Kannon, also know as Kuan Yin, The Goddess of Mercy and Compassion.  Her pledge to women, "I will always be there in times of crisis, I will always be with through times of joy, I will always be with you..."     



Menopause, Riding the Waves of Change:
 
For many women even the word menopause is jarring.   As the body begins to shift and change, it is almost like you feel like an alien has inhabited your body!   The nervous system begins to become more sensitive to not only the metabolic, horomonal, and physiological changes, but the external receptors to the people around you is heightened.  Let alone, the fatigue, hot flashes, headaches, memory loss, and the plethera of symptoms that manifest in your life. 
Peri-Menopause is a 4 year cycle, where the body gradually begins to change.  Many women do not feel this until the 2nd year, some later towards the 3rd year. 
Massage helps to stabilize the nervous system, endocrine, and horomonal cycles while our bodies are changing.  Working with a qualified acupucturist in conjuction with Massage, and trips to your Primary Care Physician are tools in riding the waves with more ease. 
Some women find that a combination of homeopathy and pharmaceutical therapies work well together, others choose to 
use only the horomone patches or injections, while still others opt for the homeopathic route.
I suggest reading the book on Menopause by:   Susan Weed.  She offers an array of information that is extremely helpful in validating where you are in your life and how you are feeling. (See Susan's website link at the end of this article)
 
Checking in regularly with your Primary Care Physician, getting the proper testing, and discussing your options is also very important.    
 
Scheduling regular Therapy treatments will help to assist you in decreasing insomnia, decreasing or eliminating headaches, and with some of the muscular aches and pains associated with this amazing stage of your life.
Please call me with any questions. 
 
 Fun Fact: 
 Did you know that if you had bad morning sickness during your pregnancies that you will have an easier peri-menopause and menopause?
Ask you OBGYN or PCP for more information.  Stay connected, involved, and informed with your health and well-being!
 
Check out Susan Weed's Website, information on everything from Pregnancy to Menopause!
http://www.susunweed.com/
 
Supporting your partner/wife through perimenopause & menopause:
 
So you have a partner going through menopause?    Just imagine this feeling for a moment, you feel like an alien being has invaded and taken over, you do not feel like the same person.  You feel irritable, have insomnia, are having excessive periods of hot/cold/claminess, and you have either no energy or an excess of it.  How would you feel living with this 24/7 for 5 years?   Chances are....not good.
 
That is what the woman in your life is experiencing, and your understanding is of the utmost importance.  It is not a matter of "fixing her", believe me when I say you will not like the reaction that you get from her!    It is a simple matter of love, patience, and unconditional support.  Remember all that she has gone through with you and the support that she has offered you throughout your relationship, this is your time to show your respect to her by being her rock, being supportive no matter what! 
  
Here are some things you can do to make it easier on everyone in your home:
1.  Be patient, and then some, she will remember this and thank you later.
 
2.  Be part of her wellness plan---go to the doctor appointments with her, show her that she is a top priority with you.

3.  Do not threaten to divorce or leave her, this will create irrevocable karma in your home, and she just might take you seriously and leave you.

4.  Ask her what she is needing, and help make it happen.  Get her a gift certificate for a spa day or a night at her favorite B & B with her best friend.  Support her through your actions.

5.  Don't ask questions like, "have you taken your medicine today" that is sure to get her upset.

6.  Try not to walk on eggshells, she is still your partner, after all, and wants to have real and genuine relationships.

7.  Bring her chocolates, flowers, and her favorite everyday things, do this consistently.  Leaving a love letter or card where she can find it on her lunch break will mean worlds to her, and gives the relationship a boost.

8.  Work together in the running of the home, do the dishes side-by-side, go for regular walks together, join the local health club.   Establish new healing rituals together.

9.  Call her to say "I love you" frequently, asking about her day, showing a real interest in her life. 

10.Have empathy for what she is feeling, do not diminish what she is feeling by saying things like "you're just having another hot flash"  or "this is just the menopause talking."  Be respectful of her feelings.  If you cannot, then count to ten, breathe, get some alone time.  She will remember your words, tone, and actions.   

The partner that rides the wave of change with this beautiful partner will long feel the results of this love and loyalty. 
She will remember your support and thank you for it later.  She is still the wonderful woman that you fell in love with afterall!