Shifting Mindsets For Better Health Have you ever noticed how your thoughts shape your energy and even your body? This has been on my mind all week after noticing patterns in patients. In Chinese Medicine, the mindset is not just something in your head. The emotions behind our thoughts, such as anger or worry, influence our qi and the flow through our meridians. Over time, these mental patterns can affect not only our mental health but also our physical wellbeing. What are mindsets? A mindset is shaped by our experiences, beliefs, and of course by our elemental nature. It is the lens through which we tend to see the world. Sometimes these mindsets empower us, becoming our superpowers. Other times they limit what we think is possible. Spotting limiting mindsets Here is a little homework for you: think of a situation, even a small one, that has triggered a strong emotion. It could be something that happened this week, or a moment when you caught yourself saying, “I’m not very good at this.” Now pause and notice what you are telling yourself in that moment. It is about understanding the thought behind the emotion. It might be: → “I’m not doing enough.” → “Maybe people don’t value what I do.” Everyone experiences the same world differently, so your response to any event will be unique. These reactions are often deeply subconscious, but over time they can affect both our physical and mental health. The Chinese Medicine Connection Our astrological elements can shed light on these patterns. For example, I am a Water Rooster, which means my natural strengths are depth and wisdom. However, under stress, my go-to emotions are fear and insecurity. Recognising this helps me meet these feelings with compassion rather than judgment and gives me space to respond differently rather than acting from that place. Simple ways to shift your mindset Pause and breathe. When an old story arises, take three deep breaths into your lower dantian, about a hand’s distance below the belly button. Reframe gently. Ask yourself, “What else could be true here?” Often we are not responding to the event itself, but to our experience of it. Keep a list. Each time you notice a limiting belief or mindset, write it down. Start with, “A story I have been telling myself is…” and then replace it with, “A new story I will live by is…” Why this matters for your health When we soften limiting mindsets, we free up stagnant qi. The body relaxes, the breath deepens, and the spirit expands. Healing begins not just physically, but also in how we move through life. Shifting our mindset can protect us from illness and help us move towards our full potential.
There is nothing that I dread more than someone asking "so how does acupuncture work". I immediately start sweating as I try to find the best way to condense over 2,000 years of knowledge into a 2 minute summary that someone with no prior knowledge could understand. There is always an old Chinese quote that stands out to me for its sheer elegance and simplicity: “If there is free flow, there is no pain; if there is pain, there is lack of free flow” (不通這痛,痛則不通)
The seasons are starting to change. There is more cold coming which is evidenced by seeing more frost in the morning. Read this blog to understand what this means and how we can tweak our lifestyles to maintain our health.
Acupuncture is more than just a treatment for pain—it's a holistic approach to health that deeply connects emotions and physical well-being. This ancient practice works by promoting the free flow of Qi (vital energy) throughout the body, addressing everything from chronic illness and fatigue to emotional imbalances like stress, fear, and sadness. By understanding how different emotions affect specific organs, acupuncture helps restore balance and overall health. Learn how this powerful therapy can support both your mind and body on the journey to wellness. Here is a recording of a talk I did for Meadowside’s Open Day:
This month’s featured acupuncture point is Dazhong (Kidney 4), a powerful point with a wide range of uses, from easing back pain and respiratory issues to supporting emotional well-being. As a Luo-connecting point, it helps balance energy flow, strengthen the body, and address fear-based emotions. With its deep connection to both the Kidney and Lung meridians, it plays a crucial role in grounding and overall health. Acupuncture offers incredible ways to restore balance—discover how this point can support both physical and emotional wellness.
Isn't it great that we are finally seeing what looks like actual summer? To celebrate this, I went on a cycle ride with one of my friends this weekend. We ended up in a lovely café in Cobham and up discussing the topic of 'identity'. I find 'identity' such an interesting concept. You can look at it from an anthropological perspective, considering how we create categories of either sameness to others or a distinction from others. I've also been thinking about branding, becoming once again obsessed with Debbie Millman, who spoke about how movements like Black Lives Matter or #MeToo have become brands but could be expanded into a sense of our identities.
We rarely give ourselves credit for our achievements, rushing from one goal to the next without pausing to reflect. Whether it's a career milestone, a personal triumph like running a marathon, or persevering through challenges, the effort behind success deserves recognition. As I coached year 3 acupuncture students, I was reminded of the immense dedication it takes to pursue this path—and how little we acknowledge our own growth. So, here’s your reminder: take a moment today to appreciate how far you’ve come. You’re doing amazing things, and you deserve to celebrate them.
A seemingly small accident—a dog bite—led me to a profound realisation about acupuncture’s core principle: prevention is better than cure. As I sat in A&E, surrounded by people with serious illnesses, I reflected on how early intervention could have changed their outcomes. In this blog, I explore a powerful quote from the Neijing Su Wen and how regular acupuncture sessions can help maintain health before issues escalate.
Acupuncture can be effective in helping patients with ADHD manage their symptoms by targeting both the underlying causes and their individual experiences of the condition. Read this blog to learn more about how it can help.
In a world that constantly pulls us in different directions, balance is not about perfection but about learning to move with life’s natural rhythms. It’s found in the spaces between effort and ease, stillness and motion, holding on and letting go. Through acupuncture and mindful awareness, we can create moments of pause—opportunities to reconnect, realign, and cultivate balance from within.
