"BABYSITTING CHAOS" IN PERI & POST-MENOPAUSE WITH FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE

Perimenopause hit me HARD when I was around 41 years old!

My experience began with an intense increase in body inflammation that showed up as a heck of a lot of extra moodiness and a bunch of new food sensitivities that left me feeling a sense of overwhelm that I thought would break me!

But, I figured it out! 

And it took developing a major autoimmune condition to push me to embark on the intense journey to becoming a Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner through the best school in the world (still) today, The Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM).

I remember the exact date and time - May 6 at 8 am in 2016 - when I saw the bloodwork proving my gut feeling that I was dealing with the autoimmune condition, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (FYI - the most common autoimmune condition worldwide, affecting almost exclusively women!). 

And because of my knowledge even then of nutrition and the immune system, which was a far cry from what I know today, that same day, I changed what I ate and within a week, I kid you not, I felt like the lights were turned back on in my head and I had hope for the first time in a long while!

This happened at the beginning of my perimenopausal journey, my friend! And you know what? It’s super common for me to see women early in their perimenopausal years develop autoimmune conditions that are no longer mostly silent. Instead, their immune systems RAGE with big flares that become very challenging to turn off.

So, I knew that if I could get my IFM certification in a year (that’s SUPER fast, by the way), I’d learn how to not only support myself in perimenopause with a complex autoimmune condition, but any other women who come to me for help too. And that’s what I did! It was insanely interesting, very challenging, expensive but ultimately incredibly rewarding on so many levels.

WHAT IS FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE

Functional Medicine is the most modern use of Western medicine but with a big twist - it uses modern medicine in a holistic way.

Traditional medicine is a mechanistic approach. For example, a cardiologist only worries about what the heart is doing, but a Functional Medicine practitioner includes the impact of diet, activity, health history, medication use, mindset issues, immune function, liver function and so much more to help the patient actually recover as much function as possible. VERY different approaches using the same scientific research.

So, basically, I get to use my two decades (so far) of Chinese Medicine practice - which is fundamentally whole body focused, holistic medicine - combined uniquely with some of the newest research in Western science and medicine, to help women regain their power and Heal by Design!

I work with women to identify and address their root causes of health issues and figure out how to solve these issues as best we can. 

Imagine having a doctor who doesn't just prescribe medication for symptoms - or worse, say there is nothing to do but watch and wait - but who digs deeper to find out why you're experiencing the issues and helps you find powerful ways to resolve or at least calm them.

That's the essence of my approach in health care.

It’s NOT a cookie cutter approach. 

There is NO standard of care in Functional Medicine like there is in traditional medicine.

YOU are YOUnique, so your treatment strategy is too when you work with me.

This holistic perspective makes it particularly effective in supporting women through the natural transition of the inevitable perimenopausal years into the post-menopausal years, where symptoms can vary widely from woman to woman. 

FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE FOR MENOPAUSE CARE 

Navigating menopause can feel like a daunting journey for any woman. 

Like most women of my generation (ahem, I’m now 53 writing this article), I was told by the powers that be that I’d likely experience a similar peri and post-menopausal journey as my mother.

Let me just tell you right now that this is absolutely NOT TRUE! (Read my blog "Not Your Mothers' Menopause")

This is where understanding Functional Medicine becomes vital. It offers personalized solutions that go beyond traditional approaches, focusing on your YOUnique specific health story that is absolutely different from your mother’s story, despite sharing some genes. You might experience some similarities to your mother’s menopausal journey, but I guarantee you it’ll still be your own because of your own history and present. 

PERSONALIZED HEALTH CARE IS THE IDEAL

Have you ever felt like standard medical advice doesn't quite fit your needs?

Perhaps like me, you’ve been dismissed by your physician what feels like a bazillion times saying things like, “That’s just part of being a woman”, “Sleep it off”, or worse, “I’ve never heard of that before so it must just be in your head.” 

I don’t know about you, but those comments have been spoken to me over the years which is likely a big part of why I got into Chinese Medicine and then Functional Medicine - to help myself.

Personalized health care doesn’t dismiss symptoms. Instead, I listen to your story, ask penetrating questions to find the deepest reasons for your troubles, and then help to creatively plan a healing strategy that we adapt as you change!

This approach can help reduce hot flashes, improve sleep, help to stabilize your moods, reduce weight gain and more, all without medications or at the least far less medications. 

Imagine the relief of knowing your healing plan is as YOUnique as you are and that you have an expert coach - yours truly - to be your cheerleader as you go through THE CHANGE.

INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE SO YOU CAN HEAL BY DESIGN

Integrative health care combines the best of CURRENT SCIENCE in modern medicine - Functional Medicine - with time-tested ancient practices - Traditional Chinese Medicine. 

This means that at AcuPlus Wellness Clinic you get the benefit of a truly personalized, comprehensive approach that includes the best of both Western and Eastern medicine. 

This unique holistic approach not only helps calm the natural physiologic chaos of peri and post-menopause, but also reduces suffering. You actually learn to support your own body’s healing and Heal by Design.

“BABYSITTING CHAOS”

I coined the phrase, “Babysitting Chaos”, because it illustrates how we need to handle the inevitable physiologic chaos in perimenopause with the patience, compassion and tolerance like we’d need to with taking care of children. 

It’s about being ready for anything, expecting everything, and being so darn kind to ourselves as we navigate the disruptions! 

Reducing the natural chaotic hormone imbalance, with all the huge body changes this creates, is possible during the peri-menopausal years (which can be up to a decade or more) IF we enter this phase of life with an open mind and support. 

