Information sheets

Do you struggle with constipation that involves dry, hard, or pebble-like stools that are difficult to pass, but without intense pain or heat? This is often a sign of Large Intestine Dryness, a pattern of deficiency in Chinese Medicine. It occurs when there are not enough fluids in the body to moisten the bowel, often due to a deeper deficiency of Blood or Yin.

Key signs of this pattern include:

• Dry, hard-to-pass stools.
• Dry mouth, skin, or hair.
• There is usually no burning sensation or cramping pain.

This is a pattern of depletion, not excess. Our acupressure treatments aim to gently nourish the body's fluids and moisten the intestines. The lifestyle advice is paramount, focusing on a diet rich in moistening foods and healthy oils, while strictly avoiding drying foods like coffee and pungent spices.

Do you suffer from chronic, watery diarrhea with undigested food, a dull abdominal ache that feels better with a hot water bottle, and a general feeling of being cold? This is the classic presentation of Large Intestine Cold, a Chinese Medicine pattern rooted in a deficiency of the body's internal warming energy (Yang).

Key signs of this pattern include:

• Chronic loose stools or diarrhea (not foul-smelling).
• A dull ache that is relieved by warmth.
• A general feeling of coldness and fatigue.

This is a chronic pattern of weakness, not an acute infection. Our acupressure treatments aim to gently rebuild the body's internal "furnace." The lifestyle advice is paramount, focusing on a long-term, strictly warming diet and habits that conserve energy to restore warmth and strength to the digestive system.

Do you experience rectal prolapse, especially after a bowel movement, accompanied by chronic diarrhea, a dragging sensation, and profound exhaustion? This is the presentation of a severe deficiency pattern in Chinese Medicine known as Collapse of the Large Intestine. It occurs when the body's core energy ("Central Qi") is so depleted that it can no longer hold the organs in place.

Key signs of this pattern include:

• Prolapse of the rectum.
• Chronic diarrhea, hemorrhoids, and a feeling of bearing down.
• Deep fatigue that is worse after exertion.

It is vital that rectal prolapse is evaluated by a medical doctor. Our acupressure therapy works alongside medical care to address the severe underlying energy deficiency. The lifestyle advice is paramount, focusing on radical rest, avoiding all strain, and consuming a specific diet of warm, cooked foods to slowly rebuild the body's foundational strength.

Feeling stressed, irritable, tense, or "stuck"? In Chinese Medicine, these are often classic signs of a common imbalance known as Liver Qi Stagnation. This pattern occurs when the body's energy (Qi) becomes blocked, often due to emotional frustration, chronic stress, or feeling overwhelmed.

Common symptoms include:

• Mood swings, frustration, and frequent sighing
• Tension in the neck, shoulders, and jaw
• Bloating and digestive discomfort
• PMS and painful periods

Liver Qi Stagnation is like an energy traffic jam in your body. Our specialised acupressure massage helps to clear the congestion, while targeted lifestyle advice about movement, diet, and emotional expression can help you maintain a smooth, harmonious flow. Discover how you can restore balance and feel like yourself again.

Do you feel the classic signs of stress—like frustration, tension, and moodiness—but with an added layer of agitation, a feeling of being "hot and bothered," or a new sense of thirst? This is a common progression in Chinese Medicine called Stagnant Liver Qi turning into Heat. It happens when long-term emotional constraint and energy blockages begin to generate internal friction and heat.

Key signs are a blend of:

• Irritability and tightness (Stagnation)
• Agitation, a feeling of warmth, thirst, and a shorter temper (Heat)

This pattern is a sign that simple stress is beginning to evolve into a more "heated" condition. Our acupressure treatments work to both unblock the flow and clear the emerging heat. We provide targeted lifestyle advice, especially on diet, to help you cool your system down and manage the emotional triggers, restoring you to a calmer, more balanced state.

Do you find that stress or frustration triggers nausea, belching, hiccoughs, or acid reflux? In Chinese Medicine, this is a classic sign of Rebellious Liver Qi. This pattern occurs when stuck energy from the Liver (caused by stress) doesn't just stagnate, but actively surges upwards, disrupting your Stomach's natural downward flow.

Common symptoms include:

• Nausea, belching, or hiccoughs linked to your emotional state
• Acid reflux or a sour taste in the mouth
• A sensation of a lump in the throat
• Underlying irritability and moodiness

This is more than just "indigestion"; it's a specific energy dynamic. Our acupressure treatments work to soothe the Liver and redirect this rebellious energy. Combined with powerful lifestyle advice—like the importance of calm eating and using key acupressure points for nausea—we can help you restore digestive harmony and peace.