Balance Acupuncture & Wellness

07/27/2026

Do you need to be in pain to come see an acupuncturist?!

Definitely not.

Remember it’s easier to maintain health & wellness than it is to chase an illness.

Manage stress. Support your immune system. Recover faster.

07/25/2026

Summer invites us to be active, social, and soak up every bit of sunshine—but it's also a season that can leave us feeling surprisingly depleted.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, summer is associated with the Fire element, the Heart, joy, and outward energy. This year, we're also experiencing the energetic influence of the Fire Horse, which can amplify passion, ambition, movement, and intensity. While that can be inspiring, it can also leave us running on empty if we don't take time to replenish ourselves.

This is where nourishing Yin becomes so important.

Yin is the body's cooling, moisturizing, restorative energy. It helps us sleep deeply, stay hydrated, regulate our emotions, and recover from the demands of everyday life. When Yin becomes depleted, you may notice:
💧 Feeling overheated or flushed
💧 Difficulty falling or staying asleep
💧 Dry skin, eyes, or mouth
💧 Restlessness or anxiety
💧 Feeling "wired but tired"

Simple ways to support your Yin this summer:
🌿 Stay well hydrated throughout the day.
🥒 Enjoy cooling, water-rich foods like cucumber, watermelon, berries, leafy greens, and pears.
😴 Prioritize restful sleep and quiet moments.
🚶 Take walks in the early morning or evening instead of the hottest part of the day.
🧘 Slow down when your body asks for it—not every day has to be lived at full speed.

Acupuncture can also help restore balance by calming the nervous system, supporting healthy sleep, regulating body temperature, and helping your body adapt to the season.

Summer is meant to be enjoyed—but not at the expense of your reserves. The more we honor both our active (Yang) and restorative (Yin) sides, the more resilient and energized we become.

✨ Balance isn't about doing less—it's about knowing when to replenish so you can continue doing what you love.

07/16/2026

🔥 The sky looks so hazy! 🌫️

The smoke from the Canadian wildfires has made its way into our region, impacting air quality even hundreds of miles away. While you may not smell smoke, tiny particles in the air can still affect your health.

If you've noticed itchy eyes, a scratchy throat, coughing, headaches, fatigue, or even more difficulty breathing during exercise, poor air quality may be the reason.

Here are a few simple ways to reduce your exposure:

🍃 Check your local Air Quality Index (AQI) before spending extended time outdoors.

🚶 Consider moving workouts indoors on days when air quality is poor.

🏡 Keep windows and doors closed when smoke levels are elevated.

😷 If you must be outside for extended periods during heavy smoke, a well-fitting N95 mask can help filter fine particles.

💧 Stay well hydrated to help support your body's natural defenses.

Those with asthma, COPD, heart disease, young children, older adults, and pregnant women should take extra precautions.

Take care of your lungs—they work hard for you every single day. 💚

07/16/2026

This is a very interesting listen.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5j0Z2xjP3HcRp8zS2iMDPB?si=JzTBZee3QHuW5zUyBL_H4g&utm_source=copy-link

The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett · Episode

07/13/2026

💦 Are You Actually Hydrated?? 💦

When most people think about hydration, they think, “I need to drink more water.” While water is important, true hydration is about your body’s ability to absorb, use, and retain fluids.

Here are a few signs you may be well hydrated:

💧 your urine is pale yellow
💧 you’re not constantly thirsty
💧 your energy is relatively consistent throughout the day
💧 your mouth and lips aren’t persistently dry
💧 you experience fewer headaches
💧 your muscles recover well after exercise

If you’re drinking plenty of water, but still don’t feel hydrated consider these tips:

🍉 eat your water. Fruits and vegetable like 🥒, 🍉, 🍊, 🍓, celery, and 🥬 contain both water and electrolytes.

🧂 don’t forget electrolytes. Sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium help your body move water into your cells.

☕️ balance caffeine and alcohol. You don’t have to eliminate completely, but caffeine and alcohol can increase fluid loss.

🏃 hydrate before you are thirsty.

