Seasonal allergies, from the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, are not viewed as an isolated immune overreaction or a simple sensitivity to pollen, dust, or mold. Instead, they are understood as a reflection of the body’s relationship with its environment and the balance—or imbalance—of internal systems that govern protection, circulation, and adaptation to seasonal change. Where modern medicine often asks, “What is the allergen?” Chinese medicine asks a different question: “Why is this person vulnerable right now?”

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the second trimester of pregnancy, spanning roughly weeks 13 through 28, is regarded as a uniquely important and stabilizing phase. It is traditionally called “the period when the fetus becomes secure,” reflecting the belief that the embryo has fully anchored in the womb and that the Chong and Ren channels gradually settle into balance. 

This stage symbolizes a growing harmony between mother and fetus, yet it also marks a time when the mother’s Qi, Blood, and Kidney Essence are increasingly called upon to support ongoing development. From both a cultural and medical perspective, TCM views this trimester as a period for protecting maternal vitality, establishing a strong foundation for fetal growth, and providing gentle, consistent care rather than aggressive tonification. While early pregnancy symptoms such as morning sickness often subside, new and subtler energetic imbalances may begin to appear.

Here at Violet Wellness Spa in Fair Oaks, the focus is on helping patients age both gracefully and healthily by supporting the body’s natural capacity for balance and renewal. In TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine), healthy aging and vibrant skin are seen as outward reflections of abundant qi, blood, yin, and yang within the body. When these vital substances are plentiful and flowing smoothly, the body naturally expresses vitality through glowing skin, bright eyes, and a sense of ease and energy. People often notice that they not only look healthier, but also feel more engaged in daily life, recover more quickly from stress, and have greater resilience overall. Skin that is nourished by sufficient blood and yin maintains moisture, fullness, and elasticity, allowing it to heal faster and retain a youthful appearance.

For many people, driving represents freedom, independence, and mobility. For others, however, getting behind the wheel can trigger intense fear, anxiety, or panic. Whether the fear involves freeways, bridges, tunnels, heavy traffic, or driving in general, driving anxiety is more common than most people realize. These fears can significantly impact daily life, limiting work opportunities, social activities, and personal freedom. Hypnotherapy offers a powerful and effective approach to helping individuals overcome driving-related fears by addressing the subconscious patterns where anxiety is rooted.

Neck pain, jaw tension, and upper-back stiffness are usually blamed on posture, stress, or too many hours at a desk. But more and more clinicians are noticing something surprising: for many people, the problem starts with how they breathe.

Most of us assume breathing is automatic and effortless. Yet the location of your breath — whether it expands comfortably through the abdomen or rises sharply into the chest — determines which muscles work all day long. And when the breath stays high in the chest, the neck and shoulder muscles begin performing a job they were never meant to do.

This hidden pattern often explains why people stretch or massage their necks for years without lasting relief. If the breathing mechanics don’t change, the tension simply returns.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), winter is not simply a season to endure—it is a season to honor. While modern culture often pushes us to maintain the same pace year-round, TCM teaches that winter is governed by entirely different rules. It is a time of storage, conservation, and deep nourishment, when the body mirrors nature’s stillness. Understanding how to care for ourselves during winter allows us not only to avoid illness, but to emerge into spring with greater vitality, clarity, and resilience.

At the heart of winter wisdom are two essential forces: Yin Qi, which nourishes, moistens, and restores, and Yang Qi, which warms, activates, and protects. Winter’s mission is to nurture Yin while carefully preserving Yang. Everything from how we dress and move to how we sleep and drink can either support or undermine this delicate balance.

Stress isn’t just a mindset problem—it’s a nervous system pattern

In Hypnotherapy for Stress Regulation, Norman Plotkin, CHt - CEO and clinical hypnotherapist—explains why stress can’t be resolved through willpower alone and how hypnotherapy works at the level where stress actually lives: in the body, the breath, and unconscious protective patterns . 

Drawing from his clinical experience, he shows how hypnotherapy helps retrain the nervous system, soften internal stress triggers, and build real, lasting self-regulation. 

This article is written by him and reflects his grounded, practical approach to helping people move from constant bracing to genuine inner ease

The first twelve weeks of pregnancy, often called “the settling of the fetal essence” in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), are a time of deep transformation. During this stage, experiences like nausea, fatigue, breast tenderness, shifting emotions, and changes in appetite are not viewed as illnesses, but as normal signs that the body is adjusting as new life establishes itself. From a TCM perspective, the goal is to interpret these changes clearly and support the mother with gentle, appropriate care during a particularly sensitive window.

