Kat Claussen Wellness

Come relax on this massive, luxurious *heated!* treatment table this week at the studio. This table is beyond comfy & sure to support you taking the best nap of your life while you enjoy your acupuncture or massage treatment.

Book acupuncture or massage by going to our website (link in bio) or by sending us a dm.

We look forward to seeing you!

I have good news and less good news:

The good news is the Solstice is considered the peak of Winter, not the beginning from a Chinese Medicine view.

The less good news is we still have a lot of Winter left 🥶

Winter is a time to deeply rest and rejuvenate so we may have a generative Spring 🌱

To better support you, I will be offering my workshop Replenish: Winter Self Care ❄️

When: Sunday, 1/8/23 from 3:30-5pm est
Where: Authentic Yoga, both in studio & livestream!
Investment: $30

You’ll learn ancient techniques to care for yourself fully through this dark, cold moment of utmost Yin receptivity.

You’ll receive tools, journal prompts, a pdf of everything we go over, and a movement practice incorporating qi gong & yoga.

As an added bonus, your $30 investment may be used towards any future acupuncture treatments (not to be combined with other discounts or offers.)

Sign up on Momence and comment below that you’re coming!

I have good news and not so news:

The good news is the Solstice is considered the peak of Winter, not the beginning from a Chinese Medicine view.

The not so news is we still have a lot of Winter left 🥶

Winter is a time to deeply rest and rejuvenate so we may have a generative Spring 🌱

To better support you, I will be offering my workshop Replenish: Winter Self Care ❄️

When: Sunday, 1/8/23 from 3:30-5pm est
Where: Authentic Yoga, both in studio & livestream!
Investment: $30

You’ll learn ancient techniques to care for yourself fully through this dark, cold moment of utmost Yin receptivity.

You’ll receive tools, journal prompts, a pdf of everything we go over, and a movement practice incorporating qi gong & yoga.

As an added bonus, your $30 investment may be used towards any future acupuncture treatments (not to be combined with other discounts or offers.)

Sign up on Momence and comment below that you’re coming!

I was floored by how much better I felt after starting regular acupuncture treatment:

I was sleeping better, my energy was off the charts, my digestion was great, and I had no pain.

As a practitioner of this medicine, I want this level of well being to be accessible to as many people as possible, which is why I’ve collaborated with to make a sliding scale payment option available.

We are committed to creating greater accessibility to treatment, so if there is a way we can remove a financial barrier, please reach out via email by visiting authenticyoga.co/acupuncture.

I look forward to seeing you for treatment!

What’s your experience with damp?

Your frequency of treatment largely depends on a few things:

- What your symptoms are
- How long you’ve had symptoms
- The intensity of your symptoms
- If you’ve had acupuncture before
- What your goals for treatment are

My style of acupuncture practice is by definition patient-centered care, which means I tailor my treatments to each unique patient, their presentation, and their goals for care.

Every person responds to acupuncture differently, so when you come for treatment, we talk and strategize together to come up with a plan that will benefit you most.

An important aspect of acupuncture to note is that this medicine offers a cumulative effect; each treatment build on the last, so the closer together treatments are, the greater the healing effects will be.

Also, you don’t have to have any symptoms at all to benefit from acupuncture! Lots of patients come in seasonally just for “tune-ups” to stay in balance with their natural rhythm.

Every patient shows up differently, so it’s important to know that whatever is going on with you, my goal is to provide you the care that benefits you most.

Reach out book an appointment or to ask any questions you might have!

This is one of my favorite points 📍
LU9 is the Yuan/Source point of the Lung Meridian, meaning that the source of Lung energy can be accessed here.

This point is also the Earth & tonification point of this channel, which means it helps to regulate Lung qi & yin if out of balance.

As a Shu stream point, it also clears heat.

This is a great point for pain in the shoulder, back, clavicle, inner arm, and/or chest; it’s good for cough, wheezing, shortness of breath, and/or asthma.

Have you ever had LU9 treated?

These Four Inspections help me discern where a patient is most out of balance so I can design a treatment plan that supports them getting back into balance.

For example, I have a patient who often shows up with a blue hue around her eyes (not dark circles), her voice has a beautiful gravelly groan to it (like a blues singer), she smells like a damp terracotta pot, and her energy feels like something is about to happen - I’m always on the edge of my seat.

This patient shows up in Water: blue, groan, basement, fear/potential energy 🌊

From that I know to treat her on the Kidney and Bladder meridians; I usually hit KI3, BL64, BL23, and a couple of ashi points on her shoulders.

