Acupuncture Point Stomach 36: A Powerhouse for Health

If you’ve ever had acupuncture, chances are high that you received acupuncture point Stomach 36 (St-36). This point is renowned in TCM for its powerful effects on the body's overall vitality and well-being. While all acupuncture points on the body promote healing, ST36 stands out for its wide range of health benefits.

The name says it all

The Chinese name for Stomach 36 in acupuncture is "足三里" (Zú Sān Lǐ).

足 (Zú) means "foot" or "leg."

三 (Sān) means "three."

里 (Lǐ) is a traditional Chinese unit of distance

(Zú Sān Lǐ) can be translated to "Leg Three Miles." This name refers to the location of the point, which is found on the leg, and it implies a distance along the leg, traditionally measured as three "li" from a particular anatomical landmark.

More importantly, according to legend, you can press on this point and you’ll be able to walk or run three more miles! This point has an affinity for endurance and longevity.

Stomach 36 is a Summertime Go-To

Using both needles and/or moxibustion (a warming technique) on ST36in the summertime is particularly valued in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for several reasons:

• Boosting Immunity: ST36 is powerful to strengthen the immune system and our “defensive” wei qi. This is beneficial in summer when the body may be more vulnerable to external pathogens due to changes in weather and increased outdoor activities.

• Enhancing Digestion: ST36 is a major point for improving digestive function. Summer diets often include more cold and raw foods, which can weaken digestion. Moxa on ST36 helps maintain a healthy digestive system.
  

• Balancing Qi: Summer is associated with the Fire element and Yang energy in TCM. ST36 helps balance the body's Qi, nourishing our resourcing and ensuring the excess heat doesn't deplete the body's energy reserves.

• Preventing Illness: Regular acupuncture or moxibustion on ST36 can prevent summer-related ailments such as heat stroke, dehydration, and gastrointestinal disturbances by maintaining overall health and energy balance.

• Strengthening the Spleen and Stomach: ST36 is a key point for supporting the Spleen and Stomach, which are crucial for overall energy and nutrient absorption, and production of Qi and Blood. This makes it an excellent point for women’s health! And, strengthening these organs can help the body adapt better to the environmental changes in summer.

DIY Treatment with Acupressure on Point St36

While professional acupuncture treatment is highly effective, you can also stimulate ST36 at home using acupressure. This may be helpful if you want to strenghten your immune system, treat fatigue, treat menstrual discomfort, target digestive issues, or increase vitality to run 3 miles!

Here’s a simple guide to performing a DIY treatment:

Acupressure on ST36

1. Locate the Point: Sit comfortably and find ST36 on your leg. Measure four finger widths below your kneecap and one finger width to the outside of your shinbone.

2. Apply Pressure: Use your thumb or pointer finger to press firmly on the point. You should feel a slight soreness or tingling sensation.

3. Massage: Apply circular pressure for 1-2 minutes. Be sure to maintain consistent pressure and breathe deeply. Inhale lavender or neroli essential oil to promote relaxation.

4. Repeat: Perform this acupressure technique on both legs, ideally twice a day for best results.

Stomach 36 (ST36) is a powerful acupuncture point that can offer a multitude of health benefits, from boosting immunity to improving digestion and increasing energy. By learning how to stimulate this point through acupressure, you can tap into the healing potential of TCM right at home. Always remember to approach DIY treatments with care and, when in doubt, seek guidance from a professional.

Summer Acupuncture for Winter Wellness

Have you been regular about your acupuncture treatments? It can be easy to fall out of routine in the summer! Now is a great time to get back in to the swing of things, and for a good reason: according to TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) theory, summer is the best season to nourish the body and treat winter diseases. 

Chinese Medicine proposes that we can harness that bright, hot, yang energy of summer to increase our immunity and vitality. Caring for your body while you are feeling healthy is the ideal time to prevent illness and boost your baseline level of health!

Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine practice that involves inserting thin needles into specific points on the body to promote healing and balance. The concept of using acupuncture in the summertime to prevent disease in the winter is rooted in the idea of maintaining balance and harmony within the body's energy systems, or "qi."

Here’s how your summer treatments impact your winter health:

Boosts immunity. Acupuncture can enhance the immune system, making the body more resilient to infections and illnesses that are more common in the winter months.

Balances Yin and Yang. In TCM, the summer is associated with the yang energy, which is active and expansive. Winter is associated with yin energy, which is more inward and conserving. Acupuncture in the summer can help balance these energies, preparing the body to better cope with the colder, more yin-dominated season.

Regulates the internal systems. Acupuncture can help regulate the body's internal systems, such as the respiratory and circulatory systems, which can be more prone to issues in the winter due to cold weather and increased susceptibility to respiratory infections.

