Acupuncture by Daria Masterman

22/04/2026

Happy Earth day!
In Chinese Medicine, Earth element is placed at the centre of all others and every end of season we return back to it, to our roots so to say. In order to recharge, recalibrate and to centre ourselves before emmerging back to face another element - Wood in case of Spring. Healthy Earth element prides on good digestion, clarity of thinking and being grounded overall.
Stomping our feet is a very good way to feel our connection to Earth and we all should find time to do it in our busy lives.
Here is to being grounded and rememberring our duty to Mother Earth to take good care of her!

22/03/2026

Happy Spring Equinox! Now it properly feels like spring, I thought it's high time we take care of our Liver - Wood Yin organ in Chinese Medicine.
The movement of the Liver is free flow and expansion to all sides, and it is also responsible for free flow of our Qi energy and circulation. This function also includes free flow of emotions. The easiest way of helping Liver energy to flow freely is breathing.
Paying attention to the body sensations as we breathe is vital, because you want to feel how the breath moves through your body. Notice if it gets stuck anywhere or moves faster or slower through certain areas. And when breath is in certain parts of your body they will loosen up. If you breathe correctly when you move, you will have more strength and less strain and a lot more ease in your body. This is a very good description of someone learning to move their own Qi energy hence getting rid of the Stagnation of Qi.
I often recommend this circular breathing exercise to my patients. It seems easy but it is quite difficult to start off. But don’t despair – it gets easier as you keep doing it. You only need a couple of “circles” a day!
A quote from a participant of a study, conducted in 2011, on the effects of mindful movement on anxiety and depression “The physical moving has done a lot more for helping me be calm when I’m in a stressful situation. So that when the stress arises, you know, when you get to the airport and your plane is delayed nine hours and there’s no flights and no hotels and everyone else is sort of screaming, I don’t join in that. Now I can just see ‘oh I’m feeling a little agitated, time to start breathing.'”
Should you need any help on how to start energy work to help your Liver, please feel free to contact me.

01/02/2026

Just a friendly reminder to book your acupuncture appointment. Very helpful for “winter blues” among other thinks.

14/01/2026

Winter season is governed by Water element – the quietest yet the most powerful of them all in my opinion. It is reflected in many a proverb and never cease to amaze me how water can break through even toughest of materials by quiet persistence. Water element is responsible for our drive and determination in life. Wisdom and calculated risks spring to mind when thinking of this element. The emotion of Water is fear, and healthy Water helps with knowing when to back off and when to “go for it”.

The organs governed by Water are Kidneys and Bladder. This is a good time to wear a haramaki (Japanese belly warmer), we feel the need to sleep and eat more, rest and restore our energy ready for the spur of new growth in Spring.

Bone broth, oily fish and beans are foods beneficial for Kidneys, but you should of course always listen to your body, it lets you know what’s best for you.

Here are some easy steps to support your Kidney energy:
• Stomp your feet, slowly and with flat feet, for about 5 minutes a day. This stimulates your Kidney’s energy as the feet are associated with the Kidney and Bladder meridians, which run through the heel and to the sole of the foot. Or simply roll the soles of your feet on a tennis ball to stimulate your Kidney energy.
• Rub your ears for several minutes a day. This simple massage strengthens Kidney function, as the ears are connected energetically to the Kidney organ and meridian.
• Stop energy drains! Conserve your energy by sleeping before midnight, resting when you’re tired, and giving yourself permission to take a break and de-stress.
• There is a very simple Qigong exercise to bring the energy and nourish your kidneys, contact me if you want to know more.

And of course, try to get outside, even if briefly, to take in that crisp fresh air!

19/12/2025

And that's a wrap - last day in clinic this year today, see you all in 2026. I'm off to enjoy a well-deserved break, back on 2nd January.
Wishing you a merry Christmas!
Thank you to all my lovely patients and here's to a joyful and healthy New year!

01/12/2025

And just like this it’s December already. This time of year can somtimes be overwhelming for various reasons. So I thought I'd share this self-tapping technique to help calm anxiety: https://youtu.be/UEtACSQM_BM.
Or better still - come have some acupuncture with me at my treatment room in Tilehurst. You can book via my website www.Aculives.com

Self-help for anxiety attack. Channel tapping.

