Greg Hartz Acupuncture

10/12/2026

Emotional repression and pain in Classical Traditional Chinese Medicine
In Classical Chinese Medicine, emotional suffering is not viewed as something that exists only in the mind. The emotions, the movement of Qi, the Blood, the Zang-Fu organ systems, and the channels are interrelated. When emotional experiences are unresolved, constrained, or repeatedly suppressed, they may disturb the normal movement of Qi and Blood, eventually contributing to tension, distension, pain, and other physical symptoms.
A central principle is “When there is free flow, there is no pain; when there is pain, there is a lack of free flow” — commonly expressed as Bu Tong Ze Tong; Tong Ze Bu Tong (不通则痛；通则不痛).
This principle is especially relevant to the classical understanding of emotional constraint, although pain can also arise from deficiency, Cold, Dampness, trauma, and other causes. How emotional constraint may become persistent pain
A TCM practitioner might conceptualize the progression as follows:
Emotional strain or prolonged distress
Anger, grief, worry, fear or unresolved conflict
Disturbed movement of Qi
For example, Liver Qi constraint or disturbed Heart and Lung Qi
Secondary physiological patterns
Muscular tension, impaired circulation in the TCM model, or depletion with prolonged strain
Pain and functional disturbance
Aching, distension, tightness, restricted movement or fluctuating discomfort

10/01/2026

10/01/2026

The TCM Philosophy of Processing Emotions
1. Awareness — Recognize the emotion
Notice what you are feeling without immediately judging it. Identify the emotional trigger and any physical sensations, such as tension in the chest, tightness in the shoulders or changes in breathing.
2. Acceptance — Allow the emotion
Avoid denying, suppressing or fighting the emotion. Allow yourself to experience it without letting it dictate your actions. In TCM philosophy, emotional balance is not the absence of emotion, but the ability to respond appropriately.
3. Regulation — Restore the movement of Qi
Use slow breathing, gentle exercise, meditation, acupuncture or mindful movement to support relaxation and emotional regulation. In TCM, the free and harmonious movement of Qi is central to emotional balance.
4. Expression — Give the emotion a healthy outlet
Communicate your needs, write down your thoughts, seek connection or engage in creative activities. Healthy expression can help prevent unresolved feelings from becoming repetitive patterns.
5. Release — Accept change and cultivate balance
Reflect on what the emotion is communicating, what is within your control and what you may need to release. This does not mean forgetting, excusing harm or forcing forgiveness. It means gradually reducing the hold that unresolved experiences have on everyday life.

09/15/2026

Why autumn is associated with sadness and grief

* Autumn represents letting go. Nature moves from growth and expansion toward contraction, decline, and eventual dormancy. TCM views this as a natural process of releasing what is no longer needed.
* The Lung governs the emotion of grief. In TCM theory, the Lungs are associated with taking in what is pure and releasing what is no longer useful—mirroring the psychological process of accepting and letting go.
* The Large Intestine reinforces this theme. Its physiological function is elimination, which TCM uses symbolically to represent releasing attachments, experiences, and emotions.
* The shortening days can encourage inward movement. Autumn’s transition from the expansive energy of summer toward the quieter energy of winter is traditionally understood as a time for reflection and consolidation.
* Grief can become more noticeable during transition. Changes in light, routine, relationships, memories, and the natural environment may bring unresolved feelings closer to awareness. This is a psychological observation rather than proof that autumn itself causes grief.
* Healthy Metal is not the absence of sadness. In TCM philosophy, healthy processing of grief allows a person to acknowledge loss, appreciate what was, and ultimately release and move forward.

09/15/2026

Why Autumn is associated with sadness and grief

1. Autumn represents contraction and letting go
In TCM, Autumn is the season when nature begins to withdraw inward. Leaves fall, plants release what is no longer needed, and growth slows. This mirrors the human process of letting go, separation, and accepting change.

