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Start 2026 feeling calm, strong, and supported In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), winter is a season of slowing down, storing energy, and nourishing the body at a deeper level. How you care for yourself during these colder months directly affects the strength of your qi and determines how supported and resilient you feel as the new year begins. Rather than rushing into 2026, winter invites us to build a steady foundation—one rooted in warmth, rest, gentle movement, and no

As the year comes to a close, many of us carry the weight of lingering thoughts, emotions, and habits that no longer serve us. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), this “stagnant energy” blocks the flow of qi, or life force, throughout the body. When qi is stuck, it can show up as digestive discomfort, emotional heaviness, mental fog, or low motivation. Releasing this stagnant energy is not just symbolic—it’s a way to support your body and mind in welcoming fresh energy for

The holidays are full of warmth, celebration, and… overeating. Between big meals, rich foods, and irregular schedules, it’s completely normal to feel: • bloated • heavy • sluggish • “stuck” after eating • low appetite the next morning In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), this isn’t a failure of your digestion — it’s simply food stagnation, meaning your body needs a little help moving things along. Here’s your Holiday Bloating SOS guide to get relief gently and naturally. 1.

A gentle guide for emotional steadiness, digestion, and nervous system support. Why the Holidays Feel So Overwhelming (According to TCM) The holiday season is supposed to feel joyful… but for many people, it brings the exact opposite: stress, emotional heaviness, exhaustion, and a feeling of being pulled in every direction. From a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perspective, this time of year puts a lot of pressure on three key systems: 1. The Heart — overstimulation, anxi

Winter brings a natural shift in energy, mood, and physiology — but how we understand winter depends on whether we look through a Western lens or a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) lens. Both offer valuable insights, but TCM gives us a deeper look at what’s happening energetically, not just environmentally. Understanding both perspectives can help you support your body, reduce burnout, improve digestion, and stay more balanced throughout the cold months. Let’s break it down

As the days grow shorter and the air turns crisp, nature naturally slows down. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), winter is the most yin season—quiet, still, deep, and introspective. Instead of pushing through with the same pace as the rest of the year, winter invites us to rest, restore, and rebuild our energy from within. At Acu Hour, we honor this seasonal shift by supporting your body’s natural rhythm, especially the Kidney system, which is the foundation of vitality

After holiday gatherings full of rich, heavy, or greasy foods, it’s common to feel uncomfortably full, bloated, or sluggish. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), this pattern is known as food stagnation—when the digestive system becomes overwhelmed and can’t efficiently transform and transport food. One of the most well-known formulas used in TCM for easing this pattern is Bao He Wan (保和丸). Here’s what it is, how it works, and when it may be considered. What Is Bao He Wan?

After a big Thanksgiving meal, it’s normal to feel bloated, heavy, or sluggish — classic signs of Food Stagnation (食积) in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). When your digestive system becomes overwhelmed, Qi has a harder time moving smoothly, leading to fullness, discomfort, and sluggish digestion. TCM uses simple, warming, easy-to-digest recipes to help the body reset. These remedies support your Stomach and Spleen, move Qi, and ease the feeling of being “stuck” after overe

Rich meals, endless sides, and festive desserts are part of what makes Thanksgiving special — but they can also leave your digestion feeling heavy, tight, bloated, or “stuck.” In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), this is known as Food Stagnation, a common pattern that occurs when the Spleen and Stomach become overwhelmed by too much or too-rich foods. The good news? With gentle aftercare rooted in TCM principles, you can help your body move things along, reduce discomfort,

Thanksgiving is a time for warmth, family, gratitude — and often, very heavy meals. While indulging in your favorite dishes is part of the joy, your digestive system may not always feel the same excitement. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers simple, supportive practices to help your body feel balanced and comfortable before the big feast even begins. With the right preparation, you can protect your Spleen and Stomach, avoid food stagnation, and enjoy your holiday meal

Holiday meals, celebrations, and even everyday overeating can leave your digestion feeling heavy, stuck, or uncomfortable. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), this is known as Food Stagnation — a pattern that happens when the digestive system becomes overwhelmed and can’t properly transform food into Qi. Food stagnation is not a disease. It’s a temporary imbalance that can be soothed with simple lifestyle shifts, herbal support, and gentle acupressure. Here’s what you need

As the air turns crisp and leaves begin to fall, many people notice a subtle emotional shift — a sense of melancholy, reflection, or the need to slow down. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), this is completely natural. Autumn corresponds to the Metal element, which governs the Lungs and Large Intestine — the organs of breath, release, and renewal. 🍂 Why We Feel Down in Autumn The emotion associated with Metal is grief. Just as nature lets go of its leaves, autu

As the days grow cooler and the air turns crisp, autumn invites us to slow down and turn inward. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM),...

Starting acupuncture for the first time can feel exciting — and a little mysterious. At Acu Hour, we want you to feel confident and...