The Top 5 Benefits of Acupuncture for Women

Interested in acupuncture and Chinese Medicine? At Alea, we are all about taking advantage of the wide range of options in Hong Kong, from Western to Chinese Medicine. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been around for millennia and like Western medicine, is particularly good at certain things. TCM takes a “rebalancing” approach so the prescription for each woman will be slightly different. With Dr. Michelle Law 羅佩雯博士, we look into 5 female-related issues TCM is particularly good at relieving in women.

1. Fertility and acupuncture

The key to a healthy female reproductive system is the menstrual cycle. Irregular cycles are sometimes associated with fertility issues. TCM methods, particularly acupuncture, have proven to be effective in making menstrual cycles more regular, and possibly increasing fertility. Studies have shown that acupuncture can induce regular ovulation in patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) through modulation of the nervous and endocrine systems. Another potential fertility benefit of acupuncture is optimizing how receptive the uterine lining is to embryo implantation (known clinically as endometrial receptivity) by increasing blood flow to the reproductive organs.

2. Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and acupuncture

Just like using acupuncture to make periods more regular, TCM is also effective in reducing other pesky period symptoms. Acupuncture is associated with endorphins (the “feel good” hormone) production which can help relieve some of the emotional distress and pain associated with a woman’s period. Oral and topical Chinese herbal medicine can also alleviate menstrual cramps.

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3. Breech babies and acupuncture

Babies in breech position (feet/buttocks/knees down) are much more likely to have a complicated birth or cesarean section. Numerous studies have associated both acupuncture and moxibustion treatments with successfully turned breech babies. There is evidence showing moxibustion may reduce the need for a manual procedure known as the external cephalic version, where an obstetrician or midwife turns the baby to a head-down position. Combined with acupuncture, moxibustion may result in fewer births by cesarean section.

4. Menopause, acupuncture and herbal medicines

Hong Kong and Chinese women tend to report far lower rates of menopausal symptoms than their Western counterparts. This difference is associated with a difference in diet, but also how symptoms are managed. TCM offers an alternative to Western medicine’s hormone replacement therapy. Numerous clinical studies have shown promising results using acupuncture to relieve many of the symptoms of menopause, including hot flashes and night sweats. Chinese herbal medicine helps balance the female hormones.

5. Insomnia and acupuncture

While insomnia is not solely a female issue, it is more common in women (34%) than men (24%). A common treatment for insomnia is TCM: numerous studies have shown that acupuncture is reliable and effective for improving sleeping quality. Acupuncture also lacks the addiction and safety risks of pharmaceutical insomnia cures.

Dr. Michelle Law Pui Man 羅佩雯 B.C.M. (CUHK), PhD in Public Health (Family Medicine) (CUHK), was born in Hong Kong and studied Traditional Chinese Medicine in the School of Chinese Medicine at Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK). After obtaining her Bachelor Degree she pursued further postgraduate study at the Faculty of Medicine of the CUHK. She graduated from PhD (Family Medicine) study and her thesis is focused on acne vulgaris induced by hormone imbalance. Clinically, she has special interest in reproductive medicine and has extensive experience in treating patients with infertility or its associated problems. She is the Director of L&L Wellness Centre, the practitioner in Vitality Centre, as well as the Honorary Assistant Professor of The Centre for Health Education and Health Promotion, The Chinese University of Hong Kong.