[The effects of meridian massage on menopausal symptoms and Shin-Hur in middle-aged menopausal women].

Researchers in South Korea studied whether meridian massage could help middle-aged women manage menopause symptoms. Meridian massage is a traditional therapy based on the same principles as acupuncture, focusing on energy pathways in the body called meridians. The study included 34 menopausal women who had not had a period for at least 12 months. Eighteen women received meridian massage three times per week for four weeks, with each session lasting 20 minutes, while 16 women served as a comparison group and received no massage. The researchers measured both menopause symptoms and a Korean traditional medicine concept called Shin-Hur, which relates to overall physical and mental balance. After four weeks, the women who received meridian massage showed significant improvement in their menopause symptoms compared to the control group. They also experienced better Shin-Hur balance, indicating improved overall wellbeing. The study found a positive connection between menopause symptoms and Shin-Hur levels—as one improved, so did the other. These results suggest that meridian massage may be a helpful non-pharmaceutical option for women experiencing menopause-related difficulties such as hot flashes, mood changes, and sleep problems. The therapy appears safe and could be incorporated into regular care for menopausal women. If you're considering meridian massage or acupuncture for menopause symptoms, consult with a licensed acupuncturist or qualified practitioner trained in traditional East Asian medicine techniques.

This nonequivalent control group pre-post experimental study examined meridian massage effects on menopausal symptoms and Shin-Hur in middle-aged women (n=34). The experimental group (n=18) received 20-minute meridian massage sessions three times weekly for four weeks, while controls (n=16) received no intervention. Subjects were postmenopausal women with no menstruation for 12+ months, recruited via community bulletins and conveniently assigned to groups. Results demonstrated statistically significant reductions in both menopausal symptoms (U=77.00, p=.020) and Shin-Hur scores (U=76.00, p=.017) in the treatment group compared to controls. A significant positive correlation existed between menopausal symptoms and Shin-Hur (r=.497, p=.003). Data analysis utilized Fisher's exact test, Wilcoxon Sign Rank test, Mann Whitney U-test, and Spearman's rank correlation. Clinical takeaway: Meridian massage shows promise as an evidence-based complementary intervention for managing menopausal symptoms in clinical practice, supporting the traditional East Asian medicine framework linking physical symptoms with energetic imbalance.