Anxiety & Bad Dreams from a Chinese Medicine Perspective

Anxiety & Bad Dreams from a Chinese Medicine Perspective

Ask Me Anything

You know the tools. You understand your thoughts. You can name the patterns before they fully arrive. And yet, every single month, about ten days before your period, anxiety appears. Sleep becomes disturbed. Dreams take a darker turn. Your calves fill with fluid. You reach for sugar or salt. And the person you are for the rest of the month quietly steps aside.

That is the question I received recently from a cognitive behavioural health practitioner in her fifties who still has a regular 27-day cycle and who described, with remarkable precision, exactly where in the month her body changes. She feels completely well for the larger part of the month. Then the window opens, and all of this arrives together.

The timing is the most important piece of information here. When anxiety, disturbed sleep, cravings and fluid retention appear and disappear in rhythm with a menstrual cycle, they are not random. They are the body communicating something about a particular phase of that cycle. That does not make the anxiety less real. It makes it more specific, which means we have somewhere to begin.

What Chinese Medicine Sees in This Pattern

 

Western medicine tends to treat each of these symptoms separately. Chinese medicine looks at the pattern they form together, particularly the timing.

In Chinese medicine, the Shen, which we might translate as spirit or awareness, rests in the Heart and is anchored by the Blood. When the Blood is sufficiently nourishing, the Shen settles at night. Sleep is generally steady, dreams are ordinary, and the mind feels quiet enough.

In the days before a period, the body is already beginning to gather and prepare Blood for menstruation. If the Blood is relatively depleted, or is not moving smoothly through the system, there may be less available to nourish the Heart and hold the Shen. The result can be vivid or distressing dreams, a kind of ambient restlessness that has no obvious cause, and anxiety that arrives not from a thought but from the body itself.

This is not a diagnosis. It is the pattern I would want to explore more fully in a proper consultation. But it does offer a useful lens.

Alongside this, the grief she mentioned deserves attention. In Chinese medicine, grief affects the Lung energy system. When grief sits unresolved in the chest, the breath can become shorter and remain high. The body interprets that as threat. Fight-or-flight rises, and this adds another layer to the anxiety already present.

These are not separate problems. They are the same system under pressure.

The Bao Mai: Connecting Chest and Lower Abdomen

I want to introduce a concept I have written about before, because it feels directly relevant here.

The Bao Mai is described in Chinese medicine as a connection between the uterus and the Heart. You can think of it as the channel of communication between the lower physical centre of the body and the emotional centre in the chest.

When that communication is flowing, emotions can be felt without flooding the whole system. The body can change without the mind going immediately into alarm.

When the connection feels congested, the lower abdomen can feel heavy or stuck while the chest becomes tight and restless. That description maps quite closely onto what was described in the question.

For the acupressure practice, we work with two points along this central line: CV6 and CV17. Although there are two locations, this is one joined practice. You are simply restoring awareness along the connection.

CV6 sits on the midline of the lower abdomen, approximately two finger widths below the belly button. Place a palm or two or three soft fingertips there. Use enough pressure to create a comfortable sense of contact, never sharp, never forceful.

CV17 sits in the centre of the breastbone, level with the centre of the chest. Place the other palm or a few relaxed fingertips there.

Now allow your attention to travel between your hands. Inhale and let the belly rise, allowing the energy to travel upward towards the chest.

Exhale and allow the energy to descend back into the lower abdomen, the lower Dantian. Stay with gentle, steady contact for between thirty seconds and three minutes. Consistency matters far more than duration.

This is particularly useful as a pre-sleep practice during the ten days when the pattern tends to appear. If you wake from a distressing dream, return to the same position rather than analysing the dream in the dark. You are reminding the body that the chest and lower abdomen are still connected.

The Movement: Embrace Mountain

The Qi Gong movement I am choosing here is Embrace Mountain, the second movement from Shibashi.

Stand with feet comfortably apart and knees soft. Allow the arms to float forwards and open as though you are gently holding the shape of a wide mountain.

Three things matter. Keep the feet rooted and the knees easy. Let the arms remain rounded, with space under the armpits and no strain in the shoulders. Let the movement follow an unhurried breath, opening without reaching, returning without collapsing.

As the arms open, inhale into the lower belly and feel the centre of the chest becoming spacious. As they return, exhale and allow the attention to gather towards the lower abdomen. Hold the awareness of the Bao Mai the whole time, energy rising on the inhale, descending and settling on the exhale.

Two to five minutes is enough. Stop before fatigue. The felt outcome you are looking for is a little more room in the chest, more weight through the feet, softer shoulders and a sense that the energy which had been gathering upward can settle.

This movement is fitting for someone who already spends much of their working life holding space for others. When your own system becomes overwhelmed, the mountain offers a different model. The mountain does not argue with the weather. It stays present while the weather passes.

The Food: Barley Water

Barley water. In Five Element food medicine, barley has a gently cooling, moistening quality. It supports the Kidney and Bladder energetic system, which governs fluids, hormones and bones. It addresses that dragging, heavy, full feeling that can accompany the days before a period.

To make it: approximately 50 grams of wholegrain pot barley or pearl barley, two litres of water, half a lemon, a small pinch of salt. A little wakame or dillisk seaweed is optional. Bring it to the boil with the lid on, reduce the heat and simmer gently for about an hour. Strain through a fine sieve, pressing the barley lightly to let the cloudy liquid through. Keep it in the fridge for up to five days. Take roughly one part barley water topped with two parts hot water, warm enough to drink comfortably. One measure in the morning and one later in the day is enough. Save the cooked barley for soup, salad or stew.

Begin without sweetening it. Because cravings for sweet things are already part of the pattern, keep this as a neutral, nourishing drink rather than something that triggers more wanting.

She mentioned that salt makes things worse. Salt can contribute to fluid retention, but there is a meaningful difference between a small pinch used in cooking and the larger amounts hidden in processed foods, crisps and savoury snacks. The aim is awareness, not fear. In Chinese medicine, the salty flavour belongs to the Kidney and Bladder system. It has a gathering, descending quality. Your body may be craving it precisely because the energy needs anchoring downward.

A Note on the Calves and Timing

The swelling in the calves deserves proper attention. Premenstrual fluid retention is common, but please do not assume that is the only possible cause. Mention the exact timing, the anxiety, the disturbed sleep, the cravings and the calf swelling to your GP as a connected pattern rather than separate complaints. A clear picture helps them consider premenstrual disorder, perimenopause and other possible causes. If one calf becomes more swollen than the other, or becomes hot, red, painful or tender, seek urgent medical help.

These practices are supportive. They are not a replacement for a proper medical review, and they are not a test of whether you are applying Chinese medicine correctly.

The rest of the month, you feel like yourself. That matters. Begin the acupressure, the movement and the barley water a few days before the usual window opens. Let the body recognise what is coming and already have something familiar to meet it with.

And please offer yourself some kindness around the grief eating. Grief changes appetite. Food may have been helping you survive a hard time. We can respect that while slowly building

Final thought

To every woman in peri-menopause, menopause or post-menopause: your body is giving you feedback about flow, cooling, nourishment, boundaries, rest and rhythm. You do not have to decode it perfectly. You only have to begin responding more kindly.

And if you would like to practise this kind of work with me in a steady, supported way, come into the Chi Flow membership. It is €39 a month, and after the three-month trial it becomes €20 a month, so you can keep building these small rhythms through the seasons with guidance, community and practice.

Ready to Start?

Join Chi Flow with Jo and begin restoring your energy, and feeling more like yourself again.

Clear

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Frequently Asked Questions 

Why do I get anxiety before my period?

Anxiety before a period may be linked to changes taking place during the premenstrual phase of the cycle. Some women notice anxiety, disturbed sleep, cravings, irritability or physical tension in the days before bleeding begins. From a Chinese medicine perspective, this may also suggest that Blood is not sufficiently nourishing and settling the Heart and Shen.

Why do I have bad dreams before my period?

Bad dreams or vivid dreams before a period may appear alongside disrupted sleep, anxiety and emotional sensitivity. In Chinese medicine, the Shen, or spirit, is said to rest in the Heart and be anchored by the Blood. When the Blood is not strong enough to settle the Shen, sleep may become restless and dreams may feel more intense.

Can menopause cause anxiety and bad dreams?

Menopause can be associated with changes in mood, sleep and the menstrual cycle. Some women experience anxiety, vivid dreams, night waking or a stronger reaction to stress even while their periods remain regular. New or worsening symptoms should be discussed with a GP.

Can I be in menopause if my periods are still regular?

Yes, it is possible to experience perimenopausal symptoms while periods are still arriving regularly. The transition is different for every woman, so age and symptoms should be considered alongside changes in the cycle, sleep, temperature, mood and general wellbeing.

What is Heart Blood deficiency in Chinese medicine?

Heart Blood deficiency is a traditional Chinese medicine pattern associated with insufficient nourishment of the Heart and Shen. It may be considered when symptoms include anxiety, disturbed sleep, vivid dreams, palpitations, tiredness, poor concentration or a sense of emotional vulnerability. A full Chinese medicine diagnosis normally considers the complete symptom picture, tongue and pulse.

Why do I crave sugar and salt before my period?

Cravings may become stronger when the body is tired, stressed, grieving or approaching menstruation. Sugar may offer a quick sense of comfort or energy, while salty foods can feel grounding. Rather than relying only on willpower, regular nourishing meals, adequate protein, rest and hydration may help reduce the intensity of cravings.

Can stress and grief cause emotional eating?

Stress and grief can change appetite, sleep and the need for comfort. Emotional eating is often an attempt to regulate distress rather than a simple lack of self-control. Exploring what the grief needs, while adding supportive food, breath and movement practices, may be more helpful than strict restriction.

Why do my calves retain water before my period?

Fluid retention can occur before a period and may affect the legs, abdomen or breasts. In Chinese medicine, heaviness and fluid accumulation may be considered in relation to the Kidney, Bladder and Spleen energy systems. Persistent, painful or one-sided swelling should always be medically assessed.

Which acupressure points may support anxiety before a period?

CV17, at the centre of the chest, and CV6, below the navel, can be used together as a gentle calming practice. One hand rests over each area while the breath moves softly into the chest and then descends towards the lower abdomen. Pressure should remain gentle and comfortable for around 30 seconds to three minutes.

What is the Bao Mai in Chinese medicine?

The Bao Mai is traditionally described as a connection between the uterus and the Heart. It offers a way of understanding communication between the lower abdomen, menstrual cycle and emotional life. When this connection feels obstructed, there may be lower abdominal tension alongside anxiety, chest tightness or emotional unrest.

How do I breathe to help settle anxiety?

Place one hand over the centre of the chest and the other below the navel. Allow the inhale to open the chest gently, then lengthen the exhale and imagine the breath descending towards the lower hand. Keep the jaw soft, shoulders relaxed and breathing unforced.

Can barley water help with water retention?

Barley water is traditionally used as a gentle, hydrating food drink. From a Five Element food perspective, it may support the Kidney and Bladder energy systems and encourage fluid movement. It is not a medical diuretic or a treatment for unexplained swelling.

How can I build Blood in Chinese medicine?

Regular nourishing meals, adequate protein, leafy greens, beans, lentils, eggs, beetroot, broths and slow-cooked foods may be included as part of a balanced diet. Rest, good digestion and avoiding excessive restriction are also important. Heavy periods, persistent tiredness, dizziness or breathlessness should be discussed with a GP.

Go Deeper with Our Books

For those wanting to understand how movement, breath, and Chinese Medicine principles, Jo’s books provide practical guidance rooted in lived experience and clinical wisdom.

👉 Buy Five Element Wisdom cookbooks

Explore how to Find Your Flow and Live Well with Parkinson’s.

Movement does not need to be extreme to be powerful.
Small daily expansion reshapes the body.
Steady breath reshapes the nervous system.
Gentle repetition rebuilds confidence.

Every human body carries extraordinary capacity for renewal when given the right rhythm.

If you want to soften into strength, come and practice with us.

When to seek medical help

Please speak to your GP or specialist if symptoms worsen or spread, if pain, itching, heat or anxiety starts waking you at night, if you notice new skin changes, lumps, thickening, ulceration or bleeding, if your prescribed treatment is not helping, or if there is any change in medication.

