mca_sarah, Author at Mend Acupuncture

Reflecting on Spaces: Canton Sneak Peek
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Reflecting on Spaces: Canton Sneak Peek

Clinic Updates

Reflecting on Spaces: Canton Sneak Peek

By mca_sarah|2022-11-15T14:05:18-05:00November 15th, 2021|Categories: Clinic Updates|Tags: Canton, Design, spaces|

Before I was an acupuncturist I was a social worker (Sarah O here). I worked in a space that I felt apologetic for – the carpet was stained, the furniture was torn, it felt like it could never really get clean. The clients coming in were in transition and often from unsafe situations at home. Arguably the look of the spaces intended to help them find security should not matter, but to me it felt like it mattered. A space and how it is cared for tells a story about how we value the people coming in its doors. [...]

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The Five Different ‘Looks’ of Fatigue: 5 Element Acupuncture Approach to Fatigue
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The Five Different ‘Looks’ of Fatigue: 5 Element Acupuncture Approach to Fatigue

Acupuncturists, Mood

The Five Different ‘Looks’ of Fatigue: 5 Element Acupuncture Approach to Fatigue

By mca_sarah|2022-11-15T14:05:34-05:00September 7th, 2021|Categories: Acupuncturists, Mood|Tags: fatigue, five element|

Photo by Liza Summer from Pexels In 5 Element Chinese Medicine, there are different types of fatigue stemming from different types of activity, environments and constitutional factors. The different types of fatigue can cause specific variations of imbalances. Can you identify your own causes of fatigue and/or different variations of fatigue in yourself? What activity do you observe as the most draining in your day-to-day life? What type of fatigue do you observe in your body and mindset? Wood Type Fatigue (Spring energy) Feels like: irritable, moody, impatient expectations of ourselves and our growth, perceived as ‘aggressive’ OR like a doormat Physical [...]

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The Version of Us That Is Tired
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The Version of Us That Is Tired

Acupuncturists, coronavirus, Editorial, Mood

The Version of Us That Is Tired

By mca_sarah|2022-11-15T14:05:34-05:00September 6th, 2021|Categories: Acupuncturists, coronavirus, Editorial, Mood|Tags: fatigue, pandemic, reflection|

After babysitting my 4 month old niece this week, I was reminded of the lesson my own kids taught me in their infant and toddler years: we are not ‘ourselves’ when we are tired. When babies are well rested and fed they are observant, social, joyful, curious; when they are tired, they are restless, agitated, even inconsolable. Toddlers too, when past their limits, become the absolute worst version of themselves – we have all seen midday public meltdowns when naptime has been missed. We adults also become a different version of ourselves when we are tired. I am tired. [...]

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Bladder 58 – Fly and Scatter
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Bladder 58 – Fly and Scatter

acupoint, Mood, Pain, Take Home TCM

Bladder 58 – Fly and Scatter

By mca_sarah|2022-11-15T14:05:36-05:00August 3rd, 2021|Categories: acupoint, Mood, Pain, Take Home TCM|Tags: acupoint, anxiety, bladder 58, pain|

Photo by Sohel Patel from Pexels Bladder 58 is a point I was trained to consider when a patient describes feeling “scattered,” specifically when the scatter comes after a period of overwork or stretch of active anxiety. From this overtired place we can scatter our energy ineffectively, the mind can fly off in a thousand directions, and we can catastrophize all that could happen unless we do something about it all. This point is thought to restore order and containment and calm the urge to react and over-do. A glass of water is only a useful resource when in [...]

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Your Grandmother Was Right: Windy Cool Spring Days & the Danger of Catching Cold
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Your Grandmother Was Right: Windy Cool Spring Days & the Danger of Catching Cold

Immunity, Seasonal Changes, Wellness

Your Grandmother Was Right: Windy Cool Spring Days & the Danger of Catching Cold

By mca_sarah|2022-11-15T14:06:02-05:00April 5th, 2021|Categories: Immunity, Seasonal Changes, Wellness|Tags: colds, immunity, neck, spring, wind|

Photo by Khamkéo Vilaysing on Unsplash In Chinese Medicine, windy days can be the subtle difference between a powerful, clear-headed week and a drippy-head-cold-week. Wind on our neck and backs is thought to make us more susceptible to falling prey to one of the 200 strains of viruses that cause cold symptoms. In the classical texts that are the foundation of our medicine, Wind is considered one of the 'Six Evil Causes of Illness'. Dramatic? A bit. But consider a thousand years ago the serious threat of getting sick compared to current day. Here's the short of it: Windy days [...]

