Sina Leslie Smith LAc MD

Sina Leslie Smith LAc MD Medical Doctor, Acupuncturist, Integrative & Functional Medicine, Homeopathy, Nutrition, Pain Expert Practicing in Illinois and via telemedicine/telehealth.

Holistically-minded modern medicine: Japanese and Chinese acupuncture; medicinal herbs, supplements, and nutraceuticals; integrative medicine; functional medicine; homeopathy; and manual therapies. Physical offices in Chicago are currently closed but look for reopening Fall 2022.

Ever notice how frustration can sit right in your chest, tight and immovable, no matter how many times you talk yourself...
08/19/2026

Ever notice how frustration can sit right in your chest, tight and immovable, no matter how many times you talk yourself through it?

That's Qi stagnation... and in Chinese medicine, that stuck feeling almost always traces back to the Liver.

The Liver's job is flow. It keeps Qi moving smoothly through the body, and it keeps our emotions moving too.

It's also the organ that stores whatever we haven't processed yet... every unspoken frustration, every swallowed anger, every "I'm fine" that wasn't quite true. When Qi gets stuck, that's where it takes up residence.

Here's what I find most interesting... the emotion doesn't always match the fix you'd expect. If you're sitting in grief, or fear, or anxiety, the relief often comes through movement, rather than stillness. Pushing your body translates directly into being able to push through the hard stuff in your life (funny how that works).

The tricky part is that when we're overwhelmed, we tend to reach for the opposite: food, alcohol, a cigarette, or just crawling into bed and sleeping it off. Those choices numb the feeling instead of moving it, and the Qi stays exactly where it was... stuck.

So what does moving it actually look like? Sometimes it's vigorous... a hard workout, a boxing class, hitting a ball as hard as you can against a wall, or even something as simple as smashing old plates in a box until your chest finally feels open again (deeply satisfying, and cheaper than therapy).

Sometimes it's gentler movement... drawing a mandala, watching a little seedling push its way up through a crack in the pavement, painting a wall in your home, or lying in bed and just staring at the ceiling until your mind settles on its own.

Movement, expression, release... that's the Liver's whole language. And you get to choose how loud or quiet that expression is on any given day.

08/17/2026

Have you ever wondered why some people can eat the exact same thing you do and feel completely fine, while your body reacts like you've committed a crime against it?

A lot of that comes down to the inflammatory environment you've built over time, and that's something I think about frequently, both as a physician and as someone who spent over a decade living with chronic pain before I ever understood what was actually driving it.

It shows up in more places than you'd expect… joint pain, that puffy feeling after a rough week of eating, migraines, skin flares, how foggy your brain gets by 3pm, how long it takes you to recover after a workout. Inflammation touches more of your daily experience than most of us realize.

In Chinese medicine, we say the goal is balance… too much of anything, even something the body needs, eventually tips a system that was designed to stay in equilibrium.

Omega-6 and omega-3 fats are a perfect modern example. Your body isn't asking you to fear one and chase the other. It's asking you to give it enough of both so it can choose how to respond when something needs healing, rather than live in a chronic state of inflammation… which is exactly why the fat balance on your plate matters so much more than any single "anti-inflammatory" food ever could.

A simple way to shift that ratio: try to get a fatty fish moment into your week at least twice (even if that just means sardines on crackers for a fast lunch). When cooking at home, swapping most of your seed oils for olive and avocado oil goes a long way, too.

I'll leave you with this… what's one small swap you could make this week?

Do you know a person who irons their jeans before a casual dinner, maybe alphabetizes their spice rack, or always someho...
08/13/2026

Do you know a person who irons their jeans before a casual dinner, maybe alphabetizes their spice rack, or always somehow knows exactly what to say at a funeral? (maybe that’s you!)

That's Metal energy.

It's the element of refinement, of standards, of knowing the difference between good and good enough (and rarely settling for the latter).

In Five Element Theory, Metal is autumn's element...the season of harvest, of separating what's useful from what's spent. Its organs are the Lungs and Large Intestine, and its emotion is grief.

