the vital qi journal
acupuncture | wellness | community
blood deficiency in chinese medicine: causes, signs, and food support
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the concept of “Blood” goes beyond the red fluid we know in Western medicine. While it certainly includes physical blood, it also represents nourishment on many levels—supporting our organs, moistening the skin, calming the mind, and anchoring the spirit.
how acupuncture works to ease stress
Feeling the burnout? Acupuncture helps reset your nervous system, ease tension, and bring you back to center.
We're here when you're ready to feel like yourself again.
practitioner spotlight: ali warters, l.ac.
We're excited to introduce you to Ali Warters, one of our licensed acupuncturists. Ali is a portrait artist and brings this creative spirit and openness into her acupuncture treatments.
the power of consistency: how regular acupuncture enhances healing
While a single acupuncture session can offer immediate relief, it's the consistent, regular treatments that lead to lasting, transformative results.
practitioner spotlight: sam pierceall, l.ac.
We're excited to introduce you to Sam Pierceall, one of our licensed acupuncturists here at Vital Qi. Sam brings a grounded, thoughtful presence to the clinic—and a unique journey into the world of East Asian medicine.
navigating perimenopause with acupuncture: a holistic approach
In Chinese medicine, menopause is understood as a shift in the balance of Yin and Yang. As women age, the Kidney Yin—the cooling, nourishing, and moistening energy—begins to decline, leading to symptoms such as hot flashes, dryness, and restlessness.
using moxibustion to turn a breech baby
A breech position, where the baby is positioned feet or bottom first in the uterus, occurs in approximately 3% to 4% of full-term pregnancies. One traditional Chinese medicine technique that has been used to encourage the baby to turn to a head-down position is moxibustion.
foods to move liver qi stagnation & help resolve stress
Acupuncturists will most commonly refer to “Liver Qi Stagnation” when discussing symptoms related to stress and other emotional disorders such as depression or anger, digestive imbalances, or menstrual cycle irregularities.
frequently asked: acupuncture + pregnancy
We often receive questions about how community-style acupuncture at Vital Qi can offer support during pregnancy. In this post, we share several of the most commonly asked questions and our responses.
what is “community-inspired” acupuncture?
We refer to our main offering at the clinic as “community-inspired acupuncture” because the space and treatments resemble that of “typical” community acupuncture as defined by “POCA” (The People’s Organization of Community Acupuncture) with a few notable differences.