Notes from Your Acupuncturist: Conversations on Acupuncture, Alternative Medicine and Holistic Health Alexa Bradley Hulsey, Licensed Acupuncturist

Hey podcast listeners, I’m putting an indefinite pause on Notes from Your Acupuncturist. This quick episode talks about why, or you can read the written update on Substack here. Thank you for listening!


This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit notesfromyouracupuncturist.substack.com

Patients have been asking my opinion on acupressure mats for years. I finally got tired of saying, “I don’t really know,” so I decided to try one out for myself.
If you don’t know what an acupressure mat is…picture a thin rectangular mat, like the kind you used to lie on at nap time in kindergarten, and it’s covered with rows of plastic circles, each about the size of a quarter, and each plastic circle has several short plastic spikes sticking out of it, and you lie on it. It’s like a plastic bed of nails.
So I bought an acupressure mat, and then I thought…why stop with mats? So then I bought a whole bunch of other acupressure tools and asked my coworkers to test them out and report back.
And that’s what we’re diving into in this episode—how these tools work, and why you might want to use them for yourself. You’ll learn:
The fascinating history of the acupressure mat, and how I’ve incorporated mine into my daily self-care routine
The principles of acupuncture meridian and point therapeutics that support the use of acupressure mats
Uses for other acupressure tools such as rings and rollers (including special guest appearances from two of my coworkers, Ali and Sandra!)
I’ll be honest…I went into this little acupressure mat experiment a bit skeptical. I’ve seen some pretty grandiose claims on social media. I don’t think acupressure is a cure-all, but I’ve been pleasantly surprised by how much I’ve come to love my acupressure mat. Acupressure is a safe, easy, inexpensive, and effective form of self-care, so I hope this episode inspires you to try it out for yourself!
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Check out this episode’s sponsor, Open ACU! Appointment scheduling and EHR software thoughtfully built for acupuncturists, by acupuncturists.
Thanks to AudioCoffee for the music in this episode, and endless love and gratitude to my paid subscribers for contributing to the sustainability of my work!


This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit notesfromyouracupuncturist.substack.com

Have you ever found yourself in a difficult and confusing phase of life, wishing you had a guide—someone to sit you down, pour you a cup of tea, help you make sense of it all and show you the way forward?
If you’re navigating perimenopause or menopause, Clarissa Kristjansson is your person.
Clarissa is a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioner, educator, and an internationally recognized expert on perimenopause and menopause. She offers a wealth of practical advice and recommendations for weathering all of the changes that come with this phase of life, and encourages women to view this time as a holistic journey, and an opportunity for renewal and refocusing.
In this episode you’ll learn:
1. Why menopause is called the Second Spring in Chinese Medicine, and how it offers the perfect opportunity to rest, restore, and reflect on where you want to go
2. Why the TCM concepts of Jing (essence) and Ming (destiny) become even more important during this phase of life
3. Practical advice to help you feel your best amid the hormonal changes of perimenopause and menopause, including deliberate nutrition, mindful movement, and living in harmony with the TCM body clock
4. How to create space for nourishing body and spirit through Yang Sheng Fa or “nourishing life practices”
There’s so much good stuff in this episode, and so many moments of gentle wisdom from Clarissa. Even if you’re not a person going through perimenopause or menopause, trust me—there’s something for you here too. As Clarissa reminds us, Chinese Medicine brings you back to the essence of you. That’s something we can all benefit from, in any stage of life.
You can find Clarissa online at her website, on Substack, or on Instagram, and listen to her podcast, Thriving Through Menopause, wherever you get podcasts.
Clarissa Kristjansson, PhD, has been working as a holistic menopause practitioner for the last 8 years based in Sweden but working worldwide. This followed 28 years in corporate life and an academic background in nutrition and neuroscience. Her approach is rooted in Chinese medicine, Daoism and the practice of self-cultivation. She works works clients to offer a safe and supportive environment for thriving through menopause and stepping into the Second Spring. Her healing tools include Medical Qigong, Chinese food energetics and aroma point therapy to nourish life through food, movement and stillness. Clarissa hosts the Thriving Through Menopause podcast, and offers online consultations and workshops, including Medical Qigong, at her website https://clarissakristjansson.com
References:
7 Times a Woman, by Dr. Lia Andrews
All About the Chinese Body Clock
Get in touch! Send me an email or a voicemail
Get the latest updates! Check out my website, and follow me on Substack, Facebook and Instagram
Show your support! Buy me a coffee or become a paid subscriber on Substack
Loved this episode? Leave a rating or a review!
Thanks to AudioCoffee for the music in this episode, and endless love and gratitude to my paid subscribers for contributing to the sustainability of my work!


