Chiropractic Care for Natural Menopause Relief

Menopause is a part of life for all women. It usually begins around age 50. Symptoms can range from mild changes to debilitating health issues that interfere with all aspects of life. Many women don’t seek treatment for menopause. Those who do are often encouraged to use hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to treat their symptoms.

Unfortunately, these treatments can trigger various side effects, some of which are severe.

If you’re looking for a safe, all-natural way to cope with menopause symptoms, chiropractic treatment can help. It’s one of the most effective tools available for treating menopause and can be used alone or in conjunction with other complementary therapies, including massage therapy, acupuncture, and counseling.

For many women, this combination of treatments makes for a healthier and more manageable transition from one phase of life to another.

The Nervous Systems Connection to Hormone Regulation

The endocrine system oversees the regulation of the body’s hormones. The system is made up of various glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream to regulate things like metabolism, blood pressure, digestion, and more.

The endocrine system is not directly connected to the nervous system, but the two are linked and interact in many different ways. Issues within the nervous system can affect hormone regulation at all stages of life.

However, during menopause, this can be especially problematic because of the hormone issues that tend to arise during this phase of life. Nervous system issues exacerbate existing challenges and can create new challenges where there are none.

Common Symptoms of Menopause that Chiropractors Regularly Treat

Menopause triggers a variety of unpleasant symptoms. Many of these can be managed using chiropractic treatments. For example:

Insomnia

Insomnia is a common problem during menopause. Women have trouble getting to sleep, staying asleep, and getting enough quality sleep. Chiropractors can help to eliminate issues with insomnia by:

• Offering tips on stretching to reduce stress
• Providing massage therapy to relax the body and calm the nerves
• Offering advice for creating an optimal sleep environment
• Alleviating pain and discomfort that can interfere with sleep

Weight Gain

Chiropractors help with the weight gain, often part of menopause, by suggesting dietary adjustments, exercise routines, and nutritional supplements. They’ll also help to bring hormones back into a state of balance, which makes weight loss easier.

Changes in Mood

Menopause often brings mood changes. Sometimes, they’re on par with the mood changes experienced during PMS, but some people experience debilitating mood swings. The risk of depression and anxiety is higher during menopause.

Chiropractic care promotes relaxation, helps increase blood flow, reduces chronic pain, and can trigger the release of feel-good hormones, such as oxytocin.

Aches, Pains & Headaches

Body aches and pains are common during menopause. Chiropractic care can help you manage headaches and other pain issues by:

• Realigning the spine and correcting problems to relieve pressure on the nerves
• Restoring healthy blood flow to the head, neck, and shoulders
• Improving posture
• Alleviating muscle tension
• Reducing inflammation

Bladder Control 

Bladder control can become an issue after childbirth and might worsen later in life. Chiropractic care helps with bladder control issues by correcting communication problems between the bladder and the brain. Spinal alignment improves nerve function, improving the body’s ability to control the bladder.

Osteoporosis 

The risk of osteoporosis worsens as someone grows older. Chiropractic care improves the health of the musculoskeletal system. It can reduce symptoms of existing osteoporosis and identify areas of the body at risk. Chiropractors also offer nutrition and fitness advice that can help to strengthen the body and reduce the risk of broken bones.

Cardiovascular Disease 

Keeping the risk of cardiovascular disease low as we age is essential. Chiropractic care can help with this. Treatments decrease inflammation in the body and in the heart. It helps to lower blood pressure and reduce chest pain.

Why You Should Consider Natural Treatments Before Trying HRT

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is one of the most commonly recommended treatments for dealing with the symptoms of menopause. It’s also one of the riskiest.

The goal of HRT is to replace the hormones that are reduced during menopause. This helps to prevent bone loss, reduce hot flashes, improve mood, and deal with other common symptoms. The risks of HRT vary depending on how long someone uses it, their dose, whether they use synthetic hormones and their health issues. However, the most common risks of HRT include:

• Stroke
• Heart disease
• Blood clots
• Breast cancer

Anyone considering HRT should speak to their doctor about the risks associated with the treatment. In many cases, the better option will be to choose natural therapies that can be just as effective but pose fewer risks.

Benefits of Holistic Chiropractic Therapies for Menopause Relief

There are many benefits to choosing chiropractic treatment to manage menopause symptoms. For example:

Chiropractic Care Boosts your Mood

No matter your stage of life, chiropractic care, especially when accompanied by massage therapy, helps improve mood and overall quality of life. People feel better receiving this kind of self-care. And when you’re going through an especially challenging phase in life, it can be one of the best things you can do for yourself.

Chiropractic Treatments Are Personalized

Chiropractors work with each patient to design a treatment plan that is customized to their needs. In addition to adjustments, this includes offering diet, nutrition, lifestyle, and fitness advice.

Chiropractic Care Improves the Function of the Hypothalamus

Menopause is a very personal experience. Some women only experience minor challenges, while others describe it as the most difficult time. For some, this could be due to misalignments in the spine that affect the function of the hypothalamus. Aligning the spine can bring the body into balance and relieve unpleasant symptoms without needing medication, HRT, or other invasive therapies.

Dr. Darren Faherty D.C.

In 2004, Dr. Darren Faherty graduated with a Bachelors of Science degree in Biology from UWEC - University of Wisconsin Eau Claire. Dr. Darren continued education at the highly esteemed University of Western States (formerly Western States Chiropractic College) where he obtained his chiropractic degree in 2007. He has been helping people recover from injuries and return to their normal lifestyles ever since.