<![CDATA[Wellness On 1st in NW Calgary

<![CDATA[Wellness On 1st in NW Calgary - Our Wellness Blog]]>Fri, 09 Oct 2026 11:07:41 -0700Weebly<![CDATA[U is for Urinary Tract Health: Understanding Bladder Symptoms Through TCM]]>Mon, 28 Sep 2026 20:37:27 GMThttps://www.wellnesson1st.com/calgary-wellness-blog/u-is-for-urinary-tract-health-understanding-bladder-symptoms-through-tcm

Urinary symptoms are common, but they can also be frustrating, disruptive and sometimes uncomfortable.

Frequent urination, urgency, waking several times during the night, bladder irritation or recurrent urinary tract infections can all have a significant impact on quality of life.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, urinary health is looked at as part of a much bigger picture. Rather than focusing only on the bladder, we look at patterns involving the Kidneys, Bladder, Spleen and the body's overall balance of Qi, Yin, Yang and fluids.

How Does TCM Look at Urinary Problems?
In TCM, the Kidneys play an important role in fluid metabolism, bladder control and healthy aging. When Kidney Qi or Kidney Yang becomes weak, a person may experience frequent urination, nighttime urination, leakage, a sense of bladder weakness or feeling cold.

Other urinary symptoms may be associated with what TCM describes as Damp Heat in the Bladder. This pattern may include burning, urgency, dark urine, pelvic discomfort or a feeling of incomplete urination.

Stress can also play a role. In TCM, emotional stress can contribute to Qi stagnation and tension through the pelvic region. Some people notice that urinary urgency or frequency becomes worse when they are stressed, anxious or overtired.

How Can Acupuncture Help?
Acupuncture treatment is individualized according to the symptoms and underlying TCM pattern. Treatment may focus on:

Supporting bladder function and control
Reducing urinary urgency and frequency
Supporting pelvic floor function
Improving circulation through the pelvic region
Helping regulate the nervous system
Supporting sleep when nighttime urination is an issue
Addressing stress and tension that may aggravate urinary symptoms
Strengthening Kidney and Spleen Qi when symptoms are associated with weakness or fatigue

Acupuncture may also be used as supportive care for people experiencing chronic or recurring bladder symptoms once serious causes have been ruled out.

Herbs, Food & Lifestyle
TCM treatment may also include dietary and lifestyle recommendations based on the individual's pattern. Someone showing signs of internal heat may receive very different recommendations from someone who feels cold, exhausted and wakes several times each night to urinate.

This is one reason TCM doesn't use a single treatment for everyone with the same symptom. Two people with urinary frequency may have completely different underlying patterns and therefore require different acupuncture points and recommendations.

What About a UTI?
It is important to distinguish supportive TCM care from treatment of an acute infection. Burning urination, blood in the urine, fever, chills, significant pelvic or back pain, or rapidly worsening symptoms should be medically assessed. A bacterial urinary tract infection may require antibiotics, and acupuncture should not delay appropriate medical treatment.

Where acupuncture and TCM may be especially useful is in looking at the bigger picture — particularly when someone experiences recurring urinary symptoms, bladder sensitivity, urgency, nighttime urination or symptoms that seem to worsen with stress, menopause or aging.

At Wellness on 1st, we take the time to look beyond the symptoms and understand the bigger picture. Urinary concerns can be uncomfortable to talk about, but they’re also incredibly common and can have a meaningful impact on everyday life. With an individualized approach, acupuncture and TCM can be part of supporting better bladder health, comfort and overall well-being.

-- Dr. Susan Newman, Dr. Ac

]]><![CDATA[T is for Tongue Diagnosis: Why Your Acupuncturist Wants to See It]]>Wed, 02 Sep 2026 16:47:01 GMThttps://www.wellnesson1st.com/calgary-wellness-blog/t-is-for-tongue-diagnosis-why-your-acupuncturist-wants-to-see-itIn Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the tongue is like a window into your body. It can reveal clues about your overall health, your internal balance, and what may be going on beneath the surface—often before other symptoms appear.

Taking a quick look at your tongue helps your acupuncturist understand what’s happening inside your body so we can create a treatment plan that’s tailored just for you.

Don’t worry—we’re not judging! We simply use this information, along with your health history and how you’re feeling, to get a fuller picture of your health.

