TCM with Neil

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TCM with Neil Neil (Boxun) Dou, Vice President of ATCMA,
Registered Acupuncturist in BC.

Supplements can have their place, but they shouldn't automatically replace the basics.When I'm thinking about food from ...
10/17/2026

Supplements can have their place, but they shouldn't automatically replace the basics.

When I'm thinking about food from a TCM perspective, I look at the overall pattern of someone's diet and how they respond to it, rather than searching for one magical ingredient.

A practical grocery cart might simply include vegetables, fruit, grains, protein and ingredients you can turn into warm, balanced meals.

TCM lifestyle guidance traditionally emphasizes regular meals and warm, cooked foods as part of supporting digestion and overall well-being.

You don't need to buy every trending powder, tea or supplement.

Start with the food that's already going on your plate.

[TCM food recommendations, TCM nutrition, healthy grocery list, whole foods, TCM food therapy, healthy eating

balanced meals, Traditional Chinese Medicine, TCM practitioner, wellness nutrition]

Your period shouldn't have to dictate your entire month.In TCM, menstrual health is considered as part of a bigger pictu...
10/15/2026

Your period shouldn't have to dictate your entire month.

In TCM, menstrual health is considered as part of a bigger picture. A practitioner may look at your cycle, the nature of your pain and other symptoms to understand your individual pattern.

Acupuncture may be an option to discuss for menstrual pain, alongside appropriate medical care.

If your cramps are severe, worsening or interfering with daily life, don't ignore them. Speak with a healthcare professional to explore possible causes.

Save this as a reminder to pay attention to your cycle.

[Menstrual health, period pain, menstrual cramps, women's health, acupuncture, TCM, painful periods, Traditional Chinese Medicine]

When you're exhausted, the last thing you need is a complicated meal plan with 17 ingredients and three hours of prep.Ke...
10/12/2026

When you're exhausted, the last thing you need is a complicated meal plan with 17 ingredients and three hours of prep.

Keep it practical.

A warm grain + protein + cooked vegetables is an easy starting point, and you can change the ingredients based on what you enjoy and what works for you.

From a TCM perspective, digestion and energy are closely connected, which is why practitioners may look at digestive symptoms alongside fatigue rather than treating them as completely separate issues.

Your everyday meals don't have to be perfect to be supportive.



[TCM food, TCM fatigue, foods for energy, TCM nutrition, warm meals, healthy meal Ideas, balanced meals, Traditional Chinese Medicine, TCM practitioner, food and energy]

The “healthiest” breakfast isn't necessarily the same for everybody.One person might feel great after a cold smoothie. A...
10/09/2026

The “healthiest” breakfast isn't necessarily the same for everybody.

One person might feel great after a cold smoothie. Another might feel heavy, bloated or uncomfortable afterward.

That's one reason TCM food traditions pay attention not only to what you eat, but also to preparation, temperature and the individual's overall pattern.

This isn't about declaring smoothies, salads or iced drinks “bad.”

It's about becoming more aware of your own response.

Try changing one thing at breakfast for a few days and actually pay attention to what happens afterward.

[TCM breakfast, TCM food recommendations, healthy breakfast, TCM food therapy, warm breakfast, digestion and food, digestive health, Traditional Chinese Medicine, TCM nutrition, healthy eating]

When my digestion feels off, I don't try to “fix” it with an extreme diet.I simplify.A warm bowl of rice. Some cooked ve...
09/26/2026

When my digestion feels off, I don't try to “fix” it with an extreme diet.

I simplify.

A warm bowl of rice. Some cooked vegetables. Eggs. Soup. Ginger tea. Whatever feels easy and comfortable.

In TCM, food temperature and preparation are considered alongside the individual person's constitution and symptoms. Traditional TCM lifestyle guidance also commonly emphasizes warm, cooked foods and regular meals.

That doesn't mean cold foods are automatically bad or that everyone needs to avoid them. Your individual pattern matters.

So next time your stomach feels heavy, instead of asking “What superfood should I take?” try asking:

“What would feel easiest for my body right now?”



[TCM digestion, TCM food recommendations, foods for digestion, digestive wellness, warm foods, ginger tea, TCM food therapy, bloating, nausea, healthy meal ideas, Traditional Chinese Medicine]

The post-lunch crash isn't always just because you “ate too much.”In TCM, digestion is closely connected with the body's...
09/25/2026

The post-lunch crash isn't always just because you “ate too much.”

