If you’ve been learning about acupressure or acupuncture, you may have come across Kidney 1  and Kidney 3 . Since both points belong to the Kidney meridian in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), it’s easy to assume they do the same thing. But in practice, they are quite different. A simple way to think about it is this: Kidney 1 is more grounding , while Kidney 3 is more nourishing . Where Are They Located? Kidney 1 (KD1) , also called Yongquan , is located on the sole of the foot . Kidney 3...

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), one of the most common patterns seen in modern patients is called Dampness . Although the term may sound unusual, it describes a group of symptoms that many people experience every day, such as fatigue, brain fog, digestive discomfort, and a heavy feeling in the body. In Western medicine, these symptoms are often treated as separate problems. Someone may be told they have IBS, chronic fatigue, or hormonal imbalance. In TCM, however, these symptoms are...

A Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Perspective on Returning to Rhythm The days after Lunar New Year carry a unique feeling. The celebration is full of food, family, late nights, laughter, travel, and reunion. Then suddenly schedules tighten. Many people feel slightly heavy, unmotivated, foggy, or slow during this period. From a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)  perspective, this is not a problem — it is seasonal physiology. It is the body transitioning from Winter’s storage (藏)  to...