Blaise T. Ryan Acupuncture & Traditional Chinese Medicine

Blaise T. Ryan Acupuncture & Traditional Chinese Medicine Acupuncture & Traditional Chinese Medicine in Ottawa, Ontario

Spring is in the air! It's hard to believe we are already into March, graced with some days of above freezing weather! T...
03/02/2026

Spring is in the air! It's hard to believe we are already into March, graced with some days of above freezing weather! This is an interesting convergence between the elements of Spring and the elements of the Chinese New Year.

Are you feeling the burn of the Fire Horse yet? What can strong Fire energy feel like?

Fire energy can easily throw us off balance when it comes in, so if you were already feeling as though you were burning the candle at both ends you might feel entirely burned out or exhausted. You may also find yourself getting sick.

With the emergence of Spring comes strong Wood energy. We all know what happens when we add Wood to Fire. It burns! It thrives! It consumes! This explains the high possibility for burnout at this time of year & feelings of anxiety as that Fire begins to burn away some of the Yin.

What can also occur with the emergence of Spring & strong Wood energy is feelings of frustration because the Wood is still being suppressed by winter. Anger, irritation, impatience & stress are very common at this time of year as we cope with the transition into Wood. The best thing you can do is nurture your Liver!

Breathwork is at the top of the list when setting out to help the Liver, as this can relieve any stagnant Liver Qi. Other supports include avoiding rich foods, doing a Spring clean-eating cleanse, getting Acupuncture & herbal remedies.

If you're feeling like your Liver needs some extra support or if you are feeling emotionally frustrated or angry Acupuncture is fantastic in balancing the Liver element. It can relieve any feelings of stress or anxiety to calm your nervous system.

Follow the link in our bio to book your appointment today & keep the Spring Wood energy from burning too hot!

Did you know we speak in FIVE different languages here at Blaise T. Ryan Acupuncture? J.P. & Arlene speak EnglishBlaise ...
02/28/2026

Did you know we speak in FIVE different languages here at Blaise T. Ryan Acupuncture?

J.P. & Arlene speak English

Blaise speaks English & French

Guglielmo speaks English, French & Italian, and can relate in Spanish

Christine speaks English & German

And our Office Manager Chris speaks Mandarin (including medical term translation for Mandarin-speaking patients)!

This means we are more diversified than ever in offering you pathways to wellness through the lens of Traditional Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture.

We all know discussing our health histories & goals requires good communication. There is much to share, especially since Traditional Chinese Medicine approaches the body holistically, as a whole, rather than separating it into isolated symptoms or parts. Our habits, our tendencies, our childhoods, our injuries & our traumas are all relevant. It is important that these nuances do not get lost in translation.

So if you or someone you love, including a new Canadian or a first-generation parent, speaks one of the languages listed above, please give us a call! Language could be a turning point in their health.

We look forward to speaking with you!
Nous avons hâte de vous parler !

Non vediamo l'ora di parlare con te!

Estamos deseando hablar con usted!

Wir freuen uns darauf, mit Ihnen zu sprechen!

我们期待与您交流!今天我就能帮您预约。

Our Acupuncturist & Massage Therapist Arlene created these amazing t-shirts for our practitioners based off the iconic m...
02/26/2026

Our Acupuncturist & Massage Therapist Arlene created these amazing t-shirts for our practitioners based off the iconic milk slogan.

But what do they mean? What is De Qi?

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, De Qi is the "arrival" of Qi during Acupuncture. The patient might express this sensation as a tingling or numbness, while the practitioner might actually OBSERVE it arrive. The needle might quiver or vibrate, or the practitioner might actually feel a grasping or a pulling on of the needle. This means they have touched the very current of Qi in the channel!

Isn't that cool???

Our bodies want to communicate with us. They want to be understood. But our modern lives often interfere & erode these messages with too much noise, too much stimulation, too much stress & too much "just one more thing to do." Unfortunately, the messages then have to become symptoms.

