Supporting Women’s Health with Chinese Medicine
For most of history, women’s health has been understood as cyclical, dynamic, and deeply connected to the whole body.
Yet in modern healthcare, women’s symptoms are often dismissed. Pain goes unaddressed. Hormonal shifts are minimized. Many women are told their symptoms are imagined—or simply “part of life.”
Chinese medicine offers a very different perspective.
It views the transitions of a woman’s life — menstruation, fertility, pregnancy, postpartum recovery, and menopause — as natural phases of transformation, each with its own rhythm and potential for growth.
In fact, menopause is traditionally called “Second Spring,” a time of renewed vitality, strength, and spiritual power when the body is properly supported.
An invitation to slow down and care of yourself.
The Cyclical Nature of Women’s Health
As cyclical beings, women’s bodies are constantly adjusting and recalibrating.
Hormones shift. Energy rises and falls. The nervous system responds to stress, rest, and nourishment.
When the body’s foundational systems are supported — including circulation, digestion, sleep, and the nervous system — it often has an incredible ability to find its way back toward balance.
This is exactly why acupuncture can be so helpful for women navigating many different phases of life.
At Lawrence Acupuncture, we frequently work with women experiencing:
Painful or irregular menstrual cycles
Fertility challenges
PMS and hormonal mood swings
Postpartum recovery
Fatigue and burnout
Perimenopausal symptoms like sleep disruption, anxiety, or hot flashes
Menopause symptoms such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness, irritability, and insomnia
“The cycles of a woman’s body are sacred, each phase a story of resilience, creativity, and transformation.”
Understanding Women’s Health Through Chinese Medicine
In Chinese medicine, many of these patterns relate to three core systems:
The Kidney System
Represents our deepest reserves of vitality and reproductive energy.
The Liver System
Regulates the smooth flow of energy and blood, supporting emotional balance and hormonal circulation.
The Spleen System
Governs digestion, energy production, and the creation of healthy blood.
You could think of these systems as roughly paralleling modern physiological concepts such as:
Endocrine and adrenal health
Circulation and stress regulation
Parasympathetic (“rest and digest”) nervous system function
When these systems are supported, many women notice improvements in energy, mood stability, sleep, digestion, and hormonal balance.
Moxibustion: A Traditional Therapy for Hormonal Support
One therapy that has been used for thousands of years to support these systems is moxibustion, often simply called moxa.
Moxibustion involves gently warming specific acupuncture points using the herb mugwort. The warmth penetrates deeply into the body, helping to improve circulation, regulate the nervous system, and support hormonal balance.
In the clinic, moxa is often used to support:
Fertility and reproductive health
Painful menstrual cycles
Low energy or cold patterns in the body
Digestive weakness
Perimenopausal and menopausal transitions
Many patients find moxa deeply soothing — both physically and emotionally.
Learn How to Use
Moxa at Home
Because moxa is such a helpful and accessible therapy, Shahida is offering a small in-person workshop where women can learn how to safely use this practice at home.
This class is part two of a three-part series called The Art of Self-Love, and it explores both the practical use of moxibustion and the deeper hormonal shifts that occur during perimenopause.
Participants will learn simple home protocols to support:
Hormonal balance
Digestion and energy
Joint health
Immune resilience
No previous experience is required, and supplies will be provided.
Upcoming Workshop: Women’s Spring Moxa
Date: Thursday, March 12
Time: 6:00–7:00 pm
Location: Lawrence Acupuncture + Taoist Arts Collective
1246 Haskell Ave, Lawrence, KSThis class may be especially helpful for women experiencing:
Fatigue or low energy
Cold hands and feet
Joint inflammation
Vaginal dryness or low libido
Perimenopause and hormonal transition
Participants will receive moxa supplies, safety guidance, handouts, and a class recording.
Space is limited, so early registration is recommended.
Reserve your spot today.
Class series taught by Shahida Spann-Ryan, Master of TCM and a board licensed with ABORM as a specialist in reproductive health. She has profound heartfelt devotion towards helping guide women through the various stages of life with grace and ease.
Take the Next Step
These classes are an invitation to slow down, learn your body’s rhythms, and build sustainable practices that support you for years to come.
Whether you join us for one class or the full series, we look forward to welcoming you into this space of education, connection, and healing.