In TCM, digestion is closely connected with the body's ability to transform food and support energy.

That's why a practitioner may ask questions that seem unrelated at first, like whether you experience bloating, loose stools, poor appetite, nausea or brain fog, especially when these symptoms tend to happen together.

It’s less about labeling one food as “good” or “bad” and more about noticing your individual pattern.

Because sometimes your body is giving you information long before you think something is actually wrong.



[TCM digestion, Traditional Chinese Medicine, digestive health, bloating after eating, post meal fatigue, food and energy, TCM food therapy, digestion and energy, TCM practitioner, acupuncture]

Ever notice how you can fall asleep perfectly fine, only to wake up in the middle of the night and suddenly feel wide aw...
09/16/2026

Ever notice how you can fall asleep perfectly fine, only to wake up in the middle of the night and suddenly feel wide awake?

In TCM, sleep is looked at as part of a bigger pattern. Instead of only asking “How many hours did you sleep?”, a practitioner may look at when you wake up, what you feel when you wake, whether you can fall back asleep, and what your energy is like during the day.

And no, waking up at 3AM doesn't automatically mean one specific thing. The pattern around it matters.

If this keeps happening, pay attention to what your body is telling you rather than brushing it off as “just bad sleep.”

Save this for the next time you're staring at the ceiling at 3AM. 👀



[TCM, Traditional Chinese Medicine, TCM sleep, sleep problems, waking up at night, 3AM waking, sleep health, insomnia, TCM practitioner, acupuncture, sleep patterns, holistic health]

Ever wondered why cupping leaves those circular marks?The marks can look dramatic, but they’re a normal temporary respon...
09/12/2026

Ever wondered why cupping leaves those circular marks?

The marks can look dramatic, but they’re a normal temporary response to the suction created by the cups. Their colour and intensity can vary from person to person and usually fade with time.

One important misconception: darker marks do not automatically mean more “toxins” were removed. The appearance of the marks isn't a measurement of how much treatment your body needed.

In TCM, cupping is traditionally used as part of an individualized approach, often for areas of muscle tension, stiffness, and discomfort.

So next time you see those circles, you’ll know there’s more to them than meets the eye.

Follow for more TCM and acupuncture education.

[Cupping, cupping therapy, TCM, traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture, cupping marks, muscle tension, pain relief, holistic health, wellness, TCM education, recovery]

09/04/2026

“Liver Qi stagnation” is one of those TCM terms people hear all the time but rarely get explained properly.

The word stagnation is the key. In TCM, Qi is meant to move smoothly through the body. When that movement becomes disrupted, it can show up in different ways, especially during periods of stress, frustration, or emotional tension.

Think of it like a traffic jam: the cars are still there, but they aren't moving the way they should.
This is why TCM looks at the overall pattern, rather than assuming one symptom tells the whole story.
Follow for more simple explanations of TCM concepts you may have heard before but never fully understood.

(TCM, Liver Qi stagnation, Liver Qi, Qi stagnation, Chinese medicine, traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture, stress, stress relief, TCM diagnosis, TCM patterns, energy flow, holistic health, wellness)

You don't need a kitchen full of expensive “wellness” products to eat in a way that supports your body.Some of the ingre...
09/02/2026

You don't need a kitchen full of expensive “wellness” products to eat in a way that supports your body.

Some of the ingredients I come back to are incredibly simple, ginger, dates, goji berries, eggs, rice, and seasonal vegetables. They're versatile, easy to prepare, and have been used in traditional Chinese food practices for generations.

I also think the way we eat matters. A warm, freshly prepared meal can feel very different from constantly grabbing something cold or eating while rushing between tasks.

TCM food therapy is about looking at the individual and creating balance through everyday habits, not following one perfect diet.

What’s one ingredient you always have in your kitchen?

[TCM, Traditional Chinese Medicine, TCM food therapy, Chinese food therapy, healthy eating, ginger, goji berries, Chinese dates, nourishing foods, wellness, holistic health, food therapy, TCM practitioner]

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6081 Number 3 Road
Richmond, BC
V6Y2B2

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