What Are We Looking At?
We assess four main areas of the tongue: colour, shape, coating, and markings. Each gives us important information about your internal environment and how your body is functioning.

Tongue Colour
Colour can give us a sense of your body’s energy, circulation, and overall balance. Here are some common colours and what they may suggest in TCM:

Pale: May indicate low energy, blood deficiency, or cold.
Pink (Healthy): Generally associated with balance, good circulation, and overall wellness.
Red: May indicate heat or inflammation in the body.
Purple: May suggest poor circulation, Blood stasis, or chronic pain.

Tongue Coating
The coating on your tongue can provide information about digestion and the body’s internal environment. Typically, there are 4 kinds of tongue coating:

Thin white coat: Generally considered a healthy tongue coating and may reflect balanced digestion and body fluids.
Thick white coat: May indicate what TCM describes as dampness or cold and can sometimes be associated with digestive concerns.
Yellow coat: May indicate heat in the body.
Little or no coat: May be associated with yin deficiency, heat, dryness, or reduced body fluids.

Tongue Shape
The size and shape of the tongue can provide additional clues about patterns of balance or imbalance in the body. Some examples include:

Swollen: May indicate fluid retention or dampness.
Thin: May be associated with a deficiency of body fluids, blood, or yin.
Teeth marks: Scalloped indentations along the sides of the tongue may be associated with spleen qi deficiency or dampness .
Cracked: May be associated with dryness, yin deficiency, or longer-term patterns within the body.

Cracks, Spots and Markings
Small details on the surface of the tongue can offer additional clues such as:

Red spots: May be associated with heat in certain areas of the body.
Purple spots: May indicate blood stasis or poor circulation.
Cracks: May be associated with dryness, aging, or yin deficiency.
Peeling: May be associated with deficiency or changes in the body's fluids.

Every Tongue Is Unique
There’s no such thing as a “perfect” tongue. What matters is the overall pattern. A tongue that TCM practitioners generally consider balanced is typically pink, moderately moist, and covered with a thin white coating.

Your tongue can also change. What you have recently had to eat or drink, medications, hydration, illness, and even the time of day can affect its appearance.

Most importantly, tongue assessment is just one piece of the puzzle. Your acupuncturist doesn’t diagnose your health based on your tongue alone. We consider what we see alongside your symptoms, health history, lifestyle, pulse, and other information to help guide your treatment.

So, the next time your acupuncturist asks you to stick out your tongue, you’ll know why— we’re simply gathering another piece of information to better understand your health and how we can support you.

-- Dr. Susan Newman, Dr. Ac

]]><![CDATA[S is for Sleep: Finding the Root Cause of Your Sleep Struggles]]>Thu, 30 Jul 2026 17:47:52 GMThttps://www.wellnesson1st.com/calgary-wellness-blog/s-is-for-sleep-finding-the-root-cause-of-your-sleep-struggles

Sleep is essential for physical recovery, mental clarity, emotional balance, and a healthy immune system. Yet many people struggle to fall asleep, wake frequently throughout the night, or wake too early and cannot get back to sleep. Others may sleep for several hours but still feel tired and unrefreshed in the morning.

Traditional Chinese Medicine, commonly called TCM, takes a broad and individualized approach to sleep. We look at many factors, including how much REM, deep, and light sleep you are getting, as well as how rested you feel in the morning. We also consider what is happening in the rest of your body, including stress levels, digestion, menstrual patterns, energy, emotions, pain, and other symptoms that may be affecting your sleep.

In TCM, sleep difficulties are viewed as a sign that the body is out of balance. One person may have trouble sleeping because their mind feels busy and restless, while another may wake repeatedly because of pain, hot flashes, digestive discomfort, or physical exhaustion. Although the sleep problem may appear similar, the underlying imbalance can be different for each person.

Acupuncture treatments are designed around the individual rather than using the same set of points for everyone. During treatment, very fine, sterile needles are gently placed at specific points on the body. These points may be chosen to calm the nervous system, reduce physical tension, support digestion, ease pain, or address other factors that may be interfering with sleep.

Many patients describe acupuncture treatments as deeply relaxing. Some even fall asleep during their appointment. By helping the body move out of a constant state of stress and into a calmer state, acupuncture may make it easier to unwind at night. It may also help reduce the cycle in which worrying about sleep creates even more tension and makes sleep harder to achieve.