Addresses chronic conditions. For individuals with chronic conditions that worsen in the winter, summer acupuncture can help manage symptoms and reduce the likelihood of flare-ups when the colder weather arrives.

Offers preventative care. Regular acupuncture sessions during the summer can address any imbalances or weaknesses in the body, effectively preventing the onset of disease or exacerbation of existing conditions in the winter.

Let’s prioritize Chinese medicine and acupuncture regularly throughout the year- not just when we're falling apart. Your health relies on these consistent practices you do to maintain and optimize your wellbeing. Bring yourself nourishment, balance, and rejuvenation now for vibrant health in the winter!

Make an appointment with your acupuncturist today! (843) 790-4295

The Water Element + Winter Wellness

Acupuncture helps us live harmoniously with the seasons.

In Chinese Medicine theory, there are five natural elements that exist within us, as they do in nature. Each season belongs to a particular element and has unique correspondences. When we study nature’s patterns and cycles, we can learn how to support our own health and stay well year-round.

WINTER’S ASSOCIATIONS IN CHINESE MEDICINE

ELEMENT: WATER

YIN ORGAN: KIDNEYS

YANG ORGAN: URINARY BLADDER

EMOTION: FEAR

SPIRIT: ZHI (WILLPOWER)

CLIMATE: COLD

COLOR: BLACK/DARK BLUE 

TASTE: SALTY  

SENSE ORGANS: EARS

TISSUES: BONE  

VIRTUES: STRENGTH, COURAGE, WISDOM

Right now, we are in the best season to slow down and conserve our energy. While the lowcountry might not have winter’s snowy and still landscape, the cooler and darker days invite this meditative space to rest and reflect.  Whatever your “winter hibernation” might look like (hello, sweatpants and bottomless cups of tea!), it’s essential that you take this time to replenish your resources that have been used throughout the year. 

“It is the concentrated, internal force of winter that enables a seed to burst forth in spring growth.”

The energy of winter is deep and potent. With rest, there is work going on, but inside- energy is collected and held in reserve. This deeply nourishing Yin time gives us the needed energy, vision, and purpose with which to emerge into spring- a season of growth, renewal of spirit, and fresh starts.

In this most Yin season, there is an energetic predisposition of retraction as our Qi flows more deeply inside us.  There is a depth to the season that invites us to connect with the core of our being and untouched emotions. There is death in nature and less activity to induce stimulation and excitement. For some, the qi of the season can easily contribute to depression, loneliness, and seasonal affective disorder. Others may feel relief for an opportunity to pause and do internal work. 

Wherever you fall in the transition to the cold winter months,  the teachings and practices of Chinese Medicine supports the body, mind and spirit in the midst of change. In preparation for winter, our focus turns to strengthening the water element’s organ system pair, the Kidneys and Urinary Bladder, and practice that which we observe in nature: stillness and conservation.  

The Water Element

Winter is ruled by the water element: the most nourishing and essential substance for life. This element stores much of people’s reserves of energy. That’s why rest is crucial in the winter. This time of year, over-work and lack of sleep easily depletes the water element and the kidneys, especially. 

The wisdom of water is to flow.  Water moves effortlessly and takes the exact form of whatever contains it. A balanced water element is able to move smoothly through the season with strength, courage, and willpower. There’s a sense of flow and ease, and an alignment to one’s purpose or destiny.

There is depth, darkness, and mystery to water. The emotion associated with the water element is fear. In appropriate amounts, fear is essential to survival because it enables us to navigate situations with care and caution.  When the water element is out of balance, one might experience excess fear, phobias, and lack of courage. 

The Kidneys + Urinary Bladder

The kidney and urinary bladder are the organ systems that belong to the water element. Likewise, both play an important role in fluid regulation. There are acupuncture points along their meridians that can be used to fill the reserves and tap into that place where our real strength, courage, and wisdom reside.

In Chinese Medicine theory, the kidneys are the storehouse of our vital energy and our Jing, or Essence. Jing relates to our genetics and governs growth, reproduction, and how we move through the cycles of life. Our bones, joints, teeth, ears, brain, and marrow are influenced by the kidneys. 

The kidneys (called the Storehouse of the Vital Essence) ignite all processes and functions within the entire body, mind, and spirit. They provide the driving qi- energy and will power- needed to overcome obstacles and press forward to accomplish our goals in life and live out our fullest potential. We draw upon the energy reserves of the kidneys just by the virtue of living, working, and aging. 

