Acupuncture May Help with Hot Flashes

High quality research is showing a link between Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) and breast cancer. In fact with long term HRT, over ten years, the risk may even double. As news travels about the possible harm caused by this therapy, women across America and indeed across the globe are responding by declining HRT. Of course one of the great benefits of HRT has been the reduction of menopausal symptoms like hot flashes. Mild hot flashes can be annoying, while severe hot flashes can be debilitating. Mayo clinic reported that up to 75% of American menopausal and post-menopausal women suffer from hot flashes.

Decrease in HRT usage means an increase in hot flash sufferers. While the scientific evidence is still mixed, a recent study published in the Journal of Fertility and Sterility suggests that acupuncture may be helpful in reducing hot flashes. Acupuncture, the ancient art of using tiny needles to affect the body?s energies, may have an effect on hormones. Women who received acupuncture in the study had a reduction of the severity of their hot flashes.

Acupuncturists and their patients have long known that acupuncture can be helpful for a host of conditions. So, why is the research only now starting to show that acupuncture works? Michael Roland, L.Ac., MTCM a licensed acupuncturist who works with Dr. Andrew Weil?s Program in Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona and has a private practice in Tucson, Arizona explains it like this: ?Effective research models for studying acupuncture need more development. We?re still trying to use the same research model to see if acupuncture is effective that we use to study whether or not pills work. Both acupuncture and pill usage are very different and so require different research models. Acupuncture is, by its very nature subjective, it must be. The higher the skill of the acupuncturist the better the results for a broader range of patients. We are not little pills. When we have skilled acupuncturists working within research models that allow their skills to be used properly, we will see more and better results. However, even within the current constraints of research models, acupuncture is showing itself to be effective.

Should you try acupuncture for your hot flashes?

There is evidence to suggest that it will be helpful. It?s also safe. The British Medical Journal published a study showing no serious adverse reactions in 34,000 acupuncture treatments. Many patients also say that they experience a sense of well-being and relaxation during and after acupuncture treatments. It is also possible, in some cases, to treat more that one condition in the same session. So if you have headaches and hot flashes for instance, acupuncture can help both within the same session.

Along with acupuncture, you may also want to try a higher fiber diet that includes soy as well as regular exercise.

Good Luck and Good Health!

Michael Roland, L.Ac., MTCM is the acupuncture and Chinese medicine expert on drweil.com. He is in private practice in Tucson Arizona