So what is De Qi saying?

It might be,

"Thank you!"

"Finally!"

"Hallelujah!"

"I am here."

"I am ready to heal."

"Thank you for listening."

What do you think?

Top 12 Tips for Cold Weather Health & Immunity,  # 12 of 12Here's a great immune-boosting tea that you can prepare for y...
02/24/2026

Top 12 Tips for Cold Weather Health & Immunity, # 12 of 12

Here's a great immune-boosting tea that you can prepare for yourself if you feel you are coming down with something: 1/2 tsp apple cider vinegar, 1/2 tsp of honey, fresh lemon juice from half a lemon, 1/2 tsp of finely chopped ginger & three drops grapefruit seed extract in hot water.

Our final Winter Health & Immunity Tip brings it all back to honouring the simplicity of the season: a tea recipe. It’s simple, accessible & rooted in nourishment of the body & spirit.

Making yourself a cup of tea is an act of love. As we navigate through the stress & busyness of modern life, we can often unknowingly reduce these acts of giving to nothing more than another thing to do or a chore. Bring awareness & intention back to these little moments.

Feel the mother swish around the bottom of your apple cider vinegar bottle. Think of all the little bees that worked hard to produce the honey you’re using. Notice the cooling spritz of the lemon & the calm, warming essence of the ginger. And witness the bitter magic of three drops of grapefruit seed extract (one of our favourite, uncommon ingredients!).

This tea will warm, nourish & energize you to move with grace & ease through the last of these winter months.

Check back to our page anytime if you begin to feel the "winter blues" encroaching or if you need some inspiration about navigating this wonderful but cold season.

Thank you so much for reading & for following our 12 Tips for Cold Weather Health & Immunity!

Top 12 Tips for Cold Weather Health & Immunity,  # 11 of 12Use herbs to fight pathogens. You can carry some cold-fightin...
02/22/2026

Top 12 Tips for Cold Weather Health & Immunity, # 11 of 12

Use herbs to fight pathogens. You can carry some cold-fighting herbal formulas with you on hand in case you feel you are exposed to something.

No matter how many times we wash our hands, we are surrounded by a living ecosystem of pathogens like bacteria, viruses, mold & parasites. We interact with these organisms
symbiotically throughout our lives, but if there is an internal imbalance, especially around seasonal shifts, we can become sick. That’s where herbs come in!

Herbs are one of the main tools of Traditional Chinese Medicine & something we recommend adding to your own toolkit of health & wellness. Having some classic formulas on hand & knowing when to reach for them is key.

For this time of year we use Yin Qiao San (Honey Suckle & Forsythia), especially when we feel we have been exposed to something. Maybe you went shopping or to a social event & suddenly feel a runny nose coming on, sneezing or waves of fatigue. This is when you would reach for Yin Qiao San, which effectively treats early “wind-heat” stages of cold & flu.

Immunol by Alpha Omega is an immune-boosting herbal formula that works as a daily support. This can be taken more preventatively during the high season of colds & flus, as it recommends a four-week minimum to yield optimum results.

Another great over-the-counter immune-boosting formula we recommend is The Five Defenders by Real Mushrooms. A combination of Reishi, Shiitake, Maitake, Turkey Tail & Chaga extract powders, it is a mushroom multivitamin super cocktail that offers daily wellness support. We carry all of these formulas in clinic!

We also offer custom herbal formulas sent directly to your home from a Chinese herb dispensary in Toronto. Schedule a Health Consultation or book an acupuncture appointment today by calling 613-702-5377 to access this amazing service!

Top 12 Tips for Cold Weather Health & Immunity,  # 10 of 12Take Vitamin D+K & zinc regularly.This may not be a Chinese M...
02/20/2026

Top 12 Tips for Cold Weather Health & Immunity, # 10 of 12

Take Vitamin D+K & zinc regularly.