Traditional Chinese Medicine may also include recommendations for food, daily routines, relaxation practices, and other lifestyle changes. Your practitioner may ask about caffeine, alcohol, screen use, exercise, meal timing, bedtime routines, bedroom temperature, stress levels, and other habits that may be affecting your sleep.

Herbal medicine is another important part of TCM. Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, we select formulas based on the root cause of your sleep concerns. For example, the herbs used to support sleep disrupted by physical stress or an overworked body are different from those used when racing thoughts, anxiety, or emotional stress are keeping you awake.

We also often recommend simple, evidence-informed remedies such as tart cherry juice concentrate, which naturally contains melatonin and antioxidants that may help support sleep quality and overnight recovery. These recommendations are always personalized to your individual needs and are intended to support healthier, more consistent sleep over time.

Acupuncture is not a sedative and does not force the body to sleep. The goal is to support the body’s natural ability to regulate itself and gradually establish a healthier sleep pattern. Some people notice that they feel calmer after their first treatment, while longer-standing sleep problems often require a series of regular treatments.

Sleep difficulties can also be connected to medical conditions, medications, sleep apnea, anxiety, hormonal changes, or other health concerns. Persistent or severe sleep problems should be discussed with a qualified healthcare professional.

At Wellness on 1st, our highly skilled Traditional Chinese Medicine doctors take the time to understand your sleep concerns and overall health. Book an initial consultation to receive a personalized treatment plan designed to support deeper, more restful sleep.

-- Dr. Susan Newman, Dr. Ac

]]><![CDATA["It's Just Normal": Why Your Sleep Complaints Deserve a Second Look]]>Fri, 24 Jul 2026 20:35:41 GMThttps://www.wellnesson1st.com/calgary-wellness-blog/its-just-normal-why-your-sleep-complaints-deserve-a-second-look

If you've ever told a doctor "I'm not sleeping well" and been met with a shrug, a suggestion to "try melatonin," or a comment like "well, sleep changes as you age" — you're not alone. Sleep issues are one of the most commonly dismissed health complaints, especially when bloodwork comes back "normal" or nothing obviously wrong shows up on the surface.

But poor sleep is rarely just poor sleep. From a naturopathic perspective, sleep is a mirror. It reflects what's happening in your hormones, your nervous system, your gut, your blood sugar, and your stress load. When sleep breaks down, it's usually a signal — not a standalone problem to mask with a supplement or a script.

If you've been told your sleep struggles are "just normal" or "just stress," here are some of the root causes worth investigating further.

1. Cortisol Dysregulation
Many people with sleep complaints don't actually have trouble falling asleep — they fall asleep fine, then wake up between 2–4am, wired and unable to drift off again. This pattern is often linked to a cortisol curve that's out of rhythm. Cortisol is supposed to be low at night and rise gently before waking. When chronic stress, blood sugar swings, or an overtaxed nervous system shift that rhythm, cortisol can spike overnight instead, jolting you awake.

Worth exploring: a cortisol pattern test (salivary or urinary), a look at your daily stress load, and how your body is handling stress physiologically — not just "are you stressed" but "how is your body responding to stress."

2. Blood Sugar Instability
Waking up hungry, shaky, or with a racing heart in the middle of the night can point to nighttime blood sugar dips. When blood glucose drops too low overnight, the body releases stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline to bring it back up — and those same hormones are exactly what keep you from staying asleep.

Worth exploring: eating patterns throughout the day, protein and fat intake at dinner, and in some cases, continuous glucose monitoring or fasting insulin/glucose testing.

3. Hormonal Shifts (Not Just Perimenopause)
Estrogen and progesterone both play direct roles in sleep quality. Progesterone in particular has a calming, GABA-supporting effect — when it drops (as it does premenstrually, in perimenopause, or with chronic stress suppressing ovulation), sleep can become lighter and more fragmented. This is often waved away as "just part of getting older" or "just PMS," when it's actually a modifiable hormonal pattern.

Worth exploring: a full hormone panel timed appropriately in your cycle, and a conversation about how your reproductive hormones may be interacting with your sleep.

