Latest news with #FlowSpace
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
I Spent 30 Minutes in a $160,000 Wellness Chamber. Here's What Happened
When I stepped into the Airstream parked on New York City's 5th Avenue housing the Ammortal Chamber, I wasn't expecting transformation. At most, possibly a fleeting break from my inbox. Maybe a brief mental pause. A few moments of calm, if I was lucky. After all, I'm a health journalist who has downloaded (and abandoned) every meditation app on the market. My inner skeptic came in loud. But so did my curiosity. I'd seen the buzz. Read the testimonials. And if there was even a sliver of a chance this device could live up to its claims, I had to find out for myself. More from Flow Space This Menopause Symptom Ruins Sleep, Wrecks Focus and Fuels Panic-And No One Talks About It Spoiler: it did. The Ammortal Chamber Experience Let's get one thing straight from the jump—this isn't your typical spa treatment. With a price tag of $159,500 (or about $3,000 a month with available financing options), the Ammortal Chamber lands firmly in the luxury wellness category. It's a high-end, multi-modality system that layers together red and near-infrared light therapy, PEMF (pulsed electromagnetic fields), vibroacoustic sound, guided breathwork and molecular hydrogen inhalation—all while you recline in a zero-gravity position straight out of NASA's playbook. A session? Just 30 minutes. (Which, in modern-woman time, is basically just a long coffee break.) While the chamber offers seven different energy-outcome sequences designed on how the user wants to feel when the session ends (some are designed to energize and empower, some are aimed at recovery, including promoting sleep or physical and mental restoration, while others focus on releasing and embracing to help users deal with various issues), I was aptly set to partake in the 'Flow' program—designed to leave you relaxed yet alert. Think post-yoga brain with a splash of non-jittery espresso energy. I'd been mentally marinating in stress for days, so when I was asked to 'set an intention' for my session, I chose to go of the most obvious (but hardly simple for an anxiety-prone Virgo such as myself): let go of something I couldn't control. The lights dimmed. A calming voice guided me through breathwork as waves of sound and vibration moved through my body. Custom multi-layered music filled the chamber with different frequencies and sounds, while specific wavelengths of red and near-infrared (NIR) light penetrated my skin and underlying tissues (protective eyewear simply made the photobiomodulation feel like soft light pulsing around me). And then, something unexpected happened—my overactive brain stopped trying to dissect every moment and just… surrendered. It was like being wrapped in a cocoon woven from light and sound. By the end, I felt like I'd had just finished one of my favorite and most relaxing self-care treatments: acupuncture, minus the needles and post-treatment haze. I strolled back to my office, knocked out a full afternoon of work with zero stress, and barely gave a second thought to the thing I'd been spiraling over earlier. Ammortal's Origin Story Curious how a $160K wellness pod came to be? So was I. A few weeks later, I caught up with co-founders Brian Le Gette and Rob Insinger to find out what sparked the idea. Neither hails from Silicon Valley's wellness-tech bubble. Le Gette spent years in consumer products, and Insinger's background weaves through hospitality, pharma and luxury wellness. The two were introduced by a mutual friend, then teamed up with Dr. Steven Young, a holistic coach with a doctorate in physical therapy, who'd been quietly experimenting with electromagnetic therapies on pro athletes. 'The idea [is] to optimize, connect, expand the body and mind, to enable each of them to more easily recognize and fulfill their potential,' Le Gette tells Flow Space. 