In biomedical terms, hot flashes and night sweats have been defined as VMS, or Vasomotor Symptoms, due to menopause.
“VMS, or hot flashes and night sweats, are often considered the cardinal symptoms of menopause. VMS are episodes of profuse heat accompanied by sweating and flushing, experienced predominantly around the head, neck, chest, and upper back. VMS are experienced by the majority of women during the menopausal transition.”
Although I might see many patients with hot flashes and night sweats, each one may have a different pattern of disharmony which has brought them in for treatment. It is these identified patterns of disharmony which helps me as a clinician to develop a customized treatment plan for each patient I see even if their chief complaint is the same.
It is the differences in the onset, characteristics and accompanying symptoms that help me to decide which acupuncture points to use, which herbal formulas are best and which diet and lifestyle recommendations will be most effective. Pulse and tongue diagnosis as well as abdominal/channel palpation also provide important information.
Some patients have intense hot flashes that feel like a surge of heat upwards from their abdomen to the top of their heads, often resulting in headaches, outbursts of anger and intense sweating. Other patients have hot flashes that come on gradually, start in the chest and lead to a mild sweating, accompanied by a feeling of anxiety and difficulty finding words to express themselves.
Everyone of us is different and diagnosis and treatment based on these differences are what set the stage for not just relieving symptoms but also getting to the root of disharmony.
If you are interested in finding out more about how acupuncture and Eastern herbal therapy can help you with hot flashes, night sweats and other symptoms of menopause, please give me a call or text at 360-926-0859.
Sources:
Thurston, Rebecca C. PhD a b, & Joffe, Hadine MD, MSc c (2011) Vasomotor Symptoms and Menopause: Findings from the Study of Women's Health across the Nation. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0889854511000702?via%3Dihub
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