The kidney acupuncture meridian begins at the bottom of the foot and travels up the inside of the leg to the pelvis, low abdomen, and ends at the chest. Our body will let us know when we are exhausting these reserves because symptoms along the channel will arise, such as low back ache, weak knees, frequent urination, and menstrual or fertility issues. Other signs of imbalance include: exhaustion, autoimmune flare ups, very low motivation, excessive fear and anxiety, and skeletal disorders.

The urinary bladder is compared to a reservoir where the waters of the body collect. Its acupuncture meridian is the longest of the body: beginning at the eyes, the channel travels over the head to the back of the neck, down the sides of the spine to the sacrum, to the backs of the knees, down the calves, to the ankles, ending at the outside of the little toe. Physical signs of imbalance include back pain, bladder pain, vertigo and headaches, vision issues, and urinary incontinence. Due to this organs’ role of “holding on” to urine, emotional signs of imbalance relate to this “holding on”: grudges and jealousy, in addition to fear.

Winter is an opportunity to focus on the health and spirit of the kidneys and urinary bladder, restore their resources and better manage our reserves. Slowing down, getting plenty of rest, eating well and in-season (more on winter-time foods below), drinking lots of fluids, and adapting a restorative wellness routine will support these organ systems and boost their vitality. 

Seasonal Self-Care

The classic texts of Chinese Medicine urge us to follow the cycle of the seasons in order to stay healthy. The Huang Di Nei Jing ("The Inner Classic of the Yellow Emperor"), contains some of the oldest teachings about winter and its relationship to the Kidneys:

“During the Winter months all things in nature wither, hide, return home, and enter a resting period, just as lakes and rives freeze and snow falls. This is a time when yin dominates yang. Therefore one should refrain from overusing the yang energy. Retire early and get up with the sunrise, which is later in Winter. Desires and mental activity should be kept quiet and subdued, as if keeping a happy secret. Stay warm, avoid the cold, and keep the skin covered. Avoid sweating. The theory of the Winter season is one of conservation and storage. Without such practice the result will be injury to the Kidney energy. This will cause weakness, shrinking of muscles, and coldness; then the body loses its ability to open and move about in the Spring.”

Maintaining an appropriate balance between activity and rest is crucial to the health of the water element. In addition to the advice from the classic texts, here are some self-care tips to follow for the winter months ahead:

~ Food therapy: focus on foods that share the qualities of the water element. Colors are dark, taste is salty, content is hydrating and nourishing. Examples include: nuts, seeds, legumes, shellfish, salt water fish, seaweed, dark colored berries, root vegetables, whole grains, stews and soups. We are also including mostly warm and cooked foods, and limiting cold and raw foods. Use warming spices like garlic, ginger, and cardamom.

~ Adaptogenic herbs strengthen the kidneys and adrenals, boost immunity, lift depression, ease anxiety, and help the body adapt to stress. Holy basil, ashwaghanda, astragalus, oat straw, and rhodiola are herbs that can be taken daily as supplements or tea. It’s best to consult with a health care practitioner before adding supplements to your wellness regimen. 

~ Essential oils like geranium, ylang ylang, jasmine, and basil can be used in a diffuser to strengthen the water element. The floral oils are mostly middle or base notes, resonating with the deeper layers of our selves. Floral oils nourish yin, lifts the spirit, and connects with our inner beauty and essence. Basil is used in blends for fatigue, depression, focus, and memory. 

~ Winter is time for internal work. Schedule more time to discover yourself through reflection. Meditation, yoga, journaling, dreamwork, and breathwork are great winter activities. These activities can also help to work through fear and depression.

~ We become naturally inclined to seek out things that bring us light and joy in the winter. The season calls for making deeper connections with those close to you, but without overextending yourself. A mindful balance of Fire (yang, activity, joy) and Water (yin, stillness, introspection) can be helpful to our psyche and wellbeing.

~ Take care of the kidney and urinary bladder acupuncture meridians. Important acupuncture points along these channels are at the feet, knees, low back, and neck. These points are used to strengthen kidney and urinary bladder function, support immunity, and treat emotional imbalances of the water element. Keeping these areas warm and covered will maintain the integrity of the channels and keep you well physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

- Schedule an acupuncture appointment. A seasonal tune-up will be restorative, deeply nourishing, and strengthening for the kidney qi.Rest is the theme of the season, and your time on the treatment table will guarantee you that time for yourself.

Sources:

Hicks, Angela. “Five Element Constitutional Acupuncture”. (2004).

Swanberg, Sarah (L.Ac.). “A Patient’s Guide to Acupuncture: Everything You Need to Know”.

The Water Element: A TCM Approach to Winter Wellness

Acupuncture helps us live harmoniously with the seasons.