Her pulses always feel amazing afterwards: they feel harmonized, rooted, calm, and strong.

The Four Inspections are some of the most useful tools I have at my disposal and sometimes I find it funny that they’re so simple.

But that’s the beauty of this medicine: it IS simple. There’s nothing complicated going on here.

What are your CSOE?

What is stagnation & why should you care?

Stagnation is a key cause of pain in the body.

If you’ve ever had sore muscles, menstrual cramps, or a headache, you’ve probably had some kind of stagnation.

There are two types:

Qi stagnation

&

Blood stagnation & sometimes they show up together (yikes!)

Qi stagnation feels dull & achy, like sore muscles or a mild headache.

Blood stagnation feels sharp & stabby, like menstrual cramps or a migraine.

Stagnation can result from deficiency, like long term fatigue or recovering from an injury.

It can also happen as a result of excess, like recovering from an illness like covid or the flu.

Most people have experienced some sort of stagnation at least once in their lives; it can be mild or debilitating.

Luckily, acupuncture mitigates the effects of stagnation & helps rebalance energy extremely efficiently & many patients experience relief instantaneously or shortly following treatment.

Have you ever experienced stagnation?

If so, reach out to book an appointment to start feeling relief asap. Follow the link in bio or send me a dm 📥

TCM practitioners don’t treat illnesses, we treat people who show up with signs & symptoms of patterns of disharmony within organ systems 🫀🫁

So, acupuncture/TCM is beneficial for:

- mental & emotional wellness
- digestion
- elimination
- pain
- pms & menstrual symptoms
- sleep
- tremors
- fatigue
- fertility
- neuropathy
- circulation
- headaches
- skin health
- immunity
- vitality
- longevity
- metabolism
- respiratory health
- mobility
- & more

Whether you feel the healthiest you’ve ever felt or you feel like you could use a tune up, TCM is a system of medicine that benefits everyone, as it’s inherently patient-centered care!

Follow the link in my bio to book an appointment or dm me with questions.

There are 5 vital substances in Traditional Chinese Medicine, and each plays a key role in maintaining balance and wellness in the body.

Along with the principles of Yin & Yang, if any or all of these substances goes out of balance, the body suffers in noticeable ways.

The substances are generally classified from yin (dense/tangible) to yang (immaterial/intangible):

Jinye/Fluids - protects & lubricates: tears, sweat, saliva, synovial fluid, digested food & drink, brain & spinal fluid

Xue/Blood - nourishes & moves qi: blood, breastmilk, semen, bone marrow

Qi/Energy - warms, protects, upholds, transforms, transports: non-physical life force from nutrients, respiration, essence

Jing/Essence - regulates the body’s growth & development, protects: natural essence of soul & body

Shen/Spirit - yang aspect of qi, regulates emotions: light in the eyes, sparkle, connection

The balance of all 5 substances are crucial to the health and well being of every human!

Acupuncture/ TCM serves as both preventative and treatment medicine, so whether you feel fantastic and want to stay that way or if you feel like you could use some extra support, reach out to set up an appointment. Use the link in my bio or send me a dm with questions.

I look forward to working with you!

Acupuncture is so much more than just needles📍

Acupuncture, aka Traditional Chinese Medicine, is a system of medicine that includes:

- needling acupuncture points
- acupressure
- massage therapy called tui na
- cupping
- gua sha
- moxibustion
- herbal therapy
- dietary therapy
- movement therapy called qi gong
- mindfulness & meditation
- & breath work

The scope of our medicine is far more broad than most people realize, & it’s wonderful for both prevention & treatment of illness.

If you feel like you could benefit from the elegant medicine that is acupuncture/TCM, reach out by following the link in my bio or send me a dm with any questions you have.

I look forward to working with you!

Did you know we offer acupuncture wellness packs for 20% off?

New client acupuncture 4-pack: $540
Includes:
- New patient intake (90 min)
- 3 Follow-ups (60 min each)
- Expires after 6 months

Existing client acupuncture 4-pack: $480
Includes:
- 4 Follow-ups (60 min each)
- Expires after 6 months

Wellness services include:
- Acupuncture
- Acupressure
- Gua sha
- Cupping
- Moxibustion/Moxa
- Dietary therapy
- Mindfulness & Meditation
- Qi gong movement therapy
- Lifestyle coaching

Packs are available for purchase by following the link in bio or go to authenticyoga.co/acupuncture. Feel free to reach out with questions!

