Sunnyside Acupuncture

04/01/2026

Honoring this stunning piece painted by my grandfather, now hanging at Sunnyside 🤍
It captures the Minnesota River here in southern MN and brings me so much joy every time I see it. I hope it does the same for you.

Using my favorite set from Love Cupping. If you’ve been wanting to buy a cupping set, you can use code “Sunnyside15” for a little discount at checkout when you order one from them.
🤍🤍🤍🤍

03/31/2026

Sleep, from a Chinese medicine perspective, isn’t just about being tired.

It’s about whether the spirit has somewhere to land.
In TCM, the Heart houses the Shen - the aspect of us that needs to feel calm and settled in order to sleep.
The Liver stores Blood and anchors the Hun, which is responsible for dreaming, processing, and movement of the mind at night.

When things are in balance, the Hun returns inward and sleep comes more easily.

When they’re not - stress, overstimulation, irregular routines - the Hun can feel like it’s wandering, and sleep becomes light, restless, or interrupted.

This is why you might see:
• waking between 1–3am
• vivid or excessive dreaming
• difficulty falling asleep even when you’re exhausted

Acupuncture can help regulate this.

There’s growing research showing it can improve sleep quality, increase melatonin levels, and support nervous system regulation.

But here’s the part we don’t talk about enough:
Acupuncture can’t outwork your habits.

If you’re staying up late, overstimulating your mind, eating heavy or cold foods at night, or not giving yourself time to wind down- your body is working against you.

We have to be honest about the role we play.
I can support your system.
I can help guide it back into balance.

But sleep- real, restorative sleep- requires your participation too.

Artwork:
- “The dream and the night” Dai Benxiao, Qing Dynasty
- “Pillow with Peonies” 12-13th century, China
- “Leisure Retreat Under a Scholar Tree” Song Dynasty, China
- “One Hundred Horses” by Lang Shining, Qing Dynasty (1614-1911),China

03/27/2026

We are made up of every person we’ve ever met, every experience we’ve carried, every story we’ve witnessed. I am grateful to hold space for others- to meet their bodies, their stories, their emotions- while walking a path that aligns with my values and beliefs.
To me, being a practitioner isn’t just a career- it’s a way of honoring all the tender, sensitive parts of ourselves and creating room for healing, understanding, and connection. Every session, every patient, every moment teaches me as much as I hope it teaches them.

03/19/2026

I don’t walk into clinic already calm, focused, and ready.

I take a few minutes to regulate my own system before I support someone else’s.

Because how I show up matters- and presence is part of the treatment.

03/11/2026

I feel the tension of practicing Chinese medicine while showing up here.
It’s not perfect, but it feels important to share.

03/07/2026

Your skin is your body’s boundary with the world.

What touches it all day- clothing, intimates, and even your bedding- shapes the climate your body lives in.
Natural fibers matter more than we think.

03/03/2026

Tiny needle. Big shift.

03/01/2026

March begins with movement.
Make sure your system can move with it.

02/26/2026

Your body has been carrying a lot.

Stress. Pain. Sleep disruption. Hormonal shifts. Digestive discomfort.

Acupuncture offers focused, one-on-one care to help your system reset and recover.

New Patient Special
Full health intake + treatment - $100
(Available through May)

Now scheduling in Winona. ✨

At Sunnyside Acupuncture, we believe the body has an inherent capacity to heal when given the right support. Rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), our approach weaves together careful observation, individualized treatment, and ongoing assessment to support health as a dynamic balance within....

02/23/2026

TCM Take on Elderberry Syrup ••

This isn’t just elderberry syrup- it’s a gentle TCM-inspired oxymel designed to support your body’s defenses.

Ingredients & why they’re in there:

•Elderberry – helps handle early exposure before illness settles in
•Jujube / Red Dates (大枣 dà zǎo) – nourish energy and fluids, gentle for kids
•Chen Pi / Aged Tangerine Peel (陈皮 chén pí) – harmonizes lungs and digestion
•Astragalus Root (黄芪 huáng qí) – strengthens the surface, your body’s first line of defense
•Star Anise (八角 bā jiǎo) – warms and supports digestion
•Fresh Ginger (生姜 shēng jiāng) – gently warms and promotes circulation
•Cinnamon Bark (肉桂 ròu guì) – warms and harmonizes the oxymel

Wei Qi (卫气) is the body’s protective energy at the surface- it’s what helps keep the “outside” outside.

After simmering and straining, stir in local honey for flavor, preservation, and extra immune support.

02/22/2026

The Huáng Dì Nèi Jīng (Yellow Emperor’s Inner Classic) isn’t just a medical text- it’s a guide for living.

Written over 2,000 years ago, the Sù Wèn (Plain Questions) teaches balance, rhythm, and how our daily habits shape health. These timeless insights still apply today for sleep, emotions, work, and everyday life.