4. Gut Health and Nutrient Status
The gut produces the majority of the body's serotonin, a precursor to melatonin. An imbalanced microbiome, poor digestion, or malabsorption can quietly limit your ability to produce the raw materials your body needs for a normal sleep-wake cycle. Add to this common nutrient gaps — magnesium, B vitamins, iron, and zinc — and you have a body that may simply lack the building blocks for restorative sleep, regardless of how "good" your sleep hygiene is.

Worth exploring: digestive symptoms alongside sleep symptoms, and relevant nutrient testing (ferritin, magnesium RBC, vitamin D, B12).

5. An Overactive Nervous System
Some people don't have a hormone or blood sugar problem — they have a nervous system that hasn't learned how to downshift. If your mind races the moment your head hits the pillow, or you feel "tired but wired" most evenings, this often points to a sympathetic-dominant nervous system that needs support learning safety and rest, not just another sleep hygiene checklist.

Worth exploring: history of chronic stress or burnout, and nervous system regulation practices tailored to your specific pattern.

None of this means you need to accept broken sleep as "just how it is now." Sleep issues that get dismissed as normal are often the loudest signal your body has that something underneath needs attention. The goal isn't to mask the symptom — it's to understand what's actually driving it, so the fix is lasting rather than temporary.

If you've been living with sleep struggles that no one has taken the time to properly investigate, I'd love to help you get some answers. Book a free discovery call and let's talk through your health history and goals. You deserve sleep that actually restores you. Let's find out why yours hasn't been.

-- Dr. Shreya Mistry, ND

]]><![CDATA[Why Your Body Doesn’t Fully Relax Even When Life Feels “Fine”]]>Mon, 29 Jun 2026 20:12:17 GMThttps://www.wellnesson1st.com/calgary-wellness-blog/why-your-body-doesnt-fully-relax-even-when-life-feels-fine

Have you ever had the experience where, on paper, things are okay... but your body doesn't seem to agree?
Maybe your stress isn’t through the roof anymore. Maybe the busy season has passed. Maybe you finally got a bit of space to breathe.

And yet your body still feels tight. Or tired. Or like it never fully "lets go."

You're not imagining that.

Stress Doesn’t Just Live in Your Thoughts
We tend to think of stress as something purely mental — deadlines, pressure, emotional overwhelm. But the body doesn't separate things quite so neatly.

Your nervous system is constantly tracking your environment, your past experiences, and your current load. It adapts to keep you safe.
Sometimes, that adaptation doesn't switch off right away.

Even when life calms down, the body can stay
in a protective pattern, such as:

Muscles staying slightly braced.
Breathing staying a bit shallow.
A sense of being "on" or alert underneath the surface.
Difficulty fully resting, even when you try.

Over time, those patterns can start to feel like your "normal."

When the Body Stays in Protection Mode
After stress, injury, or long periods of emotional or physical strain, the body can learn to stay guarded.
This isn't a conscious choice... it's protective wiring.

Some people describe it as:

"I can't seem to fully relax."
"My body always feels tense even when I'm resting."
"I wake up already tight."
"I feel stuck or heavy, like I can't reset."

This can also show up after things like:

Motor vehicle accidents.
Prolonged pain or injury.
Chronic stress or burnout.
Emotionally difficult periods.

Even when the original trigger is long gone, the pattern can remain.

Why Rest Alone Doesn't Always Fix It
Rest is important, but sometimes it isn't enough on its own.

If the nervous system has adapted to being
"on guard," simply stopping activity doesn't always signal safety to the body. It may still be operating from an old protective setting.

This is often why people say:

"I had time off... but I still don't feel better."

Supporting the Body in Shifting Out of Stress Mode
This is where gentle, nervous-system-focused approaches like craniosacral therapy can be helpful.

Craniosacral therapy is a subtle, hands-on approach that works with the body's natural rhythms and connective tissues. The intention isn't to force change, but to help the body recognize that it doesn't need to stay in a protective state.

Sessions are typically very light and quiet, allowing the body space to:

Soften tension patterns.
Settle the nervous system.
Shift out of chronic "guarding."
Reorganize around a calmer baseline.

Many people are surprised by how much happens in stillness.

What a Session Can Feel Like
People often describe craniosacral therapy as:

Deeply relaxing or meditative.
Subtle but noticeable internally.
Warm, heavy, or "melting" sensations.
Emotional release or a sense of unwinding.
Fatigue afterward (similar to post-stress recovery).