'We designed the chamber… all with a goal towards human vibrancy, which, for us, is this kind of pinnacle point of light. You [can] really define it any way you want, but it's very positive and a great goal, right? Maybe something you never reach, which feels fine. But if we can impact anyone along their path towards their most vibrant self, and they are, in theory, more connected to what they're here to do, what they enjoy doing, then society benefits from that.' 'We live in the modern world. We are overloaded, and it's happened so fast that humankind has not even had a chance to adapt,' Le Gette continues. 'All of these things have stacked really fast, just in a few decades, onto a human being who typically had thousands of years to adapt to its changing environment. And so the chamber, because of the work on the body and mind, creates that coherent moment. We liken it to putting your head above water… for some of these people, maybe for the first time.' Why It Clicks—Especially for Women in Midlife If there's one resource midlife women don't have in abundance, it's time. Between career demands, caregiving duties, hormone chaos and general decision fatigue, efficiency matters. A lot. That's where the Ammortal Chamber shines: it stacks what would otherwise be separate therapies—red light, PEMF, breathwork, sound healing, even meditation—into one fully choreographed, half-hour session. 'Each [therapy] compounds the effectiveness and the benefit of the other, and the combination,' Le Gette explains, 'and saves hours of time compared to using them separately.' They're not positioning the Chamber as a medical device—and they're clear about not making clinical claims—but the user feedback speaks volumes. Women report sleeping better, feeling calmer, thinking more clearly. In short: less mental static, more clarity. Insinger's wife is in perimenopause, and he's heard firsthand how the experience lands—and not just from his family and friends but huge numbers of midlife women who've had the chance to experience the Ammortal Chamber. 'I love how open a lot of these women are they they talk about their struggles,' Insinger says. 'When they get out [of the chamber], oftentimes, it's like, 'Oh my god, I just feel so much lighter. I had just had all these things that felt like they were building up behind the dam, and it's about to break… it's relieved a lot of those things.'' Another user told him: 'I have 16 things that I'm thinking about Rob, and I don't know which ones matter and which ones don't… Then after I get out of the chamber, it's like they all go like in a puddle.' Anyone navigating hormone-driven fog, relentless stress or simply the weight of invisible labour knows how rare that kind of mental reset is. Ammortal Chamber's Science (and Gray Areas) Of course, not every modality here has airtight clinical consensus behind it. Red and near-infrared light? Backed by a growing body of peer-reviewed research. PEMF? Promising for things like pain and recovery. Hydrogen inhalation? More early-stage and experimental. But that's the thing—the science is still catching up to the experience. And while you could debate the efficacy of each element, there's no denying the chamber is intentionally engineered. It doesn't just toss tech at you; it choreographs it into something immersive, even meditative. And if you're someone who struggles to sit still, much less 'clear your mind,' this might just be the nudge you didn't know you needed. The Verdict Would I drop $160,000 to have one in my living room? Honestly, no. (Well, probably, if I had a multi-million-dollar trust fund, yet alas, I don't.) But would I shell out $50 for a 30-minute session at a wellness club down the street? Absolutely. On repeat. The way I felt after that single session wasn't just relaxed—it was like someone turned the volume down on my stress and turned the lights back on in my brain. Subtle, but powerful. Like mental WD-40. For midlife women feeling stretched, foggy or on the edge of burnout, the Ammortal Chamber isn't a magic bullet—but it does come surprisingly close to feeling like one. And sometimes, that's exactly what we need to keep going. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Is There Really About to Be a Breast Cancer Vaccine?