And if you ever have chest pain that feels severe, crushing, unusual, or comes with breathlessness, sweating, faintness, jaw pain or arm pain, seek urgent medical help.

Chinese medicine and home practices can support the terrain of the body, but they do not replace diagnosis or medical treatment.

Self-administered acupressure or Chinese Medicine is not a substitute for visits to qualified healthcare practitioners.

Knowing how to treat yourself and your loved ones with complimentary therapies like acupressure can be greatly beneficial and convenient. However, for serious and chronic conditions, you’ll want to visit an Shiatsu therapist / Acupuncturist or other qualified healthcare practitioner who can develop a treatment plan based on your unique medical history and combination of symptoms.

The information provided should not be considered medical advice.

Topics: Breathwork, Parkinson’s support, sleep practices, Qi Gong, acupressure.

Menopause on Fire? Anxiety and Chest Heat in Chinese Medicine

Menopause on Fire? Anxiety and Chest Heat in Chinese Medicine

ALL BLOGS, Ask Me Anything, Conscious Cooking - Use Food as Medicine, understanding your body with the 5element system of TCM

There is a very particular kind of heat a woman can feel in midlife.

It rises into the chest and head. It can make the heart race, the mind spin, the sleep thin, and the skin feel itchy, dry or irritated no matter how much water we drink.

A client recently asked:

“I suffer from anxiety, heat in the chest and head, and lichen sclerosus. I am post menopause. I’d like acupressure, food medicine for the autoimmune aspect and anxiety, plus a breathing exercise.”

This is such an important question because many women will recognise some version of it.

It may not be lichen sclerosus for you. It may be hot flushes, burning feet, night sweats, tightness in the chest, palpitations, itchy ears, dry skin, vaginal dryness, bladder sensitivity, brain fog, fear that comes from nowhere, or that awful feeling of being tired and wired at the same time.

This blog is for women in peri-menopause, menopause and post-menopause who feel as though the body has suddenly become louder than it used to be.

The Chinese medicine view: heat, anxiety and menopause

In Chinese medicine, the simple picture is this: energy has to flow.

Qi has to flow. Blood has to flow. Fluids have to flow. Warmth has to move through the body without getting trapped at the top.

Yin and Yang also have to keep talking to each other.

Yin is the cooling, moistening, holding quality. Yang is the warming, moving, active quality. We need both. We do not want a cold, flat life, and we do not want a blazing, restless one.

Symptoms are feedback. They are not moral failures. They are not proof that you have done something wrong. They are the body’s way of saying, “Something in here needs rebalancing.”

When a woman says, “I have heat in my chest and head,” I listen for Fire rising.

When she says, “I am anxious,” I listen for the Heart being unsettled.

When she says, “I am menopausal or post-menopausal,” I listen for Yin and fluids needing more care, especially the Kidney foundation. In Chinese medicine, the Kidneys are not only the two physical kidneys. They are the deep battery, the stored essence, the roots of water in the body.

Menopause can bring all Five Elements into one body

The Five Elements help us understand why menopause can feel so confusing.

In spring, we talk about Wood and the Liver: movement, flexibility and letting things flow.

In summer, we talk about Fire and the Heart: joy, connection, heat and sleep.

In late summer, we talk about Earth and digestion: the centre that helps us digest food and life.

In autumn, we talk about Metal, the Lung and Large Intestine: grief, boundaries, skin and letting go.

In winter, we talk about Water and the Kidneys: rest, bones, fear, deep reserves and the wisdom of not spending ourselves empty.

Menopause can bring all of these seasons into one body.

You can have summer heat in the chest, winter depletion in the bones, spring frustration in the Liver, autumn dryness in the skin, and late-summer worry in the belly.

This is why rhythm matters so much. We do not fix the whole woman by attacking one symptom. We help the whole system flow again.

See my books for full food medicine and acupressure for the complete five elements.

What is Bao Mai?

This is where Chinese medicine offers something very special.

There is a beautiful pathway in women’s health called the Bao Mai. Bao Mai means the Uterus Vessel, or more simply, the Heart and womb connection.

It is not one of the everyday meridians we talk about, like Liver or Kidney. It belongs to the deeper map of the extraordinary vessels, especially the Chong Mai, known as the Sea of Blood.

The Bao Mai is the communication line between the Heart and the uterus. It allows Heart Qi, Heart Blood and Shen, the spirit or mind, to descend and nourish the reproductive organs.

In Chinese medicine practice, the Bao Mai is used to understand ovulation, menstruation, fertility, pregnancy, PMS, irregular cycles, scanty bleeding, and the way stress and emotion can disturb hormonal rhythm.

In the fertile years, Blood and Qi move down from the Heart toward the womb. The monthly cycle opens and closes, and the body has a visible rhythm.

In peri-menopause and menopause, that rhythm begins to change.

The movement starts to return upward toward the Heart and brain. When that upward movement is smooth, it can become clarity, intuition and wisdom. It can become the woman who says, “I know what matters now, and I am not wasting my life putting others first.”

But when that upward movement is too hot, too rushed, or blocked by overwhelm, we may feel heat in the chest, pressure in the head, palpitations, anxiety, irritation, poor sleep or a sense that we cannot come down into ourselves.

Women’s seven-year cycles in Chinese medicine

Chinese medicine also describes women’s lives in seven-year cycles.

Around fourteen, the Conception Vessel, or Ren Mai, begins to flow and menstruation starts.

Around twenty-one, Kidney Qi matures.

Around twenty-eight, Qi and Blood are at their fullest.

Around thirty-five and forty-two, the Yang Ming channels begin to weaken, which may show in skin, hair and vitality.

Around forty-nine, the Conception Vessel weakens, reproductive energy declines, and menstruation begins to stop.

These ages are not rigid rules. They are broad brush strokes. But they give us a beautiful way to understand menopause.

Menopause is not a sudden failure of the body. It is a change in direction.

One acupressure point for anxiety and chest heat: CV17

The acupressure point I would use here is Conception Vessel 17, also called CV17.

It is in the centre of the chest, on the breastbone, roughly level with the nipples. Do not press breast tissue. Come to the centre line of the sternum, the flat bone in the middle of the chest.

Use two fingertips or the soft pads of your fingers.

For anxiety, heat, tightness and emotional pressure, CV17 can be a lovely place to make contact. It should not feel sharp. It should not feel like you are bruising yourself. It may feel tender, warm, achy, or as if the breath suddenly notices the space under your hand.

Place two fingers on the centre of the breastbone. Let your shoulders drop. Press gently and steadily. You are not digging. You are saying hello.

Stay for thirty seconds to three minutes. If you are very anxious, start with thirty seconds. Breathe slowly while you hold it. Let the exhale be a little longer than the inhale.

When you finish, smooth the hand down the centre of the chest to the upper belly, as if reminding the heat that there is a whole body below the neck.A simple daily cue is the kettle. Every time you boil the kettle, touch CV17. Tea, coffee, hot water, soup, whatever it is, let the kettle become your reminder.

Consistency matters more than intensity.

A breathing practice: Heart-Womb Breath

The breathing practice I recommend is Heart-Womb Breath.

If you have had a hysterectomy, if you do not have a uterus, or if the word womb does not feel right for you, use “lower belly” or “pelvic bowl.” The body still has a centre.

Think of anxiety as a house with all the lights on upstairs. The energy is in the head, eyes, jaw, temples, throat, chest and heart. The lower floor feels empty.

This breath helps you come downstairs again.

Place one hand on the centre of the chest, around CV17.

Place the other hand on the lower belly, below the navel, over the womb space or pelvic bowl.

Soften the jaw. Breathe in through the nose and out through the mouth. As you exhale, imagine warmth travelling from the chest down into the lower belly, like honey moving slowly down a spoon.

Then gently inhale and imagine Qi flowing from the womb space up to the Heart. On the exhale, let it flow back down to the perineum and pelvic bowl.  Do this for three minutes.

The aim is not to create a mystical experience. The aim is to give your nervous system proof that it is safe to come down.

The felt result may be simple: the chest a little softer, the head a little cooler, the belly a little more present, and the breath less trapped.

Food medicine for anxiety, heat and immune over-alertness

The food medicine I would choose is warm miso with wakame.

Not a complicated protocol. Not a war against the immune system.

For autoimmune patterns, I do not love the phrase “boost the immune system,” because the immune system is not always weak. Sometimes it is confused, over-alert, inflamed, reactive or exhausted from being on guard.

The intention is not to whip it harder. The intention is to steady the terrain.

Miso is fermented and supports the gut environment. Wakame brings a mineral-rich seaweed quality. The warm salty bowl can help the nervous system feel fed, held and less frantic.

The simplest recipe is this:

Boil water, then let it cool for a minute. Put one teaspoon of miso paste in a mug or small bowl. Add a small pinch of wakame. Pour the hot water over, stir, let it sit for a few minutes, and sip slowly.

You can add spring onion or a few cubes of tofu if you want to make it more like a snack, but the basic medicine is miso, wakame, warm water and a pause.

Do not boil the miso hard. Warm is enough.

Warm tells the belly, “You are safe.” Scalding tells the body, “More heat is coming.”

If you are sensitive to soy, choose a miso that suits you or skip this. If you have been told to restrict salt, if you have thyroid issues, or if seaweed has been restricted for you, check with your clinician and keep the wakame tiny.

Lichen sclerosus and the whole-body view

As with many issues around sexual organs, conditions of the vulva can carry so much silence.

Women put up with itching, burning, pain, fear around intimacy, embarrassment around examination, confusion about creams, and sometimes worry that they will not be believed.

Please do not carry that alone.

Good care matters. Clear diagnosis matters. Follow-up matters. Your comfort matters.

You are allowed to ask questions. You are allowed to ask how to use your prescribed ointment properly. You are allowed to say that sex hurts. You are allowed to say that anxiety is part of the picture. You are allowed to want both medical care and whole-body support.

In Chinese medicine, we never separate the local from the whole.

A vulval skin condition needs local medical care. Absolutely. And the whole body can still be supported through fluids, digestion, sleep, breath, stress rhythm and gentle movement of Qi.

This is not either-or. It is both-and.  See my book Good Food Better Sex for explorations of sexual conditions and MENOPAUSE through the lens of Chinese medicine

Final thought

To every woman in peri-menopause, menopause or post-menopause: your body is giving you feedback about flow, cooling, nourishment, boundaries, rest and rhythm. You do not have to decode it perfectly. You only have to begin responding more kindly.

And if you would like to practise this kind of work with me in a steady, supported way, come into the Chi Flow membership. It is €39 a month, and after the three-month trial it becomes €20 a month, so you can keep building these small rhythms through the seasons with guidance, community and practice.

Ready to Start?

Join Chi Flow with Jo and begin restoring your energy, and feeling more like yourself again.

Frequently Asked Questions 

What does heat in the chest and head mean in Chinese medicine?

In Chinese medicine, heat rising into the chest and head can suggest that warmth, Qi or emotional pressure is not moving smoothly through the body. In menopause, this may be linked with Yin and fluids needing support, the Heart being unsettled, and the body needing a calmer rhythm.

What is the Bao Mai?

The Bao Mai is the Heart-womb connection in Chinese medicine. It is linked with the extraordinary vessels, especially the Chong Mai, the Sea of Blood. It helps explain the relationship between emotions, the Heart, the uterus, menstruation, fertility, menopause, hot flushes and anxiety.

Why can menopause cause anxiety and hot flushes in Chinese medicine?

Chinese medicine sees menopause as a change in direction. In the fertile years, Blood and Qi move down toward the womb. In peri-menopause and post-menopause, this movement begins to return upward toward the Heart and brain. If the transition is too hot, rushed or blocked, symptoms may include anxiety, palpitations, poor sleep, heat in the chest and head, or hot flushes.

What acupressure point helps menopause anxiety?

CV17, or Conception Vessel 17, is a useful acupressure point for anxiety, chest tightness and emotional pressure. It is found in the centre of the breastbone. Press gently for thirty seconds to three minutes while breathing slowly.

What food medicine supports menopause anxiety and immune over-alertness?

