Will Acupuncture help with anxiety or depression?

Acupuncture can be effective in helping manage symptoms of anxiety and depression. It is believed to stimulate the body's natural healing response, releasing endorphins and other neurotransmitters that positively affect mood and stress levels. By targeting specific points, acupuncture aims to balance the body's energy, reduce tension, and promote relaxation, contributing to an overall sense of well-being. Many find it a beneficial complement to conventional therapies for anxiety and depression.

Why do Acupuncturists look at my tongue?

Acupuncturists look at your tongue as part of a traditional Chinese medicine diagnostic process. The tongue's color, coating, shape, and moisture level provide insights into your body's health and the state of your internal organs. This practice helps them understand imbalances in the body and guide the treatment plan. The tongue is considered a map to your well-being, reflecting the overall harmony or disharmony of your Qi (vital energy).

Where do Acupuncture needles go?

Acupuncture needles are inserted into specific points on the body known as acupuncture points or acupoints, which are located along meridians or pathways believed to be the channels for the flow of Qi, or vital energy. The selection of points is tailored to each individual's condition and health needs. These points can be located all over the body, including the back, limbs, head, and ears, depending on the symptoms or disorders being treated.

Is Acupuncture ok during pregnancy?

Acupuncture is generally considered safe during pregnancy when performed by a licensed and experienced practitioner. It can help manage common pregnancy-related issues such as nausea, vomiting, back pain, and stress. However, certain acupuncture points are avoided as they may stimulate labor. It's essential to consult with your healthcare provider before starting acupuncture and ensure the acupuncturist is informed about your pregnancy and has experience in treating pregnant women.

Does Acupuncture hurt?

Acupuncture typically does not hurt. Most people experience minimal to no pain as the thin needles are inserted. Some may feel a slight pinch, tingling, warmth, or a dull ache at the insertion points, sensations often described as momentary and mild. The procedure is generally considered relaxing and even energizing. The skill of the acupuncturist and the individual's sensitivity level can influence the overall experience, but significant pain is uncommon.

What does Acupuncture do to your body?

Acupuncture stimulates specific points on the body, prompting the nervous system to release chemicals in the muscles, spinal cord, and brain. These biochemical changes may stimulate the body's natural healing abilities and promote physical and emotional well-being. It can increase circulation, reduce inflammation, relieve pain, and enhance the immune system. Essentially, acupuncture helps to restore balance and flow of energy in the body, leading to improved health and function.

What can Acupuncture treat?

Acupuncture can treat a wide range of conditions including chronic pain (like headaches, back pain, neck pain), arthritis, digestive disorders, mood disturbances (such as depression and anxiety), insomnia, stress, allergies, menstrual cramps, and fertility issues. It's also used for enhancing overall well-being and managing symptoms of chronic illnesses. The effectiveness can vary among individuals, but many find relief and improvement in their symptoms through acupuncture treatments.

What does Acupuncture do?

Acupuncture involves inserting fine needles at specific body points to balance the flow of Qi, the body's vital energy. It aims to promote natural healing, relieve pain, and improve function. By stimulating the body's meridians, acupuncture is used for various conditions, offering benefits like pain relief, improved circulation, and enhanced well-being.

Why Your Emotions Might Be Making You Sick: Ancient Insights from the Yellow Emperor

What if your body is not just reacting to food, weather, or viruses, but also to your emotions? Thousands of years ago, the foundational text of Chinese Medicine, The Yellow Emperor’s Inner Classic (Huangdi Neijing), explained what modern science is only beginning to confirm: emotions and physical health are deeply connected.

In Classical Chinese Medicine, emotions are not seen as mental disturbances. They are part of the natural movement of life and Qi, or vital energy. But when emotions become stuck, suppressed, or overwhelming, they disrupt the balance of your organ systems and can lead to illness.

The Emotions and the Organs: An Ancient Map of Inner Health

According to the Neijing, each of the five main organ systems is related to a core emotion:

Liver: Anger, frustration, resentment
Heart: Joy, overexcitement, mania
Spleen: Worry, overthinking, rumination
Lungs: Grief, sadness, difficulty letting go
Kidneys: Fear, insecurity, shock

These associations are not symbolic. They reflect energetic relationships. Every emotion, when experienced in balance, serves a healthy function. But when it lingers or intensifies beyond what the body can regulate, it creates energetic disharmony.

For example:

Chronic worry or overthinking can lead to digestive problems and fatigue, signs that the Spleen may be struggling.
Suppressed grief may show up as shallow breathing or frequent colds, which often point to Lung deficiency.
Repressed anger may lead to headaches, menstrual discomfort, or tightness in the chest, often connected to Liver Qi stagnation.

How Acupuncture Helps Emotions Move Through the Body

One of the most powerful benefits of acupuncture is its ability to help emotions move through the body physically. By stimulating points along the meridians, acupuncture supports the healthy flow of Qi, which often brings emotional release along with physical relief.

It is common for people to feel lighter, clearer, or even emotional after treatment. A session aimed at easing shoulder tension may unexpectedly bring tears or a long-forgotten memory. This is not a side effect. It is your body letting go of what it no longer needs to carry.

According to the Neijing, true healing happens when we restore harmony between body, mind, and spirit.

Ancient Practices for Emotional Health

Here are a few lessons we can take from the Yellow Emperor’s teachings for daily emotional care:

Let emotions flow. Do not suppress or cling to feelings. Allow them to move through you like clouds in the sky.
Live in rhythm with nature. Sleep and rise with the sun, eat warm food in the cold seasons, and rest when your body asks for it.
Protect your heart. Joy is healing, but overstimulation from constant screens, noise, or busyness can scatter your energy.
Move your energy. Simple daily practices like Qi Gong, Tai Chi, and breathwork help regulate emotions and support clarity.

Closing Thoughts

There is nothing wrong with feeling deeply. Emotions are part of life and deserve space to be felt and released. The Yellow Emperor reminds us that health is not just about avoiding illness. It is about creating balance in every part of life—physical, emotional, and spiritual.

If you feel stuck, overwhelmed, or disconnected, Classical Chinese Medicine offers a time-tested path to healing. Your body is speaking to you, and it may be time to listen.