There is no need to "do" anything during the session. In fact, most of the work comes from doing less.

The Goal Isn't to Force Relaxation—It's to Allow It
A key part of this work is that the body isn't pushed into change. Instead, it's given space to shift on its own terms.
For many people, this feels very different from traditional approaches focused on effort, correction, or intensity.
It's not about overriding the body.
It's about giving it the conditions to let go.

A Final Thought
If you feel like your body doesn't fully relax, even when life is calmer than it used to be, there's nothing wrong with you.
Often, it just means your system learned to adapt to a harder season... and hasn't quite been shown yet that it's safe to stand down.
With time, support, and the right conditions, those patterns can change.

-- Jackie Shandilya, DOMP

]]><![CDATA[R is for Restless Legs Syndrome: Finding Relief and Better Sleep with Acupuncture]]>Mon, 29 Jun 2026 19:52:42 GMThttps://www.wellnesson1st.com/calgary-wellness-blog/r-is-for-restless-legs-syndrome-finding-relief-and-better-sleep-with-acupuncture

Restless legs syndrome can be a disruptive and frustrating condition. It is commonly described as an uncomfortable urge to move the legs, often accompanied by sensations such as pulling, aching, crawling, tingling, or restlessness. Symptoms typically become more noticeable during periods of rest, especially in the evening or at night, and may temporarily improve with movement, stretching, walking, or massage. For many people, restless legs syndrome interferes with sleep quality, energy, mood, and overall well-being.

From a biomedical perspective, restless legs syndrome is considered a neurological sleep-related movement disorder. It may be associated with low iron or ferritin levels, pregnancy, kidney disease, neuropathy, certain medications, circulation concerns, and other underlying health factors. For this reason, new, severe, or worsening symptoms should be assessed by a medical provider. In some cases, bloodwork may be recommended to rule out contributing deficiencies or other medical concerns.

Traditional Chinese Medicine takes a whole-person approach. Rather than viewing restless legs as only a local leg issue, TCM considers the relationship between the nervous system, circulation, sleep, digestion, stress, and the body’s ability to properly nourish and relax the muscles. One of the important principles in TCM is that the same condition can have different roots in different people. This means two patients may both experience restless legs, but the reason behind the symptoms may not be the same.

This is why acupuncture treatment is individualized. A practitioner will consider the person’s full health picture, including sleep quality, stress levels, digestion, energy, temperature regulation, muscle tension, medical history, tongue, and pulse. The goal is not only to reduce the sensation in the legs, but also to understand what may be contributing to the body’s inability to settle at rest.

Acupuncture may help by supporting nervous system regulation, improving the movement of Qi and blood, relaxing muscular tension, supporting circulation, and encouraging deeper, more restorative sleep. Points may be selected on the legs, low back, abdomen, arms, or head depending on the individual presentation. Treatment is always guided by what the body is showing rather than using the same point prescription for every patient.

Lifestyle factors are also important. Restless legs may worsen when the body is overtired, stressed, depleted, dehydrated, or overstimulated by caffeine or poor sleep habits. A TCM treatment plan may include acupuncture, dietary recommendations, sleep support, gentle movement, stretching, stress management, and, when appropriate, Chinese herbal medicine. Herbs should always be prescribed based on an individualized TCM assessment and reviewed for safety, especially if a patient is taking medications or managing other health conditions.

Restless legs syndrome often responds best to a series of treatments rather than a single visit, particularly when symptoms have been present for months or years. The aim is to reduce symptom frequency and intensity, improve sleep quality, and address the deeper imbalance contributing to the restlessness.

For patients struggling with restless legs, acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine offer a comprehensive approach that looks beyond the symptom itself. By supporting circulation, calming the nervous system, improving sleep, and addressing the body’s individual pattern, treatment may help the body settle more effectively. To learn whether acupuncture may be a good fit for you, book a free consultation with one of our highly skilled Doctors of Traditional Chinese Medicine at Wellness on 1st.