Warm miso with wakame is a simple food medicine option. Miso is fermented and supports the gut environment. Wakame brings a mineral-rich seaweed quality. Together, they make a warm, steadying bowl that supports the body without overstimulating it.

Can Chinese medicine cure lichen sclerosus?

No. Lichen sclerosus needs medical diagnosis and care from a GP, gynaecologist, dermatologist or vulval clinic. Chinese medicine practices such as acupressure, breathwork, food medicine and Qi Gong may support the whole body alongside medical treatment, but they do not replace it.

Go Deeper with Our Books

For those wanting to understand how movement, breath, and Chinese Medicine principles, Jo’s books provide practical guidance rooted in lived experience and clinical wisdom.

👉 Buy Five Element Wisdom cookbooks

Explore how to Find Your Flow and Live Well with Parkinson’s.

Movement does not need to be extreme to be powerful.
Small daily expansion reshapes the body.
Steady breath reshapes the nervous system.
Gentle repetition rebuilds confidence.

Every human body carries extraordinary capacity for renewal when given the right rhythm.

If you want to soften into strength, come and practice with us.

When to seek medical help

Please speak to your GP or specialist if symptoms worsen or spread, if pain, itching, heat or anxiety starts waking you at night, if you notice new skin changes, lumps, thickening, ulceration or bleeding, if your prescribed treatment is not helping, or if there is any change in medication.

And if you ever have chest pain that feels severe, crushing, unusual, or comes with breathlessness, sweating, faintness, jaw pain or arm pain, seek urgent medical help.

Chinese medicine and home practices can support the terrain of the body, but they do not replace diagnosis or medical treatment.

Self-administered acupressure or Chinese Medicine is not a substitute for visits to qualified healthcare practitioners.

Knowing how to treat yourself and your loved ones with complimentary therapies like acupressure can be greatly beneficial and convenient. However, for serious and chronic conditions, you’ll want to visit an Shiatsu therapist / Acupuncturist or other qualified healthcare practitioner who can develop a treatment plan based on your unique medical history and combination of symptoms.

The information provided should not be considered medical advice.

Topics: Breathwork, Parkinson’s support, sleep practices, Qi Gong, acupressure.

Jaw, Neck, Back and Hip Pain All at Once?

Jaw, Neck, Back and Hip Pain All at Once?

Ask Me Anything

 A Simple Whole-Body Approach That Works

When the jaw, neck, back, and hips all start calling for attention at the same time, it can feel confusing and overwhelming.

It is not just one area.
 It is everything, tight yet weak, tired yet wired, with tension that keeps returning no matter what you try.

This pattern and combination is something I see often, especially in people dealing with fatigue, nerve sensitivity, or conditions like TMJ, back pain, or Parkinson’s.

And the truth is, this is not four separate problems. It is one connected system asking for support.

Why Everything Feels Tight and Weak at the Same Time

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, everything comes back to one question.

Is energy flowing, or is it stuck?

When the body is under pressure, it begins to brace.

  • The jaw clenches
  • The neck tightens
  • The shoulders lift
  • The back locks
  • The hips grip

Underneath all of that, the body feels weak because energy is being used to guard, not support.

So instead of chasing each area separately, we look at the whole chain.

Very often, the jaw and base of the skull act like a “top gate.”
 If this area is tight, everything below starts compensating.

A Simple Acupressure Practice to Release Tension

Rather than doing more and more, start with less, done consistently.

Stomach 7 (Jaw Point)

  • Located just in front of the ear where the jaw moves
  • Gently press into the hollow while relaxing the mouth

Stomach 7 is one of my favourite points because its effects often extend far beyond the jaw itself. While it is commonly used for TMJ discomfort, clenching, grinding, and facial tension, it also helps address the compensation patterns that develop throughout the body when the jaw becomes chronically tight. 

The jaw is closely linked to the muscles of the neck, shoulders, and upper back. When we clench, we rarely do it in isolation. We tend to lift the shoulders, tighten the neck, hold the breath, and brace through the spine. By gently releasing Stomach 7, many people notice not only a softer jaw but also less tension around the temples, improved comfort around the ears, freer neck movement, deeper breathing, and a greater sense of relaxation through the shoulders. 

In Chinese Medicine, the Stomach channel travels through the face and head, making this point particularly useful for reducing the feeling of being “held tight” through the entire upper body. I often find that when the jaw begins to let go, the neck follows, and when the neck softens, the rest of the body has an opportunity to reorganise itself with less effort.

Gall Bladder 20 (Base of Skull)

  • Found at the base of the skull, in two soft hollows either side
  • Apply steady, gentle pressure with the thumbs

Gall Bladder 20 is one of the most important points for people who carry tension in the neck, jaw, shoulders, and head. Located in the two hollows at the base of the skull, it sits at a key meeting point between the head and the rest of the body. When this area becomes tight, it can create a feeling of pressure, pulling, heaviness, or congestion that radiates into the jaw, temples, neck, and upper back. 

In Chinese Medicine, Gall Bladder 20 is traditionally used to encourage the smooth flow of energy through the head and neck, helping to release stagnation and restore movement where things have become stuck. Many people notice reduced head pressure, less neck stiffness, easier head movement, and a greater sense of mental clarity after working this point gently. 

Because so many muscles attach around the base of the skull, releasing this area can also improve posture and reduce the strain travelling down through the spine. I often describe Gall Bladder 20 as opening the “top gate” of the body. When the base of the skull relaxes, the shoulders can drop, the breath can deepen, the jaw can soften, and the back and hips no longer need to work quite so hard to compensate. 

For people experiencing that combination of tightness, fatigue, tension, and a feeling of being pulled out of alignment, Gall Bladder 20 can be one of the most powerful points for helping the entire body feel more connected and at ease.

This complements the Stomach 7 paragraph perfectly because ST7 addresses the front of the jaw mechanism, while GB20 addresses the back of the jaw-neck-head relationship, giving readers a much clearer understanding of why you use the two points together.

How to use them together

  • 30 seconds on Stomach 7 each side

  • 1 minute on Gall Bladder 20
  • Keep the breath slow, jaw relaxed, shoulders soft

This is not about force.
 With nerve sensitivity and TMJ, the body responds better to softness.

  • Let the tongue rest softly in the mouth
  • Let the eyes soften, as if looking into the distance
  • Allow the jaw to hang naturally, not clench

Link this practice to something you already do, washing your face, removing earrings, or sitting down in the evening so that it is a daily connection to your body and it’s alignment. That is how the body learns and how it changes.

Food That Supports Nerves, Energy and Release

When the body feels tight but weak, we look at nourishment.

In Chinese Medicine, this often points to a need to support:

  • Blood, which nourishes muscles and nerves
  • Yin and fluids, which calm and soften
  • The Spleen, which creates energy and stability

A simple, powerful option is:

Spinach and Sweet Potato Soup

Why it works

  • Sweet potato supports digestion and energy production
  • Spinach nourishes the blood and tissues
  • Warm, soft food helps the body move out of stress mode.Simple method
    Cook chopped sweet potato in stock until soft, add spinach at the end, blend, and finish with olive oil and a pinch of salt.

If you want to go deeper into how food connects to your body and symptoms, you will find the full Five Element system in my books and if you have Parkinson’s like my husband, Davy, take a look at the dedicated section on food in  Find Your Flow, Live Well with Parkinson’s

Gentle Qi Gong for Alignment and Relief

Watch the movements demonstrated in the full podcast video below

1. Connect Heaven and Earth

This movement gently lengthens the spine and reduces pressure at the base of the skull.

It helps:

  • Ease jaw tension
  • Reduce head pressure
  • Support posture without force

2. Embrace the Tree

This is one of the most powerful ways to feel whole-body alignment.

  • The chest softens / The head lifts gently / The spine lengthens / The weight drops into the feet

Like a tree, strong yet flexible.  This allows the jaw to soften, the neck to decompress, and the back and hips to share the load evenly.

Practice tip
 Just 2 to 3 minutes is enough.
 Stop before fatigue.
 The goal is not effort, it is ease.

“A living being is tender and flexible;  a corpse is hard and stiff.

It is the same with everything; leaves and grasses are tender and delicate, but when they die they become rigid and dry. Those who are hard and inflexible belong to death’s domain; but the gentle and flexible belong to life.”

What Real Alignment Feels Like

Alignment is not about forcing posture.

It is not:  Shoulders back, Chest out, Belly tight

That often increases tension.

Real alignment feels like support with less effort.

  • The head balances over the ribs
  • The ribs soften over the pelvis
  • The pelvis rests over the feet
  • The breath moves freely
  • The jaw lets go

This is where the body begins to feel safe again.

Practise With Me

If this resonates, come and practise with us inside Chi Flow with Jo.

A steady rhythm, simple daily LIVE classes, and a supportive community can help you reconnect with your body without overwhelm.  Because healing does not come from doing more.  It comes from doing the right things, gently, and consistently.

With Chi Flow with Jo, you will get:

  • Weekday live classes
  • Recordings you can follow anytime
  • Q&A support
  • Acupoints, food tips, and guidance
  • A community moving with you

💛 It’s €39/month, reducing to €20 after your first 3 months.

Ready to Start?

Join Chi Flow with Jo and begin restoring your energy, and feeling more like yourself again.

    • Frequently Asked Questions

    • 1. Why do my jaw, neck, back and hips all hurt at the same time?

    • Because the body works as one connected system. When tension builds at the top, especially around the jaw and base of the skull, it creates compensation patterns through the spine, back, and hips.

    • 2. Is it better to stretch or strengthen when I feel tight but weak?
    • Neither aggressively. When the body feels both tight and weak, it is often in a protective state. Gentle acupressure, soft movement, and nourishment help restore balance before stretching or strengthening becomes effective.

    • 3. Can food really help with nerve pain and tension?

    • Yes. In Chinese Medicine, food supports the internal environment of the body. Warm, nourishing foods help build blood, calm the nervous system, and reduce the “tight but weak” feeling by giving the body the resources it needs to relax and repair.

  • When to Seek Medical Support
  • If you are experiencing:
      • High heart rate
      • Persistent head pressure
      • Weakness or nerve symptoms
      • Changes in medication response

      • Please speak with your GP.  These practices work beautifully alongside medical care, not instead of it.

Go Deeper with Our Books

For those wanting to understand how movement, breath, and Chinese Medicine principles, Jo’s books provide practical guidance rooted in lived experience and clinical wisdom.

👉 Buy Five Element Wisdom cookbooks

Explore how to Find Your Flow and Live Well with Parkinson’s.

Movement does not need to be extreme to be powerful.
Small daily expansion reshapes the body.
Steady breath reshapes the nervous system.
Gentle repetition rebuilds confidence.

Every human body carries extraordinary capacity for renewal when given the right rhythm.

If April is asking you to soften into strength, come and practice with us.

Self-administered acupressure or Chinese Medicine is not a substitute for visits to qualified healthcare practitioners.

Knowing how to treat yourself and your loved ones with complimentary therapies like acupressure can be greatly beneficial and convenient. However, for serious and chronic conditions, you’ll want to visit an Shiatsu therapist / Acupuncturist or other qualified healthcare practitioner who can develop a treatment plan based on your unique medical history and combination of symptoms.

The information provided should not be considered medical advice.

Topics: Breathwork, Parkinson’s support, sleep practices, Qi Gong, acupressure.

Bone Health Without the Gym: What Actually Works in Post, Mid and Perimenopause

Bone Health Without the Gym: What Actually Works in Post, Mid and Perimenopause

Ask Me Anything

If you’ve ever found yourself wondering “am I doing enough for my bone health?” you are not alone.

This question comes up again and again for women in their 40s and beyond. You might be active, eating well, doing your Qi Gong, listening to your body… and yet there’s that quiet voice in the background:

Should I be doing more?
 Do I need weights?
 Is gentle exercise enough?
 Am I risking my bone health by not going to the gym?

Let’s unpack this in a way that actually makes sense for your body.

The Real Question Behind Bone Health Anxiety

Most women aren’t just asking about bones.

They’re asking:
 Can I trust what I’m doing?

Especially in perimenopause, when hormones shift and the body starts giving new signals, it’s easy to lose confidence. What used to work might not feel right anymore. High-impact exercise might irritate your knees. The gym might feel overwhelming or simply not appealing.

