Shoulder pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal conditions seen in clinical practice. It can develop from poor posture, repetitive movements, sports injuries, prolonged desk work, or emotional and physical stress. In many cases, shoulder pain is not caused by a single structure but by a combination of tight muscles, irritated nerves, restricted fascia, and altered movement patterns. Dry needling has become a widely used treatment approach because it directly targets these underlying contributors rather than focusing only on symptom relief.

Traditional Chinese Medicine has refined its understanding of pain, healing, and restoration over thousands of years, developing a wide range of therapeutic modalities designed to support the body’s natural ability to recover and rebalance. 

In recent years, practices such as cupping and guasha have become familiar to a much broader audience, thanks in part to high-profile athletes at the Olympic Games who openly displayed the characteristic marks of these therapies. While these visual signs sparked curiosity and conversation, they also helped illuminate the deeper purpose behind these techniques, which is relieving pain, restoring function, and encouraging true healing within damaged or stressed areas of the body. 

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.

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.

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.

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

Early Pregnancy Symptoms — A TCM Perspective by Dr. Wesley

The first trimester is a time of incredible transformation, and many early pregnancy symptoms — nausea, fatigue, breast tenderness, emotional shifts, and digestive changes — are not signs that something is “wrong,” but signs that the body is working hard to protect and nourish new life.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), these symptoms are viewed through the lens of qi flow, organ harmony, and the natural reorganization of the body to support fetal development. Dr. Wesley beautifully explains how early pregnancy reflects profound internal changes, and how gentle, supportive care can make this stage healthier and more comfortable.

Key insights from Dr. Wesley's article:
Nausea & morning sickness often relate to Stomach qi rising instead of descending
Fatigue appears because qi and blood focus on supporting the fetus
Breast tenderness may reflect Liver qi stagnation
Emotional shifts involve Heart–Liver balance and Shen stability
Digestive changes show temporary disruption in the Spleen & Stomach
Gentle acupuncture, mindful lifestyle habits, and pregnancy-safe herbs can support comfort and balance

Most importantly, Dr. Wesley emphasizes safety — knowing when symptoms are normal and when medical care is needed.

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.

Why does acupuncture work for pain?
 If you’ve ever wondered how such fine needles can make a real difference for something as big as chronic back pain, headaches, or joint stiffness, the answer lies in your body’s own healing system.

Modern research shows that acupuncture activates three key pathways that already exist within you — the release of endorphins, improved circulation, and a nervous system reset. Together, these create powerful, natural pain relief.

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.

Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine in Fertility Care

Infertility and difficulty conceiving are becoming more common in today’s fast-paced world. Stress, emotional imbalance, and irregular menstrual cycles can all play a role in disrupting fertility.