As summer days begin to shorten with temperatures rising and falling, we can feel a shift in the external pattern of nature, which manifests internally. The Chinese Medicine (CM) season of Late Summer marks the transitional period between the two yang seasons of Spring and Summer, toward the yin seasons of Autumn and Winter. This short period of hot and often humid (damp) seasonal weather extends from mid August to the Autumn Equinox or first day of Fall. This post focuses on a few main resonances of Late summer: the earth element, the Spleen, and the emotion worry. . .
Read moreThe Chinese Medicine Emotional Wheel | Acupuncture - Victoria, BC
This ‘Chinese Medicine Emotional Wheel’ diagram was created based on the Chinese Medicine five element system with a hint of ‘Plutchik’s wheel of emotions’. It can be used as a tool for navigating emotions for well-being. The arrows and lines shows us that the nature of human emotions are interconnected (for ex. sadness may be connected to anger), that one may give rise to another (ie. worry to sadness), and that each has it’s gift, for example the virtue of fear is wisdom. We can also see that each section resonates with an affected organ system. . .
Read moreMy Acupuncturist Tells Me I'm Damp! + Herbal Latte Recipe | Acupuncture - Victoria BC
Dampness is a common TCM syndrome pattern, with signs and symptoms such as: bloating, indigestion, water retention, heaviness, fatigue, mental fogginess, sluggish metabolism, cysts, leucorrhea, achey joints, and stool inconsistency. Related western diagnoses that contain elements of damp include hormone imbalances such as hypothyroidism and PCOS, as well as chronic fatigue syndrome, CIRS, diabetes, IBS, SIBO, candida overgrowth, and weeping skin conditions. . .
Read more7 Self Care Tips for Early Cold Symptoms + Ginger-Lemon-Honey Tea Recipe | Acupuncture - Victoria BC
Early cold symptoms indicate that one’s defensive qi (wei qi) has been invaded by either heat or cold carried by wind pathogens, for example a virus carried by a draft. The lungs govern wei qi which guards our outermost boundary; it is relative to immune protection and resides within the skin and superficial meridians. . .
Read morePranayama Breathwork | Acupuncture - Victoria BC
Pranayama, also known as breathing therapy, directly affects the mind-body through balancing the nervous system. Nervous system balancing benefits neuro-endocrine signalling, our cells, tissues, and organs, from head to toes, as the potent ripple effect of calm energy (expansion) replaces tension (contraction).
Read moreMindful + Intuitive Eating Guidelines | Acupuncture - Victoria BC
Intuitive eating requires kindness, awareness, clarity, and supportive decision-making. This doesn't mean cravings won't arise or that they can't be a part of your healing; it means you will reach a point where you can decipher and honour with tolerance emotional cravings, versus blood sugar swings, versus true hunger. . .
Read more10 Tips For Healthy Glowing Skin | Acupuncture - Victoria BC
For skin concerns registered acupuncturists gather internal and external information to come up with a treatment plan that addresses your goals. We assess signs, symptoms, take your pulse, look at your tongue, the colour of your skin, meridians involved, microsystem observation, and gather information about your diet and lifestyle. . .
Read moreOptimizing Circadian Rhythm For Well-Being | 10 Tips
Our environment, diet and lifestyle routines, as well as stress and emotional health have an influence on our circadian rhythm or biological clock. Our circadian rhythm has a profound effect on hormone regulation, energy, restful sleep, and digestion. . .
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