Steve Woodley Acupuncture and Traditional Medicine

22/03/2026

And as a counterpoint to my previous post, this article talks about the myth of posture and its relationship to pain. This is another area where physiotherapy has finally caught up with traditional medicine, where excessive stillness will stagnate qi leading to pain and the simple solution is to move the body to move the qi. Bodies were made to move.

If you’re on a mission to avoid stiffness and back pain and be more limber, forget everything you think you know about posture and pain – and just keep moving, physiotherapist Alex Morrell tells Harry Bullmore

22/03/2026

Isometric exercises, or holding a position, are common to many traditional forms of exercise. Most obvious is yoga where many styles focus on poses or asana, but holding stances is also a foundation of tai chi and kung fu, as well as karate and many other martial arts, especially the notorious Horse Riding Stance (essentially a deep squat).

This article describes its many health benefits, including those on blood pressure which almost equalled those achieved by medication.

Isometric exercises – which involve holding certain poses – can build strength and reduce our blood pressure.

17/03/2026

I have just seen that my Herbal Reality monograph on indigo went live in December and slipped under my radar because it went under the traditional western name of woad.

Woad is known as the European indigo used to support skin and immunity. Explore more about the medicinal uses, safety and side effects of woad.

12/03/2026

Interesting article in the BMJ on integrating traditional and contemporary medicine, in particular how both biomedicine and TCM both strive for beneficence fir patients but are anchored in different worldview that may have different ideas of what is beneficial.

By Kathryn Muyskens Interest in integrating traditional medicine with biomedicine is growing worldwide. From policy endorsements by the World Health Organization to national healthcare reforms, “integrative medicine” is increasingly framed as a pragmatic and culturally sensitive response to how ...

11/03/2026

My latest monograph for Herbal Reality on Chai Hu (Bupleurum) is now live.

Chai hu is a Chinese herb that supports immunity and hormonal balance. Find out more about the medicinal uses, benefits and side effects of Bupleurum chinense.

07/03/2026

The Times produces its acupuncturist rich list, with prices ranging from £130 - 545 per session! Unsurprisingly, all are specialists in the problems of the wealthy that do not affect the ability to earn: skin rejuvenation, new age stress reduction and fertility. Only the last (and cheapest) includes a shout out to the legion of acupuncturists represented by the British Acupuncture Council, who are all trained to degree standard or higher and registered with the Professional Standards Authority, many of which choose to work with the complex health issues of regular folk at an affordable price.

The ancient practice is seen as the perfect antidote to hectic modern life. And these intuitive, respected and sought-after specialists are the best in town

06/03/2026

Disillusioned with the US, increasing specialisation of healthcare, and faced more frequently by chronic multi-system disorders, Gen Z influencers are turning to the more human, relational medicine of TCM in their social media posts, creating a trend known as "chinamaxxing."

As Americans embrace ‘alternative’ remedies, people online joke that they’re ‘Chinamaxxing’ their wellness routines

04/03/2026

This article on Tai Chi Walking, a basic exercise in Tai Chi classes, addresses its benefits for balance and coordination with a reduced risk of falls. It also the bizarre trend of AI generated online adverts claiming it will turn you into a muscle bound silver fox of a man.

The mindful movement has become popular online. You won’t bulk up if you practice it, but it can improve balance and reduce stress.

27/02/2026

Another example of how ancient medicine was highly advanced using the technology of its time. In this case, a Siberian woman with a damaged jaw, most likely from a fall, had holes drilled into her skull and ligaments inserted to reattach it, showing signs of healing and wear and tear on her teeth implying she lived for many years after.

The Iron Age woman would have likely died quickly without the surgery

24/02/2026

At 4:23 this short documentary features footage of the soldier receiving acupuncture and a short discussion of the complexities of treating psychological trauma, as opposed to physical pain.

Ukrainian soldiers suffering from PTSD, depression and anxiety are sent to the Forest Glade – Ukraine’s first centre for the treatment of psychological trauma – before returning to the frontline. After three years in Russian captivity following the battle for Mariupol, 25-year-old Kyrylo Chuva...

18/02/2026

A new review on Polygonum multiflorum, used in Chinese Medicine for centuries to treat graying hair and baldness, finds it tackles hair loss by targeting multiple pathways. However, its use is associated with liver toxicity, so you should consult a herbalist before taking to ensure it is correctly processed and the risks mitigated.

Scientific review says a traditional remedy long used to 'blacken hair' may tackle pattern baldness by hitting several biological causes at once

16/02/2026

Wishing everyone health, wealth and happiness in the year of the Fire Horse.

The Fire Horse represents fearless courage and dedication, meaning a year of action, speed, and momentum.