Blog
“How can I brighten my skin?”
Speaking from a Chinese Medicine point of view, the brightness of skin is a function of the Yin and Yang in ideal balance. The Yang is the 'brightness' principle, the movement, glow, life of the skin. The Yin is the moisture, fullness component - that informs and...
Spring, the Season of Wood
In the 5000-year-old philosophy that underpins Chinese Medicine, the season of spring is the time of the Wood element. More accurately, and with more linguistical correctness, it could be said that springtime is the time of Trees. But formally the myriad...
The Energetics of Skin pH – Balancing Yin and Yang for a Healthy Glow
Kirstne Jacob LAc., MAOM There is beauty in balance. The skin, like everything else, requires the synergy of multiple elements to look its best and be its healthiest. The classic Chinese symbolism of Yin and Yang illustrates this universal principle perfectly, even...
TCM overview
What is TCM?and what's it doing in my skin care?About TCMTraditional Chinese Medicine or TCM is the style of Chinese Medicine most used in – and most resonant with – the West. It is based on China’s 3000 year old Classical medical tradition, and more recently informed...
The art of TCM herbal combination
A classical herbal formula is carefully constructed using a structure unique to TCM.While not every formula follows this framework exactly, it is the standard template used. There are four ‘levels’ of herbs which are combined to work with - and play off - one another...
Is it possible following the principle of the Chinese theory of acupuncture to have beneficial effects without the needles?
Sure! In fact, the ‘theory of acupuncture’ is actually the theory or principles of Chinese Medicine applied to the modality known as acupuncture…. In other words, Chinese Medicine is an entire medical system (the only one the Chinese had for thousands of years) with...
What kind of needles are used in acupuncture?
In the US, the only needles legal these days are solid, pre-sterilized, single-use needles that are immediately discarded as medical waste - ie in a ‘sharps’ container identical to those used in hospitals - and delivered via very controlled methods to a designated...
How does acupuncture work?
Acupuncture is one modality of the entire system of Chinese Medicine. It is the one with which most Westerners are most familiar, but it is only part of a larger whole. Having developed in a relatively insular culture, Chinese Medicine has its own unique framework,...
Why should you avoid any physical effort or exercise after acupuncture?
The short and simple answer (so rare in Chinese medicine, short and simple answers!) is that for the next few hours after treatment, we want to be certain your Qi keeps doing what the needles 'told' it to do, rather than what your activity tells it to do! Needles...
Does Acupuncture Hurt
We like to say that if it hurts at all, it is about as much as having your hair pulled. Thats the short answer. The long answer is... longer. But not ultimately much different in general. Acupuncture needles are very thin and fine. While true Classical Chinese-style...