Is your period missing in action? There are many reasons why you may not be getting your period at all. Amenorrhea can be related to nutritional deficiencies, PCOS, over-exercising, and general hormonal imbalances. Each case is specific, so we provide customized treatments to help you begin ovulating and experiencing regular cycles. We also often suggest some dietary and lifestyle changes in conjunction with your treatments.

Proper nourishment, lack of sleep, and stress-filled lifestyles can easily and quickly wreak havoc on women’s hormones in multiple ways. Stress can lead to chemical changes in our bodies, and divert blood away from organs, including those in the reproductive system. Since many hormones are dependent upon one another to maintain balance, over time, too much stress can lead to imbalances in reproductive hormones, potentially affecting fertility. Acupuncture has been shown to offset the effects of stress and increase blood flow.

Hot flashes, joint pain, moody roller coasters – the joy of “The Change.” In addition to the end of childbearing years and hormonal swings, many changes to women’s nervous systems take place. Even the brain is being rewired. According to the wisdom of Chinese medicine, this time of life is viewed as the Second Spring. One randomized, controlled trial showed that “a course of acupuncture treatments was associated with a significant reduction in VMS (vasomotor symptoms, which include hot flashes and night sweats), as well as several quality-of-life measures, compared with no acupuncture, and that clinical benefit persisted for at least 6 months beyond the end of treatment.” This makes acupuncture a realistic and successful option for women who cannot or do not wish to use hormone therapy. At Healing Points, we employ a combination of acupuncture, herbal remedies, dietary adjustments, bodywork, and other tools to help relieve menopausal symptoms.

Acupuncture points correspond to deep-seated nerves, which is why it has been credited for easing a wide range of pregnancy symptoms including nausea, low-back, pelvic pain, insomnia, heartburn, edema, constipation, sciatica, depression, and more. Support during pregnancy can also address increased fetal activity, which in turn can help reposition a baby from a breech position into a more delivery-friendly heads-down position. 

An estimated 10% of women have been diagnosed with PCOS and it is the single most common hormonal cause of infertility. In PCOS, hormonal dysfunction results in the ovaries not being able to fully mature an egg. Some of the semi-developed follicles turn into little fluid-filled sacs known as cysts. As a result, ovulation may be either absent or inconsistent. To compound matters, the cysts produce androgens (both men’s and women’s bodies produce androgens in differing amounts, but excess amounts can pose a problem), which can also prevent ovulation, plus other virilizing effects. At Healing Points, we have found that a combination of acupuncture, Chinese herbs, and dietary recommendations can help treat patients who suffer from PCOS.

 If you want to dig deeper to uncover issues that leave you feeling “off,” we can help you find ease and feel your best. We know that stress can greatly affect our minds and bodies, leading to a myriad of health issues ranging from digestive problems to chronic pain to fatigue…and that is just what is happening inside. Externally speaking, wrinkles, grey and thinning hair, and pale skin may show up as signs of an extremely stressed body. Because acupuncture has been proven to help decrease stress, it can also help to promote a younger, brighter, more energetic countenance. Cosmetically speaking, acupuncture can help to soften fine lines and wrinkles, reduce acne, increase collagen production, minimize age spots, and dark circles, and improve skin tone and color. You can read more about that here and here. In addition, we are here to work with your doctors or healthcare providers and offer an integrative approach to healing.