ACUPUNCTURE USED IN CLINICAL SETTINGS REDUCED SYMPTOMS OF MENOPAUSE

Acupuncture treatments can reduce the number of hot flashes and night sweats associated with menopause by as much as 36 percent, according to researchers at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center.

Although acupuncture does not work for every woman, study showed that, on average, acupuncture effectively reduced the frequency of hot flashes and results were maintained for six months after the treatments stopped.

The study, which was funded by National Institutes of Health, included 209 women ages 45 to 60 who had not had a menstrual period for at least three months and had on average at least four hot flashes or night sweats per day in the previous two weeks. Participants received a baseline assessment and were then randomized to one of two groups.

The first group received acupuncture treatments during the first six months. They were then followed without receiving acupuncture for the following six months. The second group did not receive any acupuncture during the first six months, but did receive acupuncture for the second six months.

The participants were allowed up to 20 treatments within six months provided by licensed, experienced acupuncturists in the community.

After six months, the first group reported an average 36.7 percent decline in frequency of hot flashes compared to baseline measurements. After a year, the benefits persisted, with the group members maintaining an average 29.4 percent reduction from baseline.

The second group reported a 6 percent increase in symptom frequency during the six months when they were not getting acupuncture, but had similar results, an average 31 percent reduction in frequency to the first group after receiving acupuncture during the latter part of the trial.

The study showed that acupuncture from a licensed acupuncturist can help some women without any side effects. The study also showed that the maximum benefit occurred after about eight treatments.

Thanks to: sciencedaily.com