 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.
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 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.  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.  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.  Fertility can be a deeply personal and sometimes challenging journey. Whether you are trying to conceive naturally or preparing for assisted treatments such as IVF, many people are looking for ways to support their bodies in a more holistic and gentle way. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), including acupuncture and herbal medicine, has been used for centuries to support reproductive health by addressing the root causes of imbalance and helping the body return to a more optimal state.
 Ovarian cysts are very common, and many women will experience them at some point in their lives. A cyst is simply a fluid-filled sac that forms on or inside the ovary. In many cases, they come and go without causing any problems. But for some women, they can lead to symptoms like pelvic pain, bloating, irregular periods, or discomfort during ovulation.
If you’ve been told you have ovarian cysts, it can feel confusing or even a bit overwhelming—especially if you’re dealing with ongoing symptoms. The good news is that acupuncture can be a very effective, natural way to support your body.  If you’ve ever felt tingling in your hands, numbness in your feet, or burning pain that seems to come out of nowhere, you may have heard the word neuropathy. It sounds intimidating — but understanding it is the first step toward managing it.
Let’s break it down. What is Neuropathy? Peripheral neuropathy refers to damage or dysfunction of the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. These nerves help you feel sensation, control movement, and regulate many automatic body processes. When they are not working properly, the signals between your brain and body become disrupted. Neuropathy isn’t a single condition — it’s an umbrella term for many nerve disorders. It can affect sensory nerves (feeling), motor nerves (movement), or autonomic nerves (automatic functions like sweating or digestion).  If you're on the journey of trying to conceive, first, I see you. It's one of the most hopeful, exciting, and at times emotionally exhausting experiences a person can go through. Whether you're just starting out or have been on this road for a while, know that there's a lot you can do to support your body through this process.
As a naturopathic doctor, my approach to fertility isn't about quick fixes. It's about creating the conditions in your body where conception can thrive. Think of it like tending to a garden before you plant a seed, you want to make sure the soil is rich, nourished, and ready. That's what we're doing here.
 Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions—including high blood pressure, elevated blood sugar, excess abdominal fat, and abnormal cholesterol levels—that together increase the risk of serious health problems, such as heart disease, stroke, PCOS and type 2 diabetes. It’s a condition that affects millions of people worldwide, often silently, until complications arise. While lifestyle changes like diet, exercise, and stress management remain the foundation of prevention and treatment, acupuncture can be a powerful complementary therapy in supporting overall metabolic health.
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