Atlantic Acupuncture & Wellness

19/04/2026

In Traditional Chinese Medicine our Emotions and how they arise and move in the body are deeply connected to the flow of Qi (vital energy) through specific meridians. When these meridians or channels are balanced (by the smooth flow of qi), emotions tend to be stable; when blocked or deficient, emotional disturbances can arise.

Particular emotions such as Joy/Anxiety, Anger/Frustration, Worry /Overthinking, Grief/Sadness and Fear are all connected to different organ systems. When emotions are suppressed, denied or not allowed to move- the result is stagnation and disruption to the flow of Qi in the body.

Stress doesn't just live in the mid, T.C.M. teaches us to listen to where our body holds it's emotions and gently bring them back to balance .

Next time you notice a recurring symptom, ask yourself what emotion might be stuck? What do you need to bring you back to centre?

10/04/2026

‘Why do I keep repeating the same patterns even though I know they don’t work?’

These are some of the things I hear in practice and have struggled with myself.
Change happens on different levels. We can identify behaviours & patterns that are unhealthy, we can recognise & understand why we behave in a certain way, we can have a deep desire to change & work accordingly on our thinking. We can have a mental shift.
And still…we can continue to react in the same old ways in certain areas of our life.

Understanding the Nervous System Stress Response & working with the body is often slow & difficult work because it requires us to slow down & to feel IN to what may once have been overwhelming.
Body work is often the missing link when we’re struggling to change a difficult pattern. The Nervous System often needs support to know that safety is possible.

24/03/2026

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), spring is deeply connected to the Wood element, which governs growth, vision, and the smooth flow of energy throughout the body.

Just as seeds sprout and trees stretch towards the light, our bodies — and spirits — want to open, move, and begin again.

The Wood Element & Liver Energy
In the Five Elements system, Wood is associated with the Liver and Gallbladder organs. Wood also contributes to structure in the body through the tendons and ligaments that support our joints — as well as structure in life, helping us feel aligned with our values and purpose.

These are the organs responsible for:

The free flow of Qi (energy) and emotions
Detoxification and cleansing
Planning, clarity and direction
When the Wood element is balanced, we feel flexible, motivated, clear-headed and emotionally stable.
When it's out of balance, we may feel stuck, irritable, indecisive or physically tense — especially around the shoulders, neck, or digestion.

This makes spring an ideal time to support the Liver and gently clear stagnation — physically, emotionally and energetically.

10/03/2026

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), blood is considered one of the foundational substances of life. It is considered a dense form of Qi (vital energy) that nourishes the organs, moistens the tissues, and anchors the spirit. When blood becomes deficient, the body's internal balance is disrupted—leading to symptoms such as infertility, fatigue, dizziness, dry skin, insomnia, difficulty concentrating, and menstrual irregularities.

Warm, cooked grains are central to blood-building diets in TCM. They provide steady, grounded energy that supports the Spleen and Stomach—the organs responsible for extracting nutrients and producing Qi and blood. Grains such as millet, oats, barley, and sweet rice are easy to digest and can be seasoned with warming spices like cinnamon or ginger to further support digestive fire. Avoiding cold cereals or raw grains is key, as these can weaken Spleen function and impair nutrient absorption.

Vegetables: Mineral-Rich Blood Tonics
Vegetables, especially those that grow downward or are dark in color, are deeply nourishing to the blood. They supply essential trace minerals like iron, magnesium, and folate. In TCM, they’re typically cooked—steamed, sautéed, or roasted—to make them easier to digest and more supportive of the Spleen. Raw salads are often too cooling, especially for those with signs of deficiency.

Dark leafy greens (spinach, kale, collards) – Rich in iron and chlorophyll, essential for replenishing blood.

Root vegetables (beets, carrots, sweet potatoes) – Grounding and sweet in nature, they nourish both Qi and blood.

In TCM, certain legumes are considered slightly warming and nourishing when properly cooked and paired with digestion-enhancing herbs like ginger, garlic, or cumin. These include Kidney beans, Lentils and Black soybeans.

Nuts and Seeds: Concentrated Sources of Vital Nutrients
Rich in essential fatty acids, protein, and trace minerals, nuts and seeds are deeply nourishing- Black sesame seeds, Almonds and Walnuts are especially beneficial.

