Information sheets

Do you feel more than just stressed? Is it an intense, agitated, hot feeling, with a mind that won't stop racing, a red face, and a powerful thirst for cold drinks? This "five-alarm" state is often a pattern Chinese Medicine calls Blazing Heart-Fire. It’s a true excess condition where severe emotional strain or a diet of hot, inflammatory foods has created a literal "fire" in the Heart system, which houses the Mind.

Key signs of this intense pattern include:

• Severe anxiety, agitation, and restlessness.
• Insomnia, strong palpitations, and mouth ulcers.
• A red face and a strong craving for ice-cold beverages.

This pattern requires a decisive approach. Our acupressure treatments are designed to powerfully drain this Fire and calm the agitated Mind. The lifestyle advice we provide is critical, focusing on a strictly cooling diet and creating a peaceful environment to help extinguish the flames and restore you to a state of clear, tranquil peace.

Have you ever experienced a state that goes beyond anxiety into a feeling of deep confusion, agitation, and even erratic behaviour? In Chinese Medicine, this severe mental-emotional state is often diagnosed as Phlegm-Fire Harassing the Heart. It occurs when two pathological factors invade the "palace" of the Mind: Phlegm, a thick substance that mists the mind and causes confusion, and Fire, an intense heat that causes agitation and mania.

Key signs are a disturbing mix of:

• Mental confusion, muddled thinking, and incoherent speech (Phlegm).
• Severe agitation, mania, impulsive actions, and a red face (Fire).
• A feeling of oppression in the chest, sometimes with audible phlegm.

This serious pattern requires a targeted approach to both transform the Phlegm and drain the Fire. Our acupressure treatments work to clear the chest, calm the spirit, and create clarity. A very strict, clean diet that eliminates all phlegm-producing and heating foods is the cornerstone of recovery, helping to restore the Mind to its natural state of peaceful clarity.

Do you ever feel like your head is full of cotton wool? This sensation of brain fog, muddled thinking, poor concentration, and emotional apathy is often diagnosed in Chinese Medicine as Phlegm Misting the Mind. It occurs when a weakened digestive system fails to process fluids properly, leading to the formation of a thick, heavy substance called "Phlegm" that obstructs the clarity of the Mind.

Key signs of this pattern include:

• Persistent brain fog, confusion, and poor memory.
• A feeling of heaviness or dizziness in the head.
• Apathy, emotional dullness, and a lack of mental "spark."

Unlike more "fiery" patterns, this condition is not about agitation but about obstruction and dullness. Our acupressure treatments aim to clear this "fog" and strengthen the underlying weakness. Lifestyle and dietary changes are paramount, focusing on eliminating phlegm-producing foods like dairy and sugar to clear the way for a return to mental sharpness and clarity.

Do you feel a persistent tightness, pressure, or weight in your chest, accompanied by low spirits, frequent sighing, or a general lack of joy? This is a classic presentation of a pattern Chinese Medicine calls Heart-Qi Stagnation. Unlike Liver stagnation caused by frustration, this pattern arises from emotional pain held within—such as sadness, grief, or worry—which blocks the free flow of energy in the chest.

Key signs of this pattern include:

• A feeling of oppression or tightness in the chest.
• Palpitations and a low or depressed mood.
• Frequent sighing as the body tries to release the blockage.

This pattern is a sign that the "spirit" is feeling constrained. Our acupressure treatments focus on opening the chest, moving the stuck Qi, and calming the mind. Lifestyle advice is crucial and centers on finding ways to safely express held emotions, engaging in joyful movement, and actively re-introducing moments of happiness and connection into your life to restore a sense of lightness and ease.

Chest pain, a feeling of oppression in the chest, or pain that radiates to the shoulder and arm are significant symptoms that correspond to a Chinese Medicine pattern known as Heart Vessel Obstruction. This serious condition occurs when the flow of vital energy (Qi) and Blood in the vessels that nourish the Heart muscle itself becomes blocked by factors like 'Phlegm' or 'Blood Stasis'.

Key signs of this pattern include:

• Chest pain (stabbing, oppressive, or constricting).
• Shortness of breath and palpitations.
• A purple hue on the lips or tongue.

It is vital that any form of chest pain is first evaluated by a medical doctor. Our acupressure work serves as a complementary therapy. We aim to gently improve circulation, transform the underlying obstructions, and calm the spirit. The lifestyle advice we provide is crucial, focusing on a clean, non-greasy diet and gentle, regular movement like walking or Tai Chi to support the free flow of Qi and Blood.

Sharp, stabbing, or pricking chest pain that is fixed in one location is the hallmark of a serious Chinese Medicine pattern called Heart Blood Stasis. This occurs when the circulation of Blood in the vessels of the Heart itself becomes obstructed, often as a long-term result of emotional pain or Qi stagnation.

Key signs of this pattern include:

• A sharp, stabbing pain in the chest, possibly radiating to the arm or shoulder.
• A purple or dusky colour on the lips, nails, or tongue.

It is absolutely vital that any form of chest pain is first evaluated by a medical doctor. Our acupressure work is a complementary therapy aimed at invigorating circulation from a holistic perspective. We provide targeted lifestyle advice, especially on diet and gentle exercise, to help move stagnant Blood, open the chest, and support a return to smoother, pain-free flow.