This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit notesfromyouracupuncturist.substack.com

“I have recognized myself—as a professional, as a parent, as a partner—that the better I take care of myself, the more I can be present and connected to those that I care about.” -Jason Moskovitz, L.Ac.
One of the things I love about doing this podcast is reconnecting with people I knew years ago, seeing where life and practice has taken them, and hearing some of the wisdom they’ve accumulated in the decades since we first met.
Jason Moskovitz is one of those people. We both studied acupuncture at Yo San University in Los Angeles, and in our recent conversation he reminded me of an oft-repeated saying from one of our shared teachers, Master Hua-Ching Ni:
“There are no incurable diseases, only incurable people.”
And really, that’s what this episode is about: becoming a curable person.
Some of the highlights include:
1. Expanding our understanding of the concept of root and branch in Chinese Medicine, and why roots of disease often reach far beyond physiological dysfunction, and into a person’s life circumstances, genetics, history and community
2. Why relief from suffering is rooted in connection, and how to practice and cultivate connection through self-care
3. The importance of asking for help, moving through pain and discomfort, and being both a student and teacher
4. How meditation, movement and other self-care practices cultivate intuition, which Jason calls “a truth from inside your own being”
You’ll also hear about Jason’s journey of incorporating meditation and movement practices into his own life to show up and be more present as a parent, a partner, and a practitioner. I loved this conversation with Jason, and I hope it can serve as a reminder that we all have the potential to be curable humans.
Find Jason online at https://www.newharmonyhealth.com
Buy Jason’s book, Arthritis: Secrets of Natural Healing
Get in touch! Send me an email or a voicemail
Get the latest updates! Check out my website, and follow me on Substack, Facebook and Instagram
Show your support! Buy me a coffee or become a paid subscriber on Substack
Loved this episode? Leave a rating or a review!
Thanks to AudioCoffee for the music in this episode, and endless love and gratitude to my paid subscribers for contributing to the sustainability of my work!


This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit notesfromyouracupuncturist.substack.com

In recent weeks a news story has been making the rounds about a woman who suffered a double pneumothorax as a result of an acupuncture treatment. A pneumothorax is just a fancy way of saying a collapsed lung, and although it’s exceeding rare for acupuncture to cause one, it is a possible adverse event. So I thought this would be a good opportunity to talk about the risks, side effects, and safety record of acupuncture.
Acupuncture is safe. Really, really safe. But like all forms of medicine, it is not entirely risk-free. So let’s talk about what those risks are, and how worried you should be about them.
Episode highlights include:
1. Potentially serious, yet extremely rare adverse events that may occur as a result of acupuncture, including pneumothorax, infection, damage to peripheral nerves and blood vessels, and organ damage. Learn about the many safeguards built in to the practice of acupuncture to minimize these risks, including training, testing, licensing, and the universal use of single-use, disposable needles.
2. Less serious, slightly more frequent, but still pretty rare potential side effects, including bleeding, bruising, pain at the needle site, temporary worsening of symptoms, lightheadedness, and fainting. Learn why some of these shouldn’t even be considered side effects, and are more likely signs of a positive therapeutic response.
3. A little perspective: the potential risks and side effects from acupuncture pale in comparison to other forms of medical care. It truly is one of the safest forms of medicine.
4. Not only is acupuncture extremely low-risk, it often produces bonus side benefits such as better sleep, more energy, and a calmer, more relaxed mood.
While no form of medicine is completely risk-free, acupuncture comes pretty close. It’s safe, it’s effective, and it might even surprise you with a few happy side benefits. So, now you know the risks…time to go get some acupuncture.
Get in touch! Send me an email or a voicemail
Get the latest updates! Check out my website, and follow me on Substack, Facebook and Instagram
Show your support! Buy me a coffee or become a paid subscriber on Substack
Loved this episode? Leave a rating or a review!
Check out this episode’s sponsor, Open ACU! Appointment scheduling and EHR software thoughtfully built for acupuncturists, by acupuncturists.
Thanks to AudioCoffee for the music in this episode, and endless love and gratitude to my paid subscribers for contributing to the sustainability of my work!
References:
Unlicensed Acupuncturist Is Charged After a Patient’s Lungs Collapse
Adverse Events of Acupuncture: A Systematic Review of Case Reports
Iatrogenic Pneumothorax during Acupuncture: Case Report
Safety of Acupuncture: Results of a Prospective Observational Study with 229,230 Patients and Introduction of a Medical Information and Consent Form
A Multicenter Prospective Survey of Adverse Events Associated with Acupuncture and Moxibustion in Japan
Incidence of iatrogenic pneumothorax following acupuncture treatments in Taiwan