At its best, Metal gives you discernment. A super clear sense of values. The ability to hold onto quality and let go of everything else, including relationships, habits, and versions of yourself that have run their course. A balanced Metal person finds deep meaning in loss... they grieve fully, and then they move forward lighter for it.

Out of balance, Metal shows up two ways. Too rigid, and you get perfectionism, criticism, a cold personality that keeps people at arm's length. Too depleted, and you get someone who can't release anything... grief that lingers for years, boundaries that never quite form, a closet (and a heart) that never gets cleaned out.

Physically, this often lands in the chest. Shallow breathing, respiratory issues, constipation... the body literally struggling to take in and let go. And there's a reason grief sits right there. The Lung takes in Qi from the world, and the Large Intestine releases what's no longer needed. Together, they're the body's whole philosophy on holding on and letting go, played out in every single breath.

For seasonal support: try deep diaphragmatic breathing (even just 5 minutes), pungent foods like ginger, garlic, and onion, and white foods like pears, daikon, and cauliflower. Acupressure at Lung 7 (right above the wrist crease on the thumb side) and Large Intestine 4 (the webbing between thumb and index finger) can help move stuck grief, literally and emotionally.

Now that we’ve taken a look at each of the elements, what are you curious about? Let me know in the comments; I’d love to address them in future posts!

Every team has that moment in a meeting where two genuinely talented people just can't seem to get on the same page, and...
08/11/2026

Every team has that moment in a meeting where two genuinely talented people just can't seem to get on the same page, and no one can seem to figure out why.

In Five Element Theory, there are five distinct energies that show up on every team...Wood pushing to move fast, Fire looking to connect, Earth holding the group together, Metal chasing the details, Water bringing perspective.

None of them are wrong… they just move through the world differently, and that's exactly where most team friction comes from.

After 15+ years of teaching this, I've found the fastest way to help a team understand each other is to help them actually see it visually.

Faces carry poignant information...the shape of a jawline, the set of the eyes, the openness of a forehead...and once a room learns to recognize these patterns in each other, a lot of the friction that used to feel personal starts to make sense.

The understanding of a coworker who always seems to move too fast, or the one who needs more time before jumping in, migrates from being perceived as a personality clash to being understood as part of that person’s makeup.

I love bringing this training into a room because of the “a-ha!” moments I watch in real time. People start pointing across the table, laughing, recognizing themselves and each other. And underneath the fun, they walk away with language for the differences they've experienced but never had a way to talk about.

If you're building programming for an upcoming retreat, offsite, or leadership summit, I'd love to bring this training to your group. Send me a message and let's talk.

Do you ever feel like you're the one everyone leans on...the friend who shows up with soup, the one who remembers everyo...
08/05/2026

Do you ever feel like you're the one everyone leans on...the friend who shows up with soup, the one who remembers everyone's birthday, the person who somehow always has room for one more problem?

And then when it's your turn to be poured into, you freeze up, not sure how to process it?

That's Earth energy, and it might be running more of your life than you realize.

In Five Element Theory, Earth sits at the center of the wheel... the hub around which the other four elements rotate. Its organs are the Spleen and Stomach, and its season is late summer, that warm, golden pause between the growth of summer and the letting go of autumn.

Earth governs digestion, and I mean that in the fullest sense...not just how you break down food, but how you process experiences, emotions, and everything life hands you.

When Earth is balanced, you feel grounded and nourished. You give generously and receive just as easily. Your thoughts stay clear instead of circling. Digestion does its work steadily, without asking for extra attention.

But Earth can be pulled in two directions. Too little Earth and you feel scattered, ungrounded, prone to worry that spirals into overthinking (that 2 am mental replay, anyone?).

Too much Earth and you become the eternal caretaker, so busy nourishing everyone else that your own reserves run dry. Bloating, fatigue after meals, and a mind that keeps chewing on the same worry...these are all signs Earth needs some attention.

The fix starts small. Move gently after meals instead of collapsing onto the couch. Eat warm, cooked foods like root vegetables and squash (Earth loves anything golden and grounding). And when your mind won't slow down, try massaging Spleen 6, just above your inner ankle bone.

