Acupuncture by Daria Masterman

15/09/2026

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.

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31/07/2026

Just thought I'd pop on this little video on self-massage for itchy bites: https://youtu.be/0ecJhDHHIQc. Hope you find this helpful.

29/07/2026

And just like that the harvest time is here. It’s time to take stock in the celebration and abundance of summer and let that nourish our body and mind.
In Chinese Medicine, the element of late summer is Earth. Earth is a gentle rolling hill, a long golden beach, or a staggering mountain range. Within us, Earth is family and friends. It is the fabric of life that we create and nurture with integrity. The season The Earth element belongs to a “fifth season” that spans from the hazy days following the peak of summer to the start of fall. During this time of year, we should focus on the digestive system, nourishment, and stability.
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.
As summer draws to a close, it’s time to phase out your consumption of cold raw foods (maybe wait till this heatwave passes though), 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, resolves dampness, and strengthen the spleen Qi.

15/07/2026

07/07/2026

My first clinic day in Dalston- very excited 😀.


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25/06/2026

22/06/2026

Only two weeks to go! I'm excited to start seeing patients at in Dalston from 7th July. New clinic - same attention to each and every patient and tailored approach. Looking forward to seeing new and regular patients.
Booking link: https://www.sumupbookings.com/daria-masterman-acupuncture

20/05/2026

Well said!

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.