For decades, the idea of a vaccine that could prevent breast cancer has felt more like science fiction than science. But recently, headlines touting 'breakthroughs' and 'game-changers' have sparked a new wave of hope and some skepticism. Could we really be on the cusp of immunizing against one of the most common and deadly cancers affecting women worldwide? Behind the buzz are early-stage clinical trials, promising preliminary results and a growing understanding of how the immune system can be trained to recognize and attack cancer cells. As researchers push forward, the science behind these potential vaccines—and what they might mean for the future of cancer prevention—is becoming increasingly compelling. More from Flow Space New Nimbus & Stratus COVID Variants Are Spreading-Here's Why Midlife Women Should Be Concerned How a Breast Cancer Vaccine Could Work and What Makes It Different A breast cancer vaccine is a type of immunotherapy designed to prevent, treat or reduce the risk of breast cancer recurrence by training the body's immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells. There are two main types under development. Preventive (Prophylactic) Vaccines:These are meant to stop cancer before it starts—similar to how traditional vaccines prevent infectious diseases like measles or HPV. For breast cancer, preventive vaccines are still experimental and are generally being tested on people who are considered high risk (like those with BRCA mutations or a strong family history). Therapeutic Vaccines:These are designed for people who already have breast cancer or have completed treatment but are at risk of recurrence. The goal is to boost the immune response against cancer-specific markers (like HER2 or mammaglobin-A), so the body can find and destroy any remaining cancer cells. 'Unlike traditional vaccines for infectious diseases (such as flu or COVID-19), which prevent infections caused by external pathogens, breast cancer vaccines target abnormal cellular changes to either prevent cancer or treat it by reducing recurrence,' Dr. Marie Ward, regional director of breast surgery at NYC Health + Hospitals's Jacobi Medical Center, tells Flow Space. By exposing the immune system to these antigens, the vaccine helps it 'learn' what cancer cells look like, so it can mount a stronger, more targeted attack. Where Does the Research Stand? While no breast cancer vaccine is currently approved for widespread use, several promising vaccine candidates are in clinical trials, targeting different approaches to breast cancer, including primary prevention and recurrence prevention. As of mid-2025, Ward says there are at least 15 breast cancer vaccine clinical trials in various stages in the U.S., some in phase II and III. She says some notable examples include: NeuVax (targets Her2): advanced trials mRNA vaccines (e.g., MUC1-based) show promising early results in disease-free survival (DFS) and reduction of recurrence Alpha-lactalbumin vaccines for triple-negative breast cancer One of the most closely watched efforts is being led by the Cleveland Clinic, which launched its phase I trial of a preventive breast cancer vaccine in 2021. 'This vaccine targets α-lactalbumin—a protein normally produced only during lactation but abnormally expressed in many triple-negative breast cancers—a particularly aggressive and hard-to-treat subtype,' Dr. Brooke Davis, breast medical oncologist at Oncology Specialists of Charlotte in North Carolina, tells Flow Space. The trial is testing the vaccine in women who are currently cancer-free but considered high-risk due to genetic mutations (like BRCA1/2) or family history. The current focus is on evaluating safety, immune response and tolerability. If early results are promising, the study will expand to larger groups and later-phase trials to assess long-term protection Meanwhile, therapeutic vaccines are also advancing. These vaccines don't aim to prevent the disease from occurring, but rather to help the immune system better identify and destroy cancer cells, especially those that may linger after treatment and cause recurrence. For instance, researchers are developing HER2-targeted vaccines, which are designed to activate immune cells against breast cancers that overexpress the HER2 protein. 'These are currently being studied in combination with other treatments, such as checkpoint inhibitors, in hopes of amplifying their effectiveness,' adds Davis. Additionally, mRNA vaccine technology is being adapted for breast cancer applications. Companies like BioNTech and Moderna, which were instrumental in developing COVID-19 vaccines, are now exploring whether personalized mRNA vaccines can teach the immune system to target tumor-specific neoantigens—essentially custom-building a vaccine unique to each patient's cancer. Early results across multiple trials have shown that these vaccines are capable of producing measurable immune responses and appear to be safe, with relatively mild side effects. However, most studies are still in phase I or phase II, meaning it's too soon to know whether they will lead to significant reductions in cancer risk or recurrence. That said, both interest and investment in this space are growing rapidly. The National Cancer Institute and the Department of Defense are funding numerous breast cancer vaccine studies, reflecting growing institutional confidence in the field. Epidemiologist Dr. Scarlett Lin Gomez, co-leader of the Cancer Control Program at University of Central South Florida who specializes in studying breast cancer rates among Asian-American women is currently conducting the CRANE study. Its goal is to understand the risk factors underlying the high and increasing rates of breast cancer in Asian American females. 