If your Earth is running on empty…know that it doesn’t have to stay that way, and you are worthy of the same care and consideration you give everyone else!

Have you ever noticed how a stressful week seems to land in your stomach before it shows up anywhere else? That's becaus...
08/03/2026

Have you ever noticed how a stressful week seems to land in your stomach before it shows up anywhere else?

That's because your gut works like mission control for your whole body... influencing your immune system, your metabolism, your hormones, even the way you think and feel.

When it's out of balance, it rarely stays contained to just digestion. It shows up as low energy, brain fog, skin flare-ups, getting sick more often, and ongoing inflammation... all of which trace back to the gut.

Here's where I want to offer some relief: gut health doesn't have to start with a probiotic pill (though they can absolutely be helpful in the right situation!).

Food is the foundation, and it's more accessible than you'd think.

Fermented foods are one of the most natural sources of probiotics you can find. Kimchi, sauerkraut, miso, tempeh, yogurt with live active cultures... all of these introduce beneficial bacteria straight into your gut.

Good bacteria need to eat too. That's where prebiotics come in, the fiber that feeds the good bacteria you're introducing. Garlic, onions, leeks, asparagus, oats, and bananas all help create an environment where that good bacteria can thrive.

And here's my favorite part... the more diverse your diet, the more diverse your microbiome becomes, and that diversity is strongly linked to better overall health. Foodies, this one's for you (your body wants you to try new things too!).

Remember, consistency beats intensity every time. You don't need huge amounts... small, regular servings of fermented foods and fiber-rich plants will add up in a big way over time. Trust me!

And of course, your lifestyle plays a role too. A calm, regulated nervous system helps that whole batch of kimchi's good bacteria actually thrive. Good sleep keeps the hormones that regulate your appetite and digestion running the way they're meant to. And movement, even a short walk after meals, helps keep everything flowing the way it should. Your gut responds to how you're living, just as much as what you're eating.

So how are you supporting your gut today? Drop it below... I'd love to know.

Ever notice how some days your laugh comes more easily, your energy feels contagious, and the connection just clicks? Th...
07/29/2026

Ever notice how some days your laugh comes more easily, your energy feels contagious, and the connection just clicks? That's Fire.

In Five Element Theory, Fire is summer's energy…the peak of the year, the point of maximum expansion and warmth. It governs your heart and small intestine, and it shows up as your circulation, your complexion, and really, your capacity for joy.

Fire is the element of connection. It's why we crave laughter, why a good conversation can leave you feeling more alive than you did an hour before.

When Fire is balanced, people are drawn to you. You feel genuine warmth toward others, and it's returned easily. Your circulation runs smoothly (warm hands, healthy color in your face), and joy feels accessible. You can be excited about something without spinning out of control. There's a steadiness underneath your spark.

But Fire can be imbalanced in two very different directions, and I consistently see both in practice.

Too much Fire looks like mania dressed up as charisma. Racing thoughts, insomnia (especially trouble staying asleep), a restless need to always be talking, doing, connecting. Anxiety that feels hot and buzzy rather than heavy. The heart races for no clear reason.

Depleted Fire looks like the opposite: flatness. Difficulty feeling joy even when good things are happening. Social withdrawal, poor circulation (cold hands, pale complexion), a heart that feels muted instead of open.

Here's how I support Fire, whether it's excess or depletion:

Movement. Fire loves rhythm and play…dance, group fitness classes, anything social and joyful rather than solitary.

Food. Bitter flavors (dark leafy greens, dark chocolate) calm excess Fire. Warming foods like cinnamon and small amounts of natural sweetness support depleted Fire.

Acupressure. Heart 7, on the wrist crease in line with the pinky, calms an overactive Fire and eases anxiety or insomnia.

Creativity as medicine. Fire-dominant people need creative outlets the way Wood types need decisions to make. Painting, music, cooking, anything expressive keeps Fire moving instead of either exploding or extinguishing.

Where do you notice Fire in your own life…as connection, or as burnout? I'd love to support you in that.