And yet, everywhere you look, the message is the same:

“You need weight-bearing exercise for bone health.”

This is true… but incomplete.

What Does “Weight-Bearing Exercise” Actually Mean?

This is one of the most searched questions:

What is the best exercise for bone health?

Bones respond to load. They need pressure, use, and stimulation to stay strong.

But load doesn’t only come from lifting heavy weights.

Load also comes from:

  • Standing and holding your body weight
  • Slow, controlled movement
  • Balance and stability work
  • Time spent on your feet
  • Proper alignment through the joints

This is where Qi Gong becomes incredibly valuable.

 

Is Qi Gong Enough for Bone Health and Bone Density?

Qi Gong, when practised well, is not just “gentle waving of the arms.”

It is weight-bearing, structured, and deeply organising for the body.

When you stand, shift your weight, and move slowly with awareness:

  • Your bones receive consistent, low-level load
  • Your joints align more efficiently
  • Your muscles support the skeleton properly
  • Your nervous system relaxes, allowing better repair

And here’s the key:

Consistency beats intensity when it comes to long-term bone health.

Why Alignment Matters More Than Force

The ankle is the root of the kinetic tree. When it becomes stiff or dehydrated through the fascia, every joint above begins to compensate.

The knees and hips start to rotate inward.
 The lower back loses support.
 The tension travels upward into the shoulders and neck.

Over time, this creates misalignment.

And misalignment matters because:

Poor posture weakens bones.

Not because bones suddenly become fragile, but because:

  • Weight is no longer evenly distributed
  • Some areas become compressed
  • Others are underused
  • The body loses its natural strength pathways

So instead of healthy, balanced load through the skeleton, you get strain.

A Simple Daily Practice to Support Bone Strength

If you’re asking:“What is the best daily routine for bone health?”

Start here.

Acupressure for Foundation: Kidney 3

This point sits on the inside of the ankle, between the ankle bone and Achilles tendon.

  • Press gently until you feel a dull, comfortable ache
  • Hold for 1–3 minutes each side
  • Breathe slowly

This helps the body reconnect with its base and improves how force travels through the skeleton.

After massaging and connecting with the acupoint, rotate the ankles, drawing circles and figure 8’s with the toes

Food for Bone Nourishment (Beyond Calcium)

What foods strengthen bones naturally?

While calcium is important, bone health is about absorption, minerals, and overall nourishment.

Miso and bone broth remain foundational for Kidney energy and bone support, and you can revisit those recipes in my books and blogs.

For something different, try a black bean and sesame bowl:

  • Cook your black beans or open a tin of organic black beans
  • Warm black beans with grated ginger and tamari to taste
  • Add toasted black sesame seeds
  • Finish with a drizzle of sesame oil

Why this works:

    • Black foods support the Kidney system
    • Sesame seeds are traditionally used for bones and joints in Chinese Medicine
    • Warm, savoury meals reduce cravings and support digestion

The Missing Piece: Horse Stance for Bone Strength

One of the most important questions:

Do I need weights for strong bones?

Not necessarily.

Horse stance is a powerful, often overlooked, bodyweight strength practice.

When you stand with feet wide and knees softly bent:

  • Your legs carry your full body weight
  • Your bones receive direct, steady load
  • Your joints align and stabilise together

This is true weight-bearing exercise.

 

Prayer Wings in Horse Stance

Now we add the upper body.

As you move through Prayer Wings:

  • The chest opens
  • The neck lengthens
  • The throat softens

This matters more than people realise.

Fascial tightness in the chest and neck:

  • Restricts breathing
  • Compresses the cervical spine
  • Pulls the head forward
  • Creates rounding and hunching

This posture reduces how effectively your skeleton carries weight.

So this movement does two things at once:

  • Strengthens the lower body and bones through load
  • Restores posture so the whole skeleton can function properly

Better posture = better bone loading = better long-term strength

So… Are You Doing Enough?

If you’re still asking:

“Am I doing enough for my bone health?” Here’s your answer.

If you are:

  • Practising regularly
  • Spending time weight-bearing (standing, not just sitting or cycling)
  • Supporting your body with nourishing food
  • Improving alignment and posture
  • Listening when your body asks for change

Then yes, you are doing enough and more importantly:

You are doing what your body can actually use.

Keep it simple. Keep it consistent.

Bone health is not built through fear or pressure.  It is built through steady, repeatable signals your body understands.

If symptoms worsen, spread, disturb sleep, or if anything changes in your health or medication, always check in with your GP.

Otherwise, stay curious. Stay consistent. And trust that strength does not always have to look intense to be effective.

If you’d like support building a simple, consistent routine with every day qi gong like this, the membership is designed to guide you month by month with practices that match your body’s needs.

Join the Free Class

If you are curious about Qi Gong for Parkinson’s, chronic illness, fatigue, or healthy ageing, you are warmly invited to try a free class.

You do not need experience. You do not need flexibility. You simply begin where you are.

👉 Join the Free Class and experience the Eight Brocades for yourself.

Continue the Journey

If you would like ongoing support, Chi Flow with Jo offers:

  • Weekday live classes
  • Full Eight Brocades training
  • Acupressure guidance
  • Food medicine insights
  • Monthly health talks
  • Community gatherings

It is €39 per month, reducing to €20 per month after three months. Just €1 per class.

👉 Join Chi Flow with Jo HERE.

Self-administered acupressure or Chinese Medicine is not a substitute for visits to qualified healthcare practitioners.

Knowing how to treat yourself and your loved ones with complimentary therapies like acupressure can be greatly beneficial and convenient. However, for serious and chronic conditions, you’ll want to visit an Shiatsu therapist / Acupuncturist or other qualified healthcare practitioner who can develop a treatment plan based on your unique medical history and combination of symptoms.  

The information provided should not be considered medical advice.

 Joanne Faulkner is a Qi Gong teacher – Chi Flow with Jo – teaching live daily online Qi Gong classes to hundreds of people; a Shiatsu practitioner specializing in the energy of food in Traditional Chinese Medicine and a published Author. Her residential and day Wellness Retreats focus on Chi Gong, self-Shiatsu & Conscious Cooking Demonstrations, and are extremely popular.

Until recently, Joanne was the Irish representative to the European Shiatsu Federation and is the former Chairperson of the Shiatsu Society Ireland.

 “Good Food: Better Sex” and “Shiatsu & the Art of Conscious Cooking” , both written and published by Joanne, are modern cookbooks full of delicious recipes, Traditional Chinese Medicine plus acupressure points for health and wellbeing.

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HIP PAIN IN MENOPAUSE

HIP PAIN IN MENOPAUSE

Ask Me Anything

How to Restore Flow Through the Hips with Qi Gong, Acupressure and Food:

Hip pain is often the body whispering that something in the centre of us has stopped moving.

Many women notice new aches appearing around the hips during midlife. Sometimes it begins after lifting something heavy or caring for children. Other times it appears gradually and doesn’t seem to go away.

In this article we explore:

  • Why hip pain can increase during menopause
  • The connection between hormones, the liver and joint health
  • How fascia and the nervous system affect hip tightness
  • Two powerful acupressure points for restoring flow
  • A simple Qi Gong movement to open the hips
  • A food that supports liver function and circulation

These approaches combine Chinese medicine, modern fascia science, and gentle Qi Gong movement to help the body return to balance.

Why Hip Pain Often Appears During Menopause

In Western medicine we are increasingly hearing about the relationship between hormonal changes and connective tissue health.

During menopause, oestrogen levels decline. Oestrogen helps regulate collagen production and tissue elasticity, so when levels drop the body can experience:

  • tendon stiffness
  • joint pain
  • reduced tissue repair
  • inflammation

At the same time, the liver plays a key role in metabolising hormones. If liver function becomes sluggish, hormones may not be processed efficiently, which can influence circulation, inflammation and tissue health.

The result can be stiffness and discomfort in areas such as the hips, shoulders and lower back.

The Chinese Medicine View: The Liver Controls the Tendons

Chinese medicine has described this connection for thousands of years.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the Liver system governs the smooth flow of Qi (energy) and Blood throughout the body, particularly through the tendons and joints.

When Liver energy flows smoothly:

  • joints feel flexible

  • muscles move freely

  • circulation is strong

But when Liver Qi becomes stagnant:

  • muscles tighten

  • tendons lose elasticity

  • pain and stiffness appear

The hips are especially important because several major energy pathways pass through them. When the Liver system becomes sluggish, the hips often become one of the first places we feel restriction.

Fascia, Stress and Why Tight Hips Need Safety to Release

Modern research into fascia is beginning to confirm something Chinese medicine has long understood.

Fascia is the connective tissue web that wraps around muscles and organs throughout the body. When fascia is weak, overstretched or overloaded, it tightens as a protective response.

This can happen when:

  • lifting or carrying heavy loads
  • repetitive movements
  • long periods of fear or stress
  • Lack of movement

 

  • But fascia does not release when stretched or forced, as ligaments, tendons and muscles can.

    It releases when the nervous system feels safe.

    This is why gentle practices like Qi Gong are so effective. Slow, rhythmic movement combined with relaxed breathing sends signals of safety to the nervous system. Once the body feels safe, the fascia can soften and lengthen again.

Acupressure Point: Liver 3 for Hip Pain and Stagnation

One of the most effective acupressure points for releasing stagnation in the hips is Liver 3 (Taichong).

How to find Liver 3

  1. Look at the top of the foot.
  2. Find the space between the big toe and second toe.
  3. Slide your finger up about an inch from the webbing until you feel a small dip between the bones.

How to use it

Press gently with your thumb until you feel a mild dull ache.

Hold the point while breathing slowly for 1–3 minutes.

This point is widely used in Chinese medicine to:

  • move stagnant Liver Qi

  • improve circulation to the legs and hips

  • reduce tension in the tendons

When this pathway begins to flow again, tightness through the hips often eases.

Acupressure Point: Spleen 6 to Increase Blood Flow in the Lower Abdomen

Another powerful point is Spleen 6 (Sanyinjiao).

How to find Spleen 6
Locate the inner ankle bone. 
Measure four finger widths up the leg.
Just behind the shin bone you will find a tender point.

How to use it:
Press gently for about one minute while breathing slowly.
Spleen 6 influences three major energy systems:

  • Liver
  • Spleen
  • Kidney

This point helps increase the movement of blood and energy through the lower abdomen and pelvis, nourishing the hips and lower body.

Because it strongly activates blood flow in the lower abdomen, Spleen 6 should not be used during pregnancy.

A Seasonal Food That Supports Liver Function: Rhubarb

Food can also help restore flow in the body.

In Chinese medicine the sour flavour stimulates the Liver, encouraging blood and energy to move more smoothly.

Rhubarb is a wonderful seasonal food for this purpose.

Benefits of rhubarb include:

  • supporting liver function
  • encouraging healthy elimination through the large intestine
  • reducing stagnation in the body

Simple Stewed Rhubarb Recipe

  1. Chop several stalks of rhubarb.
  2. Place in a saucepan with a small amount of water.
  3. Simmer gently until soft.
  4. Add a slice of apple if you like a little sweetness.

A small bowl a few times per week can gently support the Liver and digestion.

When digestion flows well, joints often feel lighter and more flexible.

Qi Gong for Hip Mobility: Opening the Kua

In Qi Gong we often talk about opening the kua.

The kua refers to the deep hip crease where the thighs meet the pelvis. It encompasses the surrounding musculature, including the iliopsoas (hip flexors), adductor muscles (inner thigh), and the pelvic floor. It acts as the central hinge of the body, allowing movement to travel between the upper and lower body.

When the kua moves freely:

  • the hips open naturally 
  • walking becomes smoother 
  • the spine and legs coordinate better
  • Qi flows from the feet into the body

Interestingly, the inguinal crease also contains one of the highest concentrations of lymph nodes in the body, so opening the kua can help support lymphatic circulation.

How to Practise the Kua Opening Movement

  1. Stand with your feet wider than shoulder width.
  2. Bend the knees gently and settle into a relaxed horse stance.
  3. Keep the spine upright and the crown of the head lifting lightly upward.
  4. Allow the shoulders to relax.

