Tricks of menopause

A client complained about hot flashes, swollen legs, lack of energy, insomnia and weight problems. While Liu Shifu massaged her he talked about the principles of Chinese medicine and the flow of energy during the menopause. I am ‘relatively’ nowhere near that time but it was great to gain awareness of what is.

From what I have heard from my mother before women usually go through the following symptoms during the menopause: body weakens, looses the regulatory system of self cleansing and gets into a shock of irregular changes in temperature. To be sure I searched google and this is what I found as menopause symptoms:

1. Hot flashes, flushes, night sweats and/or cold flashes, clammy feeling

2. Bouts of rapid heart beat

3. Irritability, Mood swings

4. Sudden tears

5. Trouble sleeping through the night (with or without night sweats)

6. Irregular periods; shorter, lighter periods; heavier periods, flooding; phantom periods, shorter cycles, longer cycles

7. Loss of libido

8. Dry vagina

9. Crashing fatigue

10. Anxiety, feeling ill at ease

11. Feelings of dread, apprehension, doom

12.Difficulty concentrating, disorientation, mental confusion

13. Disturbing memory lapses

14.Incontinence, especially upon sneezing, laughing; urge incontinence

15. Itchy, crawly skin

16. Aching, sore joints, muscles and tendons

17. Increased tension in muscles

18. Breast tenderness

19. Headache change: increase or decrease

20. Gastrointestinal distress, indigestion, flatulence, gas pain, nausea

21. Sudden bouts of bloat

22. Depression

23. Exacerbation of existing conditions

24. Increase in allergies

25. Weight gain

26.Hair loss or thinning, head, pubic, or whole body; increase in facial hair

27. Dizziness, light-headedness, episodes of loss of balance

28. Changes in body odor

29. Electric shock sensation under the skin and in the head

30. Tingling in the extremities

31. Gum problems, increased bleeding

32. Burning tongue, burning roof of mouth, bad taste in mouth, change in breath odor

33. Osteoporosis

34. Changes in fingernails: softer, crack or break easier

35. Tinnitus: ringing in ears, bells, 'whooshing' buzzing etc.

My god, no wonder women go through tantrums and no doubt, this awaits me too!

Honestly, after one hour of listening about the principles of change from perspective of Chinese medicine it all makes sense: menopause (the period marked by the natural and permanent cessation of menstruation, occurring usually between the ages of 45 and 55) triggers decreased flow of blood to legs and head (hence flashes: cold when there is reduced blood flow and hot when the blood flow increases). The whole process results in yin-yang imbalance and it takes 6 months to few years for body to adjust to the new life cycle. So families, youngsters and husbands: get ready to provide strong support during this time by easing the tensed mind of your women – soon it will be over.



Women: exercise more, engage yourselves in relaxation activities and be patient with your body – it is time for change.

The best exercise is swimming and walking. Swim 4 times a week and walk as much as you can but do these gently and without force. If you have resources, practice yoga, taichi or any other form of internal martial arts.

Today’s experiment: Speed Exercise

This exercise can be done at home or in a park, wherever you feel comfortable and whenever you have time. One to five minutes twice a day (morning and evening is great). Keep your body straight and gaze into the distance while your mind focuses on your footwork.

Gently and slowly step with one foot at a time and focus on each part of the soles of your feet as they touch the ground. Spread your weight until it is evenly distributed from heel first all the way to your toes.

Do this exercise every day and increase time when possible.

This exercise helps you increase the energy flow through the whole body. It is like cleaning blocked pipes you set intention to gain balance between mind (head) and body (legs) which secures free flow of blood and energy

Keep in mind: if you decide to use hormones your body will learn to adjust its function through external means and later on you will still need to deal with the withdrawal symptoms once you decide to stop using medication. The state you are going through is a natural process so allow it to guide you toward better understanding of your body.