Holistic health care from experts like me who stay current with the science and can support you all the way, plays a significant role in this process. 

But I need you to know right out the gate that you are NOT just your hormones, my friend. It is far more complex than that.

MANAGING HORMONES IS NOT THE KEY TO SUCCESS

Women have been incorrectly sold this falsehood that perimenopause and post-menopause can be “solved” with hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and to some degree, with herbs.

My friend, really pay attention here - you are NOT just your hormones. 

Yes, during those transition years of perimenopause, your FLEX hormones - the poorly named sex hormones (that are for more than just reproduction) - the estrogen, progesterone and testosterone family of hormones - change A LOT. 

This happens because your egg supply in your ovaries are not a renewable resource. By the time you’re 40 years old, you maybe have 100 eggs (from millions) that MIGHT still have some spunk left in them to support normal menstrual cycling. Without these little darlings, the brain goes into overdrive attempting to stimulate egg maturation to eggs that just can’t respond, and you get significant hormonal chaos.

That hormonal chaos varies daily. 

Some days you might have steep hikes in estradiol, higher than you ever did in your reproductive years, giving you migraines and hot flashes and anxiety. Then other days, estradiol plummets, along with the already plummeted progesterone, and you feel depressed, inflamed and unmotivated. 

I teach women to “BABYSIT CHAOS” during this hormonal roller coaster ride so that the highs and lows aren’t so dramatic and shattering to our physiology and personal/professional lives.

Sometimes I use HRT for these gals. ALWAYS though I advise lifestyle changes based on my EASY Framework - Eating, Activities, Sleep and your WHY (Y) for personalized care to dial in the foundations for feeling your best during this time of immense change.

➡️ At AcuPlus, I use comprehensive hormone testing to understand your specific needs for HRT, if appropriate. But much more importantly, I assess how your liver and kidneys are doing, if your clotting risk is too high, how your thyroid is functioning, if inflammation is on overdrive and more through my Comprehensive Bloodwork Package. This tells me so much about what’s currently suffering with your physiology. And if we work to support what’s not yet not optimized, your hormone imbalance will be less chaotic naturally. Add in some other supports, like optimized nutrition, occasionally some targeted supplement supports, mindset work, etc, and you become the best babysitter of chaos you could ever need to thrive through perimenopause.

And this work, when done well, makes being post-menopausal SO much easier!  

HOW CHINESE MEDICINE HELPS

Integrating Chinese Medicine provides a rich layer of healing options for you. Acupuncture - the most well known ancient tool of Chinese Medicine - is especially powerful for managing peri and post-menopausal symptoms. 

Acupuncture helps improve energy flow and optimize chemistry, all to reduce mental and physical stress, helping to alleviate many common menopausal complaints. I often combine regular Acupuncture sessions with Wellness Consultations to get great results.

Herbs and dietary adjustments are also part of my Chinese Medicine toolkit, providing Nature’s ways to support your body through this right of passage. 

By combining these ancient techniques with modern Functional Medicine, at AcuPlus I offer a truly unique, comprehensive approach to your health management. 

EMPOWERING WOMEN IN MENOPAUSE

I believe a woman has untapped power, unfortunately suppressed because of societal conditioning, that keeps her playing small in life. It does not have to remain this way.

I am on a mission to show every woman I interact with that being better informed about how her YOUnique body functions can lead to implementation of that knowledge to more easily Heal by Design.

Daily in my clinic and online, I work to educate women so they can make better decisions, not out of fear but out of personalized knowledge.

Then I am their cheerleader, helping to find the best path to their chosen health goals. 

Empowering you in your health journey is my top priority at AcuPlus. 

Tailored peri and post-menopause care can transform your experience from scary chaos to a more stable transition.

Instead of feeling overwhelmed by the cascade of over a hundred possible symptoms (yes, the list is THAT long), imagine experiencing more good days than overly challenging ones. 

With a personalized plan that addresses your YOUnique body’s needs, at whatever age you’re now at, you can find relief and get back to doing the ACTUAL work of living. 

MY WISH FOR YOU...

When I first graduated from Chinese Med school in 2001, my motto was - and still is to this day -

“The less time in a doctor’s office, the better,

as long as you’re feeling well.” 

I meant this then and I mean it now!

You aren’t supposed to be sick all the time, dear one ♥️

My wish for you is to follow your deepest yearnings and live your one life in a BIG WAY, with as much vitality as you can be assisted to cultivate and keep.

I would love to help you do this with catered care that puts YOU in the driver’s seat. 

Most of the healing work I ask a woman to do is OUTSIDE my clinic and any other doctor’s office. Saves them time, money, overwhelm and gives back space to live more.

Seems like the best health plan possible, in my opinion (and experience).

THAT is using integrative health care, with Chinese Medicine and Functional Medicine combined, to help you navigate complex health challenges as you age, my friend.

And that’s what I offer you.

HEALING IS A TEAM SPORT

You’ll go farther with expert knowledge and support. Work with me.

You can Apply for a FREE 20 minute Discovery Call to speak with me and see if my health care approach is a great fit for you.

Or you can jump right in and book a one hour 1:1 in person or virtual Wellness Consultation, with or without the Comprehensive Bloodwork Package, to start formulating a healing strategy for your YOUnique needs in peri or post-menopause.

Your path to wellness starts with personalized integrative care.

See you soon,

Dr. Krista xx

DrAc, IFMCP

CHECK OUT HOW TO WORK 1:1 WITH ME (Acupuncture, Consultations)

CHECK OUT MY COURSES & FREE STUFF