Now bring awareness to the hip crease.
Turn one foot slightly outward.

As the foot turns outward, allow the waist and hips to rotate gently in the opposite direction.

This creates a spiral through the hips.
You may feel one hip crease opening while the other softly closes.
Return to centre and repeat on the other side.
Continue slowly from side to side.

Three key cues

  • Keep the knees soft so the hips can release.
  • Let the waist guide the movement rather than the shoulders.
  • Move slowly enough to feel the hip crease opening and closing.

Just one or two minutes of this gentle turning can release significant tension through the hips and pelvis.

Over time it helps:

  • soften fascia
  • improve pelvic circulation
  • increase Qi flow in the lower dantien

When Movement Isn’t Enough: Releasing Tension Through Safe Touch

Sometimes hips feel extremely tight or guarded.

This can happen because the pelvis often stores emotional memory and protective tension.

In these cases, gentle physical touch can help the nervous system relax.

Some people find practices such as yoni massage or pelvic self-massage helpful. This involves bringing respectful, loving touch to the lower abdomen and pelvic area.

Safe physical touch can:

  • reduce shame held in the pelvis
  • calm the nervous system
  • release stored tension or trauma

The goal is not forcing change but allowing the body to feel safe enough to soften.

A Simple Weekly Routine for Hip Pain Relief

Try this gentle routine for one week:

  • Press Liver 3 once daily on each foot
  • Press Spleen 6 for one minute on each leg
  • Eat stewed rhubarb a few times during the week
  • Practise kua opening Qi Gong for a few minutes daily

Small daily signals like these can gradually restore circulation and ease hip stiffness.

When to Seek Medical Advice

If hip pain:

  • worsens significantly
  • spreads down the leg
  • wakes you at night
  • causes difficulty walking

you should consult your GP or physiotherapist to rule out structural issues.

Restore Flow and Ease Through the Hips

Many cases of hip pain are not simply mechanical problems. They reflect stagnation in circulation, fascia tension, and nervous system protection.

When we nourish the liver, move gently, and help the body feel safe, the hips often begin to soften naturally.

As I often say:

When the liver flows, the hips follow.

If you’d like to learn more gentle practices like this, you can join the Chi Flow membership, where we practise Qi Gong movements for mobility, energy and longevity together each week.

Sometimes the biggest healing begins when the body finally feels safe enough to soften.

Join the Free Class

If you are curious about Qi Gong for Parkinson’s, chronic illness, fatigue, or healthy ageing, you are warmly invited to try a free class.

You do not need experience. You do not need flexibility. You simply begin where you are.

👉 Join the Free Class and experience the Eight Brocades for yourself.

Continue the Journey

If you would like ongoing support, Chi Flow with Jo offers:

  • Weekday live classes
  • Full Eight Brocades training
  • Acupressure guidance
  • Food medicine insights
  • Monthly health talks
  • Community gatherings

It is €39 per month, reducing to €20 per month after three months. Just €1 per class.

👉 Join Chi Flow with Jo HERE.

Self-administered acupressure or Chinese Medicine is not a substitute for visits to qualified healthcare practitioners.

Knowing how to treat yourself and your loved ones with complimentary therapies like acupressure can be greatly beneficial and convenient. However, for serious and chronic conditions, you’ll want to visit an Shiatsu therapist / Acupuncturist or other qualified healthcare practitioner who can develop a treatment plan based on your unique medical history and combination of symptoms.  

The information provided should not be considered medical advice.

Burnt Out Carer? Simple Food, Acupressure and Gentle Movement to Restore Energy

Burnt Out Carer? Simple Food, Acupressure and Gentle Movement to Restore Energy

Ask Me Anything

Caring for someone you love can be one of the most meaningful roles in life. It can also be one of the most exhausting.

Many carers quietly carry physical pain, emotional stress and constant responsibility while trying to support a partner, parent or family member. Over time this can lead to caregiver burnout, where the body and mind simply run out of energy.

Recently I received a deeply moving question on the Ask Me Anything podcast.

“I have a fused spine, cervicogenic headaches, neuropathy and mild cauda equina syndrome and PTSD. But I’m living with my 91 year old Dad who has an inoperable gallstone, vascular dementia and now his prostate cancer has spread. So I’m looking for dietary advice for us both and exercise advice primarily for me but him too. Please help a burnt out carer.”

This question will resonate with many people caring for elderly parents or loved ones with chronic illness. When you are constantly caring for someone else, your own health can quietly move to the bottom of the list.

In Chinese medicine we look at this through the lens of energy flow.

When life becomes overwhelming the body’s energy slows down. Muscles tighten. Sleep becomes lighter. Pain becomes more noticeable. Over time the deeper reserves that support resilience become depleted.

The goal is not to fix everything at once. The goal is to gently restore movement, nourishment and calm to the body so energy can begin flowing again.

Below are three simple practices that can help support carers who are feeling exhausted or overwhelmed.

A Gentle Acupressure Point for Stiffness and Tension

One helpful point is Gall Bladder 34 (GB34).

This acupressure point is traditionally used to support the muscles and tendons of the body and can help when stiffness builds up from stress or overwork.

You will find it on the outside of the lower leg just below the knee.

Run your hand down the outside of your thigh and stop just below the knee joint. Slightly forward of the small bone on the outside of the leg you will feel a soft dip. This is GB34.

 

Using your thumb, apply gentle steady pressure until you feel a comfortable ache. Hold for about one to two minutes on each side while breathing slowly.

The pressure should feel soothing rather than painful.

Doing this once a day can help the body soften and restore circulation through the muscles and joints.

Many people notice their legs, hips and back begin to feel slightly freer over time.

A Simple Nourishing Food For Enery and Nerves 

When someone is exhausted from caring responsibilities, food should be warm, simple and nourishing.

One of the most supportive foods in this situation is bone broth.

In traditional Chinese medicine the bones and nervous system are linked to the Kidney system, which supports deep reserves of energy and resilience.

Bone broth provides minerals and nutrients that support the joints, nerves and immune system. It is also gentle on digestion, which is important when someone is under long term stress.

A simple way to make it is to simmer chicken bones or beef bones in water with a slice of ginger and a splash of apple cider vinegar for several hours.

The broth can then be stored in the fridge and enjoyed as a warm drink or used as the base for soups.

Even one small cup a day can provide nourishing support for both carers and elderly family members.

A Gentle Qi Gong Movement To Release Tension

When the body feels overwhelmed, the best exercise is often simple rhythmic movement rather than intense workouts.

A traditional Qi Gong practice called arm swinging (Ping Shuai) is particularly helpful for restoring circulation and relaxing the nervous system.

Stand with your feet about shoulder width apart.

Let your knees soften slightly and allow your arms to hang loosely by your sides.

Begin gently swinging your arms forward and back like pendulums.

Keep three things in mind:

Relax your jaw
 Let your shoulders stay loose
 Keep your knees soft

Start with two minutes and gradually increase to five minutes if it feels comfortable.

This gentle movement helps circulate energy through the body, warm the hands and relax the neck and shoulders.

For elderly people or those with limited mobility, a gentle seated version can also be calming.

Small Daily Practices for Burnt Out Carers

Caregiver burnout often develops slowly. The body adapts to long periods of stress until eventually it feels depleted.

Small daily practices can help restore balance over time.

Try creating a simple daily rhythm:

Press the GB34 acupressure point for a minute on each leg
Enjoy a warm cup of bone broth or nourishing soup
Spend two to five minutes doing gentle arm swinging

These small actions send a powerful signal to the nervous system that it is safe to soften and recover.

Support for Carers

If symptoms worsen, spread, begin waking you at night, or if medications change, it is always important to check in with your GP.

Supportive practices like acupressure, nourishing food and gentle movement work best alongside professional medical care.

If you are caring for a loved one while trying to maintain your own health, you are very welcome inside our Chi Flow community, where we practise gentle Qi Gong, breathwork and acupressure together each month.

Sometimes the smallest practices can make the biggest difference when energy begins to return.

What helps caregiver burnout naturally?

Gentle movement, nourishing warm foods, stress reduction and simple acupressure techniques can help support energy levels and reduce tension in the body. You can check  acupressure resources in our new book Find Your Flow: Live Well With Parkinson’s.

What exercise is best for carers with chronic pain?

Low impact movements such as Qi Gong, walking and gentle stretching are often more supportive than intense exercise when the body is under long term stress.

What foods help restore energy when exhausted?

Warm nourishing foods such as soups, bone broth, stews and mineral rich vegetables can help support the body when energy is depleted.

Join the Free Class

If you are curious about Qi Gong for Parkinson’s, chronic illness, fatigue, or healthy ageing, you are warmly invited to try a free class.

You do not need experience. You do not need flexibility. You simply begin where you are.

👉 Join the Free Class and experience the Eight Brocades for yourself.

Continue the Journey

If you would like ongoing support, Chi Flow with Jo offers:

  • Weekday live classes
  • Full Eight Brocades training
  • Acupressure guidance
  • Food medicine insights
  • Monthly health talks
  • Community gatherings

It is €39 per month, reducing to €20 per month after three months. Just €1 per class.

👉 Join Chi Flow with Jo HERE.

Self-administered acupressure or Chinese Medicine is not a substitute for visits to qualified healthcare practitioners.

Knowing how to treat yourself and your loved ones with complimentary therapies like acupressure can be greatly beneficial and convenient. However, for serious and chronic conditions, you’ll want to visit an Shiatsu therapist / Acupuncturist or other qualified healthcare practitioner who can develop a treatment plan based on your unique medical history and combination of symptoms.  

The information provided should not be considered medical advice.

How to Strengthen Your Lungs Naturally

How to Strengthen Your Lungs Naturally

Ask Me Anything

One of the most common questions I receive is this:

“Is there anything I can do to help my lungs and allergies? I think I have high histamine, high eosinophils and chronic asthma.”

It is such an important question.

And often when someone asks about their lungs, they are asking something deeper.

How do I feel safe in my body again?
How do I stop feeling reactive?
How do I build resilience instead of always bracing?

In Chinese Medicine, we keep it simple.

Life force energy must flow. When it flows well, we feel steady. When it tightens or stagnates, the body gives feedback. Asthma, allergies, high histamine responses and elevated eosinophils are signs that the system is on high alert. The chest is guarded. The breath is restricted.

The work is not to fight the body.
It is to gently teach it safety again.

The Lungs in Chinese Medicine, Immunity, Boundaries and Grief

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the Lung system is connected to the Metal element. It governs:

  • Breath and respiration
  • Skin and nose, which is why allergies sit here
  • Immunity and defensive Qi
  • Grief and the ability to let go
  • Our sense of boundary

The Lungs work closely with the Large Intestine. One takes in from the world around us, the other releases what is no longer needed.

When breath becomes shallow, often after stress or grief, the system can remain in a subtle protective pattern long after the original event has passed. Think about how we breathe when we cry. Short, tight, restricted. Sometimes the body stays there.

For women over 45, as hormones shift and tissues become drier, the Lungs can feel more sensitive. The chest can subtly tighten. The breath becomes shallower. Allergic patterns can intensify.

If you are searching for how to strengthen your lungs naturally, this is where we begin.

Acupressure for Lung Health, Lung 1 Central Treasury

One of my favourite points for the chest is Lung 1, Central Treasury.

It sits just below the outer collarbone, slightly toward the shoulder, in a soft hollow. Slide your fingers along your collarbone until it dips near the front of the shoulder. Move just under the bone into the soft tissue, that’s Lung 2, come two fingers beneath that and you will find Lung 1, an often tender, alive spot.

How to use it:
1) Use two or three fingers
2) Lean in slowly
3) You should feel a gentle ache or fullness, not sharp pain
4) Breathe quietly
5) Stay for one to three minutes
6) Repeat on both sides

 

This point helps Lung Qi descend. In simple language, it helps the chest soften and the breath drop down rather than rising abruptly.

For asthma and allergies, the inhale can feel tight and the exhale incomplete. Pressing Lung 1 daily, perhaps sitting on the edge of your bed in the morning, becomes a signal to your nervous system that it is safe to open.

Consistency over intensity.  Gentle and steady always wins.

