Supporting Perimenopause and Menopause Naturally – a Multidisciplinary Approach

19 Apr

Navigating the complex transitional process of perimenopause and menopause can be overwhelming, especially without knowledge and support. Whilst menopause is a term used to describe the cessation of periods, it is the phase leading up to this called the perimenopause, which lasts an average of four years, when women experience some of the greatest challenges both on a physical and emotional level.

At Bridge to Health, our Osteopathy, Nutritional Therapy and Acupuncture practitioners have a wealth of varied skills and expertise to support you through this challenging transitional process.

A/ An Osteopathy Perspective

The perimenopause and menopause can bring an array of symptoms and as every person is different, each individual will experience this differently. For some women, they find that their joints suddenly become very stiff and painful with reduced mobility, or they have aches and pains for seemingly no reason.

The decline of certain hormones, mainly oestrogen in this scenario, is a significant contributory factor. This decline can affect the musculoskeletal system in the following ways:

Oestrogen has an anti-inflammatory effect and so with reduced levels of it in our bodies we can suffer with an excess of inflammation leading to muscular and joint symptoms.
The ligaments and tendons can become stiffer and so will not stretch as easily which can lead to muscle and tendon injury as well a decrease in joint mobility.
The decline of hormones leads to a decrease in muscle mass and strength entailing more aches, pains and muscle injuries.
A reduction in oestrogen affects your bone density and can make you more susceptible to osteoporosis.

How can an Osteopath help?

Osteopaths work on the principle that the whole body works together and depends on the joints, muscles, ligaments and connective tissues all functioning together smoothly. An Osteopath will work to restore that balance by using gentle and safe techniques such as deep soft tissue stretches and massage, articulation and joint mobilisation to address any musculoskeletal issues that you may have. This aims to:

Ease symptoms
Alleviate joint pain and stiffness
Relieve muscles tension and pain
Rebalance your body

We will also give you tailored advice on posture and any appropriate movements or exercises that will help you continue to ease your symptoms at home.

Contact our Osteopath Anna Ford via email or phone or book an appointment directly!

B/ A Nutritional Therapy perspective

The perimenopause is a period of time (usually over 4 years) where periods become less regular, often heavier and less predictable due to the levels of the sex hormones oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone changing and ultimately dropping.

For some women, symptoms can be acute and stressful and impact daily life. But there is a lot you can do to support yourself in coping with menopause naturally:

From a Nutritional Therapy perspective:

What you eat can have a big impact on your hormone balance.
At this point in your life, your digestive system and liver need a lot of support.
You may be deficient in vital vitamins and minerals that the body needs to cope with hormonal changes.
Your metabolism may slow down, and you might have to change your diet accordingly.
Stress and sleep have a big impact on hormone balance and this is a key area to address, through both diet and lifestyle.
You may have a family history of osteoporosis and want to prevent this happening.
Mood can be impacted with increased anxiety often being one of the first symptoms that you may experience, and this can be supported through diet and lifestyle.

How can Nutritional Therapy help?

As well as dietary and lifestyle advice, Emily, our Nutritional Therapist can offer functional testing and often uses a specific Menopause test which looks at levels of oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone; oestrogen metabolites which can help or hinder hormone health; and cortisol (stress hormone), DHEA and melatonin (sleep hormone). Other tests that would be relevant would be those looking at Thyroid hormone levels as well as key nutrients.

Emily works with every client on an individual basis, rather than a one size fits all approach, which means that she will create a personalised plan tailored to address your symptoms, whether they are hot flushes, anxiety, joint pain, night sweats, weight gain, low energy levels, heavier periods, insomnia. She will also create a bespoke supplement plan for you taking account of any medications you are taking, including HRT.

Contact our Nutritional Therapist Emily Fawell via e mail or phone or book an appointment directly!

C/ A Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture perspective

In Chinese Medicine the menopause is viewed as a natural phase in a woman’s life representing a transition from the reproductive years to a stage of wisdom and maturity. In our western society, however, it is often experienced with feelings of confusion, apprehension, and disempowerment, in large part due a lack of research and discussion around women’s health.

The good news is that holistic treatments, such as acupuncture, can help relieve symptoms and restore a sense of grounding and wellbeing, helping women move through the stages of menopause with a greater sense of agency and power.

How can Acupuncture help?

The Yin and Yang energies that form the foundation of acupuncture can be equated to hormones that play a key role in the occurrence of menopausal symptoms such as oestrogen, progesterone, testosterone, cortisol and stress hormones. By using specific acupuncture points to regulate Yin and Yang, we can address hormonal fluctuations and organ deficiencies so that balance is restored and symptoms are relieved.

For example, symptoms such as hot flushes and night sweats are associated with a decline of Yin energy, which represents the cooling, nourishing and moistening aspects of the body, similar to that of oestrogen. Specific acupuncture points that nourish Yin help harmonise the body’s natural temperature regulation which has a great impact on reducing the frequency and severity of hot flushes and night sweats.

Other disruptive symptoms such as headaches, migraines, fatigue and brain fog can also be relieved by regulating the flow of Qi, Yin and Yang.

Beyond addressing physical discomfort, acupuncture plays a crucial role in supporting emotional wellbeing during this time of change. By promoting the release of endorphins and serotonin, acupuncture induces feelings of relaxation and upliftment, helping women better cope with mood changes, anxiety, and depression.

Furthermore, acupuncture offers a natural solution for improving sleep quality, which is often disrupted by hormonal fluctuations. Deep, restful sleep, as well as regular exercise, adequate rest and a balanced diet rich in nourishing foods all play a key role in empowering women to navigate this transformative phase of life with greater ease and vitality.

Contact our Acupuncturist Barbara Barakos via email or phone or book an appointment directly!