-- Dr. Susan Newman, Dr. Ac

]]><![CDATA[Q is for Qi Deficiency: Understanding Your Body's Energy Reserves]]>Mon, 01 Jun 2026 18:27:32 GMThttps://www.wellnesson1st.com/calgary-wellness-blog/q-is-for-qi-deficiency-understanding-your-bodys-energy-reserves

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Qi (pronounced "chee") is the vital energy that powers everything your body does—circulation, digestion, movement, healing, mental clarity, and resilience. When this energy becomes depleted, we call it Qi Deficiency.

Recognizing the Signs
People with Qi Deficiency often experience:
• Persistent fatigue that rest doesn't fully resolve
• Waking up feeling tired after a full night sleep
• Mental fog or low motivation
• Feeling physically & emotionally drained
• Poor stress tolerance
• Weak digestion, bloating, or appetite changes
• Feeling cold easily
• Shortness of breath with mild exertion
• Frequent illness or slow recovery

From a Western perspective, these patterns overlap with chronic stress, burnout, hormonal imbalance, nutrient deficiencies, and nervous system exhaustion. Both frameworks recognize the same fundamental truth: when stress consistently outpaces recovery, the body struggles to maintain balance.

Modern life keeps many of us in constant "go mode"—long hours, emotional demands, poor sleep, inadequate nutrition, and relentless stimulation. Over time, this leaves the body running on empty.

How Acupuncture Supports Recovery
Traditional Chinese Medicine uses acupuncture to strengthen and regulate Qi, restoring the body's internal balance. Research shows acupuncture influences the nervous system, circulation, stress hormones, inflammatory pathways, and the body's natural healing responses. Patients receiving treatment for fatigue and stress-related symptoms commonly report improvements in:
• Energy & stamina
• Sleep quality
• Mental clarity & focus
• Digestive function
• Stress resilience & mood
• Improved sexual health
• Overall sense of wellbeing

Unlike approaches that push the body harder, acupuncture treatments for Qi Deficiency are designed to be calming and restorative—supporting your body's innate ability to heal and regulate itself.

Building Qi Between Sessions
Acupuncture works best alongside lifestyle habits that replenish your reserves:
• Prioritize rest — Sleep and downtime aren't luxuries; they're essential
• Eat nourishing foods — Warm, whole foods support digestion and energy
• Reduce chronic stress — Small changes add up
• Move gently — Walking, stretching, or tai chi over intense exercise when depleted
• Spend time outdoors — Sunlight, nature, and fresh air restore more than we realize
• Practice deep breathing — Even a few minutes of focused daily attention calms the nervous system

A Common but Overlooked Pattern
Qi Deficiency is remarkably common. Many people normalize exhaustion, operating in a constant state of depletion without recognizing how profoundly it affects their physical and emotional health.

Traditional Chinese Medicine views these symptoms as signals, not failures—your body communicating that it needs more support, nourishment, and time to restore.
Acupuncture offers a path back to balance: rebuilding energy, strengthening resilience, and helping your body recover the vitality it was designed to have.

If you recognize yourself in some of these symptoms, know that support is available. Wellness on 1st offer complimentary consultations where you can discuss your concerns with one of our practitioners and learn whether acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine may help support your journey back to balance.

-- Dr. Susan Newman, Dr. Ac

]]><![CDATA[What Your Tongue Reveals About Your Health: A Guide to Tongue Diagnosis in Traditional Chinese Medicine]]>Thu, 28 May 2026 16:38:11 GMThttps://www.wellnesson1st.com/calgary-wellness-blog/what-your-tongue-reveals-about-your-health-a-guide-to-tongue-diagnosis-in-traditional-chinese-medicine

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the body is viewed as an interconnected system where internal imbalances often show up externally. One of the most fascinating and valuable diagnostic tools used by practitioners is tongue diagnosis. By simply observing the tongue, we can gain insight into the state of your organs, circulation, hydration, and overall balance of energy, also known as Qi.

The tongue is considered a “map” of the body. Different areas correspond to different organ systems. For example, the tip reflects the heart and lungs, the center relates to the spleen and stomach, which are responsible for digestion, and the back represents the kidneys. During a treatment, your practitioner will assess various aspects of the tongue including its color, shape, coating, and moisture. These subtle details help paint a picture of what may be happening beneath the surface, even before symptoms fully develop.