Food Medicine for Allergies and High Histamine

When working with histamine and allergic patterns, extremes are not helpful. We want steady, warm, supportive nourishment that strengthens immunity without overstimulating.

1. Warm Water on Waking

Before tea. Before coffee. Before anything. A mug of plain warm water.

The Lungs and Large Intestine work as a pair. Warm water first thing:

  • Supports hydration
  • Moistens dryness
  • Helps clear phlegm
  • Encourages gentle bowel movement
  • Reduces immune load over time

Boil the kettle. Let it cool slightly. Sip slowly. It is not dramatic. It is rhythmic.

2. Simple Miso Broth

A few times a week, later in the day:

  • Stir one teaspoon of miso paste into hot, not boiling water
  • Add a little soaked wakame seaweed

Miso supports gut integrity and immune balance. Wakame provides minerals and supports fluids. This is gentle nourishment for the Lung and gut partnership.

When asking how to improve lung health naturally, we must include digestion. The gut, breath and immune system are deeply connected.

Qi Gong for Lung Strength and Resilience

The 8 Brocades and Wise Owl Turns Head

For month of April, we are working with the classical sequence known as the 8 Brocades, Ba Duan Jin.

The fourth movement, Wise Owl Turns Head, is deeply supportive for the Lungs in a subtle but powerful way.

Instead of forcing the chest open, it releases tension at the base of the skull and across the upper back, where so many of us hold guarding that restricts breath.

You can do this seated or standing.

How to practise:

  • Sit or stand upright, crown gently rising
  • Arms relaxed by your sides
  • Inhale through the nose, expand the belly
  • Let the expansion spiral upward through your armpits, gently opening the arms exposing the inner arms; thumbs pointing behind.
  • Include the spiral through the neck, rotate gently to look over your right shoulder
  • Exhale back to centre
  • Inhale and turn to the left
  • Exhale to centre

Keep the jaw soft.
Tongue resting gently on the roof of the mouth.
Breath slow and even, never strained.

Continue for two to three minutes.

This gentle rotation:

  • Releases upper thoracic tension
  • Softens the base of the skull
  • Calms the nervous system through rhythm
  • Creates more space for the breath to descend

Often after a few rounds, the breath deepens spontaneously. That is the body choosing safety.

Slow, repetitive expansion builds resilience.

Chronic Asthma, Eosinophils and Medical Care

When pain wraps and lingers, the body often responds better to rhythm than effort.

If you are living with chronic asthma, high eosinophils or persistent allergic symptoms, these practices are supportive. They do not replace medical care.

If you experience:

  • Increased wheezing
  • Night waking
  • Persistent chest tightness
  • Changes in medication response

Please check in with your GP.

We work alongside your care, not instead of it.

Your lungs are not weak.
They are sensitive.

Sensitivity, when supported properly, becomes strength.

A Simple Daily Lung Strengthening Routine

If you want something practical to begin this week:

  1. Warm water on waking
  2. Press Lung 1 on both sides for one to three minutes
  3. Practise Wise Owl Turns Head for two to three minutes

If you would like to learn the full 8 Brocades sequence step by step, I teach it inside Chi Flow with Jo. We move gently, consistently and intelligently, building strength that lasts.

You can also explore more in depth teachings on the Five Element system, Lung health, immunity and emotional resilience inside my books and on the podcast section of this website.

And if you have a question about your own health journey, there is a form in the podcast section where you can submit it.

Let us keep opening the chest and steadying the breath together.

Join us for the free class.

Final Thoughts

 Persistent shingles pain doesn’t mean your body has failed. It usually means the system is still protecting itself.

With patience, gentle support, and consistency, the body can continue to heal long after the rash has gone. Listening to the signals rather than fighting them is often what allows real change to happen.

Your body knows how to find its way back to balance, sometimes it just needs the right conditions.

💗 Ready to Join?

Click here to become a member of Chi Flow with Jo → CLICK HERE

Or drop in for a class and feel it for yourself (sign up below). Join the Chi Flow with Jo community for live sessions, practice, and support.

Self-administered acupressure or Chinese Medicine is not a substitute for visits to qualified healthcare practitioners.

Knowing how to treat yourself and your loved ones with complimentary therapies like acupressure can be greatly beneficial and convenient. However, for serious and chronic conditions, you’ll want to visit an Shiatsu therapist / Acupuncturist or other qualified healthcare practitioner who can develop a treatment plan based on your unique medical history and combination of symptoms.  

The information provided should not be considered medical advice.

Why Shingles Pain Can Linger: What Helps Calm the Burning Naturally

Why Shingles Pain Can Linger: What Helps Calm the Burning Naturally

Ask Me Anything

If you’ve had shingles, you may have been told that once the rash clears, the problem is over. Yet many people find that the pain doesn’t simply disappear. Instead, it can linger as a burning, sensitive, wrap-around sensation, long after the skin looks healed.

This ongoing discomfort can be worrying and exhausting. The good news is that lingering shingles pain is often less about ongoing damage and more about the nervous system staying on high alert. With the right kind of gentle support, the body can begin to settle and recover.

Lingering Shingles Pain Isn’t Random – The Body Leaves Clues

Post-shingles pain is often described as burning, electric, or band-like. It may travel from the belly button area, across one side of the abdomen, and around into the back. This “wrap-around” pattern is important.

In Chinese medicine, we pay close attention not just to where pain shows up, but how it moves. Energy in the body flows along specific pathways. Some move straight up and down, while others spiral and wrap around the sides of the body.

Pain that moves sideways, around the waist, ribs, or flank, often follows one of these side pathways. Shingles can inflame and overstimulate this line of communication. Even after the virus has settled, the nerves along that pathway may remain sensitive, continuing to send pain signals.

This is why post-shingles pain can feel surface-level, fiery, and persistent rather than deep and dull.

Why Shingles Pain Can Last Longer in Midlife

As we move through midlife, menopause, and the natural ageing process, the body can become drier and more sensitive. Nerves may take longer to calm after illness, and recovery can be slower than it once was.

From a Chinese medicine perspective, this stage of life calls for more soothing, moistening, and calming support rather than strong stimulation. When it comes to nerve pain, trying to push through or aggressively “treat” symptoms often makes things worse. Gentle, consistent care is usually far more effective.

Gall Bladder 34: A Key Acupressure Point for Lingering Shingles Pain

Within weeks many women notice flatter stomachs, lighter limbs, clearer skin, calmer moods and steady energy.  This is healing from the inside out, not crash dieting.

One of the most useful self-care tools for lingering shingles pain is gentle acupressure, especially a point called Gall Bladder 34.

This point works on the same pathway that wraps around the side of the body, which is why it can influence pain around the waist, ribs, and back even though it’s located on the leg.

How to find Gall Bladder 34
 Sit comfortably and place your hand on the outside of your knee. Slide your fingers down just below the knee joint, along the outer edge of the leg. You’ll feel a small hollow or dip between the bone and the muscle. That tender dip is Gall Bladder 34.

What it should feel like
 When you press the point, it should feel achy, tender, or slightly sore, but comfortable. It should not feel sharp, stabbing, or electric. That gentle ache is a sign you’re in the right place.

How to press it
 Use your thumb or knuckle and apply steady, gentle pressure. Breathe slowly and stay there for about one minute, or up to three minutes if it feels soothing. There’s no need to press hard. With nerve-related pain, softer pressure is usually more effective than force.

Using this point once daily is enough. Many people find it helpful to link it with a daily habit, such as brushing teeth or boiling the kettle, so it becomes easy and consistent.

Burning sensations are often a sign that the body needs more moisture and steadiness. One of the simplest food supports during shingles recovery is a small bowl of warm miso with wakame seaweed.

Why this helps:

  • Miso gently nourishes and steadies the system 
  • Wakame supports fluids and minerals 
  • Warmth soothes without adding heat

How to prepare it:

Stir a teaspoon of good quality miso into warm (not boiling) water and add a small amount of soaked wakame and allow it to rehydrate. Once a day is plenty.

Gentle Movement That Helps the Body Let Go

When pain wraps and lingers, the body often responds better to rhythm than effort.

Simple arm swinging is a gentle way to release held tension after shingles. Stand with your feet hip-width apart and knees soft. Let your arms swing freely from the shoulders, like pendulums.

A few helpful cues:

  • Keep the knees soft

     Let the jaw relax

  • Breathe naturally

Two to five minutes is enough. Stop before fatigue. Many people notice warmth, a sense of spreading, and a calming of the chest and belly, signs that the nervous system is beginning to stand down.

What to Expect as the Body Settles

Lingering shingles pain rarely disappears overnight. It often fades gradually, like a dimmer switch turning down rather than a light switching off.

With daily gentle acupressure on Gall Bladder 34, soothing food, and easy Qi Gong movement, people often notice:

  • Reduced burning intensity

     Shorter flare-ups

  •  Improved sleep

  •  A greater sense of ease in the body

If pain worsens, spreads, begins waking you at night, or if medications change, it’s important to check in with your GP. These practices are supportive and complementary, not a replacement for medical care.

WATCH THE PODCAST

Final Thoughts

 Persistent shingles pain doesn’t mean your body has failed. It usually means the system is still protecting itself.

With patience, gentle support, and consistency, the body can continue to heal long after the rash has gone. Listening to the signals rather than fighting them is often what allows real change to happen.

Your body knows how to find its way back to balance, sometimes it just needs the right conditions.

💗 Ready to Join?

Click here to become a member of Chi Flow with Jo → CLICK HERE

Or drop in for a class and feel it for yourself (sign up below). Join the Chi Flow with Jo community for live sessions, practice, and support.

Self-administered acupressure or Chinese Medicine is not a substitute for visits to qualified healthcare practitioners.

Knowing how to treat yourself and your loved ones with complimentary therapies like acupressure can be greatly beneficial and convenient. However, for serious and chronic conditions, you’ll want to visit an Shiatsu therapist / Acupuncturist or other qualified healthcare practitioner who can develop a treatment plan based on your unique medical history and combination of symptoms.  

The information provided should not be considered medical advice.

Arthritis, Knee Pain and Weight Loss After 45

Arthritis, Knee Pain and Weight Loss After 45

Ask Me Anything

Why Your Joint Pain and Weight Struggles Are Connected

If your knees ache, your feet feel inflamed, or you are struggling to lose weight no matter what you do, I want you to know one thing. Your body is not failing. It is speaking.

Pain is not your enemy. It is your messenger.

Your body is saying please help my blood move, please help my energy flow again.

Chinese Medicine shows us a beautiful map of why arthritis, knee pain, torn meniscus injury, tight calves, and stubborn weight gain often appear together.

These symptoms are deeply linked through the Five Element system which explains both the physical and emotional roots of your discomfort.

When you understand this relationship the path toward healing becomes clearer, kinder and so much easier to walk.

The Five Elements Explain Everything

Kidney and Liver Energy Hold the Key

Kidneys feed the knees

Your knees sit within the Kidney energetic system. Kidneys govern bones, marrow, brain, hormones, lower back strength and your ability to stand tall and steady.

When Kidney energy runs low your knees ache, swell and weaken.

Walking becomes painful not because your joints are damaged beyond healing but because your foundational energy needs nourishment.

Liver rules ligaments, tendons and emotional flow

Your ligaments, tendons and ability to move with ease both physically and emotionally belong to the Liver system. When Liver Qi becomes stuck you may experience:

♥ joint pain in knees, feet, wrists and fingers
 ♥ tight or cramping muscles
 ♥ inflammation
 ♥ unexplained weight gain
 ♥ difficulty losing weight
 ♥ irritability or a sense of being stuck

This is why pain in the knees is rarely just a knee problem. It is a whole system conversation between Kidney and Liver.

Here is the elemental relationship

♥ Kidney corresponds to Water.
 ♥ Liver corresponds to Wood.

Water nourishes Wood. Wood cannot grow without Water.
 So when Kidney energy drops, Liver energy dries out which tightens the tendons and stiffens the joints.

♥ Tightness becomes pain.
 ♥ Pain becomes inflammation.
 ♥ Inflammation affects metabolism and weight.

Your body is not confused. It is giving you a clear message about which part of you needs love and support.

