Both Gentle Release Therapy and EnerQi Facial Rejuvenation treatments bring together the understanding of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), energy work and cranial release.
Clients going through Menopause often report a reduction and improvement in their symptoms after receiving Gentle Release Therapy and EnerQi Facial Rejuvenation treatments. Let’s explore some of the main symptoms of menopause and peri-menopause that clients have reported experiencing a reduction and how these symptoms may benefit from Gentle Release Therapy and EnerQi Facial Rejuvenation treatments.
What is Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)?
TCM views health as the state of balance and harmony within the body and between the body and the person’s environment. Therefore, a person’s health cannot be separated from their environment and it emphasises the integration between physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing.
TCM philosophises that health and life is achieved by the continuous and harmonious flow of vital energy (known as Qi) around the body via the organs and meridians. Where Qi is in balance and flowing freely around the body, no symptoms of discomfort or illness are present.
What is the Menopause in TCM?
As in Western medicine, TCM views menopause as a biological transition but it also sees it as a transitional time in the balance of the Qi (energy) within the body.
It is a natural transition where the body’s Kidney Essence/Jing (the life force/vitality we inherit from our parents at conception and the essence of life) and Yin (the energetic part that represents the feminine) gradually decline. It is this change in the balance of energies within the organs that can contribute to the development and experience of symptoms during menopause.
How does Gentle Release Therapy work?
In both Gentle Release Therapy and EnerQi Facial Rejuvenation we work intuitively and energetically (similar to Reiki) with the body using the understanding of TCM to help facilitate the body to rebalance and harmonise the Qi in the TCM organs thus restoring the free flow of Qi aiding the body to return to a being in the best state of health and wellbeing that it can be.
We do this via a light touch at relevant areas of the body to create the space to allow the body to release any stress or tension that is blocking the free flow of Qi and restore the balance and harmony in the body to return to better health and wellbeing.
So, how does TCM help us understand the symptoms of menopause and peri-menopause can this benefit to help reduce the experience of symptoms?
Hot Flushes
Kidney Qi (energy) is central to reproductive health and ageing in TCM. During menopause, the balance in the Kidney Qi (Yin and Yang) often becomes disrupted. Yin represents cooling, moistening, and calming functions in the body.
When Yin energy levels reduce the cooling aspect is weakened, allowing Yang (which represents heat and activity) to become excessive. The excess Yang rises upward, creating feelings of heat, especially in the upper body, face, and head.
This is the mechanism behind the sensation of hot flushes. Sweats at night are the body’s way of helping it to cool down.
Night Sweats
Interrupted sleep is often attributed to the experience of Night Sweats during Menopause. In TCM night sweats are considered to be the body’s way of trying to cool down at night as a result of the same actions in the body as for Hot Flushes.
In TCM the Liver stores blood and regulates the smooth flow of Qi. When Liver energy is reduced the flow of blood and Qi around the body can become impaired and is thought to contribute to internal heat and exacerbate the night sweats.
Also, a common pattern of disharmony in TCM is between the Heart and Kidneys. The Heart is associated with Yang and heat, whilst the Kidneys are associated with Yin and cooling. When Kidney Yin becomes deficient, it is unable to balance the Heart Qi sufficiently leading to ‘Heart Fire’, which is also thought to contribute to night sweats.
Improve Sleep
The inability to get a good night’s sleep is one of the most widely reported symptoms of menopause. A good night’s sleep is crucial for so many functions in the body and our wellbeing as a whole. Improved sleep is a widely reported benefit of those who experience Gentle Release Therapy and EnerQi Facial Rejuvenation.
In TCM the Heart houses the Mind also known as the Spirit or Shen. The word ‘mind’ means mental activities of consciousness e.g. clear thinking, memory, perception, emotional health and sleep. When the Heart Qi becomes imbalanced the Shen can become irritated, creating mental restlessness and difficulty in falling or staying asleep.
Reduce Brain Fog i.e. focus, concentration and cognition.
“Brain fog” or “Menopause brain” are terms used related to symptoms of diminished cognitive function and capacity e.g. loss of concentration or focus, poor memory, ability to make decisions, problem solve and feel effective. In TCM these mental activities are connected to the Heart Qi.