'But in a more general sense, raising awareness among the medical community about the severity of breast cancer and its rising cases within minority groups only sheds light on how much a vaccine would be a game changer,' she notes. However, researchers caution that a universal breast cancer vaccine—one that could be given to the general population, much like the HPV vaccine—is likely still many years away, if it proves possible at all. 'The ideal future model combines both: a standard vaccine base with individualized components tailored to a patient's unique tumor biology,' explains Ward. What's Next? Every breast cancer vaccine trial underway today is doing more than just testing a single intervention; it's helping to define the future of cancer prevention and treatment. While we're still years away from routine, widespread vaccination against breast cancer, researchers are gathering critical insights that are shaping the next generation of cancer vaccines. Ward says one of the major milestones the field is working toward is the successful demonstration of reduced recurrence or prevention rates in large, randomized phase III trials, which could lead to regulatory approval, particularly for high-risk populations. But reaching that point, she emphasizes, requires a more sophisticated approach than a vaccine alone. 'One of our key learnings is that vaccines are far more effective when combined with other forms of immunotherapy, such as checkpoint inhibitors,' Ward explains. 'Cancer is expert at evading immune recognition. You need to unmask it—and that often takes multiple tools working in tandem.' Another essential insight has come from understanding which antigens best trigger a protective immune response. 'We're learning to distinguish between shared antigens, which are common across many tumors, and personalized neoantigens, which are unique to each patient's cancer,' says Ward. 'Both have potential, but personalizing the immune response could offer stronger, longer-lasting protection.' Technological innovation is playing a major role in shaping these next-generation vaccines, as well, adds Davis. She says that with mRNA platforms and machine learning, scientists are able to design and adapt vaccines more rapidly than ever before, and these tools allow us to evolve the vaccine alongside the tumor, which is critical because cancer isn't static, it changes. At the same time, researchers are gaining a better understanding of why some vaccines underperform. One of the most promising avenues for current vaccines is minimal residual disease settings—after the primary tumor has been removed or treated, but before the cancer has a chance to come back. In these scenarios, the tumor burden is low, and the immune system has a better shot at clearing out any remaining cells. Ultimately, experts agree that breast cancer vaccines will more than likely be part of a larger therapeutic strategy rather than a standalone solution. 'We're likely to see vaccines used alongside existing therapies—chemotherapy, targeted drugs and immunotherapy—for a synergistic benefit,' Ward says. 'It's about boosting the immune system in a smarter, more targeted way. But the lessons we're learning now are invaluable. They're helping us build smarter, safer and more effective vaccines and bringing us closer to a future where cancer prevention is proactive, not reactive.' Solve the daily Crossword
Economic Times
26-07-2025
- Health
- Economic Times
The estrogen nobody told you about is changing hormone care — here's why it matters now
Estrogen hormone therapy with estetrol E4: Estrogen treatments have depended on three core types: estrone, estradiol, and estriol for decades, but new on the horizon is a lesser-known natural estrogen called estetrol, or E4, that is slowly altering the process of hormone treatment, as per a report. Made by the fetal liver only during pregnancy, E4 differs from its more famous hormonal cousins and has promising advantages that may revolutionize how women treat hormone therapy, according to a Flow Space other estrogens, E4 acts selectively on some of the body's tissues, as per the report. Nurse practitioner Alexandra Rooker of The Lanby, a functional medicine clinic, explains that E4 selectively activates estrogen receptors in a way that may provide therapeutic benefits while minimizing stimulation of tissues like the breast and liver,' as quoted by Flow Space. This selectivity is what makes E4 potentially deliver many of the benefits of estrogen