In Chinese Medicine theory, there are five natural elements that exist within us, as they do in nature. Each season belongs to a particular element and has unique correspondences. When we study nature’s patterns and cycles, we can learn how to support our own health and stay well year-round.

WINTER’S ASSOCIATIONS IN CHINESE MEDICINE

ELEMENT: WATER

YIN ORGAN: KIDNEYS

YANG ORGAN: URINARY BLADDER

EMOTION: FEAR

SPIRIT: ZHI (WILLPOWER)

CLIMATE: COLD

COLOR: BLACK/DARK BLUE 

TASTE: SALTY  

SENSE ORGANS: EARS

TISSUES: BONE  

VIRTUES: STRENGTH, COURAGE, WISDOM

Right now, we are in the best season to slow down and conserve our energy. While the lowcountry might not have winter’s snowy and still landscape, the cooler and darker days invite this meditative space to rest and reflect.  Whatever your “winter hibernation” might look like (hello, sweatpants and bottomless cups of tea!), it’s essential that you take this time to replenish your resources that have been used throughout the year. 

“It is the concentrated, internal force of winter that enables a seed to burst forth in spring growth.”

The energy of winter is deep and potent. With rest, there is work going on, but inside- energy is collected and held in reserve. This deeply nourishing Yin time gives us the needed energy, vision, and purpose with which to emerge into spring- a season of growth, renewal of spirit, and fresh starts.

In this most Yin season, there is an energetic predisposition of retraction as our Qi flows more deeply inside us.  There is a depth to the season that invites us to connect with the core of our being and untouched emotions. There is death in nature and less activity to induce stimulation and excitement. For some, the qi of the season can easily contribute to depression, loneliness, and seasonal affective disorder. Others may feel relief for an opportunity to pause and do internal work. 

Wherever you fall in the transition to the cold winter months,  the teachings and practices of Chinese Medicine supports the body, mind and spirit in the midst of change. In preparation for winter, our focus turns to strengthening the water element’s organ system pair, the Kidneys and Urinary Bladder, and practice that which we observe in nature: stillness and conservation.  

The Water Element

Winter is ruled by the water element: the most nourishing and essential substance for life. This element stores much of people’s reserves of energy. That’s why rest is crucial in the winter. This time of year, over-work and lack of sleep easily depletes the water element and the kidneys, especially. 

The wisdom of water is to flow.  Water moves effortlessly and takes the exact form of whatever contains it. A balanced water element is able to move smoothly through the season with strength, courage, and willpower. There’s a sense of flow and ease, and an alignment to one’s purpose or destiny.

There is depth, darkness, and mystery to water. The emotion associated with the water element is fear. In appropriate amounts, fear is essential to survival because it enables us to navigate situations with care and caution.  When the water element is out of balance, one might experience excess fear, phobias, and lack of courage. 

The Kidneys + Urinary Bladder

The kidney and urinary bladder are the organ systems that belong to the water element. Likewise, both play an important role in fluid regulation. There are acupuncture points along their meridians that can be used to fill the reserves and tap into that place where our real strength, courage, and wisdom reside.

In Chinese Medicine theory, the kidneys are the storehouse of our vital energy and our Jing, or Essence. Jing relates to our genetics and governs growth, reproduction, and how we move through the cycles of life. Our bones, joints, teeth, ears, brain, and marrow are influenced by the kidneys. 

The kidneys (called the Storehouse of the Vital Essence) ignite all processes and functions within the entire body, mind, and spirit. They provide the driving qi- energy and will power- needed to overcome obstacles and press forward to accomplish our goals in life and live out our fullest potential. We draw upon the energy reserves of the kidneys just by the virtue of living, working, and aging. 

The kidney acupuncture meridian begins at the bottom of the foot and travels up the inside of the leg to the pelvis, low abdomen, and ends at the chest. Our body will let us know when we are exhausting these reserves because symptoms along the channel will arise, such as low back ache, weak knees, frequent urination, and menstrual or fertility issues. Other signs of imbalance include: exhaustion, autoimmune flare ups, very low motivation, excessive fear and anxiety, and skeletal disorders.

The urinary bladder is compared to a reservoir where the waters of the body collect. Its acupuncture meridian is the longest of the body: beginning at the eyes, the channel travels over the head to the back of the neck, down the sides of the spine to the sacrum, to the backs of the knees, down the calves, to the ankles, ending at the outside of the little toe. Physical signs of imbalance include back pain, bladder pain, vertigo and headaches, vision issues, and urinary incontinence. Due to this organs’ role of “holding on” to urine, emotional signs of imbalance relate to this “holding on”: grudges and jealousy, in addition to fear.