This may not be a Chinese Medicine tip, but it's been shown that almost 100% of Canadians are Vitamin D deficient in the winter. This is important to consider as we move towards the end of our Top 12 Tips for Cold Weather Health & Immunity because a lack of vitamins & minerals is a poor foundation for everything else.

Nothing can beat pure sunlight for Vitamin D & its efficient absorption into the body. Soak up the sun at every opportunity! There’s nothing like suiting up to go out into the freezing cold & feeling the bright sun on your face. Or watching it glitter off the oceans of snow in our fields & off the sparkling branches of our forests.

To supplement the real sun, it is recommended to take at least 1000+ IU of Vitamin D per day. You can buy a combination in liquid or pill form with Vitamin K as they work synergistically to regulate & absorb calcium, but be aware that their optimal doses are independent. We have some Vitamin D+K12 sprays from Alpha Omega available in clinic!

Finally, come in for some red light therapy! During these dark winter months our skin is craving that kiss of warmth & light. Our professional grade machine can be added on to your acupuncture treatment in increments of five minutes.

🔴 10 minutes for $20
🔴 15 minutes for $25
🔴 20 minutes for $30

There is really nothing else like it. And don’t be fooled, this is not comparable to the masks you can buy off of Amazon. This is premium, full-body, medical-grade light therapy that has been clinically shown to stimulate cellular repair, reduce inflammation & boost collagen production!

Stay tuned for our last two Winter Health Tips!

Top 12 Tips for Cold Weather Health & Immunity,  # 9 of 12Make a plan to do some outdoor winter activities.When you're n...
02/18/2026

Top 12 Tips for Cold Weather Health & Immunity, # 9 of 12

Make a plan to do some outdoor winter activities.

When you're not getting the sleep you need from Tip # 8, try exploring some of the endless outdoor winter activities available around here. There are so many different sports & activities to choose from, whatever your age, interest & mobility level. The key is to find one that seems fulfilling & fun to you.

It can be anything from short, mindful walks outside in boots that grip to snowshoeing, skiing, snowboarding, skating, tubing, tobogganing, dog sledding, visiting a local farm, etc. Shoutout to , , & for bringing winter vibrancy & family fun to the Pontiac & Ottawa region!

One of the biggest obstacles to getting outside is proper winter gear. You need to suit up to have a great experience, otherwise you risk letting the cold invade & ruin the fun. Investing in more clothes & better winter gear will make getting outside seem less intimidating.

Then just do it! Don't overthink it or listen to your doubts. The body loves exercise & fresh air, & this will carry over into better energy, mood & sleep.

Stay tuned for more Cold Weather Health Tips & let us know in the comments your favourite winter activities!

Get up at dawn! Throw open your doors! The Fire Horse is landing tomorrow in a blaze of power, joy & unpredictability.To...
02/16/2026

Get up at dawn! Throw open your doors! The Fire Horse is landing tomorrow in a blaze of power, joy & unpredictability.

Tomorrow, Tuesday, February 17th, 2026, marks the official beginning of the Chinese Lunar New Year. Traditionally, this is a day to clean your home, wear new clothes & the colour red, shower the children in your life with love & money (!) & have a meal with your family.

And we have two words for you this year: Giddy Up!

We are officially stepping into a Triple Yang Year, as the Horse is considered a Yang Fire animal, the year cycle is Yang (as the Snake last year was Yin) & the element of the year is Fire, the most Yang of the elements.

This is the fieriest year in the entire sixty-year cycle of the Chinese zodiac! The last time our world experienced this much Yang Fire was in 1966.

Traditionally the Fire Horse is depicted as a wild stallion with its tail or mane on fire. But this Fire Horse, with its triple Yang energy, is more like an entire fireball! Grab the reins or watch out!

Fire represents change & quickness, so this a year where things can change really fast. There will be ups and downs, unpredictable elements, the potential for chaos & the risk for burnout with all the change. There is great need to keep things in balance.

