A pinched nerve can cause pain, numbness, tingling, burning, or weakness. In Western medicine, these symptoms are often related to irritation or compression of a nerve. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) looks at the condition more broadly. Instead of focusing only on the nerve itself, TCM considers how pain may be related to poor circulation of Qi and Blood, muscle tension, Cold and Dampness, or underlying weakness. In TCM, there is a common saying: “Where there is blockage, there is pain.”...

Tennis elbow, medically known as lateral epicondylitis or lateral elbow tendinopathy, is a common condition that causes pain and tenderness on the outside of the elbow. Despite its name, you don't have to play tennis to develop it. Repetitive gripping, lifting, typing, manual work, weight training, and other activities that repeatedly load the forearm muscles can all contribute to the condition. In acupuncture treatment for tennis elbow, one point that is frequently considered is Large...

CV4, also known as Guanyuan (关元), is one of the most important acupuncture points used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). It is located on the lower abdomen, along the body’s midline, approximately three finger-widths below the belly button. The name Guanyuan is often translated as “Origin Pass” or “Gate of Origin,” reflecting its traditional role in supporting the body’s foundational energy. In TCM theory, CV4 is closely associated with the Kidney system, Qi, Blood, and the body’s...