therapy, such as alleviating menopausal symptoms, without some of the dangers associated with older hormone therapies. ALSO READ: Happy Gilmore 2 brings Adam Sandler's family back to the screen! What roles do his daughters Sadie and Sunny play in the Netflix film?Researchers are calling E4 a "Native Estrogen with Selective Tissue activity," or NEST, since it's specifically where it's needed and not overstimulating in sensitive areas, as per the Flow Space report. That specificity may render E4 a safer option for hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and birth control, particularly for women concerned about side effects such as blood clots or breast tissue stimulation, as per the sets E4 apart is its source: it's made naturally during pregnancy and disappears at birth. For decades, it was a biological oddity rather than a useful drug. But new research has found that E4 acts differently than other estrogens. It selectively hits useful tissues such as bones and vaginal lining, while having less impact on the liver and breast tissue, tissues where too much estrogen activity can lead to trouble, according to Flow Space. E4 is already incorporated in some oral contraceptives, including Nextstellis, wherein it prevents pregnancy but with fewer effects on blood clotting and liver function than usual estrogens, as per the report. Researchers are now exploring E4's ability to alleviate hot flashes and night sweats of menopause while possibly reducing risks linked to older hormone therapies, according to Flow READ: Donald Trump's Scotland visit: Golfing or diplomacy? The real agenda uncovered! According to Dr. Neha Pathak, chief physician editor at WebMD, E4 is 'Some forms of broken-down estrogen are thought to be gentler on the body, while others may be more active and possibly linked to health risks like breast cancer,' adding, 'But it's more complex than just good or bad; we still have a lot to learn about what these changes really mean for long-term health,' as quoted by Flow Space. This approach is a huge step forward in itself, since older forms of estrogen can increase risks of strokes, heart problems, and other health concerns, particularly in older women or those with existing conditions, as per the research indicates E4 has a stable half-life that is adequate for once-daily oral administration and a milder impact on the liver, as per the report. Rooker explained, 'This may translate into a safer alternative for many women, particularly regarding clotting risks and breast tissue stimulation,' as quoted in Flow to the report, estetrol-based menopause hormone therapy is likely to be on the market as soon as 2026. This new treatment might provide more personalised and safer options for patients and physicians in controlling symptoms, as per Flow from menopause and birth control, scientists are also studying E4's use to treat hormone-sensitive cancers, such as some breast and prostate cancers, due to its selectivity, according to the report. E4 is even being looked at as part of a possible male birth control pill because of its balanced hormonal effects and low impact on the liver and blood clotting, two major concerns in developing hormonal contraceptives for men, as reported by Flow Space. What is estetrol (E4)?Estetrol is a natural estrogen made by the fetal liver during pregnancy. It's now being studied for use in hormone therapy and birth control. Is E4 safer than other types of estrogen? Early research suggests that E4 is gentler on the liver and blood clotting system, which may reduce risks like strokes and breast tissue stimulation.
Time of India
26-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
The estrogen nobody told you about is changing hormone care — here's why it matters now
Estrogen hormone therapy with estetrol E4: Estrogen treatments have depended on three core types: estrone, estradiol, and estriol for decades, but new on the horizon is a lesser-known natural estrogen called estetrol, or E4, that is slowly altering the process of hormone treatment, as per a report. Made by the fetal liver only during pregnancy, E4 differs from its more famous hormonal cousins and has promising advantages that may revolutionize how women treat hormone therapy, according to a Flow Space report. A New Era in Estrogen Therapy: Meet Estetrol E4 Unlike other estrogens, E4 acts selectively on some of the body's tissues, as per the report. Nurse practitioner Alexandra Rooker of The Lanby, a functional medicine clinic, explains that E4 selectively activates estrogen receptors in a way that may provide therapeutic benefits while minimizing stimulation of tissues like the breast and liver,' as quoted by Flow Space. This selectivity is what makes E4 potentially deliver many of the benefits of estrogen therapy, such as alleviating menopausal symptoms, without some of the dangers associated with older hormone therapies. 