Julie Kelham, Acupuncturist

Julie Kelham shares how acupuncture can help you have a smoother transition through the menopause

 

From a Chinese Medicine perspective the menopause is seen as ‘The Second Spring’, and for me as an acupuncturist, this can offer women a brighter vision ahead through this often extremely challenging time physically and emotionally. Personally and professionally, I have a strong commitment to women’s health, and it is a privilege to be able to support women through the menopause and to make that transition a smoother one.

 

New energy

In Chinese Medicine, once the menstrual cycle ceases, the blood that was lost through menstruation is redirected back to the heart and liver. The heart (fire element) and the liver (wood element) provide us energetically with a natural force for harnessing new ideas and creativity, passion, connection, purpose vision, wisdom and intuitive knowing.

This is a time when women are no longer governed physically or emotionally by the cyclical nature of the menstrual cycle and with this comes a new space and freedom and a powerful time of change. It can also be a time to withdraw, reflect and revisit the past with wisdom that may not have been accessible in earlier years.

 

Helping with symptoms

Peri-menopause and menopause symptoms can vary from woman to woman. Some women experience more physical symptoms, some more emotional and some a combination of both. Some women go through the menopause with few symptoms, others have every symptom going. Symptoms can last from two to 12 years and can fluctuate during this time.

Acupuncture can help with a range of peri-menopause or menopausal symptoms including:

  • Regulating the menstrual cycle
  • Clearing heat and reducing severity and regularity of hot flushes
  • Regulating hormones and mood swings
  • Reducing night sweats
  • Regulating and harmonising the Qi of all the organs (these often go into energetic chaos through the menopause)
  • Reducing anxiety
  • Treating fatigue by nourishing reserves of energy
  • Supporting sleep
  • Calming the mind

Acupuncture during this personal journey not only addresses physical symptoms, but also works on a much deeper level by regulating some of the deeper energy pathways in the body (the 8 Extraordinary channels), through this time of change. For example, three of these channels often used in treatment are the Chong Mai (Sea of Blood), the Ren Mai (Sea of Yin) and the Du Mai (Sea of Yang). Regulating the energy in these channels can help to influence and strengthen your sense of self-identity, nourish reserves of energy, ease the process of letting go into a new phase of life and support flexibility, adaptability, and connection.


For more information on how Julie works, see our website: Contact us on 0117 377 1186 to find out more information and to book an appointment.


Links to research:

‘Acupuncture can reduce hot flushes in menopausal women by half, researchers find’ Daily Telegraph article
Acupuncture and menopausal symptoms, the British Acupuncture Council
Trajectories of response to acupuncture for menopausal vasomotor symptoms: the Acupuncture in Menopause study

Testimonials

“Julie provides an extraordinary depth and knowledge of healing through her practice. I came initially with peri-menopausal symptoms. Her wise counsel, sensitive and adept approach allows a really deep healing process. I have been carried through an intense and highly potent time for a woman with ease and strong guidance and it continues. Although my initial enquiry was about coming into the menopause, Julie has helped me uncover and work with so much more beyond the symptoms. She can hold you with a great gentleness, and bring a light, poetic touch with her Chinese medicine knowledge and love of her work and the power that her healing can bring. The healing is deep and profound and has helped carry me in to realms of self-knowledge and life I could not have imagined some years ago.”
– L.F.

 

“My night and day time sweats have vastly improved since Julie has been treating me”.
– L.D.