A powerful truth to remember

Pain is blood that is not moving. When we move your Qi we move your blood and when we move your blood your pain melts.

How Qi Gong and Food Medicine Bring Relief

Qi Gong, acupressure and food medicine are a powerful trio for women who want relief without strain or force.

When practiced together they soften inflammation, increase circulation, relax the tendons and strengthen the bones.

Below is a simple seated routine you can begin today even if you have arthritis, a torn meniscus or difficulty walking.

A Seated Qi Gong Routine for Arthritis and Knee Pain Relief

This routine restores movement to Liver and Kidney energy pathways and is gentle enough for all levels.

1. Centering Breath

Sit comfortably with your feet on the floor.
 Rest your hands on your thighs.
 Breathe in and widen the ribs.
 Squeeze your belly back to the spine as you exhale.

Imagine your Kidney energy as a deep blue pool in your lower back.
 Imagine your Liver energy as a green sprout rising gently from the right side of your body.
 Breathing into this relationship begins the healing.

2. Eagle Spreads Feathers to Open the Liver System

This movement massages the Liver and Gallbladder channels through the ribs and sides of the body. It frees stuck energy, softens tight tendons and brings fresh blood to the joints.

Step one foot behind you. Let the back of your hand cover your Ming Men point at the lower back.

Reach your opposite arm long to the side as if opening a great wing.

Stretch into your fingers.

Feel the stretch travel down through the ribs into the side of the leg where the Gallbladder meridian runs.

Every time you open your wings you help your Liver moves blood into your joints.

Move slowly and softly for a few minutes.

3. Gentle Torso Spirals

Turn right and left from your waist.
 This frees the Liver and Gallbladder further and helps release stiffness around the hips and knees.

4. Knee and Ankle Activation

Lift and lower the toes softly.
 Roll the ankles.
 Warm the backs of the knees with your hands.
 This encourages fresh blood circulation through the joint spaces.

5. Kidney Tapping

Tap gently with soft fists in the lower back area.
 This wakes up Kidney energy which nourishes bone strength, hormone balance and deep vitality.

Lifestyle Tips to Support Liver and Kidney Healing

Eat your last meal before 7pm

Your Liver detoxifies through the night.
 Late snacking weighs down metabolism and makes weight loss slower.

Add more green leafy foods

Rocket, kale, watercress, spinach and spring greens help the Liver move blood and reduce inflammation.

Nettle or Chrysanthemum tea

Beautiful for cleansing and cooling the Liver.
 But here is the truth. A cup of tea alone will not heal your pain. A cup of tea combined with detox, Qi Gong, acupressure and food medicine will create real movement in your joints.

Seasonal wisdom makes healing easier

In our January programme we always begin by slowly nourishing Kidney energy.
 When spring arrives and Liver energy rises naturally that is when deeper cleansing becomes easy and effective.
 Your body thrives when it aligns with the seasons.

The Detox Pathway for Joint Freedom

Here is the plan your body will love:

-Strengthen Kidney
-Free the Liver
-Move the blood
-Detox gently
-Reduce inflammation
-Reduce pain
-Restore ease in walking
-Encourage natural weight loss

Weight that is hard to shift is often not about food. It is about Qi needing to move. When Qi moves, metabolism wakes up.

You do not have a weight problem. You have a Qi flow problem and together we can change that.

You Are Not Alone in This Healing

Qi Gong and Food Medicine have helped Chi Flow members soften pain, rebuild strength and feel joy inside their bodies again.

Try this seated practice each day. Drink your teas. Eat earlier. Choose your greens. Breathe. Move gently.
 And if you want deeper support join us live each weekday morning in Chi Flow with Jo where we practice together as a loving, uplifting community.

Your body is extraordinary.
Your healing is possible.
Your energy is ready to flow.

WATCH THE PODCAST

Emotional Healing & Community Support

The weight we carry isn’t just on our hips, it’s in our hearts.
 Feeling like you “want to be minded” is your body’s cry for nurture, not discipline.

When you join Chi Flow with Jo, you don’t walk alone.
We move, fast, cook and heal together. That shared energy keeps you accountable and loved through change.

You don’t need to fight your bodyjust listen to her again.
Start with small rhythms: stop eating after 8 pm, massage Liver 13, sip lemon water in the morning, and join our January program to be supported every step of the way.

💗 Ready to Join?

Click here to become a member of Chi Flow with Jo → CLICK HERE

Or drop in for a class and feel it for yourself (sign up below). Join the Chi Flow with Jo community for live sessions, practice, and support.

Self-administered acupressure or Chinese Medicine is not a substitute for visits to qualified healthcare practitioners.

Knowing how to treat yourself and your loved ones with complimentary therapies like acupressure can be greatly beneficial and convenient. However, for serious and chronic conditions, you’ll want to visit an Shiatsu therapist / Acupuncturist or other qualified healthcare practitioner who can develop a treatment plan based on your unique medical history and combination of symptoms.  

The information provided should not be considered medical advice.

Gentle Weight Loss for Women Over 45 with Qi Gong, Acupressure & Intermittent Fasting

Gentle Weight Loss for Women Over 45 with Qi Gong, Acupressure & Intermittent Fasting

Ask Me Anything, Energy of Food Blog

Gentle Weight Loss for Women Over 45 with Qi Gong, Acupressure & Intermittent Fasting

“I Just Want to Feel Like Myself Again…”

One woman wrote to Ask Me Anything and said:

“How can I lose weight that’s been increasing for years?  I’ve never come back to centre post-birth, I have an underactive thyroid, went straight into menopause, and I feel I’ve given up on myself.”

Her story touches so many of us. After years of holding everything together—children, relationships, work—our bodies hold on too.
 In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), this “holding” shows up as Liver stagnation and Spleen dampness, the perfect storm for midlife weight gain.

Why Weight Gain After 40 Isn’t Just About Calories

When stress, grief, or over-care stretches and overwhelms us, the Liver can’t move energy smoothly. 

Emotions get stuck; digestion slows. 

The Spleen, our digestive powerhouse, tires from worry and irregular meals, creating an internal climate known as “dampness” in Chinese Medicine, that heavy, foggy feeling, bloating, fatigue, and belly weight.

When we give the Liver time to rest by not eating in the evening, the body can finally process and drain excess dampness, the sticky, heavy internal moisture that leads to puffiness, bloating, joint pain, brain fog, and fatigue.

Instead of constantly digesting food, the Liver can detoxify and mobilise stored fat, while eating at the correct Spleen time can strengthen and transform fluids properly.

Within weeks of gentle intermittent fasting, people notice less swelling in the belly, clearer thinking, better sleep, reduced joint pain, and improved energy.

As dampness clears, inflammation subsides, the metabolism rekindles, and weight begins to drop naturally, without force or punishment.

This is the beauty of fasting with Chi Flow: we rest to restore, not restrict.

Acupressure Point – Liver 13 (Zhang Men)

Find the soft point under your right ribs—where the ribcage ends before the waist begins.

This is Liver 13, the “Camphorwood Gate.”

Massage or tap gently here using loose fists 

It connects the Liver and Spleen, clears stagnation, boosts metabolism, and soothes emotional tension. 

If it’s tender, that’s a sign the Liver is stagnant; go gently and breathe warmth into the area. 

Repeat daily and feel digestion and mood begin to flow again.

Intermittent Fasting the Chi Flow with Jo Way

Every January, hundreds join the Chi Flow with Jo Intermittent Fasting programme, a six-week reset rooted in TCM, not restriction.
 We follow nature’s rhythm:

♥ Eat during daylight, rest digestion at night.

♥ 7–9 am Stomach Time / 9–11 am Spleen Time: best window for breakfast and nourishment.

♥ 1–3 am Liver Time: when the body detoxes, so avoid eating after dinner especially the late-night snacks.

Start simply: no food after 8 pm, breakfast after 8 am.
Each week we lengthen the fasting window gently, giving the organs time to cleanse and reset.  It’s a lifestyle of rhythm, not willpower, perfect for sensitive thyroids and tired nervous systems.

👉 Find out more and Join the January 2026 Chi Flow with Jo: Intermittent Fasting Programme 

It’s easier when you do it together.

Food as Medicine: Drain Dampness, Fuel Your Fire

Choose foods that support the Liver and Spleen:

For the Liver (flow & fat metabolism):

Sour foods: lemon, lime, apple cider vinegar, sauerkraut, kimchi.
Green & bitter vegetables: kale, watercress, rocket, radish, turnip.

For the Spleen (digestion & sweet cravings):

Warm, cooked meals; porridge, soups, stews.

Avoid cold salads and sugary snacks, especially when stressed.

Traditional TCM Remedy; Adzuki Bean Tea:

Bring soaked Adzuki beans to the boil for 5 minutes and then simmer for 30 minutes, strain, and sip the liquid through the day.
 It gently drains dampness, balances blood sugar, and steadies emotions.

👉 Read more on food as medicine and how to make this tea https://joannefaulkner.ie/2022/04/18/clear-cold-damp-fat/

WATCH THE PODCAST

Emotional Healing & Community Support

The weight we carry isn’t just on our hips, it’s in our hearts.
 Feeling like you “want to be minded” is your body’s cry for nurture, not discipline.

When you join Chi Flow with Jo, you don’t walk alone.
We move, fast, cook and heal together. That shared energy keeps you accountable and loved through change.

You don’t need to fight your bodyjust listen to her again.
Start with small rhythms: stop eating after 8 pm, massage Liver 13, sip lemon water in the morning, and join our January program to be supported every step of the way.

💗 Ready to Join?

Click here to become a member of Chi Flow with Jo → CLICK HERE

Or drop in for a class and feel it for yourself (sign up below). Join the Chi Flow with Jo community for live sessions, practice, and support.

Self-administered acupressure or Chinese Medicine is not a substitute for visits to qualified healthcare practitioners.

Knowing how to treat yourself and your loved ones with complimentary therapies like acupressure can be greatly beneficial and convenient. However, for serious and chronic conditions, you’ll want to visit an Shiatsu therapist / Acupuncturist or other qualified healthcare practitioner who can develop a treatment plan based on your unique medical history and combination of symptoms.  The information provided should not be considered medical advice.

.
Frozen Shoulder Relief: Acupressure, Tendon Breathing & Food Medicine

Frozen Shoulder Relief: Acupressure, Tendon Breathing & Food Medicine

Ask Me Anything

Frozen Shoulder Relief: Acupressure (LI14 & LI15), Tendon Breathing & Food Medicine

Why this matters

If your shoulder feels painful, tight, and stubborn, like it’s glued in place, or there is pain when your hand reaches out to open a window or put something on a shelf, you’re not alone. Frozen shoulder can take months (sometimes longer) to ease.

The good news? With gentle, consistent practice you can reduce pain, restore mobility, and feel more like yourself again.

Why daily Qi Gong helps (big picture):

Think of it as compound interest for your joints. Slow, breath-led movement:

♥ calms the nervous system so pain perception drops,
♥ nourishes fascia and tendons with circulation and warmth,
♥ retrains your body to move without bracing, it’s how we “age-proof” shoulders.

When you join Chi Flow with Jo, you don’t just get classes, you get the power of the group live every weekday morning plus a daily chat with me right after class to ask questions, celebrate wins, and keep momentum. It’s such a supportive way to heal.

Safety first

If you’ve had a recent fall, can’t lift the arm at all, have fever, redness, severe night pain that doesn’t change with position, numbness in the hand, or sudden swelling—please see a clinician. Everything here is gentle; keep pain at 2–3/10. Choose ease over force.

Acupressure You Can Do Today: LI15 & LI14

We’ll open two shoulder “gates” on the Large Intestine channel to move stagnation through the arm and shoulder.

LI15 — Jianyu / Shoulder Bone

Benefits:

♥ Eases pain and stiffness,
♥ Supports abduction (lifting the arm to the side),
♥ Warms the joint capsule.

Find it:

♥ Feel the acromion (bony shoulder tip) at the top of the shoulder, find the front groove of the deltoid muscle.
♥ Slide a fingertip just in front and slightly below into a soft hollow often tender.

Work it:

♥ Rest the arm by your side.
♥ With the opposite thumb or middle finger, press and melt into the hollow for 8 slow breaths.
♥ Make tiny circles—like polishing a pearl—for 30–45 seconds.
♥ Repeat 3 rounds; switch sides.

