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

EUR (€) ^

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.

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.

How to Reduce Uterine Fibroids Naturally: A Chinese Medicine Perspective

How to Reduce Uterine Fibroids Naturally: A Chinese Medicine Perspective

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

How to Reduce Uterine Fibroids Naturally: A Chinese Medicine Perspective

Uterine fibroids are a common concern for many women, often causing discomfort, heavy periods, and lower abdominal pain. 

From a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perspective, these benign growths are linked to stagnation, whether of Qi (energy), blood, or dampness accumulation. 

In this blog, you’ll discover how to reduce fibroid symptoms naturally using Qi Gong, food medicine, acupressure, and womb connection, from a TCM perspective that treats the whole woman, not just her symptoms.

Understanding Uterine Fibroids in Chinese Medicine

In TCM, health is about the smooth flow of Qi and blood. When this natural flow becomes obstructed, due to stress, trauma, or lifestyle factors, it can lead to stagnation. Over time, stagnation can contribute to conditions such as uterine fibroids, menstrual pain, lower back stiffness, and even recurrent urinary tract infections.

TCM identifies three primary causes of stagnation in the lower belly:

  1. Physical Trauma – Surgery, childbirth, or injury can disrupt the circulation of blood and Qi.
  2. Emotional Trauma – Stress, grief, or unresolved emotions can create blockages in the body.
  3. Lack of Movement – A sedentary lifestyle can slow circulation and contribute to dampness accumulation.

By addressing these root causes, we can begin to dissolve stagnation and restore harmony to the womb space.

Qi Gong for Uterine Fibroid Relief

Qi Gong, an ancient practice that combines breathwork, movement, and meditation, is a powerful tool for unblocking stagnant energy. One particularly beneficial exercise is Rabbit Springs Qi Gong, which involves deep belly breathing and gentle massage to stimulate circulation in the lower abdomen.

Try This Qi Gong Breathing Exercise:

  1. Place your hands on your lower belly, just below the navel.
  2. Inhale deeply through your nose, imagine you are smelling a rose,, expanding your belly like a balloon.
  3. Exhale fully, drawing your belly button back toward your spine.
  4. Repeat for three minutes, allowing warmth and energy to flow into the uterus.

Practicing this exercise during the day, while making tea, doing laundry, or in moments of stillness, can increase Qi energy to the area, and gives an internal massage reducing pain and improving blood flow.

Emotional Healing: Connecting with Your Womb

In Western culture, we often avoid focusing on the lower belly and the sexual organs, but in TCM, this area is the foundation of vitality and creativity. Taking time to connect with your womb can bring profound insights and healing.

Many people are comfortable engaging with their thoughts and emotions, residing predominantly in the realms of the mind and heart. However, the lower belly and sexual organs often become repositories of shame and discomfort, leading to disconnection from this vital area. 

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), this region is recognized as a powerful energy center, essential for creativity, vitality, and overall well-being. By acknowledging and releasing any shame associated with our sexual center, we can unlock profound healing and restore the harmonious flow of energy throughout the body. Embracing this aspect of ourselves not only enhances personal health but also deepens our connection to our inherent life force.

Practice Womb Meditation:

  • Find a quiet space and sit comfortably.
  • Close your eyes and take slow, deep breaths.
  • Bring your awareness to your uterus—what does it feel like? What messages does it hold?
  • Approach this connection with kindness and curiosity, releasing any stored emotions or fears.

When we acknowledge and nurture our womb space, we open the door to profound healing and transformation.

Foods to Reduce Fibroid Growth

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the flavors of foods are deeply connected to specific organs, energy systems, and corresponding emotions. In my book, Good Food: Better Sex, I explore how these flavor profiles can influence our physical and emotional well-being.

By understanding and incorporating these flavor-organ-emotion relationships into our diet, we can create meals that not only satisfy our taste buds but also support our holistic health and emotional well-being.

Food is medicine. The following foods work with the Kidney and Liver energetic system and can help move stagnant blood and support liver health, which is key for hormone balance.

