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A TCM Look at Early Spring: Why Am I Feeling So Crabby and Stuck?

Updated: Apr 5, 2023



Spring is the time of year when we think about spring cleaning, renewal, and the beginning of new growth. It is also known as the season of the Jue Yin and Shao Yang meridians, as well as the wood element.


The Jue Yin meridian governs over specific functions of our body like the free coursing of Qi, which is the smooth, uninterrupted flow of Qi in the body. It also governs over our tendons, eyes, and yang emotions like frustration and anger. Spring is the time of year when yang is increasing. This means that the spirit of growth and renewal is at its strongest, as the trees and plants begin to reach toward the sky, so does our yang energy.


As spring in Minnesota has finally arrived, despite the weather seeming to disagree, you may notice you feel irritable or restless. The Jue Yin meridian can become a little stagnant this time of year, which can result in anger, irritability, and restlessness. You may also notice that you have an increased desire to be active, spending time outside in the sunlight. This is because your internal yang Qi is wanting to be renewed to prepare the body and mind for spring and summer.


If you are feeling sluggish, unmotivated, or are having a general lack of desire to move your body or commit to plans, that tells us the Shao Yang meridian is slow. The Shao Yang meridian governs over digestion, decision making, the fight or flight response, and the generation, transportation and metabolism of fluids in the body. Yang represents your "fire" and the active, daytime, movement aspects of spring, so when this meridian slows down, it can make other areas of your health and daily routine slow down too.


Yin and Yang must be balanced within each meridian for our body, mind, and spirit to be in balance and support whole body health. If Yin is unbalanced or Yang is unbalanced that is when illness, injury, or disease happens in our body and mind.


When the flow of Qi in the Jue Yin and Shao Yang meridians is slow and stagnant, you can get your Qi moving by eating spicy, dark green foods, go outside during the day, incorporate more cardio into your exercise, and stretch before bed and when you wake. Of course Acupuncture and Herbal medicine are also very helpful to support the proper flow of Qi throughout the body as well as a proper balance of Yin and Yang in the meridians.


Another great way to support your health heading into spring: This fantastic "reset button" - a 7-day liver detox - cleanse your system without starving yourself!


Spring is the best time of year to work on individual emotional progress and stage plans for optimizing your physical and mental health. Our providers are available to support you and offer several tools and treatments to get you on the path to feeling your absolute best!




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