Fire also represents the emotion of joy, play, passion & fun, so it's important to nourish these rejuvenating aspects of fire as well.

This Horse is a social, strong, fast & alert animal. So making time for your friends (your herd), exercise & contemplation is important this year.

Read Blaise's entire Fire Horse 2026 predictions by visiting https://blaiseryan.com/enter-the-fire-red-horse-2026/.

Top 12 Tips for Cold Weather Health & Immunity,  # 8 of 12Sleep & rest more.This may be the single most important & over...
02/16/2026

Top 12 Tips for Cold Weather Health & Immunity, # 8 of 12

Sleep & rest more.

This may be the single most important & overlooked tip. Why? Because we see it everywhere! We all know we need more sleep, but how do we get it? Where do we find the time?

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, winter is the ultimate Yin season, characterized by darkness, coldness & stillness. Mother Nature literally throws a blanket of night & snow on us all: the birds, the bees, the flowers & the trees. Everyone's energy is drawn inwards to nourish our roots. This is the season for slowing down, resting, reflecting & replenishment. In other words, sleep!!!

Unfortunately, our modern lives & jobs don't honour these seasonal shifts. We all still have to get up in the morning & go to work. But you can refocus some of your time to be more Yin, especially before bed, to set yourself up for deep, restorative sleep.

The biggest culprit for sleep problems is our phone. We bring them everywhere! One second it's on the counter of our local coffee shop & the next it's snuggled up under our pillow in bed. "But it's my alarm!" we rationalize. And then we proceed to use our "alarm" to scroll for three hours, assaulting our tender Yin state with the Yang energy of headlines, drama & blue light.

Such is not the way of balance. Reclaim your pre-sleep routine from your phone!

If you can, incorporate some tools from our previous Winter Tips such as rolling on a yoga ball, massaging your upper back or soaking in a bathtub or foot bath. You can also journal, read a book or meditate. Ritualizing this moment brings intention & awareness back to it. Sprinkle your favourite calming essential oil on your pillowcase. Fluff up your blankets & pillows. Luxuriate in the opportunity to rest.

Don't feel guilty napping in the winter, either. This is the perfect season to do so. The body does its most effective self-healing during rest & sleep. If you give it more Yin time during this season, it will give you more energy & health when you need it.

Valentine’s Day. Galentine’s Day. Palentine’s Day. Whichever you celebrate, we wish you a day filled with love & happine...
02/14/2026

Valentine’s Day. Galentine’s Day. Palentine’s Day. Whichever you celebrate, we wish you a day filled with love & happiness, fulfilment & purpose, transformation & impact!!! ❤️

Now let’s do something rare: let’s talk about Love from a Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective. Some ancient wisdom that will force us to go deeper than the commercial flowers & chocolates of the season.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine the Heart is the seat of the Shen, which has three meanings: our vitality, our mind & our spirit. The emotion associated with the Heart is Joy, the element associated with the Heart is Fire and the colour of Fire is red. Just like the red rose traditionally associated with Valentine’s Day!

Interestingly, Love is not spoken about explicitly in ancient texts, & this could be because family, relationships & community were such a given when speaking about wellbeing. Connection is the very foundation of health, something we see in the Blue Zones around the world, where social connection & a purpose in the community is linked with longevity.

(On that note, something else we see in these communities is an immense recognition & honouring of elderly people, which has been lost in the west. Make a point this Valentine’s Day to express your love to an aging parent, grandparent, family friend or neighbour. Love is not just for the young.)

In Traditional Chinese Medicine the Heart is the Emperor. As a ruler its natural state is Abundance, so a giving heart is a flowing heart. The Heart also rules the thousand vessels so when you uplift the Heart you benefit all of your body’s organs.

Do something this Valentine’s Day that brings your Heart Joy, whether it’s expressing to someone how much they mean to you, going out of your way to do something giving, smiling, laughing or dishing out compliments.