The Earth element is all about connecting to center, grounding, & setting intentions.

She is sensual, sweet, fragrant, juicy, & plump, like a ripe mango 🥭

The Yang Stomach & Yin Spleen create energy from nourishment to sustain us.

Earth is Late Summer, when it’s humid, damp, heavy, and the air hangs.

Energetically, she shows up as the Solar Plexus chakra 💛

On the external surface of the body, the flesh & lips correspond to the Earth.

If she were Zodiac signs, she would be Ta**us, Capricorn, & Virgo.

Earth is the Divine Feminine, Mother, Empress.

She is abundant, glowing, & full, & she sings.

This is probably the number one question that I get from patients.

Acupuncture is done using tiny, single-use, hair-like needles that your practitioner places into various points on the body.

When you have a point needled, you will likely feel two sensations: a tiny prick when the needle goes in, and then another feeling when the qi or energy moves.

The first sensation is similar to a bug bite, and it lasts a short second.

The second sensation could feel like tingles, pressure, a wave of energy, warmth, movement up or down, or something else.

The feeling of qi moving is different for everyone, and usually depends on what each individual point is meant to accomplish.

There are many sensations when it comes to acupuncture, and most people find it so relaxing, they fall asleep!

If you’re curious about acupuncture and have more questions, reach out by sending me a dm or by commenting below.

I look forward to working with you!

If there are external causes of disease, then there must be internal causes of disease.

Yin or internal pathogenic factors (IPFs) are the emotions such as fear, anger, joy, sadness, worry, grief, & shock.

There are no bad emotions, but held for too long, they create disharmony in the body. Basically, the system of medicine that is TCM aims to reinstate balance of the Five Elements within the body.

Each emotion resonates with a different organ in the body & its corresponding element.

Fear corresponds to the Water & Fire elements & chiefly affects the Kidneys, Bladder & Heart.

Anger aligns to the Wood element & primarily affects the Liver & Gallbladder.

Joy & sadness resonate with the element of Fire & affects the Heart, Small Intestine, Pericardium & what is know as the Triple Energizer.

*Note: It may seem strange that joy could be considered a cause of disease, but as we know, too much good is no good.

Worry corresponds to the Earth & the Stomach & Spleen.

Grief belongs to Metal & influences the Lung & Large Intestine.

Shock mainly affects the Heart & Kidneys.

Emotions are meant to flow freely throughout our lives, but when they get stuck, they can negatively affect every level of our being, including body, mind & spirit.

Be sure to express your emotions in a healthy way & if you feel like you need support, reach out.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) the causes of disease are explained through the lens of yin & yang as well as the forces of nature.

Yang or external pathogenic factors (EPFs) are climatic such as cold, wind, heat, damp, dryness, & fire.

Everything in moderation is ok, but when one or more of these things goes out of balance, our health can be negatively affected.

Cold causes things, chiefly qi (energy) & blood, to slow down in the body. When things slow down too much, it can cause them to slow to a trickle or even stop altogether. When qi & blood slow or stop moving, we get stagnation or stasis, which often results in pain that is either dull & achy or fixed & stabbing.

Wind causes things (qi & blood, amongst other substances) to move. When wind moves things too much, it can cause tremors, stagnation, one-sided pain, pain that moves, irritation, & anxiety.

Heat causes things to speed up. When there is too much movement, this can cause heart palpitations, dryness (another pathogenic factor), fatigue, anxiety, insomnia, constipation or loose stools, irritability, rashes, mouth sores, & more.

Damp causes obstruction, which is similar to stagnation. When it’s foggy, it’s hard to see. When damp gets into the body, it causes heaviness, sluggish digestion, mind fog, constipation or loose stools, bloating, etc.

Dryness dries things up & slows them down. Think of a river: when there isn’t enough water, nothing flows. Too much dryness can cause dry skin, nails, mouth, eyes, constipation, fatigue, sluggish digestion & elimination, headaches, etc.

Fire is a stepped up version of heat. It burns everything up in its path. It comes from unresolved heat or spending too much time in a hot environment (speaking as a hot yoga teacher). Fire looks like constant, unstable hunger; extreme irritability, mood swings, or uncontrollable anger; burning urination, high fever, red face, red tongue, heart palpitations, & more.

With any illness, there is always a spectrum of presentations, and often the EPFs come in tandem: wind-heat, damp-heat, wind-cold, etc.

Dress for the weather & don’t stay anywhere where you’re uncomfortable for too long.

