Mood Archives - Mend Acupuncture

Anger: The Emotion of Spring
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Anger: The Emotion of Spring

Mood, Seasonal Changes, Self-Care, Wellness

Anger: The Emotion of Spring

By JaimeRoslyn|2024-04-24T13:04:56-04:00April 24th, 2024|Categories: Mood, Seasonal Changes, Self-Care, Wellness|Tags: anger, emotions, liver, spring, tips, Wood|

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), spring is associated with the Liver, the emotion of anger and the Wood element. The Liver is responsible for the smooth flow of emotions, Qi (energy) and blood. When the Liver is functioning properly, Qi flows smoothly and emotions are balanced. However, when the Liver is imbalanced, Qi stagnates and emotions like anger can arise. Other emotions associated with Liver disharmony include depression, worry, and anxiety. Stress, as well as improper diet or exercise, can cause Liver imbalance. During the spring season, the Liver is thought to be particularly vulnerable to imbalance. This is [...]

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Getting Ahead of SAD
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Getting Ahead of SAD

Mood, Seasonal Changes

Getting Ahead of SAD

By Dana Robinson|2023-07-27T10:53:25-04:00July 27th, 2023|Categories: Mood, Seasonal Changes|Tags: acupuncture, depression, emotion, mood, movement, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), summer, Traditional Chinese Medicine|

I’m imagining eyes rolling as their owners read this blog. I’m imagining the sighs and dismissive thoughts “Why are you writing about Seasonal Affective Disorder in JULY?!? I’m busy dealing with the social, physical, and emotional challenges of Summer!! I have a pool party to go to!” Or maybe you’re struggling with depression in the summer, which is more common than you think, as discussed in our blog with Summertime Sadness and How Acupuncture Can Help Beat the Summer Blues. But, when you think about it practically, it's a great time to start thinking about [...]

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7 Acupoints for Mental Balancing
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7 Acupoints for Mental Balancing

acupoint, Mood

7 Acupoints for Mental Balancing

By Jaime Kauffman|2023-05-23T12:42:07-04:00May 23rd, 2023|Categories: acupoint, Mood|Tags: acupoints, mental health, Mental Health Awareness Month, mind-body, TCM|

Acupuncture has been used for centuries to promote physical and mental well-being. While this complementary treatment should not replace working with a professional mental healthcare worker, there are specific acupoints believed to have positive effects on mental wellness. These acupoints, when stimulated, are thought to help calm the mind, reduce stress, alleviate anxiety, promote emotional balance, and enhance cognitive function. Yintang (M-HN-3) Located between the eyebrows, in the center of the forehead, Yintang is often referred to as the "third eye" point. It is believed to calm the mind, relieve stress, and promote clarity [...]

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Harnessing the Power of TCM for Mental Wellness
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Harnessing the Power of TCM for Mental Wellness

Mood

Harnessing the Power of TCM for Mental Wellness

By Jaime Kauffman|2023-05-24T16:57:51-04:00May 23rd, 2023|Categories: Mood|Tags: acupuncture, Chinese herbs, emotions, mental health, Mental Health Awareness Month, mind-body, seasonal wisdom, TCM|

In recent years, mental health has become a significant concern all over the world. In the United States alone, 20% of Americans or over 50 million people, experience mental illness. Of that group, less than half will seek treatment. While it is crucial that anyone experiencing severe mental health issues work with a professional mental healthcare provider, ie. talking with a therapist or exploring medication options, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) can be a beneficial complementary therapy. While not recommended for acute distress or crisis management, TCM offers a way to get closer to our body's natural homeostasis. At the core [...]

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Dream Interpretation in TCM
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Dream Interpretation in TCM

Mood, Self-Care, Sleep, Wellness

Dream Interpretation in TCM

By Jaime Kauffman, Alex Shiflett|2023-04-13T10:26:34-04:00April 10th, 2023|Categories: Mood, Self-Care, Sleep, Wellness|Tags: dreaming, dreams, five element, Five Sprits, Hun, insomnia, Jung, Shen, sleep disturbances, sleeping, TCM, Traditional Chinese Medicine|

Dream interpretation, as a practice, is indigenous in origin. In spite of the fact that we may not always be able to recall our dreams, for centuries they’ve had the potential to fascinate, scare, and even inform us when interpreted. Like music and film, dreams can be abstract in their expression. The meaning of one’s dreams, and the method to interpret, is a reflection of social, cultural, and historical frameworks. In many ancient societies, dreams were thought to be a kind of supernatural communication and a divination of sorts. Later, dream interpretation had clear associations. For example, in traditional [...]

