Aetherium Acupuncture & Integrative Medicine

11/09/2025

Not Hungry in the Morning? Here’s What Your Body Might Be Telling You.

That lack of appetite isn’t just about willpower or eating habits — it’s your body’s quiet way of saying, “I’m already working hard.”

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), your appetite reflects the strength of your Spleen Qi, the system that transforms food into energy.

When this “digestive fire” burns low, your body can’t process food efficiently, so it turns off hunger signals.

You might notice:
- Feeling heavy or foggy after meals
- No hunger in the morning
- Bloating, fatigue, or sluggish metabolism

The good news? You can gently rekindle your inner fire through nourishment and mindful habits — starting with warm, cooked foods like congee and slowing down during meals.

✨ Read the full blog post to learn how to support your digestion and metabolism from a TCM
perspective:

Not hungry in the morning? Learn what your body’s silence is signaling. Explore how Chinese Medicine explains low appetite, slow metabolism, and how to restore balance.

09/17/2025

Medical inductions have increased worldwide, partly due to the rising age and obesity rates among pregnant women. While these inductions can be necessary, they may also come with side effects. As a result, many women are turning to integrative methods, like acupuncture, as a gentler approach to initiate labor.

At Aetherium, our patients who have experienced success with acupuncture for labor induction typically come in frequently, often beginning at 36 weeks of pregnancy. Ideally at 36 weeks acupuncture is administered 2-3 times a week to encourage beneficial hormonal responses for labor preparation. At 38 weeks women are coming in for acupuncture treatments every 2-3 days until labor commences. Our patients are also provided handouts for their partner to start applying acupressure at home.

In some cases, women have been under our care throughout their pregnancy, which helps minimize adverse pregnancy outcomes and prepare the body for labor.

Labor is a profound dance between mother and baby, and acupuncture offers a holistic approach to supporting this process. By integrating acupuncture into their birth plan, many women can experience a more natural and empowered labor.

At Aetherium, we offer customized treatment plans for individuals seeking to induce labor and experience an overall empowering birth. To learn more, visit the link in our bio or contact us at (202)656-0089 to schedule a consultation and to start your journey.

*Zamora-Brito, M., Fernández-Jané, C., Pérez-Guervós, R., Solans-Oliva, R., Arranz-Betegón,
A., & Palacio, M. (2024). The role of acupuncture in the present approach to labor induction: a
systematic review and meta-analysis. American journal of obstetrics & gynecology MFM, 6(2),
101272. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajogmf.2023.101272

For additional references visit aetheriumhealth.com to find Dr. G’s blog: “The Role of Acupuncture in Labor Induction: A Holistic Approach to Birth.” References are sourced at the end of the article.

07/29/2025

Most mothers focus on maintaining their health during pregnancy, but the postpartum period is equally important. This is the time when your body is healing, hence why it’s so important for mothers to focus on their wellbeing after childbirth to ensure long term health for both mother and infant. 

TCM is invaluable during the postpartum period, helping women regain strength and vitality, particularly during the first month after childbirth, known as the “confinement” period. This time is considered crucial for recovery in TCM. Whether you’re pregnant or preparing for childbirth, TCM can support you throughout the span of your pregnancy from both conception to postpartum. 

At Aetherium, we utilize herbal medicine during the confinement period for mothers looking to regain vitality after labor before moving on to acupuncture treatments. Each treatment is individualized and tailored to address the underlying disharmonies of each patient–treatment plans go according to how the mother is feeling and her readiness to proceed. 

Learn more about how we can support your pregnancy and postpartum recovery at Aetherium by scheduling a consultation with us today! Visit the link in our bio or contact us at (202)656-0089

07/24/2025

The first Western studies on acupuncture and moxibustion for breech presentation was conducted by Neri et al.**** This study, included in the Cochrane review, examined pregnant Italian women between 33 and 35 weeks gestation carrying a fetus in breech position. Participants were enrolled in a randomized, controlled trial comparing active BL 67 stimulation with an observation group. Neri et al. concluded that acupuncture combined with moxibustion was more
effective than observation alone in turning breech babies and appeared to be a viable option for women seeking a natural birth.

At Aetherium, we recommend moxibustion based on both studies and acupuncture texts***** along with any underlying disharmonies that may be preventing the baby from turning into the correct position. We typically recommend daily application of moxibustion for 20 minutes bilaterally until the baby turns, a protocol we have found to be highly effective with a success rate of 97%. In the few instances where the baby did not turn, anatomical factors were often the
reason, making ECV either not an option or unsuccessful.

If you’re interested in acupuncture and moxibustion for breech presentation, schedule a consultation with us at Aetherium today! Visit the link in our bio or contact us at (202)656-0089.

*Cooperative Research Group of Moxibustion Version of Jangxi Province. Further studies on the clinical effects and mechanism of version by moxibustion. Abstracts of the Second National Symposium on Acupuncture, Moxibustion, and Acupuncture Anesthesia; 1984 Aug 7-10; Beijing, China. 1984:150-1.

**Pach D, Brinkhaus B, Willich SN. Moxa sticks: thermal properties and possible implications
for clinical trials. Complementary Therapies in Medicine 2009;17:243-6.

***Coyle ME, Smith C, Peat B. Cephalic version by moxibustion for breech presentation. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2023, Issue 5. Art. No.: CD003928. DOI:
10.1002/14651858.CD003928.pub4. Accessed 29 January 2025.

For additional references visit aetheriumhealth.com to find Dr. G’s blog: “How Acupuncture & Moxibustion Can Help Turn a Breech Baby.” References are sourced at the end of the article.