Spleen Qi is also considered to contribute to the mental processes of the brain. Spleen Qi is responsible for digestion and the transformation of food into energy which part nourishes the mind. Weakened Spleen Qi due to diet, overthinking or stress can lead to foggy thinking, poor memory, mental sluggishness, heaviness in the head and difficulty concentrating as the mind is not properly supported by the body’s energy.
The brain is nourished by the flow of Qi and blood. Both the Spleen Qi and Liver Qi have roles in the production and movement of blood and Qi. Deficiency in the Spleen Qi and Liver Qi can also contribute to symptoms of forgetfulness, poor concentration and mental fatigue.
Emotional Wellbeing – Feelings of Anxiety, Irritation, Anger or Depression
Increased changes in mood, irritability, anxiety and depressive symptoms are commonly reported as experienced during menopause.
In TCM feelings of anxiety are considered to be the result of an improper flow of Qi around the body. It is also considered a disturbance in Shen/Spirit which can lead to feelings around self-confidence, worthiness and a sense of meaning or purpose.
The Heart is the organ most closely related to the Shen, which governs mental activities, consciousness and emotions. The heart is connected to feelings of joy. Feelings of sadness can disrupt the balance of the Heart Qi. Equally, Heart Qi can be affected by not receiving sufficient Qi to fully support its function as a result of an imbalance in the other organs and the flow of Qi.
Irritability, anger and frustration aka feelings of ‘being stressed’ can detrimentally affect the Liver Qi as well and be a by-product of Liver Qi imbalance.
Fatigue, Lethargy, Lacking Energy
General feelings of tiredness and fatigue are a common experience during Menopause. This may be partly due to sleep disturbances. However, in TCM lack of energy during menopause is generally associated with imbalances in the Kidneys, Spleen, and sometimes the Liver.
Due to the interdependent relationships between the TCM organs depletion of the energy in one will have an impact upon the others. When the Kidney Essence and Yin start to decline marking the start of menopause in TCM, the flow of energy (Qi) is affected causing fatigue. This depletion often affects other organ systems as well, leading to a range of symptoms, including fatigue or lack of energy.
Hormone Balance
One unexpected outcome of the development of the EnerQi Facial Rejuvenation treatment was the impact that it had on those experiencing symptoms of Menopause.
During an EnerQi Facial Rejuvenation treatment, the face is treated intuitively with a series of tools to help clear stuck energy, stress and tension in the face.
It is thought that the benefit for symptoms of menopause by EnerQi Facial Rejuvenation is triple-fold:
TCM maps the organs to areas on the face which in turn is said to reflect any imbalances of Qi in the organs. By energetically releasing the stuck stress in the face we facilitate the rebalancing of Qi in the organs.
The process is also thought to stimulate the Vagus Nerve which has branches around the face and down the sides of the neck. The Vagus Nerve plays a big role in regulating the parts of the body that are involved in the production and regulation of hormones affected during menopause as well as feelings of anxiety and depression.
Some of the glands involved in the production and regulation of hormones are based in the skull (cranium).
Tension on the structures and tissues in and around the brain may also potentially impact the gland’s efficacy.
For example, the pituitary gland produces 2 hormones involved in ovulation. The Pituitary gland sits on a bone (Sphenoid) that sits within the skull.
The motion of the Sphenoid can become impaired which would affect the function of the Pituitary gland. Release of the tensions in the tissues will enhance the working capacity of all structures within the skull.
Whilst this will not stop Menopause it may contribute to benefitting the experience of symptoms i.e. sleep, hot flushes, stress response, brain fog, and blood pressure, which the glands all regulate.
How could getting relief from your symptoms help you?
By looking at some of the symptoms of menopause from a TCM perspective I hope you can see how it can be understood beyond a just decrease in oestrogen.
Yes, the hormones are changing and many symptoms are triggered as a result of the changes within the body. However, those symptoms may be exacerbated by the degree of balance and harmony in the TCM organs and the flow of Qi around the body.
Whether you are choosing to use HRT or not a level of symptoms may still be present and could be reduced. You shouldn’t have to suffer through it. You are not on your own and don’t need to struggle. You are worth having the support that helps you get back to the best version of yourself.
If you would like more support with the symptoms you are experiencing whilst transitioning through your menopause get in touch to book your taster session to experience how I may be able to help you.