and cedar, is recommended. Herbs to break up phlegm and ease chest congestion include bayberry, cayenne, cinnamon, guggul, motherwort and myrrh. Cinnamon, mustard or camphor may be applied to the chest to ease congestion.

The anti-Kapha diet is light, dry and warm. Avoid cold, oily and heavy foods. Eat three meals a day, with the lunch being the main meal. Weekly fasting is helpful. Most or all of the daily food should be consumed between the hours of 10 a.m. and 6 p.m

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The information on this website is compiled and written by;

Raeghan Siemens, R.Ac., DTCM
Raeghan Siemens has always had an interest in medicine;
but she found her true passion in Traditional Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture.
Her special interests are treating Menopause and Pregnancy related issues.

Raeghan practices at Acubalance Wellness Centre Ltd. in Vancouver BC Canada.

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