This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit notesfromyouracupuncturist.substack.com

Have you ever had more insomnia during a full moon? Have you ever felt more introspective or melancholy during a new moon? Have you ever wondered if the pull of the moon might be affecting your physical body, your emotional state, and your life? We know the moon affects the tides, and our own bodies contain about 60% water—so why wouldn’t the phases of the moon affect us as well?
Licensed Acupuncturist Dr. Michelle Hamilton has spent a lot of time exploring these questions, and has developed a unique treatment approach she calls Lunar Acupuncture, using the energy of the lunar cycles to amplify the effects of her acupuncture treatments, and help patients take a more active role in manifesting their own healing.
In this episode, we discuss:
How to harness the moon’s cycles to promote healing, set intentions and manifest goals
How the phases of the moon and astrological cycles correlate with certain physical and emotional changes, and how they can help amplify the effects of acupuncture or other natural healing modalities
How non-acupuncturists can apply the principles of lunar acupuncture with non-needling techniques, including acupressure, crystals and essential oils. As Michelle says, “You don’t need to be an acupuncturist to utilize the power of acupuncture.”
Traditional Chinese Medicine is rooted in observation of the natural world, and the understanding that our bodies both reflect and respond to the cycles and rhythms of the universe. Our classic texts discuss the relationship between our bodies and seasonal changes, cycles of life and death, and even times of day, but surprisingly make little mention of the lunar phases. So Michelle developed her treatment approach based on insights from her patients, collaboration with other practitioners, and a deep respect for the key fundamentals of TCM.
I thoroughly enjoyed our conversation, and one of the things that struck me most about Michelle is her genuine curiosity and enthusiasm for learning, collaborating and sharing. She approaches her work with a deep sense of wonder and a desire to grow and benefit others. It's a reminder for all of us to embrace curiosity in our own lives, and to never stop seeking knowledge and understanding.
Dr. Michelle Hamilton is the owner of the Zen Den, a hybrid community style acupuncture clinic and healing center in San Luis Obispo, CA. She’s been in practice for 14 years, and has also developed educational offerings including her Lunar Acupuncture course and Community Acupuncture school. You can learn more about Michelle, her practice, and her courses at her website, https://www.drmichellehamilton.com
Curious to learn more about Lunar Acupuncture? Use coupon code NOTESFROMTHEMOON to save $80 off course enrollment! Enroll here!
Follow Michelle on Instagram at @dr_michellehamilton
Get in touch! Send me an email or a voicemail
Get the latest updates! Check out my website, and follow me on Substack, Facebook and Instagram
Show your support! Buy me a coffee or become a paid subscriber on Substack
Loved this episode? Leave a rating or a review!
Thanks to AudioCoffee for the music in this episode, and endless love and gratitude to my paid subscribers for contributing to the sustainability of my work!


This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit notesfromyouracupuncturist.substack.com