Acupuncture for Menopause and Perimenopause in Denver
What brings people in with menopause symptoms
Hot flashes that arrive mid-meeting or mid-night
Night sweats
Light, broken sleep
Mood swings, irritability and low patience
Anxiety and a mind that will not settle
Brain fog
Joint and muscle aches
Headaches that have changed pattern
Heavy or irregular periods during perimenopause
PMS that has gotten worse
Low energy
Women who cannot or would rather not use hormones
Women on hormone therapy who still have symptoms
The first hot flashes, which often show up the week before a period
How acupuncture treats menopause symptoms
Hot flashes come from a temperature-control system in the brain that has become oversensitive as hormone levels shift, and acupuncture helps in four ways. In a 2016 trial of 209 women aged 45 to 60, women who received a course of acupuncture had fewer hot flashes than a waitlist group at six months, and the reduction was still there at twelve months. A 2019 Danish trial of 70 women found significant reductions in hot flashes, sweating, sleep problems and emotional symptoms within six weeks. Neither trial used a sham needle control, so researchers are careful about how much of the effect is specific to the needles, but most women who complete a course have fewer and milder symptoms.
It settles an oversensitive thermostat
Hot flashes begin when the brain’s temperature-control system becomes oversensitive as hormone levels shift. Points on the lower legs, wrists, lower abdomen and ears calm the nervous system and reduce how often and how hard the flashes come. Most women notice fewer night sweats within the first two or three visits, and hot flashes become less frequent over the following month.
It calms the nervous system behind sleep and mood
The same nervous system that drives hot flashes also drives broken sleep, irritability and anxiety. Once the nights are cooler, sleep follows, and many patients say the emotional swings are the first thing to even out. If low mood is severe, I will also ask you to talk with your physician or a therapist.
It eases the aches and tension of the transition
Joint and muscle aches, headaches and tight shoulders often arrive with the hormonal shift. Needles in tight muscle and around painful joints release tension and change how the spinal cord and brain process pain. As the aches ease, sleep and energy tend to improve as well.
It rebuilds what the transition depletes
In Chinese medicine terms, the transition depletes the cooling, nourishing side of the body, which lets heat accumulate. Treatment builds that side back up and clears the heat. For women who want it, I add a Chinese herbal formula that works alongside the needles.
What to expect
What to wear and bring
Wear loose, comfortable clothing in layers, and eat a light meal beforehand. Bring a list of your medications and supplements, including any hormone therapy, and notes from your physician or gynecologist.
Your first visit
Plan on 90 minutes. We talk through your symptoms, your cycle if you still have one, your sleep, your mood and anything your physician or gynecologist has recommended. I take your pulse and look at your tongue, then you get a full treatment on a heated table. I will refer you to your physician first for bleeding after menopause, very heavy bleeding, or symptoms that began suddenly, because those need to be checked.
What it feels like
Most people feel a brief tap and then a dull, heavy ache that fades in seconds. You rest for 25 to 30 minutes in a private room that I keep cool for patients who run warm, and many women doze off.
How many visits
In the largest trial most of the benefit arrived by about the eighth treatment. A typical course is weekly visits for the first six to eight weeks, then every two to four weeks for as long as symptoms need it. Some women come once a month through the transition, and others return only when a stressful stretch brings symptoms back.
Add-ons that fit
Acupuncture does not interfere with hormone therapy, and many women use both. It is also an option for women who cannot or would rather not use hormones. A Chinese herbal formula is available for women who want one.
Why choose The Subtle Point
One practitioner, every visit
You see me, Michael Sugiura, L.Ac., Dipl. TCM (NCCAOM), at every visit. I am a Colorado licensed acupuncturist and have treated patients since 2017, the year I became licensed.
A private room, no rush
Every treatment is one-on-one in a private room on a heated table. You stay dressed for most treatments, and the visit is long enough to talk through what is going on.
Five-star reviews
Patients have left more than 500 five-star reviews across Google, ClassPass and Groupon, and the clinic holds a 5.0 rating on Google.
Easy to reach
3600 South Beeler Street, Suite 150, in Hampden Town Center at Hampden Avenue and I-25, with free parking at the door. Open until 7 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, and Friday and Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
500+ five-star reviews across Google, ClassPass and Groupon
124 Five Star Reviews
I’ve been seeing Mike for almost two years now, and I can’t recommend him enough. He’s helped me with everything from digestive issues to anxiety, stress, and even seasonal allergies. Most of all, he’s been a huge help with regulating my hormones and easing monthly symptoms.
One of the things I appreciate most is how easy he is to talk to. He really listens and makes every session feel personal and comfortable. He has a calm, friendly energy, and I always leave feeling better—physically and mentally.
If you’re looking for someone who truly cares and knows what they’re doing, this is the place!
— Kimberly Lucero
247 Five Star Reviews
I'm really glad I did this deal. All of the mental stress and exhaustion was gone by the time I got home from doing the acupuncture. My organs felt much more clearer from the acupuncture as well. The cupping really helped resolve a lot of my problem areas such as lower back pain and especially shoulder pain. The pain immediately subsided and I felt I was given a new body. Michael thoroughly asked questions to help ensure all my problem areas were addressed and gave detailed info on how to fix them. Highly recommend.
— Nali
146 Five Star Reviews
“Mike is so thorough and knowledgeable. Best acupuncture experience I have ever had. I will definitely be going back!”
“The owner Michael was super nice and very knowledgeable! I had a great experience!”
“This is the first time I’ve ever had acupuncture and cupping, and it was great. Definitely recommend.”
Prices
Payment
We accept cash, check, all major credit cards, and HSA/FSA cards. We don’t bill insurance directly, but we can provide a superbill you can submit to your insurance company for possible reimbursement.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Rarely, and never the way an injection does. Acupuncture needles are about the width of a human hair. Most people feel a brief tap, then a dull, heavy or warm sensation that fades in a few seconds. If any point feels sharp, tell me and I will adjust or remove it.
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Most women notice fewer night sweats and better sleep within two or three visits. In the largest trial, the biggest reduction in hot flashes came by about the eighth treatment. I recommend weekly visits for six to eight weeks, then spacing out.
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Acupuncture stimulates specific points with very fine needles. That signals the nervous system to release endorphins, increases local blood flow, calms the stress response and reduces inflammation. In Chinese medicine terms it restores smooth movement of qi and blood where it has stalled. I choose points from your symptoms, history, pulse and exam, so no two plans are identical.
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Yes. Acupuncture does not interfere with hormone therapy, and many women use both, especially for sleep, mood and joint aches that hormones alone did not fully address. Do not change your prescription without talking to your physician.
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Yes, and perimenopause is often when symptoms are most disruptive. I treat irregular or heavy cycles, PMS that has gotten worse, new sleep problems, and the first hot flashes, which often show up in the week before a period.
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For most women, yes. The same treatment that reduces hot flashes calms the nervous system, and many patients say the emotional swings are the first thing to even out. If low mood is severe, I will also ask you to talk with your physician or a therapist.
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I can, for women who want them. Chinese herbal formulas for hot flashes, night sweats and sleep have been used for centuries and work alongside the needles. They are optional, and I will tell you if I think they would help in your case.