Winter is an opportunity to focus on the health and spirit of the kidneys and urinary bladder, restore their resources and better manage our reserves. Slowing down, getting plenty of rest, eating well and in-season (more on winter-time foods below), drinking lots of fluids, and adapting a restorative wellness routine will support these organ systems and boost their vitality. 

Seasonal Self-Care

The classic texts of Chinese Medicine urge us to follow the cycle of the seasons in order to stay healthy. The Huang Di Nei Jing ("The Inner Classic of the Yellow Emperor"), contains some of the oldest teachings about winter and its relationship to the Kidneys:

“During the Winter months all things in nature wither, hide, return home, and enter a resting period, just as lakes and rives freeze and snow falls. This is a time when yin dominates yang. Therefore one should refrain from overusing the yang energy. Retire early and get up with the sunrise, which is later in Winter. Desires and mental activity should be kept quiet and subdued, as if keeping a happy secret. Stay warm, avoid the cold, and keep the skin covered. Avoid sweating. The theory of the Winter season is one of conservation and storage. Without such practice the result will be injury to the Kidney energy. This will cause weakness, shrinking of muscles, and coldness; then the body loses its ability to open and move about in the Spring.”

Maintaining an appropriate balance between activity and rest is crucial to the health of the water element. In addition to the advice from the classic texts, here are some self-care tips to follow for the winter months ahead:

~ Food therapy: focus on foods that share the qualities of the water element. Colors are dark, taste is salty, content is hydrating and nourishing. Examples include: nuts, seeds, legumes, shellfish, salt water fish, seaweed, dark colored berries, root vegetables, whole grains, stews and soups. We are also including mostly warm and cooked foods, and limiting cold and raw foods. Use warming spices like garlic, ginger, and cardamom.

~ Adaptogenic herbs strengthen the kidneys and adrenals, boost immunity, lift depression, ease anxiety, and help the body adapt to stress. Holy basil, ashwaghanda, astragalus, oat straw, and rhodiola are herbs that can be taken daily as supplements or tea. It’s best to consult with a health care practitioner before adding supplements to your wellness regimen. 

~ Essential oils like geranium, ylang ylang, jasmine, and basil can be used in a diffuser to strengthen the water element. The floral oils are mostly middle or base notes, resonating with the deeper layers of our selves. Floral oils nourish yin, lifts the spirit, and connects with our inner beauty and essence. Basil is used in blends for fatigue, depression, focus, and memory. 

~ Winter is time for internal work. Schedule more time to discover yourself through reflection. Meditation, yoga, journaling, dreamwork, and breathwork are great winter activities. These activities can also help to work through fear and depression.

~ We become naturally inclined to seek out things that bring us light and joy in the winter. The season calls for making deeper connections with those close to you, but without overextending yourself. A mindful balance of Fire (yang, activity, joy) and Water (yin, stillness, introspection) can be helpful to our psyche and wellbeing.

~ Take care of the kidney and urinary bladder acupuncture meridians. Important acupuncture points along these channels are at the feet, knees, low back, and neck. These points are used to strengthen kidney and urinary bladder function, support immunity, and treat emotional imbalances of the water element. Keeping these areas warm and covered will maintain the integrity of the channels and keep you well physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

- Schedule an acupuncture appointment. A seasonal tune-up will be restorative, deeply nourishing, and strengthening for the kidney qi.Rest is the theme of the season, and your time on the treatment table will guarantee you that time for yourself.

Sources:

Hicks, Angela. “Five Element Constitutional Acupuncture”. (2004).

Swanberg, Sarah (L.Ac.). “A Patient’s Guide to Acupuncture: Everything You Need to Know”.

Winter and the Water Element: A Chinese Medical Perspective to Seasonal Wellbeing

Acupuncture helps us live harmoniously with the seasons.

In Chinese Medicine theory, there are five natural elements that exist within us, as they do in nature. Each season belongs to a particular element and has unique correspondences. When we study nature’s patterns and cycles, we can learn how to support our own health and stay well year-round.

WINTER’S ASSOCIATIONS IN CHINESE MEDICINE

ELEMENT: WATER

YIN ORGAN: KIDNEYS

YANG ORGAN: URINARY BLADDER

EMOTION: FEAR

SPIRIT: ZHI (WILLPOWER)

CLIMATE: COLD

COLOR: BLACK/DARK BLUE 

TASTE: SALTY  

SENSE ORGANS: EARS

TISSUES: BONE  

VIRTUES: STRENGTH, COURAGE, WISDOM

Right now, we are in the best season to slow down and conserve our energy. While the lowcountry might not have winter’s snowy and still landscape, the cooler and darker days invite this meditative space to rest and reflect.  Whatever your “winter hibernation” might look like (hello, sweatpants and bottomless cups of tea!), it’s essential that you take this time to replenish your resources that have been used throughout the year. 

