How Acupuncture Can Support Women's Health

Did you know that acupuncture is incredible for supporting health and wellbeing through all seasons of a woman’s life? In honor of Women’s Month, our March blog is dedicated to spotlighting the physical, mental and emotional benefits that this ancient practice offers women in modern times.

Here at Hudson Healing Arts, we’re fortunate to have two highly skilled acupuncturists - Joe Del Giodice and Kyla Hanley - with decades of collective experience. Thank you Joe and Kyla for sharing your insights with us!
 
​A personalized approach
Regardless of what issues you’re dealing with, almost all women can benefit from acupuncture’s ability to activate the body’s natural ability to heal.
 
“Whether you’re looking to treat a specific condition or for general stress relief, acupuncture stimulates your nervous system and alters your body’s chemistry,” explains Kyla. “When you needle a point, it sends a message to your brain to bring about a healing response.”
 
This holistic technique embraces your body’s self-healing mechanisms , such as calling on your body’s natural painkillers, triggering an anti-inflammatory response, and increasing your serotonin and dopamine levels (all without any unwanted side effects).
 
Another reason that Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) can be a gamechanger for women’s health is that it’s not generalized or numbers-oriented. Instead, every individual is treated as unique.
 
“Everything in TCM is a constitutional form of care, which means it’s very specific and tailor-made for a person’s constitution,” says Joe. “While there are things that are common among a demographic, we always fine tune it for each particular person.”
 
This is true even for an individual at different points in time. Every time you come in for acupuncture, your session starts with an evaluation. This may be a bit different from what you’re used to - methods like a tongue exam, listening to your pulse, and a questionnaire about your health history help our practitioners evaluate your needs from a TCM perspective. The focus is always on finding the root of the problem, rather than putting a bandaid on any symptoms.
 
Improving your general health and wellbeing 
One of the defining principles of acupuncture is the saying: “If there is free flow, there’s no pain. Where there’s pain, there’s no free flow.”
 
“The meridians are seen as pathways. When there’s a traffic jam, everything stops and you get stuck,” explains Kyla. “We all know that when you put health issues or stress on the backburner, it becomes a bigger problem. The point of acupuncture is to keep Qi moving and flowing.”
 
For women, who often take care of everyone else’s needs before their own, acupuncture is both maintenance and prevention. By boosting your immunity, promoting good sleep, and reducing stress, it sets you up for greater overall wellbeing while also helping with other things that pop up (from injuries to unexpected life stressors).
 
Kyla also adds that in today’s hectic world, taking the time to “schedule relaxation” can have profound effects on the quality of your life. Even if it’s one session per season, acupuncture is a resource that helps you slow down and find clarity about what’s important.
 
“Being proactive about your wellbeing is such an act of self-love. You can have huge shifts,” says Kyla. “When I first started acupuncture, I experienced more perspective and gratitude. I began to walk a little slower, notice the color of the sky, and simply see the good in each day and feel better. We often rush around…but are we here to finish a ‘to-do’ list, or experience joy and love each day?”
 
Promoting hormonal balance 
Beyond improving your general wellbeing, acupuncture is a great complementary treatment for a wide range of health issues specific to women. One of the big reasons is that acupuncture promotes hormonal balance - from your first monthly cycle through menopause.
 
“When young women first begin their cycle, the body is seeking to find its footing with this new element that has developed in its constitution,” says Joe. “Acupuncture can help have a balancing effect on these hormonal fluctuations. In fact, pain-free periods can be a reality, but a lot of women don’t realize that’s the way it’s supposed to be.”
 
Research shows that acupuncture can help regulate everything from irregular periods to cramps, headaches, mood swings, and back pain. It’s also a natural way to help support fertility and relieve prenatal symptoms like nausea.
 
Last but certainly not least, acupuncture can help make the transition into perimenopause and menopause more harmonious.
 
“Acupuncture balances out the levels of estrogen and progesterone, so that there’s a smoother landing instead of a sharp decline,” says Joe. “This has a positive effect on sleep, hot flashes, and fluctuations in mood and mental acuity. I’ve heard clients share that their mood is steadier, they feel sharper at work, and that they didn’t realize how well they could sleep.”
 
We’d love to see you at HHA
Interested in booking a session with Joe or Kyla at Hudson Healing Arts? According to Joe, spring is a wonderful time for women to reap the benefits of acupuncture.
 
“In TCM, spring is ruled by the liver and the liver surrounds the pelvic organs. So on an energetic level, there's a strong link between the liver and women's health,” he explains. “At this time of year, acupuncture is particularly great for nourishing the liver - it’s both strengthening and relaxing.”
 
To schedule a session, Joe can be reached at (201) 653-7700 ext. 3 and Kyla can be reached at 201-362-9522 or kylahanley@icloud.com.
 
Thanks as always for reading our blog and being a part of the HHA community! Wishing everyone a happy and healthy spring.