Top Fibroid-Fighting Foods:

  • Rhubarb & Aubergine – These ‘slippery’ foods promote blood circulation and ease stagnation.
  • Kidney Beans & Black Beans – Strengthen kidney Qi, supporting reproductive health.
  • Ginger – A warming spice that enhances digestion and circulation.
  • Dark Leafy Greens – Help cleanse the liver and regulate oestrogen levels.
  • Chia Seeds – moisten the intestines, ease dryness and support hormone flow

Incorporating these foods into your diet can help create an internal environment that discourages fibroid growth.

Want more food medicine? Find healing recipes in Good Food: Better Sex.

Acupressure for Uterine Health

Many gynecological issues, including uterine fibroids and endometriosis, stem from Qi stagnation and blood stasis in the lower abdomen. 

This stagnation can lead to the formation of masses, painful cramps, and irregular cycles. Spleen 6 helps to invigorate blood circulation, breaking up congestion in the uterus and promoting a smoother, pain-free menstrual flow.

Acupressure is a simple yet effective way to move stagnant Qi and blood in the uterus.

Spleen 6 (Three Yin Crossing) Acupressure Point:

Locate this point by placing four fingers above the inner ankle bone.
Apply gentle pressure with your thumb and massage in small circles.
This point supports uterine health, but avoid during pregnancy as it strongly moves blood.

By encouraging the free flow of Qi and blood, Spleen 6 soothes uterine spasms, helping to relieve dysmenorrhea (painful periods) and endometriosis-related discomfort. Women with PMS symptoms, bloating, or lower back pain often find significant relief through regular acupressure on this point.

Massaging this point daily can help ease fibroid symptoms and improve overall reproductive health.

WATCH THE PODCAST

In the full podcast, Joanne shares her tips in Qi Gong, Food Medicine and Acupressure to help relieve the symptoms of uterine fibroids, from a Chinese medicine viewpoint.

Final Thoughts: Embrace Your Womb Wisdom

Your womb is more than just a physical organ, it holds deep wisdom, creativity, and power. 

Try meditating and give your lower belly a voice, allowing your womb to speak.  Develop a loving relationship with this part of your body.  By practicing Qi Gong, nourishing your body with healing foods, and fostering a loving connection with your womb, you can create an environment that is relaxed and healthy.

May you be healthy, vibrant, and deeply connected to your body. 💖

💗 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.

.
Prolapse anyone? Support your spleen with Chinese medicine.

Prolapse anyone? Support your spleen with Chinese medicine.

Recipes

Late summer is a time to support your spleen and stomach with seasonal, ripe fruits and slowly cooked root vegetables.  If we don’t, we can experience worry, overthinking, joint pain, abdominal swelling, hernias, varicose veins and haemorrhoids.

The Spleen in TCM is all about feeling comforted and supported.  If the spleen is weak you will find many prolapse symptoms in the body.

The organ is linked to the Earth Element and Sweet Flavoured foods – so come and watch what foods to eat, which points to press and even practice a Bear Qi Gong move in the video below.

YouTube player

In my last post I shared Spleen 6 Acupressure point – here is Spleen 9 – Yin Mound Spring

Spleen 9 (SP 9) is a powerful point. Its main function in Chinese medicine is to resolve “dampness”.

To find the point put a finger at the inside of your ankle bone and trace it all the way up the midline of the inside of the leg until you meet resistance. Right below the inside of the knee, in that little depression is Spleen 9 and it is typically a bit tender when pressure is applied.  The Spleen is associated with the flesh of the body so make sure you are on the fleshy part under and slightly behind the tibia, not on the bone itself.

Dampness is not a normal diagnostic term used in western medicine, but it is actually quite simple to understand.

When the Spleen and the Stomach channels are working together digestion runs smoothly, water and nutrients are well absorbed, and transported so the the body metabolizes food well, transporting nutrients around the body.

When these two organs are not working in harmony, “dampness” occurs. Excess water within the system doesn’t move well and you can experience symptoms such as oedema, swelling, bloating, gas, diarrhoea or constipation, brain fog, sluggishness, difficulty with urination, aching limbs and sore, stiff joints.

In the video above I talk all about the Spleen & Stomach – what strengthens and what weakens, so watch the video below, and you can find more recipes and info in the orange colour chapter in my books.

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.

💗 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.