MENOPAUSE – 5 ways to support your whole body

in Health Tips, Holistic Healthcare, Traditional Chinese Medicine May 9, 2025

You’ve arrived at your next destination, MENOPAUSE! Welcome to this wonderful world, made up of many generations of amazing women who have forged along the same path as you, overcoming the good and sometimes challenging moments along the way. Below I’ve created a list of 5 simple ways to support your menopause journey, but it may not be the typical ones you read every where else.

For a long time traditional medicine didn’t research the how’s and whys of menopause (maybe because it was more of a boys club then), but that’s slowly changing thanks to doctors like Dr. Lisa Mosconi and Dr Shafeena Premji. Finally more women are speaking out about this once thought of taboo word…menopause.

It’s been so nice to hear more open and honest conversations about all of the shifts and changes that can take place during menopause.

Sometimes it’s not all roses and butterflies.

Awareness is key to good health through menopause and understanding (even on a basic level) how these changes can significantly affect your body physically, emotionally and mentally is important.

Knowledge is powerful, it gives you a starting point to ask the right questions and get the answers you need for your health.

5 ways to support your whole body through menopause

FIND OUT YOUR BASELINES
Do a bone density test – how strong are your bones? Get some blood work done. How is your thyroid functioning? What are your vitamin & mineral levels like?
SHIFT YOUR MINDSET
Menopause is not a diagnosis it is just a term used to describe the next stage of your life. If you are struggling with symptoms related to your hormonal shifts there is help…you don’t have to suffer! You’ve got alot of living to do.
NURTURE YOUR WHOLE BODY’S HEALTH
This means you MUST do some self care along the way! That includes setting good sleep habits, feeding your body with healthy food, eat regularly (your blood sugar levels really need to remain as level as possible), stress management and a regular movement routine.

4. WORK WHERE YOU ARE
What does this mean? When you go to the gym or workout you MUST work where your body is…not your 20 something year old body. Don’t kill it in the gym, that only adds wear on your joints and tendons! Work smarter. Add balance work, stretching and targeted exercises to strengthen and tone your body. It will take time because you’re body has gone through a big hormonal shift, so be kind to yourself.

5. CELEBRATE WHO YOU ARE and LET GO OF THE REST
Nurture who you are today. Let go of the stuff that you can’t control or change in your life, which may include people who don’t support you. Seek some help professionally if needed or try to add some tools into your daily routine such as meditation or relaxing deep breaths.

Read more about how acupuncture can support your health and wellbeing.

As a disclaimer, I am a holistic practitioner, helping women along their menopause journey using traditional Chinese medicine, and working within the framework of holistic health, but I think there is room for both a traditional and holistic approach to supporting menopause. For most women exploring treatment options from both sides can be very helpful. I can’t tell you which modality is best to do, but I can impress upon you that it is best to be your own advocate and to not ignore how you’re feeling.

There is help out there, you just need to find what works best for you. Here is a little blog post I wrote about the 3 B’s you need to check out when you’re menopausal.

When might you need some help in menopause?

If you’re not sleeping well, you MUST address this! Good sleep is essential to your health and wellbeing.
If you’re so tired or fatigued through the day that sometimes it’s a struggle just to get through
If you’re living in constant pain – that comes usually in the form of joint pain
If you’re struggling emotionally or mentally

More support for your whole body through menopause

Acupuncture and herbal medicine - symptoms associated with menopause, including night sweating, insomnia, joint pain and digestive issues can often be reduced or eliminated through traditional Chinese medicine
Nutrition support - whether you work with a dietician or a holistic nutritionist, making adjustments to what you eat may be helpful to move the bowels well and reduce bloating and gas
Body work - this includes massage (swedish, thai, tuina), osteopathic, cupping to reduce tightness and tension
Talk therapy - this is important when you are struggling with emotional and mental health challenges
Energy healing - for those who have a hard time focusing, doing Reiki therapy, meditation, tai chi or qi gong can help balance the energy within you
Movement training - exercise regimes such as Pilates and yoga can help strengthen your muscles and joints, while working on balance

Cindy Willems is the owner of the Women’s Health Centre and creator or MyFIT Over50.

Cindy is a 3rd generation Pilates instructor, a registered Acupuncturist and a holistic nutritionist helping to support women along their journey through adulthood. She takes a whole body approach to healing and emphasizes accountability and active aging for optimum health and wellbeing.

“Be the narrator of your own health journey”.