Chinese medicine is rooted in yin and yang theory, the idea that all things are composed of two opposite forces; if they are in balance then we are healthy. As we get older our yin depletes, especially kidney yin leading to and imbalance in the Fire/Water axis resulting in heat. Nourishing the kidneys is the first port of call with hot flashes.

The American College of Physicians recommends acupuncture for those managing lower back pain. Using acupuncture needles at pressure points in the body can stimulate the central nervous system, causing it to release pain-relieving chemicals, such as endorphins. These can help alleviate aches associated with menopause.

One 2019 study on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and acupuncture for insomnia in people who had experienced cancer found that, while CBT was more effective, acupuncture still showed clinically significant results.

A 2013 research review found that acupuncture can alter neurotransmitters in the brain to alleviate conditions such as anxiety and nervousness, improving overall mood.

Acupuncture may help increase blood flow and reduce blood pressure in your body, which can reduce fatigue-inducing stress on muscles like the heart.

A 2017 study found that acupuncture was effective at reducing cancer-related fatigue. A research review from the same year found that acupuncture and moxibustion, which involves applying burning herbs to acupuncture points, may be effective at treating chronic fatigue syndrome. More research is necessary to confirm this.

Hormonal imbalances during menopause can reduce the natural fluid production in the vagina, leading to dryness and pain during sex. Needles inserted in acupuncture points can sometimes help stimulate the release of neurochemicals that can counteract imbalances.