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The Spring Season: An Overview
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The Spring Season: An Overview

acupoint, Mood, Organ, Seasonal Changes, Self-Care

The Spring Season: An Overview

By JaimeRoslyn|2023-03-09T16:58:47-05:00March 1st, 2023|Categories: acupoint, Mood, Organ, Seasonal Changes, Self-Care|Tags: anger, gallbladder, liver, spring, tips, Wood|

Photo by Ulises León Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) places great emphasis on the concept of balance and harmony between the body and the environment. In TCM theory, each season is associated with different elements, organs, emotions, and health concerns. Spring, considered a time of renewal and growth, is associated with the Wood element, the Liver and Gallbladder organs and the emotion of anger. Issues that tend to pop up in the springtime include irritability, migraines, colds, sinus issues, worsened PMS symptoms, tendonitis flare-ups, and insomnia. Element of Spring: Wood During the spring season, our environment is buzzing and brimming [...]

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Our Heart’s Protector: The Pericardium
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Our Heart’s Protector: The Pericardium

acupoint, Mood, Organ

Our Heart’s Protector: The Pericardium

By JaimeRoslyn|2023-02-09T08:28:13-05:00February 9th, 2023|Categories: acupoint, Mood, Organ|Tags: emotion, fear, Heart Protector, PC 6, Pericardium, TCM, Valentine's Day, winter|

We're less than a week from Valentine's Day, with all focus it's focus on the ❤️/heart. However, an organ that deserves some major props around this time of year is the Pericardium. Physically, the Pericardium is a double-layered sac of fibrous tissue that surrounds the heart. Spaces between the layers are filled with fluid, which lubricates as well as protects the Heart from external shock or trauma. Of course, in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) the idea of protecting the Heart goes much deeper. A Bit About Zàng-fǔ One of the most central tenets of TCM is zàng-fǔ. Within this concept, [...]

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Questions to Consider for Winter
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Questions to Consider for Winter

Mood, Prompts, Seasonal Changes, Self-Care, Wellness

Questions to Consider for Winter

By JaimeRoslyn|2023-02-07T16:50:17-05:00February 7th, 2023|Categories: Mood, Prompts, Seasonal Changes, Self-Care, Wellness|Tags: Chinese medicine, emotion, fear, questions of the season, TCM, winter|

Photo by David Besh from Pexels In Chinese Medicine, Winter is the darkest, slowest, most inward and reflective season. Just as its opposite Summer, is the brightest, most active and energetic. This is not to be taken lightly, as truly, these seasons are polar opposites, i.e. yin (Winter) and yang (Summer). Similarly to how Summer's abundant daylight beckons us with long days and "fun in the sun," Winter pushes us to confront darkness and slowing down. This vibe can feel incongruent to our modern world. But rest assured, in Chinese Medicine, this is for our own good. Winter instructs us [...]

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Shen: It’s in the Eyes
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Shen: It’s in the Eyes

Diagnostics, Mood

Shen: It’s in the Eyes

By JaimeRoslyn|2022-11-15T14:04:44-05:00May 31st, 2022|Categories: Diagnostics, Mood|Tags: Chinese medicine, diagnostics, eyes, respiration, TCM|

Image by Nika Akin from Pixabay Mind, Body and Shen “Mind, body, and spirit” – in these three parts of overall human health, there’s an understanding of what good mental and physical wellness looks like. Spiritual health, on the other hand, can be a bit more ambiguous for us Westerners. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), “spirit” is known as shen. One can think of it as the light within. Encapsulating our presence, soul and consciousness, shen helps us connect with the outside world and is what makes us truly “human.” In fact, in Chinese, shen is one of three [...]

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Acupuncture and Depression
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Acupuncture and Depression

Mental Health Awareness Month, Mood, Wellness

Acupuncture and Depression

By JaimeRoslyn|2022-11-15T14:04:45-05:00May 11th, 2022|Categories: Mental Health Awareness Month, Mood, Wellness|Tags: Chinese medicine, depression, Mental Health Awareness Month, TCM|

Photo by RODNAE Productions from Pexels Major depression is one of the most common mental disorders in the United States. For some, depression can severely interfere with carrying out important life activities. According to the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), an estimated 21 million U.S. adults had at least one major depressive episode. This results in 8.4% of all adult Americans. Though major depression is increasing among all age groups, it is rising fastest among teens and young adults (aged 12-17) at 17% of the population. For those suffering from illness, depression often coincides. Studies [...]

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