Acupuncture Pressure Points for Hot Flashes & Night Sweats
The Facts & Symptoms
75% of people report hot flashes during perimenopause & menopause, by far the most recognizable symptom.
Presenting as a feeling of intense heat, coming on slowly or suddenly. Sometimes experienced as tingling, red or flushed face, sweating or burning skin. Occasionally presenting alongside dizziness, chills, nausea, night sweats, pressure in head & rapid heart rate. They can last anywhere from a few seconds to 10 mins, and occur a few times/week to multiple times/day.
Cause
The cause is not 100% clear, but research points to the narrowing of the thermoneutral zone of the brain's self-regulating mechanism.
As Lara Briden points out in ๐๐ฐ๐ณ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ฏ๐ฆ ๐๐ฆ๐ฑ๐ข๐ช๐ณ ๐๐ข๐ฏ๐ถ๐ข๐ญ, it's a narrowing of the range of temperature that the hypothalamus considers to be normal.
The Chinese Medicine Understanding of Hot Flashes
We think of hot flashes as heat rising in the body. It comes back to yin & yang.Yin is the cooling, moistening, calming, feminine, energy. Yang is the warming, moving, lifting, energizing energy.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), having your period allows your body to clear itself of excess heat or yang.
When menopause approaches, that flow isnโt as regular, so the body has to find other ways to clear the yang-induced heat.
Most symptoms reported for menopause are heat-related from a Chinese medicine perspective: hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, thirst, red cheeks, agitation of the skin.
Heat behaves in our body like it does in a house, rising & moving outward, causing hot flashes, night sweats & headaches.
Acupuncture as Treatment
Success in treating hot flashes & menopause relies on nourishing the yin, the cooling energy in the body.
A Danish study of 70 people (๐๐ณ๐ช๐ต๐ช๐ด๐ฉ ๐๐ฆ๐ฅ๐ช๐ค๐ข๐ญ ๐๐ฐ๐ถ๐ณ๐ฏ๐ข๐ญ), looked at the effects of acupuncture. Half were given 1 treatment/week for 6 weeks & half were not. The group given acupuncture had fewer hot flashes, sleep & emotional symptoms improved, as well as skin & hair symptoms like dryness & hair loss.
Targeting Specific Acupuncture Points for Menopause Relief
Targeting specific points for hot flashes on the body is vital in TCM treatments. These points are carefully selected to encourage the body's natural cooling processes and to promote relaxation, which can be incredibly beneficial for those experiencing intense heat sensations.
One effective approach includes identifying auricular acupuncture points for hot flashes. Auricular acupuncture, which focuses on points on the ear, has been shown to have a significant impact on regulating the body's internal temperature. By stimulating specific points on the ear, acupuncture can help in reducing the intensity and frequency of hot flashes.
When it comes to acupuncture points for night sweats, our practitioners focus on points that help in balancing the yin, the cooling and moistening energy of the body. This not only aids in reducing night sweats but also contributes to better sleep quality and overall well-being.
The concept of using TCM for hot flashes revolves around heat accumulation in the body. TCM views hot flashes as an imbalance between yin and yang energies, with an excess of yang or a deficiency in yin. Acupuncture seeks to restore this balance, thereby alleviating the discomfort associated with hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms.
Pressure Points for Relieving Hot Flashes during Menopause
Using acupressure on pressure points for hot flashes may help alleviate hot flashes associated with menopause. Here are some acupressure points you can try:
HT7 (Heart 7) Spirit Gate: Located on the palm side of your wrist, in the crease where your hand meets your wrist. Press this point gently with your thumb for 1-2 minutes.
KI3 (Kidney 3) Great Ravine: Located on the inside of your ankle, in the hollow between the ankle bone and the Achilles tendon. Apply steady pressure with your thumb for 1-2 minutes.
SP6 (Spleen 6) Three Yin Intersection: Located about three finger-widths above the inner ankle bone, on the back inner border of the shinbone. Apply firm pressure for 1-2 minutes.
CV4 (Conception Vessel 4) Gate Origin: Located on the midline of the abdomen, about three finger-widths below the navel. Press this point gently for 1-2 minutes.
LI4 (Large Intestine 4) Joining the Valley: Located on the back of the hand, in the webbing between the thumb and index finger. Apply firm pressure for 1-2 minutes.
Remember to breathe deeply and consistently while applying pressure to these points. If you have any underlying health conditions or concerns, it's advisable to consult with a healthcare professional before trying acupressure. Additionally, consistent practice and combining it with other lifestyle changes may enhance its effectiveness.
By incorporating these targeted approaches, Rocky Coast Integrated Medicine offers a comprehensive and personalized treatment plan for those going through perimenopause and menopause. Reach out to us to explore how acupuncture can be tailored to your specific needs and help you navigate this natural phase of life with greater ease and comfort.
Call 207.775.2059 or visit our New Clients page to schedule a consultation.