Ever have neck/shoulder tension? Back pain? Knots?

These symptoms are often the results of what’s known as qi (energy) or blood stagnation in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).

Dull, achy pain that moves is qi that slows down and stagnates.

Sharp, stabbing, or fixed pain is energetic blood that does the same thing.

Both of these conditions commonly arise due to what’s called “blood deficiency.”

Blood moves qi, so when there isn’t enough blood*, the flow of both slows and stagnates, often along the meridians that we tend to rely on heavily.

*Note: In this case, “blood” refers to energetic blood, which is made up of many substances including actual blood. Having “blood deficiency” doesn’t diagnose you with any western medical condition like anemia, for example.

Cupping is an excellent modality for any kind of stagnation; it helps to move the stuck blood and qi to get it moving again in the proper flow.

A acupuncture treatment following cupping is 🤌 because it strengthens the effects of the cupping and regulates qi and blood flow along the meridians.

It’s important to continue to support the proper flow of qi after treatment by resting, eating a hearty, warm meal, and maybe having an epsom salt bath. 🛀

Have you ever had cupping?

Late summer is upon us! 🌻🌻🌻

This is the energy of transition; we experience late summer in literal late summer and between every other season.

Late summer corresponds to the Earth element or phase in Five Element Acupuncture. 🌎

The Earth correspondences include:

Organs - Spleen & Stomach
Emotion - Worry
Spirit - Intention (Yi)
Color - Yellow
Sound - Sing
Odor - Fragrant
Climate - Damp/Humid
Body tissue - Flesh
Or***ce - Lips

Sometimes when transitions are difficult for us, we tend to wobble in the Earth element.

Some of my go-to Earth balancing points are:

SP3, SP6, SP9, SP10, ST44, ST40, ST36, ST30, & ST8 📍

There are lots more, of course, & these are just a few classics.

How do you experience Earth energy?

When was the last time you allowed yourself to pause?

To rest in the middle of the day?

To allow yourself to be taken care of by another human?

Know that you are worthy of giving yourself time to pause, rest, and be cared for.

(By the way I can’t think of many more high vibe places than the yoga room 🌸)

Reach out and book an acupuncture session with me soon. I’m here every Tuesday 🤍

What is human design?

So often I hear people say that they don’t resonate with their astrological sign, Myers-Briggs type, enneagram, etc. One reason for that is because that’s only one small part of you. Another reason is because those systems tend to put you in a box - “this is who you are and you cannot deviate from this.”

Obviously, we are so much more than this!

I describe human design (HD) to my clients as blueprints for what makes you, you. What’s cool about it is that though it is like a roadmap, that doesn’t mean you can’t take detours.

HD is a comprehensive method to understanding why you are the unique human that you are. ✨

It combines astrology, the I Ching, quantum physics, and the chakras into a body graph which can be read to you by a certified reader.

By looking at your chart, I can tell your energy type, your strategy for making decisions, what motivates you, what your digestion is like, your manifestation style, what it looks like when you’re aligned, what it looks like when you’re not, and what your life theme is.

Have you ever felt tired for seemingly no reason?

Have you ever felt like you constantly repeat patterns in your life that you’d rather break free of?

Do you ever feel stuck?

Are you contemplating making a change in your life?

Human design can help shed light on areas of your life that you may feel like need some clarity and/or direction.

If this is something that resonates with you, send me a DM or follow the link in my bio to set up a coaching call.

I’m looking forward to helping you live your HD experiment 💫

Point of the day: LU8 Meridian Gutter

Found just below the wrist on the lower forearm, Meridian Gutter is the jing-river and Metal point of the Lung channel.

This point is wonderful for:

🤍 Cough
🤍 Asthma
🤍 Fever & chills
🤍 Chest pain radiating to the upper back
🤍 Sore throat
🤍 Blocked bowels

For the patient who:

🤍 Needs support cleansing & purifying the gutters of body, mind & spirit
🤍 Is holding on to toxicity or spiritual negativity
🤍 Tends to be cynical
🤍 Is holding on to difficult memories or grudges
🤍 Needs support living in the here and now

Swipe for location 👉

If you feel like you could benefit from this or another point, message me or follow the link in my bio to book an appointment. 🙏🏼

References: A Manual of Acupuncture (Deadman et al), Spirits & Functions (Francis).