Color is one of the key indicators. A pale tongue may suggest deficiency, often related to low energy or blood, while a red tongue can indicate heat in the body, which may present as inflammation, irritability, or disrupted sleep. The coating of the tongue also provides important clues. Thick or greasy coatings may point to dampness or sluggish digestion, while a lack of coating can suggest dryness or fluid depletion. Even small details like cracks, swelling, or teeth marks can guide a practitioner toward a deeper understanding of your overall health.

What makes tongue diagnosis especially powerful is that it is both non-invasive and immediate. It allows us to track changes over time and tailor treatments specifically to your body’s current needs. When combined with other diagnostic tools such as pulse reading and a thorough intake, it helps create a truly individualized treatment plan. This approach supports concerns such as digestion, hormones, stress, and overall vitality.

At Wellness on 1st, tongue diagnosis is just one of the many ways we approach your health holistically. It offers a window into the body’s internal landscape and allows us to support healing at the root level rather than simply addressing symptoms. The next time you come in for treatment, do not be surprised if one of the first things we ask is to see your tongue. It may have more to say than you think.

-- Dr. Danielle Neilson, Dr. Ac of Radiance Acupuncture

]]><![CDATA[PCOS Is Now PMOS And That One Letter Changes Everything]]>Fri, 22 May 2026 21:59:52 GMThttps://www.wellnesson1st.com/calgary-wellness-blog/pcos-is-now-pmos-and-that-one-letter-changes-everything

On May 12, 2026, published in The Lancet, that was finally, officially acknowledged. Polycystic ovary syndrome PCOS has been renamed polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome, PMOS.

It is one letter on the surface. It is a profound correction underneath.

As a naturopathic doctor, I have always taught patients that a diagnosis is a starting point for understanding, not a verdict. But when the name itself is misleading, it corrupts the starting point entirely.

The word "polycystic" told women and far too many clinicians that this condition was about ovarian cysts. So when an ultrasound came back without visible findings, women were dismissed. "Your ovaries look fine," became the end of the conversation, when it should have been the beginning of a deeper investigation.

The reality is that what were called "cysts" in PCOS were never true cysts at all they are underdeveloped follicles. And many women with this condition do not even have those. An estimated 70% of women with this condition have gone undiagnosed, and delayed diagnosis often means years without support for the insulin resistance, cardiovascular risk, and mental health impacts that sit at the very core of what this condition actually is.

What PMOS actually tells us

Let us break down what this new name communicates:

Polyendocrine — More than one hormonal pathway is involved. Androgen excess, insulin signalling, neuroendocrine function, and ovarian hormones are all part of this picture.
Metabolic — Insulin resistance is present in the vast majority of cases. This is a condition of metabolism, not just reproduction.
Ovarian — Ovarian function still matters: ovulation, follicle development, and cycle regularity remain central. But they are one part of a much larger picture
Syndrome — A constellation of features, not a single pathology. Two out of three diagnostic criteria still apply for a diagnosis

From a naturopathic standpoint, this is deeply validating. We have always looked at this condition through a systems lens asking about blood sugar regulation, adrenal function, thyroid health, gut microbiome, inflammation, and stress physiology, not just cycle length and ultrasound findings. The new name invites conventional medicine to do the same.

What this means for how we investigate and treat

This is where the name change moves from symbolic to practical. If PMOS is fundamentally a polyendocrine metabolic condition, then assessment needs to reflect that. A proper workup should never begin and end with an ultrasound. It should include:

Metabolic assessment: Fasting insulin, fasting glucose, HOMA-IR, full lipid panel, and HbA1c where indicated. Insulin resistance is the metabolic engine driving so many PMOS symptoms — and it is rarely tested as a first step
Full hormone mapping: Free and total testosterone, DHEA-S, LH, FSH, prolactin, estradiol, progesterone (timed to cycle), and thyroid panel including TSH, free T3, free T4, and thyroid antibodies. The "polyendocrine" framing demands a polyendocrine investigation.
Psychological screening: Anxiety and depression are significantly more prevalent in PMOS. This is not incidental it is embedded in the biology. Screening for mental health must be a routine part of assessment, not an afterthought.
Cardiometabolic risk markers: Blood pressure, waist circumference, inflammatory markers like hsCRP, and cardiovascular risk stratification. PMOS is a long-term health condition with real cardiovascular implications that deserve early attention.

