Haven’t Got Time for the Pain

Joint Pain in Menopause: Holistic Approaches to Relief

Episode Description

Join Clarissa, a Chinese medicine practitioner and mindfulness-based pain management expert, and Dr. Chitra, an Ayurvedic doctor, as they explore the often-overlooked topic of joint pain during perimenopause and menopause. This comprehensive discussion reveals why nearly half of women experience chronic pain during this transition and provides practical, holistic solutions from both Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurvedic perspectives. Learn about the root causes of joint pain beyond simple estrogen decline, including kidney yin deficiency, liver blood stagnation, and the Ayurvedic understanding of Vata imbalances.

Key Topics Covered

The hosts delve deep into pain management strategies that go far beyond conventional NSAIDs and opioid treatments. They discuss the importance of gentle movement practices like Qigong, proper body alignment, and the "motion is lotion" principle for joint health. The conversation covers specific herbal remedies including turmeric, ginger, Vitex, and the renowned Maha Narayana oil from Ayurveda, plus Traditional Chinese Medicine approaches like Gou Pi plasters. They emphasize the critical role of magnesium supplementation, explaining the differences between various forms (citrate, glycinate, malate) and their specific therapeutic applications for muscle relaxation and pain relief.

Practical Takeaways

Women experiencing joint pain are encouraged to track their symptoms through detailed pain journals, noting location, timing, quality (sharp, dull, moving), and triggers to better understand patterns. The hosts stress the importance of self-advocacy when working with healthcare providers, as women often face disbelief about their pain symptoms. Simple daily practices like morning joint stretches, self-hugging for nervous system regulation, and temperature therapy (hot/cold compresses based on inflammation type) can provide significant relief. The episode concludes with a reminder that pain is the body's communication system requesting attention, not something to simply mask, and that compassionate self-care is essential for healing chronic pain conditions during menopause.

Fresh unconventional conversations from the world of Ayurveda and TCM. Discover what’s really happening during perimenopause beyond hormones.