Centered: Richmond Acupuncture & Wellness

Centered: Richmond Acupuncture & Wellness Centered: Richmond specializes in the treatment of chronic pain and difficult to treat health condit

Modern life can cause inflammation, stress, pain and chronic illness and a lot of these problems aren't well-addressed by doctors. Many patients are tired of 5 minute office visits, or pills that just cause new problems. At Centered: Richmond, our acupuncture providers create a refreshing patient experience. We get to know you and work to help you finally feel healthy, clear-headed, productive and pain-free.

01/24/2026

Today's tip!
If your sinuses feel worse indoors, open a window for a few minutes daily. Fresh air reduces indoor irritants that keep congestion lingering.
(Not medical advise - always consult with your doctor about any health related changes.)

Why Constipation and Bloating Often Come Together — And What That Means 🍽️Constipation and bloating are often treated li...
01/23/2026

Why Constipation and Bloating Often Come Together — And What That Means 🍽️

Constipation and bloating are often treated like two separate problems, but they usually come from the same underlying issue: slow movement through the digestive system.

When digestion slows, food and gas don’t move forward efficiently. Stool sits longer than it should, and pressure builds behind it. That trapped pressure is what creates bloating, fullness, and discomfort — even if you’re not eating large meals.

Stress plays a big role here. When your nervous system is on high alert, the gut shifts into a lower-priority mode. Muscle contractions in the intestines become weaker or poorly coordinated, so things move unevenly. You may feel bloated up top while still feeling “backed up” lower down.

In Chinese medicine, explained simply, this pattern shows up when digestion lacks steady rhythm. For some people, tension tightens the abdomen and blocks movement. For others, digestion runs sluggish under stress or fatigue, so waste doesn’t move out on time. Either way, bloating and constipation tend to show up together.

Acupuncture helps regulate the nervous system and improve intestinal movement. Herbs support motility and help the gut move more consistently instead of stopping and starting.

When bloating and constipation travel as a pair, it’s usually a timing and movement issue — not just fiber, food choices, or hydration.

Learn more at
https://www.centeredrichmondacupuncture.com

01/22/2026

Today's tip!
If you crash mid-afternoon, eat protein before carbohydrates at lunch. It helps prevent sharp energy drops later.
(Not medical advise - always consult with your doctor about any health related changes.)

Why Insomnia Feels Worse Even After a Busy DayIt seems backwards. You’re exhausted, you’ve been busy all day, and yet wh...
01/21/2026

Why Insomnia Feels Worse Even After a Busy Day

It seems backwards. You’re exhausted, you’ve been busy all day, and yet when you finally lie down, sleep feels harder than ever.

That’s because physical tiredness and nervous system readiness are not the same thing. A busy or stressful day often keeps stress hormones elevated well into the evening. Cortisol and adrenaline don’t shut off just because you stop moving. When those signals stay high, your body remains alert even if your muscles are worn out.

Another piece is timing. Your nervous system is meant to slow down at night gradually. But when the day is packed or emotionally charged, that “wind-down” phase gets skipped. Instead of easing into sleep, your system drops suddenly — which can feel restless, wired, or agitating rather than calming.

From a Chinese medicine perspective, this often looks like the body failing to transition smoothly between states. Some people run hot and restless at night. Others feel depleted but unable to settle. In both cases, the issue isn’t lack of fatigue — it’s poor regulation.

Acupuncture helps signal the nervous system to downshift and restores a more natural sleep rhythm. Herbs can support the body’s nighttime cooling and recovery so sleep feels deeper and more consistent.

If insomnia hits hardest on your busiest days, it’s not because you didn’t do enough — it’s because your system didn’t get a chance to slow down properly.

https://www.centeredrichmondacupuncture.com

01/20/2026

Today's tip!
If your jaw feels sore in the morning, check your pillow height. Too much neck flexion can increase nighttime clenching.
(Not medical advise - always consult with your doctor about any health related changes.)

How Depression Can Show Up as Physical Symptoms You Didn’t Expect 🌧️Depression doesn’t always feel emotional. For many p...
01/19/2026

How Depression Can Show Up as Physical Symptoms You Didn’t Expect 🌧️

Depression doesn’t always feel emotional. For many people, it shows up physically — sometimes before mood changes are obvious.

Fatigue is one of the most common signs. This isn’t just being tired; it’s a heavy, slowed feeling that doesn’t improve with sleep. When depression is present, the nervous system often stays in a low-energy state, making even small tasks feel draining.