A final thought

I do not think names are everything. But I think they matter more than medicine usually admits. A name shapes what clinicians look for, what patients understand about their own bodies, what researchers fund, and what insurance systems cover.

PMOS is not a perfect name. While some researchers have noted that keeping "ovarian" in the title forecloses conversation about whether this syndrome presents in people without ovaries. That conversation is worth having. But the shift away from "polycystic" away from a word that was directing attention to the wrong place for over six decades is an unambiguous step forward.

For the women who have spent years feeling unseen by a diagnosis that did not describe them, this matters. Words, at their best, are a form of recognition. PMOS says: We see the whole of what this is. And that is where good care begins.

IF YOU ARE NAVIGATING PMOS

Both PCOS and PMOS will be used interchangeably in clinics and health systems through approximately 2028, as terminology transitions globally. If you have questions about what a full metabolic and hormonal workup should include, or how nutrition, supplementation, and lifestyle interventions can support your care, reach out to a naturopathic doctor or integrative medicine practitioner who focuses on hormonal health. You can also book a complimentary discovery call with me by clicking here.

-- Dr. Shreya Mistry, ND

]]><![CDATA[P is for Perimenopause: How Acupuncture & Chinese Herbal Medicine Can Help You Feel Like Yourself Again]]>Tue, 12 May 2026 03:31:20 GMThttps://www.wellnesson1st.com/calgary-wellness-blog/p-is-for-perimenopause-how-acupuncture-chinese-herbal-medicine-can-help-you-feel-like-yourself-again

If you are a woman in your 40s or early 50s and suddenly feeling unlike yourself, you are not alone. Many women enter perimenopause without even realizing it. One day you are sleeping well and feeling emotionally steady — and the next you are waking up at 3am, feeling anxious, exhausted, overheated, or emotionally overwhelmed for no obvious reason.

Perimenopause is the transitional phase leading up to menopause, and it can begin years before periods fully stop. During this time, hormones naturally fluctuate, which can affect nearly every system in the body.

Common symptoms of perimenopause include:

Hot flashes and night sweats
Anxiety and irritability
Insomnia or restless sleep
Brain fog and forgetfulness
Fatigue and low motivation
Weight gain or bloating
Irregular or heavier periods
Headaches and joint pain
Low libido
Feeling emotionally “off” or disconnected

Many women are told these symptoms are simply something they have to live with. But from a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perspective, these symptoms are signs that the body is out of balance — and acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine are designed to help restore that balance naturally.

In TCM, perimenopause is viewed as a major transition in the body’s energy systems. Over time, the body’s nourishing Yin energy can become depleted, which may lead to symptoms such as heat, dryness, anxiety, poor sleep, and irritability. Stress, overwork, lack of rest, and years of putting everyone else first can also contribute to the body feeling depleted during this stage of life.

Acupuncture works by stimulating specific points on the body to regulate the nervous system, improve circulation, calm stress responses, and support the body’s natural ability to rebalance itself. Many women notice they begin sleeping better, feeling calmer, and experiencing fewer hot flashes after a series of treatments.

Research supports what many women have experienced firsthand. A meta-analysis published in the journal Menopause found that acupuncture significantly improved hot flash frequency and severity, along with overall quality of life during menopause and perimenopause.

Additional studies have shown acupuncture may also help improve sleep quality, anxiety, mood, and emotional wellbeing during this transition.

Chinese herbal medicine can also be incredibly supportive during perimenopause. In TCM, herbal formulas are customized to the individual rather than using the same approach for everyone. Some women may need support for sleep and anxiety, while others may need help with hot flashes, fatigue, digestion, or emotional overwhelm.

Research on Chinese herbal medicine has shown promising results for symptoms such as hot flashes, fatigue, mood changes, and sleep disturbances.

The most important thing to understand is that perimenopause is not “all in your head,” and you do not need to simply push through it exhausted and depleted. Your body is changing, and it deserves support during that transition.

At Wellness on 1st, we take a holistic and individualized approach to women’s health. Through acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, nutrition, and lifestyle support, we work to help women feel more balanced, rested, emotionally grounded, and connected to themselves again during every stage of life. If you’re curious whether acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine may be right for you, I invite you to book a complimentary consultation to learn more and explore a personalized approach to care.

-- Dr. Susan Newman, Dr. Ac

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