Winter calls us inward. In Five Element acupuncture, Winter belongs to the Water Element — the energy of stillness, reflection, and deep reserves. It’s linked to the Kidneys and Bladder, which govern fear, willpower, hormonal balance, and vitality.

When Water is out of balance, we may feel exhausted, wired-but-empty, fearful, or unmotivated. You might struggle with low back pain, anxiety, hormonal dips, or poor sleep — all signs your inner reservoir needs refilling.

Spring’s growth and new direction. The Wood Element rules Spring — and with it, your drive, ambition, and ability to move forward. It's linked to the Liver and Gallbladder, responsible for planning, direction, flexibility and flow.

Out of balance, Wood shows up as frustration, tension, PMS, headaches, tight shoulders, or creative stagnation. You might feel stuck or overwhelmed by pressure (your own or the world’s).

Acupuncture helps move Qi (energy), soften tension, and support the clear vision and forward motion Wood needs. It’s perfect when you’re feeling blocked, indecisive, or creatively jammed.

Autumn’s call to let go. The Metal Element belongs to Autumn, the season of release. Its associated organs, the Lungs and Large Intestine, govern breath, skin, immunity — and our ability to let go (physically, emotionally, spiritually).

When Metal is out of balance, we may feel heavy with grief, caught in perfectionism, disconnected, or stuck in old patterns. Skin issues, low immunity, and shallow breathing often show up too.

Acupuncture here supports the Lung meridian, helps regulate grief and sadness, and strengthens the body’s outer defences — inside and out.

Perimenopause has a habit of creeping up unannounced and uninvited. Many women are blindsided by symptoms no one warned them about: mood swings, hot flushes, night sweats, brain fog, aching joints, and poor sleep.

The good news? You’re not broken. Your hormones are shifting — and there’s support.

Acupuncture is one of the most effective natural treatments for hormonal imbalance, anxiety, hot flushes and night sweats. In Chinese medicine, we often work to nourish your Kidney energy, which governs hormonal reserves, fear, and resilience. 

When supported, you sleep better, feel calmer, and yes — your sex drive might even return from its sabbatical. And some women say it’s the start of a whole new creative chapter! I agree, I had my first art exhibition during the menopause!

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and the magic of needles

As the light fades and the clocks go back, some of us feel it more deeply — the dip in energy, the rise in overthinking, and a shadow that’s hard to name.

That’s SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) — a change in mood driven by lack of daylight, disrupting melatonin, serotonin and your internal rhythm. Symptoms range from low mood and sleep disruption to fuzzy thinking, fatigue, and immune dips.

The fix? A little light, a little acupuncture.

Late Summer and the season of nourishment. In Five Element acupuncture, Late Summer belongs to the Earth Element — the home of empathy, nourishment, and grounded connection. It’s linked to the Spleen and Stomach, digestion, and how we process food, emotions, and life itself.

When Earth is out of balance, we overthink, overgive, and feel depleted. We worry too much and struggle to nourish ourselves properly.

Acupuncture at this time helps settle digestion, centre the mind, and restore calm. It’s also a beautiful time to reset before the busy season kicks in.

Come get grounded — your Earth will thank you.

Summer’s spark and emotional warmth. The Fire Element rules Summer, the Heart, joy, connection, intimacy, and expression. When in balance, Fire brings charisma, laughter, and lightness. Out of balance, we might feel anxious, over-excited, scattered — or flat and disconnected from others.

Fire-type imbalances often show up as insomnia, palpitations, restlessness, burnout, or social anxiety. We might feel too wired or too withdrawn.

Acupuncture for Fire restores calm to the Heart, clarity to the mind, and ease in the nervous system. It can also reignite joy — gently.