Animal-Based Blood Tonics:
These foods are considered warming and strengthening, making them especially useful for those recovering from childbirth, heavy menstruation, or long-standing fatigue. Examples include Beef liver, Bone marrow and Eggs.

17/02/2026

Happy Chinese New Year 🐎 🔥

02/02/2026

22/01/2026

Breech Baby Treatment

Are you familiar with Moxibustion treatment for breech baby?

Moxibustion is a method of warming acupuncture points using the herb mugwort. This technique has been part of acupuncture therapy for over 2000 years and is widely used when the baby is in the breech or posterior position.

For most pregnant women, it is expected that a baby will settle into a head down position within the pelvis around the 34th to 36th week of a pregnancy. Unfortunately, not all babies will be in this optimal position however, and some may be breech or in malposition.

Moxibustion treatment is a gentle treatment which encourages your breech baby to turn.

The optimum time for this treatment is 34 weeks, but treatment may be effective as late as 38 weeks. The initial treatment is carried out in the clinic, treatment will then be continued at home. You will be supplied with the necessary moxa to continue treatments at home.

*Caution; This practice should not be undertaken without consultation with a licenced Acupuncturist.

For more information or to book a treatment contact 0879364302 or message via page.

15/01/2026

Struggling with PMS or Period Pain?

These are 4 key Acupressure points that can help;

~CV 4 (Conception Vessel 4) - nourishes reproductive energy, reduces cramps & supports hormonal balance .
Warm oil massage in this area can be very soothing for sharp period pains in the uterus.

~L.I.4 (Large Intestine 4) - located between the thumb & index finger.
Helps to move stagnant energy, pain relieving point, relieves tension headaches.
**contraindicated in pregnancy

~Sp. 6 (Spleen 6) ~ Nourishing point for the blood, helps with cramps, bloating , sleep disturbance & fatigue.
**contraindicated in pregnancy

~Liv 3 (Liver 3) ~ One of the most effective points for PMS & period pain. When you slide a finger in the space between the big toe and second toe, you will feel a depression which is the location of Liv 3. Massage this point with steady circular motion for relief.

12/01/2026

Dysmenorrhea is the term used to describe pelvic pain associated with menstrual periods. Pain can be felt outside the pelvis and can show up as backaches, upper leg cramps and headaches. Dysmenorrhea is often accompanied by other symptoms such as lightheadedness, insomnia, nausea and in severe cases, vomiting.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, menstrual pain is primarily attributed to stagnation of Qi and Blood in the uterus, imbalance in the Liver- responsible for the smooth flow of Qi- and conditions of cold or deficiency affecting the Spleen and Kidney energy.

Acupuncture is an effective treatment for menstrual pain and can reduce symptoms significantly by promoting the circulation of Qi and Blood, relaxing uterine muscles and restoring balance to the systems involved in reproductive function. Moxibustion, a warming treatment using Mugwort Herb also promotes the smooth flow of Blood in the affected channels.

Acupuncture treatment is recommended once weekly for a number of weeks to restore balance and alleviate pain.

09/01/2026

If you've been moving through a period of big transformation over the past 12 months you're not alone. We are coming to the end of the Year of the Wood Snake , one of the 12 signs of the Chinese zodiac, and beyond simply representing a specific year, it carries deep meanings and traditions rooted in ancient wisdom. Snake Year started on January 29th 2025 and ends February 16th 2026.

Just as snakes shed their skin and grow, the Snake year is all about death of that which is rooted in illusion or false identity, a time of inner transformation. So if you felt like you were stripped back and forced to look at and feel what was true, uncomfortable and painful, this may have been part of the dismantling energy of the snake at work.

We're coming to the end of a cycle but we're not there yet. So if things feel in-between, emotional or unfinished, it's because they are. Before a new cycle begins this is the final stage of releasing and letting go of the old.

Fire Horse Year begins on February 17th, bringing new energy and momentum, a time of forward movement. More to follow on that...

06/01/2026

🌟✨ Happy Nollaig na mBan✨🌟

Today, we celebrate the women in our lives and acknowledge their contributions, strength, and resilience.

Take a moment today to thank the women in your life who support in big ways & small ✨