With love from the Blaise T. Ryan team ❤️

Top 12 Tips for Cold Weather Health & Immunity,  # 7 of 12If your feet are always cold, take daily hot foot baths throug...
02/14/2026

Top 12 Tips for Cold Weather Health & Immunity, # 7 of 12

If your feet are always cold, take daily hot foot baths throughout the winter. You can put a few slices of ginger in the water to help the heat pe*****te better.

Lots of people experience poor circulation to their feet in the winter. This can range from persistent coldness to a prickling sensation, numbness, cramping or white toes. While footwear can sometimes be the cause, more often than not it is a Blood Deficiency that interrupts our normal regulation.

Our body’s natural response to the cold is to constrict circulation, prioritizing organ function over our extremities. It is therefore normal to have colder feet in the cold, but if this persists once we are warmed up indoors then our circulatory functions must be sluggish.

There are lots of blood-building foods, tonics & herbs that can be taken to stimulate & support your blood. The liquid D**g Quai Elixir from Alpha Omega (which we carry at the clinic) is a classic blood-tonifying formula that can aid with circulation. And if you struggle with remembering/resisting to take something once a day, this formula can be taken in a larger dose once a week! Hallelujah!

As you take measures internally to promote circulation to the feet, support it from the outside as well. Hot foot baths are an amazing & accessible form of self-care in the winter. They might seem intimidating or a lot of work, but all you have to do is fill it up! Most of them come with temperature controls to ensure the water stays warm, & when you're done you simply drain it in the tub & leave it upside down to dry.

Adding ginger or warming essential oils to the water, such as cinnamon, rosemary, eucalyptus or even black pepper, adds to the luxury while improving circulation. Our practitioner Arlene was recalling an old folk remedy to sprinkle cayenne pepper in your socks if you have cold feet. This dilates the blood vessels to pull warmth down.

Stay tuned for more Cold Weather Health Tips!

Top 12 Tips for Cold Weather Health & Immunity,  # 6 of 12Keep your neck, upper back & upper chest limber & massage them...
02/12/2026

Top 12 Tips for Cold Weather Health & Immunity, # 6 of 12

Keep your neck, upper back & upper chest limber & massage them frequently.

In the cold weather our bodies naturally contract to conserve heat: our necks shrink down, our shoulders come up & we hunch. Bring to mind the image of someone walking down the sidewalk bracing against a cold wind & you'll know what we mean.

This is our unconscious winter posture. And the problem is, even when we warm up inside & no longer need to tense up, our bodies tend to stay frozen there (pun intended!). That's why it's so important to become aware of these tendencies in the winter & counteract them with attention & intention.

A great & affordable way to self-massage is with yoga balls, foam rollers or with a back & neck massage tool like a Theracane. These allow you to apply pressure on hard-to-reach spots, including points on your upper back. Keeping these tools handy is their key to success. What's tucked away is often forgotten, so pairing these with an established habit, like using the hook when you shower or a foam roller while you watch a little television, will go a long way.

Professional massage is also an incredible, worthwhile investment in self-care. Some people don't believe themselves worthy of such attention, but massage is healthcare. It is treatment. There is so much to discover in its clinical application, as a good Massage Therapist can "read" the body's tendencies, overcompensations, organ health & more! Book now with our Massage Therapist Arlene by calling 613-702-5377.

The neck, upper back & upper chest furthermore correspond to the lymphatic drainage of the head sinuses & the immune system. When the neck gets tight & tense the Japanese call this "kori," which becomes a risk factor for other ailments of the head, including sinus colds & headaches. So keep your necks warm & limber!

Stay tuned for more Cold Weather Tips & let us know in the comments if you use self-massage tools in the winter.

Address

383 Parkdale Avenue
Ottawa, ON

Website

http://blaiseryan.janeapp.com/

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