“It is the concentrated, internal force of winter that enables a seed to burst forth in spring growth.”

The energy of winter is deep and potent. With rest, there is work going on, but inside- energy is collected and held in reserve. This deeply nourishing Yin time gives us the needed energy, vision, and purpose with which to emerge into spring- a season of growth, renewal of spirit, and fresh starts.

In this most Yin season, there is an energetic predisposition of retraction as our Qi flows more deeply inside us.  There is a depth to the season that invites us to connect with the core of our being and untouched emotions. There is death in nature and less activity to induce stimulation and excitement. For some, the qi of the season can easily contribute to depression, loneliness, and seasonal affective disorder. Others may feel relief for an opportunity to pause and do internal work. 

Wherever you fall in the transition to the cold winter months,  the teachings and practices of Chinese Medicine supports the body, mind and spirit in the midst of change. In preparation for winter, our focus turns to strengthening the water element’s organ system pair, the Kidneys and Urinary Bladder, and practice that which we observe in nature: stillness and conservation.  

The Water Element

Winter is ruled by the water element: the most nourishing and essential substance for life. This element stores much of people’s reserves of energy. That’s why rest is crucial in the winter. This time of year, over-work and lack of sleep easily depletes the water element and the kidneys, especially. 

The wisdom of water is to flow.  Water moves effortlessly and takes the exact form of whatever contains it. A balanced water element is able to move smoothly through the season with strength, courage, and willpower. There’s a sense of flow and ease, and an alignment to one’s purpose or destiny.

There is depth, darkness, and mystery to water. The emotion associated with the water element is fear. In appropriate amounts, fear is essential to survival because it enables us to navigate situations with care and caution.  When the water element is out of balance, one might experience excess fear, phobias, and lack of courage. 

The Kidneys + Urinary Bladder

The kidney and urinary bladder are the organ systems that belong to the water element. Likewise, both play an important role in fluid regulation. There are acupuncture points along their meridians that can be used to fill the reserves and tap into that place where our real strength, courage, and wisdom reside.

In Chinese Medicine theory, the kidneys are the storehouse of our vital energy and our Jing, or Essence. Jing relates to our genetics and governs growth, reproduction, and how we move through the cycles of life. Our bones, joints, teeth, ears, brain, and marrow are influenced by the kidneys. 

The kidneys (called the Storehouse of the Vital Essence) ignite all processes and functions within the entire body, mind, and spirit. They provide the driving qi- energy and will power- needed to overcome obstacles and press forward to accomplish our goals in life and live out our fullest potential. We draw upon the energy reserves of the kidneys just by the virtue of living, working, and aging. 

The kidney acupuncture meridian begins at the bottom of the foot and travels up the inside of the leg to the pelvis, low abdomen, and ends at the chest. Our body will let us know when we are exhausting these reserves because symptoms along the channel will arise, such as low back ache, weak knees, frequent urination, and menstrual or fertility issues. Other signs of imbalance include: exhaustion, autoimmune flare ups, very low motivation, excessive fear and anxiety, and skeletal disorders.

The urinary bladder is compared to a reservoir where the waters of the body collect. Its acupuncture meridian is the longest of the body: beginning at the eyes, the channel travels over the head to the back of the neck, down the sides of the spine to the sacrum, to the backs of the knees, down the calves, to the ankles, ending at the outside of the little toe. Physical signs of imbalance include back pain, bladder pain, vertigo and headaches, vision issues, and urinary incontinence. Due to this organs’ role of “holding on” to urine, emotional signs of imbalance relate to this “holding on”: grudges and jealousy, in addition to fear.

Winter is an opportunity to focus on the health and spirit of the kidneys and urinary bladder, restore their resources and better manage our reserves. Slowing down, getting plenty of rest, eating well and in-season (more on winter-time foods below), drinking lots of fluids, and adapting a restorative wellness routine will support these organ systems and boost their vitality. 

Seasonal Self-Care

The classic texts of Chinese Medicine urge us to follow the cycle of the seasons in order to stay healthy. The Huang Di Nei Jing ("The Inner Classic of the Yellow Emperor"), contains some of the oldest teachings about winter and its relationship to the Kidneys:

“During the Winter months all things in nature wither, hide, return home, and enter a resting period, just as lakes and rives freeze and snow falls. This is a time when yin dominates yang. Therefore one should refrain from overusing the yang energy. Retire early and get up with the sunrise, which is later in Winter. Desires and mental activity should be kept quiet and subdued, as if keeping a happy secret. Stay warm, avoid the cold, and keep the skin covered. Avoid sweating. The theory of the Winter season is one of conservation and storage. Without such practice the result will be injury to the Kidney energy. This will cause weakness, shrinking of muscles, and coldness; then the body loses its ability to open and move about in the Spring.”