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What roles do his daughters Sadie and Sunny play in the Netflix film? by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like This Could Be the Best Time to Trade Gold in 5 Years IC Markets Learn More Undo Why Selective Activity Matters in Hormone Therapy Researchers are calling E4 a "Native Estrogen with Selective Tissue activity," or NEST, since it's specifically where it's needed and not overstimulating in sensitive areas, as per the Flow Space report. That specificity may render E4 a safer option for hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and birth control , particularly for women concerned about side effects such as blood clots or breast tissue stimulation, as per the report. What Makes Estetrol E4 So Different? What sets E4 apart is its source: it's made naturally during pregnancy and disappears at birth. For decades, it was a biological oddity rather than a useful drug. But new research has found that E4 acts differently than other estrogens. It selectively hits useful tissues such as bones and vaginal lining, while having less impact on the liver and breast tissue, tissues where too much estrogen activity can lead to trouble, according to Flow Space. Live Events E4 Is Already in Some Birth Control Pills E4 is already incorporated in some oral contraceptives, including Nextstellis, wherein it prevents pregnancy but with fewer effects on blood clotting and liver function than usual estrogens, as per the report. Researchers are now exploring E4's ability to alleviate hot flashes and night sweats of menopause while possibly reducing risks linked to older hormone therapies, according to Flow Space. ALSO READ: Donald Trump's Scotland visit: Golfing or diplomacy? The real agenda uncovered! Could E4 Make Hormone Therapy Safer? According to Dr. Neha Pathak, chief physician editor at WebMD, E4 is 'Some forms of broken-down estrogen are thought to be gentler on the body, while others may be more active and possibly linked to health risks like breast cancer,' adding, 'But it's more complex than just good or bad; we still have a lot to learn about what these changes really mean for long-term health,' as quoted by Flow Space. This approach is a huge step forward in itself, since older forms of estrogen can increase risks of strokes, heart problems, and other health concerns, particularly in older women or those with existing conditions, as per the report. Early research indicates E4 has a stable half-life that is adequate for once-daily oral administration and a milder impact on the liver, as per the report. Rooker explained, 'This may translate into a safer alternative for many women, particularly regarding clotting risks and breast tissue stimulation,' as quoted in Flow Space. According to the report, estetrol-based menopause hormone therapy is likely to be on the market as soon as 2026. This new treatment might provide more personalised and safer options for patients and physicians in controlling symptoms, as per Flow Space. Beyond Women's Health: E4 in Cancer and Male Birth Control Aside from menopause and birth control, scientists are also studying E4's use to treat hormone-sensitive cancers , such as some breast and prostate cancers, due to its selectivity, according to the report. E4 is even being looked at as part of a possible male birth control pill because of its balanced hormonal effects and low impact on the liver and blood clotting, two major concerns in developing hormonal contraceptives for men , as reported by Flow Space. FAQs What is estetrol (E4)? Estetrol is a natural estrogen made by the fetal liver during pregnancy. It's now being studied for use in hormone therapy and birth control. Is E4 safer than other types of estrogen? Early research suggests that E4 is gentler on the liver and blood clotting system, which may reduce risks like strokes and breast tissue stimulation.
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Is Relief From Menopause Just a Needle Away? The Truth About Acupuncture
Menopause symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats and other sleep disturbances aren't just annoying—they can be disruptive. Whether you're suddenly overheating and covered in sweat or you're having trouble focusing on tasks at work because you didn't get a restful night's sleep, menopause symptoms can interfere with your daily life in truly significant ways. Fortunately, there are tools at our disposal—like hormone therapy and lifestyle changes—that can make dealing with these symptoms a bit easier. More from Flow Space The Menopause Symptom No One Talks About-But Might Signal Bigger Health Issues Some doctors also recommend acupuncture: the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practice involving the insertion of extremely thin needles into the skin on specific parts of the body. But can this really help with menopause symptoms? Here's what the research and experts say. Can Acupuncture Help Relieve the Symptoms of Perimenopause and Menopause? In short: yes, acupuncture may help relieve some symptoms of perimenopause and menopause, says Dr. Maria Colon-Gonzalez, a physician at Salud Revisited and acupuncture practitioner. In TCM, perimenopause and menopause are viewed as natural transitional phases characterized by an imbalance, she explains. 