18/10/2025

03/10/2025

How is it October already? One minute it was the height of summer and the next - people are buying Christmas presents!
In our fast-paced lives it is important to find time for self-care, that calm space just to be without needing to run anywhere or do anything. For some it could be a reflective walk in the park, for others daily 5 minute meditation, sometimes a park run does it. This time of year promotes quiet reflection, decluttering of both house and mind and letting go of the old ways, ideas and things which we no longer use.
Here is to finding 5-10 minutes a day for self care! I, for one, will do my daily breathing exercises with chest opening - they always make me feel grounded and calm.

26/09/2025

There are over 300 acupuncture points. Points go all the way from the top of your head to the bottom of your feet. They are connected by a meridian system. Their connection allows each to have a unique function while still having them affect the entire body. Each point affects not only physical well-being but emotional as well.

18/09/2025

We are now officially in Autumn – the days are getting shorter and the rain falls from the sky more and more often. One can even smell that slight chill in the air. Those of us who are tuned in with their body feel the need to spend more time wrapped in a blanket with a cuppa and their favourite book.
In Chinese Medicine Autumn is said to be a domain of the Metal element governed by our corporeal soul Po and Lung and Large Intestines organs. This fascinating element is known for being reflective and observant, it replenishes our reserves by taking in the wonders of nature around us and storing it all for the leaner to the eye winter months. It is the time for just being in our bodies, taking in the world around us and reflecting on the messages it sends us.
Long walks in the great outdoors, kicking dry colourful leaves and watching the clouds’ fascinating mosaics would do us particularly good now. As well as nourishing stews and slow cooked meals when back home in the evening.
Foods to nourish lungs and large intestine: Rice, honey, ginger, mushrooms (especially sh*take), miso. Vegetables: avocado, spinach, seaweed, onion family, garlic carrots, sweet potato, cabbages. Fruit: apple, apricot, grapefruit, peach, pear. Drink nettle tea, honey and lemon.
As a general rule try to eat foods which are currently in season and keep them as local as possible. Being a lover of rice, I struggle with this one at times 😊.
Metal element is responsible for letting go of the things, thoughts and ideas that we no longer want or need and it is a great time to declutter all of the above. I personally find the trips to the skip very cathartic! Starting a diary could help with letting go of thoughts, emotions and worries cluttering our mind.

31/08/2025

It's September tomorrow! This time of anticipation of a new cycle in school and work life can somtimes be overwhelming. So I thought I thought I'd share this self-tapping technique to help calm anxiety: https://youtu.be/UEtACSQM_BM.
Or better still - come have some acupuncture with me at my treatment room in Tilehurst.

13/08/2025

As we are currently transitioning from Fire to Earth element, I thought I'd share some tips how to look after our Earth.

Find your centre - the Earth element is about stability, nurturance, caregiving, and bounty. Seek activities that keep you centred and grounded; focus on what nourishes and fulfils you and those you care about.

“Knowing how to treat the centre is knowing how to bring all networks into balance.” - Ming Dynasty (AD 1368-1644)

As summer draws to a close, it’s time to phase out your consumption of cold raw foods, including smoothies, ice water, and salads. Dairy, refined sugars, and fatty and greasy foods also contribute to dampness. Do include warm, cooked meals. Aromatic spices like ginger, fennel, coriander, caraway, and cardamom help to warm things up, resolve dampness, and strengthen the spleen Qi.

Sweet flavours, in small amounts, favour the Spleen and Stomach (sadly, we are not talking about ice cream). Sweet foods that strengthen the Earth element include whole grains, like millet, rice, and root vegetables, such as yams, sweet potatoes and carrots. Enjoy the sweet fruits and vegetables that are in season and available in the late summer harvest.

According to the Chinese Medicine clock, the Stomach has optimal digestive capacity between 7-9am. Your meal should be substantial and fortifying. A good breakfast strengthens the stomach and spleen qi and yang for the day. Optimal breakfast foods are energetically warming foods, prepared with warm cooking methods that stimulate the body and do not spread dampness.

As our focus turns to the health of our Spleen and Stomach organ systems and its relationship to the "Yi"- our mind and intellect- we need to be mindful about what we MENTALLY ingest, as well. This is a perfect time of year to think about our relationship with social media and the news and to create boundaries around screen time.

And finally- sing like no one’s listening! Every element has an associated sound, through which it expresses itself. The sound of the Earth element is "singing". Whether your stage is the shower, the car, or a stage, get those vocal cords warmed up and sing your heart out!