LI14 — Binao / Upper Arm

Benefits:

releases upper-arm/shoulder tension; helps lifting and reaching—perfect for that “stuck sleeve” feeling.

Find it:

From the outer elbow crease (LI11), draw an imaginary line toward LI15. LI14 sits about 7 finger-widths above the elbow on that line, at/just above the deltoid slope, usually a ropey, tender spot.

Work it:

♥ Pin the point with your thumb; wrap the other fingers around the arm.
♥ Breathe 4 in / 6 out—soften on the inhale, sink slightly on the exhale.
♥ Hold 60–90 seconds, up to 3 passes; switch sides.

Food Medicine for Stiff Neck & Shoulders

From a TCM lens we want to move Blood, dispel Wind-Cold, transform Damp, and nourish Liver & Kidney (Liver governs sinews; Kidney governs bones).

Add more of (little, daily amounts):

♥ Warming pungents: fresh ginger, spring onion (white part), garlic, a pinch of white pepper
♥ Sinew-friendly foods: dark leafy greens, black sesame, walnuts, goji berries, bone broth/gelatin (or mineral-rich seaweed broth if plant-based)
♥ Oils for glide: extra-virgin olive oil, small oily fish (if eaten)
♥ Hydration: warm water or ginger-lemon sips through the day

Dial down for many people: cold raw salads, excess sugar/dairy, heavy fried foods.

Damp-forming foods can worsen stiffness.

A quick word on Dampness

Dampness is like a heavy, sticky fog settling in the body, slowing everything and making tissues feel puffy and waterlogged. Imagine moving in wet, clinging clothes: range shrinks, effort rises, glide disappears. In shoulders, that fog can thicken fluids around tendons and the capsule, impairing Qi & Blood flow, so repair and lubrication lag. Result: stiffness, dull ache, and a “stuck” feel, often worse with cold, humidity, or rich foods.

Shoulder-Soother Broth (serves 2)

♥ 1 thumb fresh ginger (sliced)
♥ 2 spring onions (white parts)
♥ handful greens (spinach or pak choi)
♥ 1 tsp black sesame
♥ 1 tsp miso (stir in off the boil)

Optional: 1 cup bone broth or a strip of kombu simmered then removed

Method:

♥ Simmer ginger & spring onion 10 min.
♥ Add greens 2 min.
♥ Remove from heat,
♥ whisk in miso,
♥ sprinkle sesame.
Sip warm.

Qi Gong: Tendon Nei Gong (gentle & joint-saving)

In Tendon Nei Gong we breathe into the joint space, then expand softly as if the shoulder, elbow, and wrist were balloons inflating in all directions. This pumps fluids, clears metabolic stagnation, poetically called “poisonous acids” and lets fresh Qi & Blood bathe the tissues. No strain, no pinching.

Set-up: Stand hip-width or sit tall. Feet grounded, crown lifting, jaw soft.

1) Shake & Melt — 1 min
Arms hang; micro-shake wrists → elbows → shoulders, like dust falling off your tendons.

2) Tendon Breathing — 2–3 min
Align & breathe: Tongue to palate. Inhale 4 / Exhale 6 through the nose.

Tensile reach: With elbows low, imagine micro-lines of length sternum → shoulders → elbows → wrists → fingertips (no visible stretch).

Inhale: feel the joint expand front/back/sides; keep traps soft.
Exhale: condense and melt—like wringing a sponge.
Optional tiny spirals: 3–5 breaths, a whisper of outward rotation on inhale, return on exhale.

3) Finish: Shake Out — 30 sec
Wrists → elbows → shoulders.

Why it works: low load, nervous-system down-regulating, improves joint space and tendon hydration—ideal for frozen shoulder because it avoids impingement while boosting circulation.
Common pitfalls: shrugging/over-bracing, breath-holding (Valsalva), forcing range. If anything pinches, shrink the movement and keep the elbow below shoulder height.

Frozen-shoulder tips:

♥ If pain >3/10, reduce imagined expansion; shorten breath to 3–4.
♥ Try a pendulum assist first (arm dangling, tiny circles), then tendon breathing.
♥ Pair with LI14 & LI15 beforehand to open the shoulder gates, then breathe into that new space.
♥ Quick self-check (what “good” feels like):
♥ Breath smooth, jaw soft, no shrugging.
♥ Warmth or spreading into the deltoid/upper arm within 3–6 breaths.

After 1–2 minutes, the arm often lifts a few centimeters easier and the neck feels looser, not tighter.

 

 

WATCH THE PODCAST

Your next step (with support)

Frozen shoulder responds to kindness + consistency. We don’t force change, we invite it. If you’d love support, join Chi Flow with Jo: we meet live every weekday morning, and we always have a chat together after class so you can ask questions in real time, get tweaks for your body, and feel the momentum of a community that cares. I’m cheering for your first easy reach to the top shelf again. Until then, move gently, breathe deeply, and keep your Chi flowing.

💗 Ready to Join?

Click here to become a member of Chi Flow with Jo → CLICK HERE

Or drop in for a class and feel it for yourself (sign up below). Join the Chi Flow with Jo community for live sessions, practice, and support.

Self-administered acupressure or Chinese Medicine is not a substitute for visits to qualified healthcare practitioners.

Knowing how to treat yourself and your loved ones with complimentary therapies like acupressure can be greatly beneficial and convenient. However, for serious and chronic conditions, you’ll want to visit an Shiatsu therapist / Acupuncturist or other qualified healthcare practitioner who can develop a treatment plan based on your unique medical history and combination of symptoms.  The information provided should not be considered medical advice.

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Salty Taste in Your Mouth? What It Could Mean for Women Over 40

Salty Taste in Your Mouth? What It Could Mean for Women Over 40

Ask Me Anything, Conscious Cooking - Use Food as Medicine, understanding your body with the 5element system of TCM

Salty Taste in Your Mouth? What It Could Mean for Women Over 40

Have you ever noticed a salty taste in your mouth that just won’t go away, even when you’re not eating salty food? For many women over 40, changes in taste, thirst, or cravings can be subtle signs that the body is asking for support.

In Western medicine, your GP might check for dehydration, mineral imbalances, or underlying illness, and sometimes tests come back normal. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), we look at the body through a different lens: one that connects your tastebuds, emotions, and energy systems.

In TCM, a persistent salty taste is linked to the Water element and the Kidneys, the powerhouse of your vitality, longevity, and hormonal health. November in Chi Flow with Jo, our focus is on the Kidneys and Jing, the deep essence that governs everything from bone strength to hormonal transitions in peri- and post-menopause.

Before we begin, a gentle reminder: this information is for complementary self-care and should be used alongside medical advice, not as a replacement.

The Five Element Framework & Food Medicine

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Five Element Food Medicine teaches us that each organ and its meridian system is linked to one of nature’s elements: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, or Water. Each element has a season, time of day, emotion, colour, and sensory organ, clues that help us understand our bodies and the signals they send.

For example, the Water element relates to the Kidneys and Bladder, the season of winter, the emotion of fear, the colour black, and the sensory organ of the ears.

By noticing patterns, such as craving salty foods, changes in hearing, or feeling more fearful or anxious, we can identify which element needs nourishment and use food, flavour, and cooking methods to restore balance.

Why Salty Taste Points to Kidney Imbalance

In TCM, the salty flavour is the taste of the Water element. If you’re noticing a salty taste when you haven’t eaten anything salty, it can mean the Kidney system is out of balance, either overworked or needing deeper support.

The Kidneys store Jing, your essence, which is like your lifetime battery. Jing powers your growth, fertility, hormonal cycles, and how you age. As we enter peri, mid and post-menopause, Jing naturally declines, which is why it’s so important to protect and nourish it.

There’s also a fascinating connection between the Kidneys and the Heart. In the destructive cycle of the Five Elements, Water (Kidneys) controls Fire (Heart). If Water is weak, Fire can flare, leading to high blood pressure, palpitations, anxiety, and restlessness. For our listener with a salty taste and high blood pressure, this connection is especially relevant.

Acupressure for Kidney & Heart Balance: Kidney 3 (Taixi)

One of my go-to points for restoring Kidney strength and calming the Heart is Kidney 3, known as Taixi; the Great Ravine

Location:
You’ll find it in the hollow between your inner ankle bone and your Achilles tendon. Slide your finger accross from the ankle bone until you feel a soft dip before the tendon, that’s Kidney 3.

Benefits:

  • Nourishes Kidney Yin and Yang
  • Supports Jing (vital essence)
  • Calms the mind and reduces anxiety
  • Helps regulate blood pressure via the Kidney–Heart connection

How to use it:

  1. Sit comfortably with one ankle crossed over the opposite knee.
  2. Press gently but firmly with your thumb into the hollow.
  3. Breathe slowly and deeply for 1–2 minutes.
  4. Repeat on the other side.

Practise twice a day for best results.

This isn’t about forcing change, it’s about steady, consistent support for your body’s own balancing mechanisms.

Food Medicine: Corn Silk Tea & Kidney-Nourishing Foods

Corn silk tea is a gentle, traditional remedy in TCM for supporting the Kidneys and Bladder. It’s mildly diuretic, helps clear dampness and heat, and supports healthy fluid balance without overstimulating the system.

To make from fresh corn:

  • Peel back the husks and collect the silky threads from 2–3 corn cobs.
  • Rinse well.
  • Simmer in 1 litre of water for 10–15 minutes.
  • Strain and sip warm.

To make from dried corn silk:

  • Available loose or in teabags from health food shops.
  • Steep in hot water for 5–10 minutes.

The tea has a naturally sweet, grassy taste and can be enjoyed warm or at room temperature.

Other Kidney–Jing supporting foods:

  • Black beans and adzuki beans
  • Black sesame seeds
  • Walnuts
  • Seaweed
  • Dark leafy greens
    Bone broth
  • Miso
  • Berries

Hormonal tip for women over 40:


 As Jing declines, we may notice hot flushes, poor sleep, low mood, or bone loss. Supporting Kidney Jing through food medicine can help ease these changes and improve energy, mood, and resilience.

You’ll find many more recipes for Kidney health and hormonal balance in my books, Shiatsu & the Art of Conscious Cooking and Good Food: Better Sex.

Qi Gong for Kidney & Hormonal Support

Qi Gong is a beautiful way to move energy through the Kidney and Bladder meridians, strengthen the lower back, and support hormonal balance. One of my favourites is the Kidney–Bladder Stretch and I’ll be teaching it in the free class at the end of the month. It’s great for encouraging flow of cranio-sacral fluid up and down the spine, massaging and supporting the kidneys

This combination of stretch and spiral massages the fascia, stimulates meridian flow, and harmonises the body during hormonal transitions.

If you’ve been experiencing a persistent salty taste, TCM reminds us to look deeper, to listen to what the body is telling us about our Kidneys, Jing, and hormonal balance.

You now have three simple tools to try:

  • Kidney 3 acupressure for Kidney–Heart harmony
  • Corn silk tea and Kidney-nourishing foods for deep vitality
  • Kidney–Bladder Qi Gong stretch to keep your energy flowing

WATCH THE PODCAST

Boost your Jing with Qi Gong, Acupressure & Food Medicine

In November Chi Flow with Jo, we’ll spend the whole month focusing on Kidney and Jing energy, with daily live Qi Gong, acupressure guidance, and seasonal food medicine to support you through hormonal changes.

Join us and give your Kidneys the love they deserve.

💗 Ready to Join?

Click here to become a member of Chi Flow with Jo → CLICK HERE

Or drop in for a class and feel it for yourself (sign up below). Join the Chi Flow with Jo community for live sessions, practice, and support.

Self-administered acupressure or Chinese Medicine is not a substitute for visits to qualified healthcare practitioners.

Knowing how to treat yourself and your loved ones with complimentary therapies like acupressure can be greatly beneficial and convenient. However, for serious and chronic conditions, you’ll want to visit an Shiatsu therapist / Acupuncturist or other qualified healthcare practitioner who can develop a treatment plan based on your unique medical history and combination of symptoms.  The information provided should not be considered medical advice.

.