Needles & Notions: An Exploration of Healing with Chinese Medicine

These writings are an exploration of what it means to be human – to be sick, to be well, and to heal – viewed through the lens of classical Chinese medicine. My words aren’t medical advice, and these essays don’t constitute a practitioner-client relationship. They also aren’t meant to be the final word on… well, anything. Rather, I hope they are the beginning of a conversation you have with someone in your life.

How to Reclaim Your Mental Space and Harness Your Attention 04/02/2024

How to Reclaim Your Mental Space and Harness Your Attention When our attention isn’t our own, when it’s splintered and captured by every chiming, dinging, insistent notification or voice around us, we quickly become jumbled, stressed, and disconnected. Much of the current conversation surrounding reclaiming our mental space from relentless attention grabs and distractions is in service of increasing productivity and focus. This post isn’t about that. Today let’s take look at how to reclaim your infringed-upon mental space for healing’s sake, and what it means in terms. https://brianhuwe.com/2024/04/02/mental-space/ /episode/index/show/6c946fba-dfdc-4640-b5f1-3335afa5c4b1/id/30767568

Is Focusing on Healing Just Narcissism? 03/26/2024

Is Focusing on Healing Just Narcissism? People are interested in understanding narcissism, and thank goodness! Because that mess is destructive; the sooner we can recognize it and put in boundaries, the better off we are. It’s one thing to recognize narcissistic patterns in family members, coworkers, celebrities, and/or real-life political nightmarish figures, but what about feeling like you’re a narcissist? Do you ever wonder if focusing on healing is, ultimately, just narcissism? And maybe, just maybe, you — like — shouldn’t? Let’s look into the yes and no of it all. https://brianhuwe.com/2024/03/26/is-focusing-on-healing-narcissism/ /episode/index/show/6c946fba-dfdc-4640-b5f1-3335afa5c4b1/id/30767533

Can You ‘Heal Yourself With the Power of the Mind’? 03/19/2024

Can You ‘Heal Yourself With the Power of the Mind’? Can you heal yourself with your mind? Is that even a real thing? And, if so, how do you heal yourself? As usual, my understanding of Chinese medicine says yes, of course, and no, not at all. Let’s unpack it. https://brianhuwe.com/2024/03/19/how-to-heal-yourself/ /episode/index/show/6c946fba-dfdc-4640-b5f1-3335afa5c4b1/id/30767483

Daoyin, QiGong: Everything You Need to Know 03/12/2024

Daoyin, QiGong: Everything You Need to Know Chinese medicine uses multiple modalities and tools to accomplish this — including acupuncture and associated techniques, tui na (Chinese massage), herbal medicine, food therapy, meditation, and daoyin. Some of these modalities, like acupuncture, can happen only in the clinic. Others, like meditation and daoyin, are ultra portable and can be practiced at home, while on a walk, during work breaks, or many other places besides. Today we’re going to focus on daoyin: its roots, its function, and its modern-day applications. We may not cover everything you need to know... but it’s a solid start. /episode/index/show/6c946fba-dfdc-4640-b5f1-3335afa5c4b1/id/30767418

Meditation Chairs: What They Are + Why Don’t You Need One 03/05/2024

Meditation Chairs: What They Are + Why Don’t You Need One Boys howdy, meditation chairs are hot right now! And they are purdeeeeeeee! And there are a couple of situations and ways in which meditation chairs can be very useful. And also? Don’t fall prey to the hype. A rolled-up blanket or a chair you already have or a stump outside or your bath mat can — in most cases — do the trick. For all its beauty and I-want-that desirability, a meditation chair will most likely not revolutionize your practice and mental health any more than that rolled-up blanket, chair you already have, stump, or bath mat. That’s because meditation is an inside job, and all the external décor under the canopy won’t stop a willing spirit and won’t budge a stubborn one. /episode/index/show/6c946fba-dfdc-4640-b5f1-3335afa5c4b1/id/30767353

Why Fear and Shame Are So Common in Healing 02/27/2024

Why Fear and Shame Are So Common in Healing Have you ever experienced fear or shame related to healing? Maybe you’re experiencing it now. Let’s talk about why these (normal) feelings come up, what their source might be, and how acknowledging them helps them move along. https://brianhuwe.com/2024/02/27/fear-and-shame-in-healing/ /episode/index/show/6c946fba-dfdc-4640-b5f1-3335afa5c4b1/id/30224618

How Much Does Acupuncture Cost? 02/20/2024

How Much Does Acupuncture Cost? How much does acupuncture cost? From practice type to treatment frequency, learn what to expect, which factors affect the size of your investment, and whether it’s covered by insurance. https://brianhuwe.com/2024/02/20/acupuncture-cost/ /episode/index/show/6c946fba-dfdc-4640-b5f1-3335afa5c4b1/id/30224523

