A Return to Summer

By |2022-11-15T14:05:41-05:00June 15th, 2021|Categories: Seasonal Changes, Wellness|Tags: , , , |

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, summer is the most yang, energetic time of year – the season to be the most active and outgoing. It is ruled by the Fire element, the heart organ, the emotion of joy and the sound of laughter. Sounds about right, doesn’t it? This is the season that calls for us to enjoy moments with friends, family and loved ones. And now thankfully, with the uptick in vaccination and the lowering positivity rate we are able to get back to enjoying time with others and be more in alignment with summer’s energetics. The fire element. [...]

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Why Do Acupuncturists Ask SO MANY Questions?!

By |2024-04-11T10:44:10-04:00June 1st, 2021|Categories: Diagnostics|Tags: , , , |

You may have noticed, particularly on your first visit, when you come in for acupuncture you are bombarded with a plethora of Q’s from your acupuncturist. It may seem as though we are quite nosey, asking all sorts of questions from the minutiae of your bowel movements to quantity and quality of your sleep. So…..WHY? Why the multitude of queries? The short answer: it helps us figure out how to treat you. The long answer: in Traditional Chinese Medicine, instead of making a “diagnosis” like in Western Medicine, an acupuncturist is taking all of those questions, along with taking [...]

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Ren 17

By |2022-11-15T14:05:41-05:00May 26th, 2021|Categories: acupoint, Self-Care, Take Home TCM, Wellness|Tags: , , , |

Ren17, also called “Sea of Qi,”,  “Chest Center,”  or “Revealing the Heart” This is a powerful acupoint to open the chest. I tend to use it when a person has a “heavy heart” or perhaps holds tension in their chest due to anxiety. I know it will be useful when a person catches themself holding their breath throughout the day, as one of its many benefits is to “unbind the chest.” This point is indicated to clear phlegm/congestion of chest, loosen the chest, disinhibit the diaphragm, resolve anxiety or panic attack, calm heart palpitations, and because of its downward action, [...]

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Products We Love: Blume Superfood Blends

By |2022-11-15T14:06:01-05:00April 19th, 2021|Categories: Nutrition, Self-Care, Take Home TCM, Wellness|Tags: , , , , , , |

Meet our newest obsession: Blume. Our staff is loving these easy-to-use superfood blends. Just mix 1 tsp of Blume powder with a splash of hot water then top with your favorite milk or milk alternative (we love oat milk!). Drink hot or iced for a quick pick-me-up.  These "superfood lattes" are nutritionally dense, hosting a wide variety of health benefits.  Next time you’re in to see us, ask your acupuncturist which one they recommend for you. Beetroot Powder Beetroot is a great blood tonic and it supports the Liver. Packed with essential nutrients, beetroots are a [...]

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Foods to Focus on During Spring

By |2024-04-10T12:28:05-04:00April 13th, 2021|Categories: Nutrition, Seasonal Changes, Wellness|Tags: , , , , , |

Photo by Karolina Grabowska from Pexels In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), spring is associated with the Wood element and corresponds to the Liver and Gallbladder organs. According to TCM principles, spring is a time of renewal, growth, and regeneration, mirroring the awakening of nature. During this season, it's believed that the Liver qi (vital energy) tends to be particularly active, and it's important to support its functions through proper nutrition to maintain balance and harmony within the body.Nature as our Guide What was true centuries ago, still holds true today – our best lifestyle cues come from living in harmony [...]

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Spring’s Sour Foods

By |2022-11-15T14:06:02-05:00April 12th, 2021|Categories: Nutrition, Seasonal Changes, Self-Care, Take Home TCM, Wellness|Tags: , , , , , |

Photo by Lukas from Pexels Spring is here, and the months of the year where we can eat local, fresh foods are approaching! As we move out of the stillness of Winter into the rapid growth of Spring, there are considerations for the mind, body and spirit to make the transition with ease. One of these is the category of food therapy within Traditional Chinese Medicine, which advocates for eating foods with the sour flavor/energetic to align with Spring. What is the Sour flavor? When you think of sour foods, you might feel a pucker in your lips, your salivary glands [...]

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It’s Okay to Feel However You Feel

By |2022-11-15T14:06:03-05:00April 5th, 2021|Categories: Mood, Prompts, Seasonal Changes, Self-Care, Wellness|Tags: , , , , , |

Image by Karolina Grabowska “I feel like I’m in quicksand,” reports one interviewee from the New York Times’ article We Have All Hit a Wall: Confronting late-stage pandemic burnout, with everything from edibles to Exodus. The feeling of being exhausted all of the time is a common complaint, i.e. pandemic fatigue which encompasses physical, mental and emotional exhaustions. Malaise, burnout, stress and depression...all have risen due to 13 months of this mess, according to a recent Metlife study. And no wonder, this has been a sustained year of loss, tragedy and hardship. In addition, memory lapses, forgetting what day [...]

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Gua Sha for Spring (and every other time of year!)

By |2022-11-15T14:06:03-05:00March 30th, 2021|Categories: Seasonal Changes, Self-Care, Take Home TCM, Wellness|Tags: , , , , , |

Let me start by saying, holy cow, I love gua sha! Here’s why: it provides immediate relief (as we know acupuncture can sometimes be subtle and take time to yield results). Also, like cupping, it is diagnostic depending on the color of the skin after the treatment. If you look up gua sha, you may find that the images that come up look rather…severe, but don’t let that deter you! Gua sha may feel similar to having a massage in that it might feel tender, but also AMAZING at the same time. Let me tone down my excitement and [...]

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There’s Something About Moxa

By |2022-11-15T14:06:05-05:00February 16th, 2021|Categories: Moxibustion, Seasonal Changes, Self-Care, Take Home TCM, Wellness|Tags: , , , , |

Many of you who come to Mend have very likely smelled moxa in our treatment rooms and hallways (and perhaps exclaimed to yourself or your acupuncturist “it smells like pot in here!”). I've found that so many patients have never experienced it or have no idea what it is. However, moxa is a HUGE part of Traditional Chinese Medicine and is quite often used in conjunction with acupuncture. Moxa is refined mugwort, a plant that literally grows all around us here in Maryland. Moxibustion is the burning of moxa over acupuncture points or specific areas of the body. It [...]

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The Kidneys: The Root of Life

By |2023-01-25T15:43:53-05:00February 1st, 2021|Categories: Organ, Seasonal Changes, Self-Care, Take Home TCM, Wellness|Tags: , , , , , , , , |

Winter is the season for rest and restoration, as well as a time of expending as little energy as possible. With this focus on energy levels and vitality, it’s no wonder that the organs associated with Winter are the kidneys and bladder.   In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the kidneys are particularly important. They act like a rechargeable battery for Qi, or energy, in the body. This vital energy is held in reserve so that it may be used in times of stress and illness. While a balance of activity is necessary all year round, Winter is the powering down [...]

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ABOUT US

Mend’s mission is to further educate and promote the use of acupuncture as a safe, effective and non-drug tool for pain management, anxiety and many internal conditions.

With locations in Baltimore city and county, offering One on One sessions and an inexpensive Community Clinic option, Mend makes it easy and affordable to receive quality acupuncture care.

CONTACT US

2700 Remington Avenue
Ste 400
Baltimore, MD 21211

ph: 410-235-1776
email: hello@mendacupuncture.com

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