Maintaining an appropriate balance between activity and rest is crucial to the health of the water element. In addition to the advice from the classic texts, here are some self-care tips to follow for the winter months ahead:

~ Food therapy: focus on foods that share the qualities of the water element. Colors are dark, taste is salty, content is hydrating and nourishing. Examples include: nuts, seeds, legumes, shellfish, salt water fish, seaweed, dark colored berries, root vegetables, whole grains, stews and soups. We are also including mostly warm and cooked foods, and limiting cold and raw foods. Use warming spices like garlic, ginger, and cardamom.

~ Adaptogenic herbs strengthen the kidneys and adrenals, boost immunity, lift depression, ease anxiety, and help the body adapt to stress. Holy basil, ashwaghanda, astragalus, oat straw, and rhodiola are herbs that can be taken daily as supplements or tea. It’s best to consult with a health care practitioner before adding supplements to your wellness regimen. (Recommended reading for adaptogenic recipes: “Beauty Water: Everyday Hydration Recipes for Wellness and Self Care” by Tori Holmes- available in our shop).

~ Essential oils like geranium, ylang ylang, jasmine, and basil can be used in a diffuser to strengthen the water element. The floral oils are mostly middle or base notes, resonating with the deeper layers of our selves. Floral oils nourish yin, lifts the spirit, and connects with our inner beauty and essence. Basil is used in blends for fatigue, depression, focus, and memory. 

~ Winter is time for internal work. Schedule more time to discover yourself through reflection. Meditation, yoga, journaling, dreamwork, and breathwork are great winter activities. 

~ We become naturally inclined to seek out things that bring us light and joy this time of year, like holiday parties, dinner with friends, and outdoor winter adventures. Keep your gatherings simple and relaxed. The season calls for making deeper connections with those close to you, but without overextending yourself. A mindful balance of Fire (yang, activity, joy) and Water (yin, stillness, introspection) can be helpful to our psyche and wellbeing!

~ Take care of the kidney and urinary bladder acupuncture meridians. Important acupuncture points along these channels are at the feet, knees, low back, and neck. These points are used to strengthen kidney and urinary bladder function, support immunity, and treat emotional imbalances of the water element. Keeping these areas warm and covered will maintain the integrity of the channels and keep you well physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

Sources:

Hicks, Angela. “Five Element Constitutional Acupuncture”. (2004).

Swanberg, Sarah (L.Ac.). “A Patient’s Guide to Acupuncture: Everything You Need to Know”.

Hello, 2020! 9 Ways To Use Acupuncture in the New Year

Acupuncture can help you feel your best as you kick off the New Year! Here’s how:

1. Winter encourages us to be Yin: to be still, to rest, and to conserve our resources and energy. When you have a job, a family, school, and New Years resolutions to hit the gym hard, it can be tough to find that Yin moment. Too much activity during a time of year that calls for slowing down can tax the Kidney energy and Qi. Acupuncture allows for the time and space for relaxation and restoration.

2. Acupuncture eases seasonal transitions and boosts your immunity, energy, and general well-being. Simply said, acupuncture helps us live harmoniously with the seasons. When we study nature’s patterns and cycles, we can learn how to support our own health and stay well year-round. As the seasons change, there is an opportunity to assess the state of your health and sync your mind, body, and spirit to the energy of the new season. Signs that your body needs some support with the change of seasons includes allergies, low immunity, low energy, and seasonal affective disorder. If you are to schedule just a few acupuncture treatments a year, changes in season would be an opportune time to come see us!

3. Acupuncture is empowering and helps you to take charge of your health! As a holistic medicine, acupuncture sees everything as interconnected: your mind, body and spirit are all linked through a web-like network called the meridian system. So, one kink in the network can affect the body in a number of ways. Chinese Medicine teaches us how everything is connected, and this builds and awareness for what our body needs to be healthy. Needling points along the meridians is a catalyst for positive change and reminds the body of its own ability to heal.

4. Did you set that resolution to drop a pants size or four? While acupuncture is not a magical one-time weight loss pill, it does offer a safe and natural way to increase metabolism and curb cravings. By regulating the bowels, strengthening the digestive fire, moving Qi and resolving damp accumulation, acupuncture can help you drop some pounds when coupled with a healthy diet and exercise.

