Integrative Korean Medicine Treatment for Menopausal Hot Flashes, Excessive Sweating, and Low Back Pain: A Case Report

Objective: In this case report, we evaluated the effects of integrative Korean medicine treatment, including herbal medicine and acupuncture, on menopausal symptoms like hot flashes and excessive sweating in postmenopausal women with low back pain who were ineligible for hormone replacement therapy (HRT).Methods: A 60-year-old woman with menopausal symptoms and chronic lower back pain received Gamisoyo-san and Cheongnijagam-tang herbal formulas with acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, cupping, and moxibustion during a 44-day hospitalization. Symptom severity was assessed using the Menopause Rating Scale, Kupperman Index, and Visual Analog Scale for hot flashes, sweating, and lower back pain, respectively.Results: After treatment, the patient showed significant improvement in menopausal symptoms, including reduced hot flashes and excessive sweating in the upper limbs and scalp, sleep disturbances, and emotional instability. The low back pain improved. Combined Korean medicine treatment proved safe and effective.Conclusions: Integrative Korean medicine therapy, including Gamisoyo-san and Cheongnijagam-tang, may be an effective and safe alternative for menopausal vasomotor symptoms in patients contraindicated for HRT. Further large-scale studies are required to confirm these results.