2. Metal is associated with grief
The Metal element governs qualities such as discernment, boundaries, value, and the ability to release. When Metal is emotionally challenged, TCM describes this as potentially manifesting through sadness, grief, melancholy, or difficulty letting go.

3. The Lungs house the Po (魄)
The Lung system is associated with the Po, sometimes translated as the corporeal soul. The Po relates to our instinctive, physical, sensory experience and our connection with the body and present moment. TCM therefore links the Lung system closely with the emotional experience of grief.

4. Autumn naturally turns attention inward
The longer nights and decreasing activity of the season can symbolically encourage reflection and introspection. From a TCM perspective, this can bring unresolved grief or emotional attachments more strongly into awareness.

5. Healthy Metal is not the absence of sadness
An important point in TCM is that sadness itself isn’t necessarily pathological. Healthy Metal allows us to feel grief, acknowledge what has been lost, and then release it. The problem arises when grief becomes excessive, prolonged, or difficult to process. So philosophically, Autumn teaches the Metal lesson of release:
What has served its purpose can be acknowledged, appreciated, and allowed to return to the natural cycle.

Physiologically, modern science does not establish that Autumn causes sadness through the TCM Metal/Lung system. Seasonal changes can, however, influence sleep, light exposure, activity, and mood—providing a different framework for understanding why some people experience emotional changes in autumn.

09/14/2026

TCM philosophy

TCM traditionally views health as a dynamic balance that develops over time. Chronic patterns may involve:

* Qi and Blood becoming deficient or stagnant
* Yin and Yang becoming imbalanced
* Organ systems losing their ability to regulate the body
* Long-standing emotional experiences affecting the body’s functional patterns
* Repeated lifestyle, dietary, environmental, and emotional influences. Physiologically

Modern physiology also supports the idea that many changes cannot happen overnight.

Chronic problems can involve:

Nervous system → repeated stress can alter autonomic regulation and pain sensitivity.

Endocrine system → prolonged stress can influence cortisol, sleep, metabolism and reproductive hormones.

Immune system → persistent inflammation can maintain symptoms even after the original trigger has disappeared.

Musculoskeletal system → tissues, movement patterns and strength require progressive adaptation.

Brain → neuroplastic changes occur through repeated experiences over time.

Behavior → sleep, nutrition, activity and emotional responses are learned patterns that require repetition to change.

Tissue repair → collagen remodeling, connective-tissue adaptation and recovery from chronic injury occur gradually.

Why healing the past matters

There is an important distinction between saying that memories are literally stored in a particular organ and recognizing that past experiences can influence present physiology.

09/14/2026

In TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine), Dryness (燥, Zào) is one of the Six External Pathogenic Factors and is particularly associated with Autumn.

🍂 Dryness & Autumn in TCM

* Autumn → Metal Element → Lung & Large Intestine
* Dryness is the climatic influence of Autumn.
* It tends to consume body fluids and Yin, leading to insufficient moisture in the body.
* The Lungs are especially vulnerable because they are considered the most delicate organ and are easily affected by dryness.

Common signs of Autumn Dryness

Lung system

* Dry cough
* Dry or irritated throat
* Hoarse voice
* Dry nasal passages
* Reduced or scanty phlegm

Skin & body fluids

* Dry, rough or itchy skin
* Dry lips
* Increased thirst
* Dry eyes

Large Intestine

* Dry stools
* Constipation
* Difficulty passing stool

TCM treatment principle

The traditional approach is to moisten Dryness, nourish Yin and protect body fluids, while addressing the underlying Lung or Large Intestine pattern.

Foods traditionally used to support moisture include: pears, cooked apples, sesame, honey, lily bulb, tremella mushroom and gently cooked soups or stews.

Key TCM concept:

Autumn contracts and dries; treatment emphasizes preserving Yin and nourishing moisture.

This is a TCM theoretical framework, rather than a Western physiological explanation of seasonal dryness.