Pain can show up, too. Headaches, neck and shoulder tension, or a dull, achy body are common when circulation slows and muscles stay mildly contracted for long periods. Nothing is “injured,” but the body feels uncomfortable anyway.

Digestion often changes as well. Appetite may drop, meals feel harder to digest, or bloating becomes more frequent. When the mood is low, the gut tends to slow down and become more sensitive.

Chinese medicine looks at this through circulation, nervous system activity, and digestive function rather than mood alone. Some people feel depleted and heavy. Others feel tense and stuck. Many experience a mix of both.

Acupuncture helps regulate the nervous system and improve circulation, which can ease fatigue and physical discomfort. Herbal formulas are often crucial for supporting digestion and helping the body recover its baseline.

When depression shows up in the body, it doesn’t mean the symptoms are “all in your head.” It means your body needs support as well.

https://www.centeredrichmondacupuncture.com

01/18/2026

Today's tip!
If you feel heavy after eating, avoid sitting slouched. Upright posture helps food move downward instead of stagnating.
(Not medical advise - always consult with your doctor about any health related changes.)

01/17/2026

Today's tip!
If anxiety hits your chest, place one hand on your belly and slow your exhale. Lower breathing tells your nervous system it’s safe to settle.
(Not medical advise - always consult with your doctor about any health related changes.)

01/16/2026

Today's tip!
If you wake up sweaty at night, skip alcohol with dinner. Even small amounts can spike body heat hours later.
(Not medical advise - always consult with your doctor about any health related changes.)

Why Long-Term Post-Viral Symptoms Don’t Go Away On Their Own 🦠For some people, getting sick isn’t the end of the story. ...
01/15/2026

Why Long-Term Post-Viral Symptoms Don’t Go Away On Their Own 🦠

For some people, getting sick isn’t the end of the story. Weeks or even months later, fatigue, brain fog, body aches, sleep trouble, or a general sense of being “off” can linger long after the infection itself has passed.

That happens because the virus may be gone, but the body never fully reset.

After an illness, the immune system and nervous system are supposed to calm down. When that doesn’t happen, the body stays stuck in a low-grade inflammatory and stress-response state. Energy production drops, sleep becomes less restorative, and even small physical or mental effort can feel overwhelming.

This is why post-viral symptoms often feel unpredictable. Some days are manageable, others feel like a setback for no clear reason. The system is still reacting, even though the original trigger is no longer present.

In Chinese medicine, explained simply, this shows up when the body hasn’t regained its ability to regulate recovery. Digestion may be weaker, biofilms may take root, circulation less efficient, and the nervous system slower to settle. Without support, these patterns tend to persist rather than resolve on their own.

Acupuncture helps regulate the nervous system and reduce lingering inflammation. Herbs support deeper recovery by improving energy regulation, digestion, and immune balance instead of forcing stimulation.

Learn more at
https://www.centeredrichmondacupuncture.com

Why Dysmenorrhea (Period Cramps) Are Not Just “Normal” Pain 🌙Period cramps are often dismissed as something women just h...
01/14/2026

Why Dysmenorrhea (Period Cramps) Are Not Just “Normal” Pain 🌙

Period cramps are often dismissed as something women just have to tolerate. But pain that disrupts your day is a sign that something in the system isn’t working smoothly.

Cramping happens because the uterus contracts to shed its lining. That’s normal. What increases pain is how those contractions happen. When the nervous system is stressed, muscles throughout the body tend to contract harder and release less easily — including the uterus.

Circulation plays a big role too. When blood flow to the pelvis is limited, the uterus has to work harder to do the same job, which makes cramps stronger. This is why pain is often worse during stressful months, after long periods of sitting, or when the body feels cold or depleted.

Chinese medicine looks at period pain through circulation and muscle activity rather than hormones alone. Some people have cramps driven by tension and poor flow. Others tend to run colder internally, which slows movement and increases discomfort. Many experience a mix of both.

Acupuncture helps improve pelvic circulation and calm the stress response that amplifies pain. Herbal formulas are often essential, as they help relax uterine muscle activity and support smoother flow throughout the cycle.

Painful periods aren’t something you have to accept as normal — they’re a signal your body is asking for support.

Learn more at
https://www.centeredrichmondacupuncture.com

01/13/2026

Today's tip!
If you feel cold during the day, eat your largest meal at midday. Your body handles warmth and digestion best when the sun is highest.
(Not medical advise - always consult with your doctor about any health related changes.)

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20 N 20th Street , Suite A
Richmond, VA
23223

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