Spring News at Kat Claussen Wellness - Now treating at Kunlun Mountain Acupuncture in Annapolis on Wednesdays and Thursdays!

https://conta.cc/3P6elJ2

Spring News 🌸 Now treating at Kunlun Mountain in Annapolis! Book Now Shop Now treating at Kunlun Mountain in Annapolis! Happy Spring! I'm pleased to announce that starting on Wednesday, 5/11 I will begin treating p

When I tell people I’m an acupuncturist, the responses usually go like this:

“Wow, that's so cool!” & “Why is it that when I say my ankle hurts, I get needled somewhere else?”

I love this question. The answer is a treatment methodology known as “Root & Branch.”

Let’s say you get an upper respiratory infection. You have a sore throat, runny nose, coughing, sneezing, congestion, a headache, body aches and a fever. 

You go to your primary care doctor, they take your vitals and prescribe you cough medicine, an NSAID like Ibuprofen for fever and pain, fluids to rehydrate, and rest. 

And/or:
You go to your acupuncturist and tell them your symptoms. They ask about sleep, emotions, energy levels, appetite, diet, digestion, elimination, level of stress, pain level, what’s flourishing in your life. They ask you a lot of things that may not feel completely relevant to the situation at hand. 

Then they listen to your pulses, look at your tongue, and maybe palpate a few places on your body. Then they needle your hands, wrists, either side of your nose, your lower legs, and maybe your fingers, then let you rest for 20 minutes. 

They come back, remove the needles and listen to your pulses again. They place a couple more needles and either leave them for a few minutes or take them out right away. They listen to pulses one more time, and you’re on your way. 

This method of treating is known as Root & Branch because it addresses the presenting illness (Branch), but it also addresses the original cause, the Root.

Yes you have a cold, but why? How did you get sick in the first place? Are you eating enough? Are you getting enough sleep? Is your stress level through the roof? Are you doing things you enjoy? How are your relationships? Are you having fun? 

If any or all of these things is out of whack, it’s no surprise you got sick! Healing begins with our self care. Luckily, you have health care providers who are well aware of this and are more than happy to guide you on your journey to balance for body, mind, and spirit. 

If you’re new to acupuncture and have questions or would like to book an appointment, comment here or send me a DM! I look forward to working with you.

Point of the day: LU7 Broken Sequence

Broken Sequence is the junction point of the Lung meridian, located bilaterally about 1.5” (1.5 cun) proximally from the radial wrist crease, between the brachioradialis and abductor pollicis longus tendons (the tendons on the thumb side of your wrist).

This is a beautiful point good for so many things, such as:

🤍 Colds & flu
🤍 Chronic asthma
🤍 Facial swelling
🤍 Depression
🤍 Shallow breathing
🤍 Neck, shoulder, and facial pain
🤍 Constipation

For the patient who:

🤍 Could use a broader perspective on life
🤍 Needs a renewed sense of purpose
🤍 Is feeling disappointed with life
🤍 Is grieving or has a hard time letting go

Indications:

🤍 Migraines
🤍 Loss of sense of smell
🤍 Face pain
🤍 Chest constraint
🤍 Pain or itching of the chest
🤍 Sneezing or nasal congestion

Swipe for location 👉

If you feel like you could benefit from this or any other point, message me or follow the link in my bio to book an appointment with me. I look forward to meeting you!

References: A Manual of Acupuncture (Deadman et al), Acupuncture Point Compendium (Hatton), Spirits & Functions (Francis).

Point of the day: LU7 Broken Sequence

Broken Sequence is the junction point of the Lung meridian, located bilaterally about 1.5” (1.5 cun) proximally from the radial wrist crease, between the brachioradialis and abductor pollicis longus tendons (the tendons on the thumb side of your wrist).

This is a beautiful point that is good for so many things, such as:

🤍 Colds & flu
🤍 Chronic asthma
🤍 Facial swelling
🤍 Depression
🤍 Shallow breathing
🤍 Neck, shoulder, and facial pain
🤍 Constipation

For the patient who:

🤍 Could use a broader perspective on life
🤍 Needs a renewed sense of purpose
🤍 Is feeling disappointed with life
🤍 Is grieving or has a hard time letting go

Indications:

🤍 Migraines
🤍 Loss of sense of smell
🤍 Face pain
🤍 Chest constraint
🤍 Pain or itching of the chest
🤍 Sneezing or nasal congestion

Swipe for location 👉

If you feel like you could benefit from this point, send me a message or book an appointment with me by following the link in my bio. I look forward to meeting you!

References: A Manual of Acupuncture (Deadman et al), Acupuncture Point Compendium (Hatton), Spirits & Functions (Francis).