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Springtime Bloopers (with love, from your acupuncturist)
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Springtime Bloopers (with love, from your acupuncturist)

Allergies, Seasonal Changes, Sleep, Wellness

Springtime Bloopers (with love, from your acupuncturist)

By mca_sarah|2022-11-15T14:06:04-05:00March 29th, 2021|Categories: Allergies, Seasonal Changes, Sleep, Wellness|Tags: avoid, neck, sleep, spring, springtime bloopers, wind|

Photo by Clark de Hart The proverb ‘A drop of prevention is worth a bucket load of cure’ illustrates a core tenant of East Asian Medicine – prevention is as important as cure. Foundational to health (and prevention) is living in accord with the cycles of nature. Simply put, how we ‘do life’ in February is not how we ‘do life’ in July. Below are some of the most common springtime “bloopers” and basics for prevention of dis-ease (which in spring could include propensity to colds, allergy symptoms, irritability and sleep disturbance). Avoid these Springtime Bloopers 1. Protect Your [...]

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Letter from the Owner: An anniversary of shut-down & awakening
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Letter from the Owner: An anniversary of shut-down & awakening

Clinic Updates

Letter from the Owner: An anniversary of shut-down & awakening

By mca_sarah|2022-11-15T14:06:04-05:00March 17th, 2021|Categories: Clinic Updates|Tags: anniversary, covid, letter from the owner, reflection, shutdown, spring|

Photo by Tim Mossholder It’s an unmistakable anniversary this week, that marks the start of a year of collective suffering, incredible loss and mass awakening. This time last year we, like many small businesses, sent all our people home and laid off many. At first, we thought this was just for two weeks, but then quickly reality sank in that this was magical thinking. The twelve months to come would serve as a test of endurance: What resources would last? Which individuals and relationships would stand the isolation? How resilient and varied would our coping be? To be honest, [...]

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Kidney 3 – Tai Xi – 太谿 – Great Ravine
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Kidney 3 – Tai Xi – 太谿 – Great Ravine

Acupressure, Seasonal Changes, Self-Care, Wellness

Kidney 3 – Tai Xi – 太谿 – Great Ravine

By mca_sarah|2022-11-15T14:06:18-05:00January 19th, 2021|Categories: Acupressure, Seasonal Changes, Self-Care, Wellness|Tags: Chinese medicine, kidney 3, organs, TCM, winter|

Photo by Francesco Ungaro Named for its ravine-like location on the body, Kidney 3 lives in the inner ankle, in a depression between the medial malleolus (your ankle bone on the inside) and your achilles tendon. This is a critical point for accessing the power of the Kidney organs, addressing issues of energy levels and destiny. As you may already know, the Kidney is responsible for detoxification and maintaining fluid balance. However, in Traditional Chinese Medicine, the Kidney is kind of like your battery pack. It also contains your genetic material (not referring to DNA – this is TCM [...]

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Your First Line of Defense: Wei Qi
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Your First Line of Defense: Wei Qi

coronavirus, History of Acupuncture, Immunity, Seasonal Changes, Self-Care, Wellness

Your First Line of Defense: Wei Qi

By mca_sarah|2022-11-15T14:06:20-05:00December 1st, 2020|Categories: coronavirus, History of Acupuncture, Immunity, Seasonal Changes, Self-Care, Wellness|Tags: Chinese medicine, fall, immunity, organs, TCM, wei qi, winter|

Immune function and strength from a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perspective is historically fascinating as well as relatable, even after 2,500 years of medical advancement. Immunity in TCM is influenced by several factors, one of which is by our defensive Wei Qi (distinguished from other types of qi or energy thought to circulate in our system, such as nutritional qi or ancestral qi). In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the body is thought of as its own microsystem, or more specifically its own “kingdom.” In the kingdom, every organ has a role and an assigned function. The Heart as the Ruler, [...]

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Movement Your Gallbladder Will Love
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Movement Your Gallbladder Will Love

Movement, Organ, Self-Care, Wellness

Movement Your Gallbladder Will Love

By mca_sarah|2024-03-19T09:39:06-04:00September 10th, 2020|Categories: Movement, Organ, Self-Care, Wellness|Tags: Chinese medicine, five element, gallbladder, movement, stretching, TCM|

The Gallbladder meridian runs from the eyes, along the side of the head, down the side of the neck, through the shoulders, along the side of the ribs, to the hips, knees, ankles and then ends on the 4th toes. This meridian happens to be very prone to blockages. Due to its location, blocks in the Gallbladder meridian often play a role in the energetic cause of headaches, jaw tension, shoulder pain, sciatic pain, hip pain, knee pain, ankle pain, and foot pain. 3 simple movements to nurture your Gallbladder meridian: Raise [...]

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