💪🏼 support your body with protein & healthy carbohydrates.

Hydration is one of the simplest ways to support your energy, digestion, brain function, exercise performance, and overall health.

07/08/2026

Chinese herbs are powerful. They are a fantastic way to increase the effects of your acupuncture therapy. A professor of mine is raising money if you’d like to help support, click the link below.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-build-a-hoop-house-for-zaisheng-herbs?utm_id=97757_v0_s00_e227_tv2_tp1_a1demongh2feps&fbclid=IwRlRTSAS7HLRwZG9mA2ZkaWQWUKKq5cdzVYDdcplynow1dMnshETVwmV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkCjY2Mjg1NjgzNzkAAR6i4sr7QlU7dHU_2dyghUa0nSFSyfSicA0Jvld1vt_0SmL9DhcQXtGEh7KliQ_aem_NvqhLoes5RzulNhMCccP2A

Chinese herbs are the great joy of my life. From growing, harvesting, medi… Kerri Westhauser needs your support for Help Build a Hoop House for Zaisheng Herbs

07/07/2026

🧠 How can acupuncture help if you're taking a GLP-1 medication? Let's look at the science.

GLP-1 medications, like semaglutide, work by:
✔️ Slowing stomach emptying
✔️ Increasing feelings of fullness
✔️ Helping regulate blood sugar
✔️ Reducing appetite

While these effects can support weight loss, they can also lead to side effects like nausea, bloating, constipation, and a feeling that food just "sits" in the stomach.

So where does acupuncture come in?

Research suggests acupuncture may help regulate communication between the brain and digestive system through the autonomic nervous system—particularly the vagus nerve, which plays a major role in digestion. Studies have also shown acupuncture may influence digestive hormones involved in stomach movement and gastrointestinal function.

The result? Some patients experience:
✨ Less nausea
✨ Improved bowel regularity
✨ Reduced bloating
✨ Better digestive comfort

It's important to note that acupuncture doesn't replace your GLP-1 medication, nor has it been proven to increase its weight-loss effects. Instead, current research suggests it may help improve comfort and support digestive function while you're on treatment.

From a Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective, digestion is about much more than calories. We look at how your body transforms food into energy, how well nutrients are absorbed, your sleep, stress, inflammation, and overall vitality. As your appetite changes, it's important to continue nourishing your body with adequate protein, strength training, hydration, and nutrient-dense foods to help preserve muscle and support long-term health.

The most successful health journeys aren't about choosing between modern medicine and holistic care—they're about finding the right combination for YOU.

If you're taking a GLP-1 medication and wondering how acupuncture may fit into your wellness plan, I'd be happy to answer your questions.

07/06/2026

💉 GLP-1 medications and Traditional Chinese Medicine... Can they work together?

With medications like semaglutide becoming more common for weight loss and metabolic health, I've been asked whether acupuncture still has a role.

The answer? Emerging research suggests it does.

While acupuncture is not a replacement for GLP-1 medications, recent studies are exploring how it may complement medical treatment by helping manage some of the most common side effects, including:
✔️ Nausea
✔️ Constipation
✔️ Bloating
✔️ Delayed digestion

Researchers believe acupuncture may help regulate the nervous system, influence digestive hormones, and support healthy gastrointestinal function, making it a valuable addition for some patients receiving GLP-1 therapy.

From a Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective, we also look beyond the number on the scale. Our goal is to support your body's overall function by promoting healthy digestion, maintaining energy, preserving muscle through proper nutrition and movement, improving sleep, and helping you feel your best throughout your health journey.

Whether you're using a GLP-1 medication, considering one, or simply working toward better metabolic health, there doesn't have to be an "either/or" approach. Modern medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine can often work together to support long-term wellness.

Every treatment plan should be individualized, and the best outcomes often come from combining evidence-based medicine with lifestyle habits that are sustainable for the long term.

07/04/2026

Happy 250th birthday United States. 🇺🇸

May we all value each other, what it truly means to be free, & the capacity we have to always choose love and kindness.