5. Often, people seek out acupuncture treatments when they are already sick. This year, consider using acupuncture as preventative care and get your immune system in high gear to protect yourself from seasonal bugs. Increasing the body’s Defensive Qi, or the body’s first line defense, will not only help prevent illness but also encourage a quick recovery if you do get sick. Suffer from Spring allergies? You can find relief from your runny nose and itchy eyes by strengthening your immune system and addressing the underlying imbalance that is causing your symptoms before allergy season begins.

6. Will this be the year you quit smoking? Acupuncture can be very helpful for people who want to stop addictive behaviors and cravings. Used in a variety of clinical settings, The National Acupuncture and Detoxification Association (NADA) Protocol was developed to help people recover from substance abuse and alleviate withdrawal symptoms. In a NADA treatment, 5 designated acupuncture points in the ear are needled: Lung, Kidney, Liver, Shen Men, and Sympathetic. These points promote organ recovery, balance the nervous system, and treat stress and anxiety.

7. When all is said and done, the holiday celebrating can leave some of us feeling a little less merry and bright! Understandably so, detoxes and cleanses are popular in the early weeks of January. Acupuncture supports the organ systems (i.e., the Liver, Kidneys, Lungs, and Large Intestines) that are responsible for cleansing the body of toxins that accumulate due to diet, lifestyle, and environmental pollutants. Some cleanses can be quite extreme and depleting. With the added benefit of being healing and strengthening, acupuncture becomes an excellent ally to any detox regimen.

8. Chronic pain is commonly aggravated by cold weather. Cold constricts the blood vessels and impedes circulation, and this leads to pain. Chronic pain sufferers may also experience poor sleep, poor energy, and an overall lower quality of life. Winter can be especially aggravating to pain conditions. With herbs, acupuncture, massage, and moxabustion, Chinese Medicine offers a variety of methods to help increase circulation, warm the channels, and stop pain. Consider acupuncture treatments if you hope to have your pain under control in time for those Spring marathons you signed up for!

9. Lastly, we find that many of our patients begin to think about fertility and family planning when the new year rolls around. In Chinese Medicine, the Kidneys rule the reproductive system and play a big role in conception and development. Winter is an especially great time to “warm the womb” and focus on building Kidney Qi and the necessary resources for a fertile environment.

Healthy Holiday Gift Ideas 2019

Looking for a bit of holiday gift inspiration?

We put together some gift ideas for your family and loved ones. These presents are small enough to be stocking stuffers and big on health and wellness!

#1 - For the beauty queen! Facial rejuvenation tools like jade rollers, gua sha stones, and small silicone cups are perfect DIY additions to a facial routine.

#2 - Ahhh, the gift of rest and relaxation! Eye pillows and aromatherapy are the r+r perfect pair.

#3 - A bundle of all-natural bath and body products made locally by Mission Essentials. A little something for everyone!

#4 - A few fun items for your sporty friend! Gua sha spoons, pump cups, and a Pilates spiky ball help release tightness and improve mobility. Plus, a Chinese herbal pain liniment to treat sore, achey muscles.

#5 - An array of Chinese herbal wellness products made in Asheville by Nourishing Roots Apothecary. We are currently loving the healing skin salve for dry, winter skin!

#6 - The immune boost pack! Included are three of our go-to products for staying well: locally-made elderberry syrup from RD Naturals, local and raw honey from Queen and Comb, and the Turkey Tail Immunity Blend made locally by Out of the Weeds.

#7 - Give the gift of health and wellness! We offer e-cards and gift cards.

#8 - For the tea lover! Choose from three chai tea blends (classic black tea chai, decaf rooibos chai, and herbal root chai)- or try them all! A tea strainer is necessary for these loose-leaf blends.

#9 - Lastly, something special for the alchemist: essential oils for daily rituals. The Daoist Drops essential oil line is created by acupuncturists out of Asheville. Use these essential oil blends as companions for empowerment, healing, and creating change in the body.

All products listed are available for purchase in our shop!

Easy-To-Pack Wellness Essentials for Holiday Travel

Packing wellness travel essentials can be a real lifesaver when you're on the road for the holidays. And preparing your body for the stress and excitement of holiday travels with the right supplements and care beforehand is just as essential!

We put together a Holiday Travel Checklist that includes pre-holiday care tips and essential wellness items to have on hand during your travels.

Bring along these easy-to-pack items to make your day better and your trip easier:

What about post-holiday travel care?

Continue taking your multivitamins, probiotics, and immune system supplements for at least 2 weeks after traveling. If you feel like you overindulged on holiday food and fun, you can include a gentle daily detox herbal tea into your regimen, like green tea, milk thistle, nettles, or dandelion root. Lemon in room temperature water will also do the trick, as will green drinks with chlorella. Fennel, taken as a tea, supplement, or in food, offers a gentle digestive detox.

Safe travels + take care!