Do you suffer from hot flushes, especially at night or during hormonal changes? These sudden sensations of heat, often accompanied by sweating, redness and irritability, are common, particularly at menopause. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), hot flushes are not seen as a simple symptom, but as an energy imbalance that can be supported naturally, in particular with acupuncture.
🔥 What is a hot flush according to TCM?
In TCM, hot flushes are generally linked to Yin Deficiency, in particular Kidney Yin, which can no longer temper the Yang. This creates a rise of internal heat, responsible for episodes of sudden heat, sweating and redness, sometimes accompanied by palpitations, sleep problems or dryness.
Sometimes there is also Liver Fire or Blood Deficiency, depending on the person’s history, emotional state and age.
⚖️ Common causes according to TCM:
- Menopause (Kidney Yin Deficiency)
- Physical or mental overwork
- Unexpressed grief or anger (Liver heat)
- Chronic insomnia
- Irregular menstrual cycles
- Postpartum or prolonged breastfeeding
🪡 What can acupuncture do for hot flushes?
Acupuncture seeks to rebalance Yin and Yang, calm the rising heat and support the Kidneys. It may act on the nervous and hormonal systems, encouraging a natural regulation of the body’s functions.
The possible benefits of acupuncture:
- Reduced frequency and intensity of flushes
- Improved sleep
- Less irritability and anxiety
- Hormonal regulation
- General sense of calm
🧪 A clinical study published in 2016 observed that acupuncture may reduce the frequency of hot flushes by more than 50% after a few weeks of treatment (source: Menopause. 2016;23(6):602-610).
🌿 Alongside treatment: herbal medicine and lifestyle
Depending on your energy assessment, plants such as chasteberry or maca may be recommended to nourish the Yin or harmonise the Liver.
You can also be given personalised advice on:
- Diet (avoiding alcohol, coffee, spices…)
- Sleep
- Breathing
- Stress management (qi gong, meditation…)
📍 Where to book a session
You can receive personalised support in Chinese medicine at my two practices:
➡️ Acupuncture practice in Cadenet
📍 In the heart of the Luberon, between Pertuis and Lourmarin.
🌿 Consultations by appointment in a calm and welcoming setting.
➡️ Acupuncture practice in Aix-en-Provence
📍 A few minutes from the town centre, easy to reach.
🌿 Gentle, natural care, specialising in hormonal problems and menopause support.
🤲 A natural, whole-person treatment
Hot flushes are not inevitable. In Chinese medicine, each person is unique: this is why a full energy assessment is carried out at the first session in order to adapt the treatment to your needs.