'As estrogen and progesterone levels decline, symptoms such as hot flashes, mood swings, insomnia and fatigue can arise,' she says. 'Acupuncture works by restoring balance within the body's meridian system, calming the nervous system and regulating hormonal function.' According to Dr. Haley Parker, an acupuncturist and director of clinical operations at the Academic Clinic of the Virginia University of Integrated Medicine, rather than addressing or masking symptoms, acupuncture works by restoring balance in the body's energetic systems. 'These vital substances begin to shift during perimenopause, and acupuncture helps harmonize their flow,' she explains. A 2016 study published in the journal Menopause supports this. The researchers found acupuncture treatments were associated with significant improvement in quality-of-life measures that participants who did not receive acupuncture treatments didn't experience. The study also found that the clinical benefits of acupuncture for menopause symptoms lasted at least six months beyond the end of treatment. A 2015 meta-analysis of 12 studies on acupuncture and menopause, also published in the journal Menopause, came to the same conclusion. According to Parker, modern research supports what TCM has known for centuries: acupuncture stimulates the nervous system, improves circulation, regulates hormone levels and promotes endorphin release—all of which help mitigate the wide range of symptoms experienced during this time. However, as Dr. Anita Sadaty, an OB-GYN, founder of Redefining Health Medical and medical advisor for Womaness, points out, there are also studies that cast doubt on the effectiveness of acupuncture for menopause symptoms. 'I think it's important to recognize that some studies caution that the effects of acupuncture may not be significantly different from sham acupuncture, suggesting a potential placebo component,' she says. 'Despite this, I believe that acupuncture is a reasonable, low-risk alternative for women seeking non-hormonal relief from menopausal symptoms, especially vasomotor symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats.' Which Menopause Symptoms Can Acupuncture Help Alleviate? Technically, TCM doesn't treat symptoms and isolated issues, Parker explains. Instead, practitioners look at root patterns, which may manifest differently in each woman. 'In a treatment, we treat the root and branch of the condition to address the symptoms and why they are presenting,' she says. Here are some of the most common menopause symptoms that acupuncture may help alleviate, according to Parker, Sadaty and Colon-Gonzalez: Hot flashes Night sweats Irregular or heavy periods Insomnia and restless sleep Anxiety or depression Irritability and mood swings Fatigue and low energy Brain fog and poor memory Digestive changes Weight fluctuations Vaginal dryness Loss of libido Joint pain or stiffness Pain related to intercourse Bone health How Does Acupuncture Help Relieve Menopause Symptoms? Acupuncture influences the body's energy pathways—called 'meridians'—to create physiologic shifts, Sadaty explains. 'It is thought that acupuncture may influence cortisol, cortisol metabolites and DHEA levels. These levels typically increase with menopause, contributing to changes in mood, metabolism, bone density,and cognition. It is possible that the same mechanisms play a role in the treatment of hot flashes, depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, obesity, osteoporosis and dementia.' Additionally, there is evidence that acupuncture enhances stimulation of several brain regions to improve cognitive symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, cognitive decline, insomnia and mood symptoms, she adds. According to Park, each acupuncture treatment is personalized. 'There's no 'one-size-fits-all' because we honor the individual pattern presenting in each woman,' she says. 'We recommend booking a consultation with your acupuncturist to go through a thorough review of symptoms and medical history to make a tailored treatment plan, with point prescriptions and herbal formulas fit for your main concerns.' How Long Does It Take for Acupuncture to Relieve Menopause Symptoms? The short answer is that it depends. 'The benefits, the duration of the effects and the overall experience depends on the patients' health, lifestyle and other lifestyle factors that contribute to whole-person health,' Parker explains. 'This means that a patient who is inherently healthy and practicing a healthier lifestyle will usually see results faster and sustain longer.' Most women benefit from weekly sessions for the first four to five weeks, Colon-Gonzalez says. The findings of a 2019 study published in BMJ Open suggests that as few as five weeks of weekly acupuncture may be enough to improve vasomotor symptoms, like hot flashes and night sweats. As symptoms improve, treatments can be spaced to every two to three weeks. 'Once stable, monthly 'tune-ups' are helpful for maintenance,' Colon-Gonzalez says. 'While some women feel relief immediately—though it's not the case for most—cumulative benefits are more common with consistent care over time.'