Healing Is Like Learning (and Treating Is Like Teaching) 02/13/2024

Healing Is Like Learning (and Treating Is Like Teaching) Ever wondered what makes Chinese medicine unique? It’s all about reconnecting mind, body, and spirit. Dive into the philosophy of healing in Chinese medicine — where true recovery begins with understanding and reintegrating the self. https://brianhuwe.com/2024/02/13/healing-learning-treating-teaching/ /episode/index/show/6c946fba-dfdc-4640-b5f1-3335afa5c4b1/id/29944558

Detox Symptoms After Acupuncture 02/06/2024

Detox Symptoms After Acupuncture When certain kinds of acupuncture treatments are performed, it’s very common to have a reaction afterward. That reaction is not only expected, it’s desired. Not everyone experiences detox symptoms after acupuncture. It depends on the person, their body, the treatment, and more. https://brianhuwe.com/2024/02/06/detox-symptoms-after-acupuncture/ /episode/index/show/6c946fba-dfdc-4640-b5f1-3335afa5c4b1/id/29775563

Magic Wands, Silver Bullets, Hacks, and Chinese Medicine 01/30/2024

Magic Wands, Silver Bullets, Hacks, and Chinese Medicine We LOVE to lump things into categories of “good for you” and “bad for you.” But when we allow ourselves to experience life fully without trying to reduce it into tidy silos, we get a lot more out of it, and we’re far less fragile. Learn how perpetually chasing silver bullets to avoid the negative and make life easier can rob us of resiliency, adaptability, and a full experience of life. /episode/index/show/6c946fba-dfdc-4640-b5f1-3335afa5c4b1/id/29775488

Tongue Diagnosis Chart (Plus How to Read It) 01/23/2024

Tongue Diagnosis Chart (Plus How to Read It) Heard of tongue diagnosis? It’s a major feature of Chinese medicine, but one that might be confusing to newbies. This complex and nuanced discipline requires an expert eye to tease out the deeper meaning of bumps, lines, and divots, but you can consider some of the basic elements at home. /episode/index/show/6c946fba-dfdc-4640-b5f1-3335afa5c4b1/id/29775448

Words Matter: How the Language of Chinese Medicine Assists Healing 01/16/2024

Words Matter: How the Language of Chinese Medicine Assists Healing Why do Chinese medicine terms sound so different to Western ears? Can language help you heal? Okay, maybe not directly. But can the right terms help you understand yourself and your health in a way that facilitates healing? Now that’s something to explore. /episode/index/show/6c946fba-dfdc-4640-b5f1-3335afa5c4b1/id/29775418

We Believe in Treating People, Not Diseases 01/09/2024

We Believe in Treating People, Not Diseases What does Chinese medicine treat? Will acupuncture work for you? Chinese medicine treats people, not diseases. That means no matter who you are or what you’re suffering from, classical Chinese medicine is an option for you. /episode/index/show/6c946fba-dfdc-4640-b5f1-3335afa5c4b1/id/29775338

How to Talk to Your Doctor (in 5 Easy Steps!) 01/02/2024

How to Talk to Your Doctor (in 5 Easy Steps!) How well do you and your doctor communicate? Why is communicating with doctors sometimes hard? Good doctor-patient communication is a cornerstone of effective healthcare, but it isn’t always easy. Learn 5 ways to make it easier, here. /episode/index/show/6c946fba-dfdc-4640-b5f1-3335afa5c4b1/id/29775308

The Critical Importance of Playfulness in Healing 12/26/2023

The Critical Importance of Playfulness in Healing Does playfulness have a place in healing? We think so. Not all serious things are heavy all the time. Playfulness allows you to meet your changing needs as they arise, rather than becoming overwhelmed and frozen. A curious, nimble, imaginative frame of mind is like a booster for whatever treatment you’re undergoing. It allows you the freedom to own your healing process. /episode/index/show/6c946fba-dfdc-4640-b5f1-3335afa5c4b1/id/29775213

Classical Chinese Medicine vs. TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) 12/19/2023

Classical Chinese Medicine vs. TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) What is classical vs. traditional Chinese medicine? Does it even matter? The distinction isn’t simply an academic one. The differences do indeed actually matter for acupuncture clients. Explore the evolution and impact of Chinese medicine and the distinct paths of classical vs traditional Chinese medicine as each made its way West. /episode/index/show/6c946fba-dfdc-4640-b5f1-3335afa5c4b1/id/29775063

Needles & Notions: An Exploration of Healing with Chinese Medicine

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