TCM explains early pregnancy through several natural physiological shifts. As the Chong and Ren channels strengthen to support reproduction, qi and blood are redirected to nourish the developing embryo. This internal prioritizing can temporarily leave the mother feeling depleted or “off balance,” especially in digestion, because the Stomach’s harmony may be disrupted. What appears as discomfort is often the visible surface of a profound internal reorganization required for fetal development.

Knee pain isn’t always just a “knee problem.” As Dr. Bae explains in her latest article, the knee often acts as a messenger—showing stress from issues in the hips, feet, ankles, or overall movement patterns. When alignment, muscle balance, or circulation is off, the knee becomes the first place discomfort appears.

Her article highlights the three major causes of knee pain:
Structural stress from wear, tears, or irritation
Muscular and fascial imbalance that pulls the knee out of alignment
Circulatory or inflammatory issues that reduce healing and increase stiffness

Dr. Bae also explains how hip stability, foot mechanics, daily posture, and lifestyle habits all shape how the knee moves and absorbs force. True healing often requires a whole-body approach—strengthening, mobility work, improving alignment, and supporting circulation through modalities like acupuncture, cupping, or moxibustion.

If you’ve been dealing with knee pain, this article is a powerful guide to understanding the root cause and taking the right next steps.

The choice between a quick injectable fix like Botox and a holistic, natural approach is a common,

modern skincare dilemma we encounter daily at Violet Wellness Spa. While Botox has long been the

primary solution for smoothing wrinkles, a growing number of our patients are now choosing, and being

pleasantly surprised by the remarkable power and beauty of, cosmetic acupuncture to achieve lifted, firm,

and youthful skin.

In a world filled with quick fixes and constant health concerns, Dr. Tian shares a powerful reminder: true immunity starts from within. Instead of waiting for illness to strike, Traditional Chinese Medicine teaches us how to build strong, resilient Wei Qi — our body’s natural protective shield.

In her latest article, Dr. Tian breaks down Eight Golden Rules rooted in thousands of years of TCM wisdom. From nourishing the Spleen and Lungs with seasonal foods, to massaging key acupoints, protecting your Yang from the cold, supporting your emotional balance, and aligning with nature’s rhythms — each rule helps your body stay grounded, energized, and naturally defended.

Microtrauma and the Skin’s Healing Response

From a biomedical perspective, cosmetic acupuncture works primarily by creating controlled micro-injuries at specific points on the face. When fine acupuncture needles are inserted into the dermis or subdermal layers, they cause microtrauma that is too mild to cause scarring but strong enough to trigger the body’s natural wound-healing cascade.

In modern times, many couples hope to conceive naturally, yet few truly understand the importance of preparing their bodies beforehand. From the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perspective, preconception care is like cultivating fertile soil—only when the body’s qi and blood are harmonized can new life take root and thrive.

Women receiving acupuncture for chronic back pain.

Hypnosis can be seen as a waking state of awareness, in which a person’s attention is detached

from his or her immediate environment and is absorbed by inner experiences such as feelings,

cognition and imagery.

Hypnotic induction involves focusing of attention and imaginative involvement to the point

where what is being imagined feels real. By the use and acceptance of suggestions, the clinician

and patient construct a hypnotic reality.

Today, let's talk in detail about Traditional Chinese Medicine’s circadian system. The TCM circadian system corresponds to each meridian, which in turn, corresponds with each of our major internal organs and plays a significant role in our health regulation and preservation. Violet Wellness Spa’s signature Meridian Massage is developed based on this theory. Learning about the TCM circadian system will enhance your ability to live a healthier life style. The way to health preservation begins with good living habits. 

Following is a description of the 12 meridian cycles, the period when they are active and the details you can understand and utilize for optimum health.

The principles and benefits of acupuncture beauty. This ancient yet modern natural therapy has garnered significant attention in the global beauty community in recent years.

Overview

Cosmetic acupuncture is a branch of traditional Chinese medicine. It stimulates specific meridians and acupuncture points to regulate body functions from the inside out, achieving both beauty and anti-aging benefits. Its core principle is "what exists within manifests itself externally," meaning that facial and skin problems reflect the state of the body's internal organs, qi, and blood.

We’ve been seeing more and more patients with forward head posture – what we often call “anterior carriage.”
This happens when the head shifts forward compared to the shoulders. Even just one inch forward adds about 10 extra pounds of load on your neck and upper back muscles. Imagine holding a bowling ball out in front of you all day – that’s what your neck is doing!

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is built on the principle that nature and the human body are deeply interconnected. One of its core theories is the Five Elements Theory, which explains how different aspects of the body, emotions, and even personality traits are influenced by the elements Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water. Understanding these elements can help you achieve better health, emotional balance, and overall well-being.