07/06/2026

The Season of Joy — Summer

Summer represents:

* Element: Fire
* Organ: Heart
* Paired Organ: Small Intestine
* Emotion: Joy
* Spirit: Shen (Mind, Consciousness, Spirit)
* Color: Red
* Climate: Heat
* Direction: South
* Taste: Bitter

Expression of Balanced Joy

When the Heart Qi is abundant and the Shen is settled:

* Genuine happiness
* Warmth and compassion
* Laughter and enthusiasm
* Emotional openness
* Mental clarity
* Restful sleep
* Strong connections with others
* Creativity and inspiration

A person radiates calm confidence and vitality rather than excitement or agitation.

When Joy Becomes Excessive

Too much stimulation or excitement can scatter the Shen, leading to:

* Insomnia
* Restlessness
* Anxiety
* Palpitations
* Rapid speech
* Difficulty concentrating
* Emotional instability
* Feeling “wired” rather than peaceful

TCM teaches that even positive emotions can become harmful when they are excessive.

When Joy Is Deficient

If Heart Blood or Heart Yin is deficient, a person may experience:

* Lack of joy
* Depression or emotional flatness
* Poor memory
* Social withdrawal
* Fatigue
* Poor sleep
* Lack of inspiration

Nourishing Joy During Summer

TCM encourages living in harmony with the season by:

* Rising earlier with the sun
* Spending time outdoors
* Laughing and enjoying community
* Engaging in creative activities
* Exercising without overheating
* Eating light, fresh seasonal foods
* Staying well hydrated
* Protecting yourself from excessive heat
* Taking time to quiet the mind through meditation or gentle breathing

04/20/2026

How to Optimally Support the Liver in Spring

1. Move your Qi (MOST IMPORTANT)

Spring requires movement

* Walking outdoors
* Stretching
* Twisting exercises
* Qi Gong / Tai Chi
* Light sweating

Best movements:

* Side body stretches
* Hip opening
* Tendon lengthening

Avoid:

* Sitting too long
* Suppressed emotions
* Overwork without movement

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2. Eat Spring Liver Foods

Liver likes light, fresh, green, slightly sour

Best foods:

* Dandelion greens
* Arugula
* Spinach
* Microgreens
* Sprouts
* Lemon
* Pickled vegetables (small amounts)
* Asparagus
* Celery
* Green onion

Avoid heavy:

* Greasy food
* Alcohol (especially spring)
* Sugar excess
* Late night eating

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3. Emotional Liver Support

The Liver needs expression, not suppression

Healthy outlets:

* Journaling
* Planning goals
* Creative projects
* Speaking truth calmly
* Making decisions
* Decluttering

Worst for Liver:

* Resentment
* Repressed anger
* Feeling stuck
* Lack of direction

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4. Sleep Timing (very important)

Liver Blood restores at:
1am – 3am

To support Liver:

* Sleep before 11pm
* Avoid screens late
* Wind down gradually

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5. Gentle Spring Detox (TCM style — not extreme)

Best:

* Warm lemon water morning
* Light meals
* Bitter greens
* More fluids
* Early dinners

Avoid:

* Fasting hard
* Cold juice cleanses
* Extreme detox

Spring is about gentle movement, not harsh purging.

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6. Acupressure Points for Spring Liver Support

Try pressing 1–2 minutes each:

LV3 — Tai Chong
Top of foot, between 1st & 2nd toe
→ Moves Liver Qi

LI4 — He Gu
Hand between thumb & index
→ Moves Qi overall

GB34
Outside of knee
→ Tendons / Liver support

LV14
Below ribs
→ Emotional Liver tension

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Simple Daily Spring Liver Routine

Morning:

* Warm lemon water
* Stretch sides
* Deep breathing

Midday:

* Eat greens
* Walk outside

Evening:

* Light dinner
* Gentle stretching
* Wind down early