How many acupuncture points do you think exist in the human body?Most people guess somewhere between 20 and 50. The real...
07/28/2026

How many acupuncture points do you think exist in the human body?

Most people guess somewhere between 20 and 50.

The real number surprises almost everyone I share it with…there are 361 classical acupuncture points spread across 14 meridians, and when you factor in the extra points that don't sit neatly on those channels, the total climbs well past 2,000.

Here's what I find so beautiful about that. Your body is a map, dense with access points, each one a doorway into a different system: digestion, sleep, mood, pain, immunity.

Acupuncture works because centuries of observation identified exactly where the body's energy, or Qi, tends to pool, stagnate, or need a nudge in a new direction.

I go deeper into this in Demystifying Acupuncture (page 66, for anyone following along)... because I think understanding the "why" behind the needle placement changes how you experience treatment and healing.

This is one of my favorite facts to share with new patients, especially the ones who come in nervous about needles. Once you understand that we're not guessing, that every point has a documented purpose refined over thousands of years of practice, the whole experience shifts and you start to trust the process rather than tolerating it.

Have you ever wondered what's actually happening under the surface during an acupuncture session? Drop your questions below...I love pulling back the curtain on this stuff.

Demystifying Acupuncture is available now wherever you get your books if you want the full deep dive!

How are you supposed to keep your own cup full when life keeps asking you to fill everyone else's?Here's what works for ...
07/20/2026

How are you supposed to keep your own cup full when life keeps asking you to fill everyone else's?

Here's what works for me...

I don't take life too seriously, and I build my time (especially THIS summer!) around whatever makes me feel most like myself.

That means brunch with a fun umbrella, because Chicago weather truly cannot make up its mind (this city, I swear, it's a personality trait at this point).

It means slow, thoughtful afternoons wandering the Art Institute, letting my brain rest into something beautiful.

It means a picnic blanket, my favorite people, and way too much fruit salad... (doesn't all that fresh food just look like edible joy?).

It means an outdoor movie under a sky that's also putting on its own show.

It means a lively room full of female professionals cheering each other on.

It means dancing… always dancing.

None of it is complicated. None of it costs much, either. And all of it is Wood energy in motion... movement, connection, expression - the three things that keep me feeling steady and full.

So tell me, what's on your summer list this year? Drop it below... I'm always looking for new ideas (and new excuses to get outside).

The patients most depleted are rarely the ones complaining the loudest. They're the Water types, running on reserves the...
07/15/2026

The patients most depleted are rarely the ones complaining the loudest. They're the Water types, running on reserves they stopped noticing years ago.

In Five Element Theory, Water governs the Kidney and Bladder systems, but its reach goes far beyond that.

Water holds our willpower and our deepest reserves of energy. TCM calls this "ancestral essence"... the constitutional strength we're born with, passed down through the generations before us.

Water also governs bone health and hormone regulation, and it carries an emotional signature too: fear, the feeling most closely tied to how safe and supported we feel at our core. When Water is strong, fear moves through you as information, tells you what you need to know, then passes. When Water is depleted, fear can take up residence and stay.

A Water-dominant person tends to be introspective, wise, and deeply perceptive. They think before they speak, observe more than they perform, and carry a strength that others often lean on. At their best, Water people are the calm, grounded presence in a room full of noise.

When Water runs low, the body tends to speak up first: lower back pain, knee weakness, a sense that your bones and joints feel more fragile than they used to. Fatigue that sleep doesn't handle, a creeping anxiety with no clear source, hair thinning, hormone shifts, a libido that's gone quiet.

Winter is Water's home season, so these signs often intensify in the colder months, but Water depletion shows up year-round, especially for anyone running on chronic stress, poor sleep, or years of pushing past their own limits.

The good news is Water responds well to the right support. Prioritize deep, restorative sleep before anything else. Bone broth and mineral-rich foods (seaweed, black beans, walnuts) nourish Water directly. Gentle movement, like tai chi or qigong, builds reserves rather than draining them. Auricular acupressure on Kidney-related points can calm the fear response and support the deep sense of safety Water needs to thrive.

Your Water element is your reserve tank. Treat it that way, and it will carry you through everything else.

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