125 Camino Alto, Ste B, Mill Valley, CA 94941 (415) 383-9900
www.Acupuncture-Marin.com Chris@Acupuncture-Marin.com
To understand
menopause from the Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective, one must have an
understanding of the Yin-Yang theory which formulates the basic principles of
this ancient art of healing.
The concept of Yin and Yang originated in the idea that inherent in each phenomenon,
there are two opposing forces which come together to give birth to that particular
entity. For example, in nature, there is cold and hot, night and day, hard and
soft, wet and dry, the list goes on and on. According to the Inner Canon (Nei
Jing), the classic Chinese text, Yin elements resemble “shady side of
the slope”; while Yang elements resemble “sunny side of the slope”.
In general, Yin elements are associated with female, softness, coldness, dampness,
nighttime, and darkness. Yang elements are just the opposite, they are male,
hardness, heat, dryness, daytime, and light.
Metaphorically, menopause is perceived as a waning of the Yang with the insurgence
of the Yin. In the holistic view of the world, this is a natural phenomenon.
With birth comes death, this is a given from the moment we leave the womb. Seasonally,
one would say that menopause is the autumn time of one’s life. Essentially,
one is grappling with the death of youth while facing the birth of old age.
This requires compassion towards oneself and acceptance of the natural order
of the universe.
According to Chinese medicine, menopausal problems are due to a reduction in
the reproductive energy stored in the kidneys, known as Kidney Jing, as a result
of ageing. This leads to a decrease in bone density and central nervous system
changes. This type of Jing or essence is inherited from our parents, the other
type being produced by the spleen from food, air, and water.
To understand menopause from the Chinese medicine view, one must examine the
Five Element system. The system states that for each specific internal organ
of the body, there is a specific natural element associated with it. For example,
liver is associated with wood, heart with fire, spleen with earth, lung with
metal, and kidney with water. Within this system, these elements all interact
with each other, their relations are dynamic.
In the Five Element system, one of the most important functions is the ability
of the Kidney water to quell the Heart fire. The decrease in Kidney Jing is
caused by an imbalance in the water element, so that water can no longer control
fire. This leads to symptoms such as palpitation (racing heart), night sweat,
and flushes. To remedy the situation, the strategy is to nourish the Kidney
water via acupuncture and herbal decoctions. As the Kidney water gets replenished,
this will bring the raging fire under control thus rendering the individual
symptom-free. It is important to recognize that in this course of treatment,
the emphasis is placed on treating the root of the problem as opposed to utilizing
means to simply eradicate the symptoms.
For more information on Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine in Marin County and other healing therapeutic services and introductory classes offered in Acupuncture and T.C.M. (Traditional Chinese Medicine), please contact:
Acupuncture of Marin - Across Bitter Sea Healing Center
Chris Veiga, L.Ac.
www.Acupuncture-Marin.com Chris@Acupuncture-Marin.com
Marin
County Acupuncture Chinese Herbal Medicine Clinic:
125 Camino Alto, Suite B
Mill Valley, California 94941 USA
(415) 383-9900 FAX: (415) 383-2428
Click here for a map to our Marin County North Bay Acupuncture Center