The Acupuncture Advantage: Harmonizing Hormones, Healing Autoimmunity

Welcome back, Warriors!

This week’s episode of The Suburban Warrior Podcast spotlights Dr. Tansy Briggs—a clinician with 25+ years at the crossroads of acupuncture, East Asian herbal medicine, naturopathic and functional medicine. Her superpower? Turning the “messy middle” of perimenopause and menopause into a roadmap—one that’s evidence-informed, individualized, and deeply humane.

Dr. Briggs’ work is shaped by lived experience. In her early 40s, she was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis, an autoimmune disease that made every step a negotiation. That crucible propelled her into advanced menopause training (including the Heather Hirsch Academy) and a relentless hunt for what actually helps women feel well—not theoretically, but clinically, predictably, and sustainably.

Today, practicing in the Philadelphia/Main Line area, Dr. Briggs blends acupuncture’s neuromodulatory power with strategic botanicals, therapeutic nutrition, and (when indicated) hormone therapy. The result isn’t dogma; it’s outcomes. Her lens: stop gaslighting women, stabilize volatile systems, and restore confidence in your body’s ability to heal.

7 Need-to-Knows We Learned from Dr. Tansy Briggs

1. Acupuncture is your endocrine Wi-Fi.
Think of it as a direct line to the hypothalamus–pituitary–ovarian/adrenal (HPO/HPA) axes. Needles don’t just “relax” you; they light up brain regions, modulate neurotransmitters (hello, serotonin/dopamine), and normalize signaling—which is why you feel that calm, clear two-hour glow after a session.

2. Needles can’t replace estrogen, but it can help.
Acupuncture can harmonize a dysregulated thermostat (hot flashes, night sweats) for a while—but when estrogen truly wanes, you’re driving on fumes. Many women get their best results when acupuncture is paired with appropriately dosed hormone therapy to put “gas back in the tank.”

3. Three stages. Three strategies.

1. Early peri: “Something’s off.” Emphasize therapeutic nutrition, targeted supplements, periodic acupuncture.

2. Mid peri: Cycles shift, symptoms spike. Increase treatment frequency, adjust formulas, strengthen nutrition.

3. Late peri → menopause: Save time and money by considering HRT to level the playing field—then keep using lifestyle and acupuncture for refinement.

4. Autoimmunity and perimenopause are frequent dance partners.
The “first shot across the bow” of perimenopause can be autoimmune flares or new diagnoses. Dr. Briggs’ approach: stabilize hormones, calm inflammation, and treat the whole system, not isolated symptoms.

5. Frozen shoulder? Think hormones.
In late peri/menopause, adhesive capsulitis can drag on for a year if you treat only the shoulder. Pair acupuncture with HRT (when appropriate) and many women see relief in 1–2 months. It’s not magic—it’s biomechanics plus biology.

6. Smart supports she actually uses.

• Herbal anchor: Donggui Xiaoyuan—a stabilizing formula Dr. Briggs uses to smooth hormonal transitions (even alongside HRT).

• Metabolism & energy: 7-keto DHEA (a DHEA metabolite) may support energy and midsection weight without the drawbacks some experience on straight DHEA.

• Estrogen handling: DIM (a supplement derived from cruciferous vegetables) to assist estrogen metabolism—especially for women with a history of “tricky” hormone processing.

7. Thyroid truth: hypo and hyper can look alike.
Fatigue, sleep disruption, weight changes—lab work matters. Borderline cases often respond to acupuncture + herbs + nutrition; once medication is needed, acupuncture can improve tolerance and utilization, so you aren’t constantly chasing dose changes.

Where to find Dr. Briggs: Healing Arts of Philadelphia (Old City, Bryn Mawr, Exton, Conshohocken), tansybriggs.com and healingphilly.com, and on Instagram @drtansybriggs.

WeightWatchers Bets on Menopause: From Bankruptcy to Hot Flashes and a Steamy New Brand

After filing for bankruptcy earlier this year, WeightWatchers is reinventing itself with menopause at the center of its strategy. The company is rolling out menopause treatments—including hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and access to GLP-1 weight-loss drugs—to capture a growing midlife market often overlooked by mainstream health brands.

The pivot comes with a bold new marketing push: Queen Latifah has been tapped as the face of the campaign, signaling a mix of cultural star power and relatable authenticity. Ads lean into edgy, “steamy” storytelling meant to reframe menopause as empowering rather than shameful.

Beyond branding, WeightWatchers has invested in tech and lifestyle integration, acquiring a wellness platform (Peoplehood) and elevating Julie Rice (SoulCycle co-founder) as Chief Experience Officer. The company is wagering that its future lies not in calorie counting but in becoming a comprehensive midlife wellness hub, spanning community, medication, and lifestyle support.

Ready to Reclaim Your Health in Midlife?

Reclaiming your health in midlife isn’t just possible—it’s powerful. Whether you’re feeling out of balance, run down, or simply not like yourself, this is your moment to take charge. The From ‘Pause to Power Roadmap is your free, practical guide to navigating perimenopause with clarity, confidence, and zero shame. Download it now and take the first step toward feeling stronger, more energized, and unapologetically you—redefining midlife wellness with grit and grace!

Ready to Warrior Up!

Listen to the Full Episode: Suburban Warrior podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

Thank you for reading—and remember, knowledge is power! If you’re experiencing symptoms, don’t ignore them. There is help (and hope) out there. Stay tuned for our next newsletter to keep transforming your mindset and rocking your inner warrior!