The following is an excerpt from an article in the Irish Independent that discussed Menopause – safe effective remedies that are available. The excerpt features an interview with Aine Delaney on the use of acupuncture to treat symptoms of menopause. To read the full article, click here.

Qualified nurse and midwife Áine Delaney has been treating the symptoms of menopause for some 20 years – with needles. She says acupuncture helps with symptoms such as anxiety, insomnia, sleep disturbance, mood change and hot flushes.

Here’s how it works: “The client lies down and I insert about 10 very fine, single use, sterile, disposable needles, in head, hands, arms, legs, and sometimes abdomen,” Delaney explains.

“The needles are inserted into points on the energy channels in the body. They regulate the electrical system or energy flow ‘qi’ of the body – we’re not quite sure how it works, but it’s about rebalancing the body’s energy, which helps with the symptoms.

“Generally patients will report a significant improvement in symptoms like hot flushes, anxiety levels and sleep patterns after about six treatments,” says Delaney, who adds that women reporting disruptive menopause symptoms make up about 20pc of her patient cohort.

The improvement can last for up to six months, after which some patients may need a “top-up.”

“Most people will experience an improvement, others may need some herbs in conjunction with the treatment. I find it very good – in fact I find acupuncture powerful for all conditions and I don’t view the menopause as being any different.”

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The full article ‘To HRT or not to HRT? Menopause – safe effective remedies are available‘ was published in the Irish Independent, Nov 8, 2015.