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TCM has placed great importance on women’s health for over 3000 years. TCM resolves imbalances or deficiencies with acupuncture and herbs restoring optimal health.
TCM is used to treat many symptoms during menopause.
TCM providers at The Dr. For Moms Center include:
Dr. Holly Locke
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) & Acupuncture
How Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Views Perimenopause
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In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), hormonal cycles are deeply connected to the Liver and Kidney systems. The Liver governs the storage of blood and smooth menstrual cycles, while the Kidneys house our vital essence, or jing. This essence, likened to a finite savings account, naturally depletes with age. Supporting these organs, particularly the Kidneys and Liver, forms the foundation of TCM’s approach to perimenopause. By nourishing and balancing these systems, TCM aims to ease the transition and alleviate symptoms, helping women navigate this life stage more comfortably.
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Acupuncture: A Natural Ally for Perimenopause Symptoms
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Acupuncture, a cornerstone of TCM, provides a natural way to restore balance and ease perimenopausal symptoms. Here are five science-backed ways acupuncture supports your body during this transition:
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1. Relieving Hot Flashes
Hot flashes and night sweats occur when diminished yin energy allows excess yang energy to create heat in the body. Acupuncture replenishes yin, balances yang, and clears excess heat, offering significant relief.
Clinical studies back this up:
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A Wake Forest University study reported a 47% reduction in hot flashes and night sweats, with some women experiencing nearly double the benefit.
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Another study found 80% of women experienced significant improvement after six weeks of treatment.
Acupuncture works physiologically by promoting blood vessel dilation, releasing endorphins, and regulating the hypothalamus—your body’s internal thermostat.
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2. Stabilizing Mood Changes
Perimenopausal mood swings—ranging from irritability to anxiety and depression—stem largely from estrogen’s influence on neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin.
From a TCM perspective, the Liver system is often at the root of these mood shifts. When the Liver is out of balance, hormonal fluctuations can intensify, and emotional volatility, particularly anger, becomes more pronounced. Acupuncture harmonizes the Liver, helping to stabilize mood.
Research confirms its effectiveness in alleviating irritability, depression, anxiety, and even anger, making it a powerful tool for emotional well-being.
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3. Enhancing Memory and Focus
Brain fog and memory lapses affect up to 70% of peri- and post-menopausal women. As estrogen declines, its protective effects on cognitive function diminish, leaving the brain more vulnerable.
In TCM, the brain is the “Sea of Marrow,” nourished by Kidney essence (jing) and supported by blood and other organ systems. Imbalances in any of these areas can lead to cognitive challenges. Studies show acupuncture supports brain health, improving memory and focus during perimenopause.
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4. Combating Fatigue
Hormonal shifts, poor sleep, and mood disturbances can sap your energy during perimenopause. Acupuncture restores vitality by addressing the digestive system and Kidneys.
The Spleen and Stomach—known as the “Root of Post-Heaven Essence”—extract energy from food. When digestion is weak, the body depletes the jing stored in the Kidneys, leading to fatigue. Strengthening digestion through acupuncture sustains energy and delays aging.
Scientific evidence supports acupuncture’s ability to combat chronic fatigue, improve sleep, and boost overall energy levels.
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5. Regulating Menstrual Changes
Fluctuations in menstrual cycles, such as skipped periods or changing flow, are early signs of perimenopause. Acupuncture helps regulate cycles by:
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Improving blood flow to the ovaries and uterus
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Balancing the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis
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Addressing issues like painful periods or PCOS
In TCM, menstrual health depends on the Liver (which stores blood), the Spleen (which creates blood), and the Heart (which circulates it). Acupuncture harmonizes these systems to ensure smoother cycles.
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Beyond the Basics: Additional Benefits of Acupuncture
Acupuncture also alleviates:
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Insomnia
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Dryness (skin and vaginal)
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Hair loss
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Decreased libido
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Acne
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Breast tenderness
While perimenopause is a natural phase, it doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. Acupuncture offers a holistic, effective way to manage symptoms while empowering you to redefine wellness.
This transitional time can become an opportunity to deepen your connection with your body and prepare for a vibrant post-menopausal life. Let acupuncture guide you with balance and grace into this new chapter.
​​​​​​​​Naturopathic Medicine
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Naturopathic medicine has lots to offer from hormone testing, nutritional advice, supplement recommendations to nutrient IVs, intramuscular injections, and pain management injections for moms who are done with having babies but want to still stay on top of their health and sail through perimenopause and menopause.
Seeing a naturopath for issues in women's health has been proven very effective! Our doctors can help with the following issues and more:
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Adrenal Function
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Optimizing thyroid hormones and progesterone levels to help with stress management
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Addressing hormone Imbalances to minimize hot flashes, insomnia, and mood changes
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Support your skin, hair, nails, bones, and joints to help you stay youthful!
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Anxiety/depression/low mood
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Restoring your energy
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Digestive issues, food sensitivities
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Sleep difficulties
And so much more!
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Our naturopathic doctors offer:
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IV nutritional therapy
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B vitamin injections
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Hormonal, food sensitivity and digestive testing
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Prolotherapy for joint pain
If you have any questions about booking your appointment, please do not hesitate to contact us!
Naturopathic doctors at The Dr. For Moms Center
We are looking for a Naturopathic Doctor to join our team!
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Pelvic health physiotherapy plays a significant role in women’s health. It can help with the following issues and more:
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Internal pelvic pain conditions including dysmenorrhea (painful periods), dyspareunia (pain with intercourse), vaginismus, interstitial cystitis, endometriosis, vulvodynia and more.
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Bladder dysfunction including stress and urinary incontinence, retention, nocturia (night voiding), increased frequency, difficulty with initiation or completion of void
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Bowel dysfunction including constipation, fecal or gas incontinence, straining, hemorrhoids, incomplete evacuation, pain during or after a bowel movement
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Pelvic organ prolapse
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Pelvic heaviness or pressure
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Pain in the low back, pelvis, sacroiliac joints, sacrum, pubic symphysis or hips
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Pelvic health PTs at The Dr. For Moms Center include:
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Osteoporosis affects 1 in 3 women over 50
We start to lose bone density around age 30
Why would we wait until we are 50 to check our bone density?!
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Dr. For Moms, in conjunction with Osteoscan, is offering Bone Density and Fragility testing that is accurate and safe to use BEFORE you are likely to have osteoporosis.
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A non invasive, no x-ray exposure solution for bone strength assessment and early diagnosis of decreased bone density with the goal of preventing osteoporosis.
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The ‘Echolight Echo S’ device uses innovative technology, which combines ultrasound and radio frequency to measure both the quality and quantity of the bone.
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This test provides the same information as the DEX-A, with two additional parameters to give bone quality measurements.
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No x-ray exposure means you can start checking your bone density earlier, instead of waiting until you are already experiencing bone loss.
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Since there is no x-ray radiation, this scan can be repeated to monitor progress and treatment outcomes.
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Declining bone density and/or quality can be addressed using exercise, supplementation and diet.