Nature's Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture Clinic - Belmont 天然中醫診所

12/10/2025

The Gut-Brain Connection: Could Your Gut Be Driving Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder?

Recent scientific discoveries are reshaping our understanding of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), revealing a surprising connection between the gut and the brain. A groundbreaking study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders suggests that specific gut bacteria may play a causal role in the development of OCD, challenging the traditional view that OCD stems solely from brain imbalances. Integrating insights from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which emphasizes the interconnectedness of body systems, this research highlights the gut as the "second brain" and opens new avenues for holistic mental health care.

The Gut-Brain Axis: A TCM Perspective

In TCM, the gut is considered a central pillar of overall health, influencing not only physical well-being but also mental and emotional balance. The concept of the gut as a "second brain" aligns with TCM’s view of the spleen and stomach as key organs for regulating qi (vital energy) and maintaining harmony in the body. Disruptions in the gut, such as poor digestion or dietary imbalances, are believed to disturb the flow of qi, leading to mental restlessness, anxiety, or compulsive behaviors. Modern science now echoes this wisdom through the gut-brain axis, a bidirectional communication network where gut bacteria produce neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, directly influencing mood, cognition, and behavior.

Groundbreaking Research: Gut Bacteria and OCD

Using a sophisticated method called two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR), researchers analyzed genetic and microbiome data from over 200,000 individuals. This approach leverages genetic variations to simulate controlled experiments, minimizing interference from lifestyle, diet, or environmental factors. The study integrated two large datasets: microbiome genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and OCD GWAS summary statistics. The findings revealed specific gut bacteria associated with OCD risk:

Bacteria Linked to Increased OCD Risk:
Bacillales: An order of bacteria that may disrupt gut balance.
Eubacterium ruminantium group: Potentially contributes to compulsive behaviors.
Lachnospiraceae UCG001: Associated with heightened OCD susceptibility.

Bacteria Linked to Reduced OCD Risk:
Proteobacteria: May stabilize emotional responses.
Ruminococcaceae: Supports gut health and emotional balance.
Bilophila: Appears to protect against OCD symptoms.

These findings suggest that gut microbiome imbalances may not merely be a consequence of OCD but could act as a trigger, aligning with TCM’s holistic view that systemic imbalances contribute to disease.

Key Implications for Mental Health

This research offers three transformative insights:

Rethinking Treatment: If gut bacteria influence OCD, future treatments could extend beyond psychotherapy and medication. TCM-inspired interventions, such as dietary adjustments to balance qi, probiotic therapies to restore gut harmony, or even f***l microbiota transplantation (FMT), could complement conventional approaches.

Validating the Gut-Brain Axis: This study provides the first genetic evidence of a causal link between gut bacteria and OCD, reinforcing TCM’s emphasis on the interconnectedness of body and mind.

Encouraging Interdisciplinary Research: The integration of microbiology, nutrition, neuroscience, and TCM principles could pave the way for innovative mental health solutions.

Limitations and Future Directions

While promising, the study’s findings are based on genetic-level causal inference, not direct clinical evidence. Ongoing trials, such as an FMT study for OCD patients (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT05720793), aim to test whether altering gut bacteria can alleviate symptoms. Additionally, the data primarily reflect European populations, and further research is needed to confirm applicability to other groups, including Asian populations with distinct dietary and environmental factors. TCM highlights the importance of individualized care, as lifestyle and dietary habits significantly influence gut health and, by extension, mental well-being.

A Holistic Approach to OCD

This research invites us to rethink OCD not as a purely brain-based disorder but as a condition influenced by the gut-brain axis, a concept deeply rooted in TCM’s holistic framework. Stress, poor diet, or chronic digestive issues may disrupt gut bacteria, producing chemicals like serotonin or GABA that affect the brain’s emotional centers. As TCM teaches, restoring balance in the gut—through mindful eating, stress reduction, and harmonizing qi—could support mental clarity and emotional stability.

In the future, a doctor treating OCD might ask, “How’s your gut feeling?” alongside questions about your thoughts and emotions. By blending cutting-edge science with TCM’s timeless wisdom, we may unlock new paths to healing the mind through the body.

18/04/2025

Harmonizing Health with TCM: Yin-Yang, Five Elements, and Diet Guide

Introduction to TCM Nutrition
At Nature's Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture Clinic, we use Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to guide health through nutrition. TCM sees food as a way to balance Yin (cooling, calming) and Yang (warming, energizing) energies, alongside the Five Elements (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water), aligning the body’s qi, blood, and fluids. Rice, sweet potato, and seaweed are cornerstones of TCM, nourishing stomach energy (spleen qi) and kidneys while being easy to digest. By choosing foods like turmeric, beetroot, and sesame based on their thermal natures and elemental properties, you can nurture harmony.

If you suffer from reflux, bloated stomach, abdominal pain, or digestion issues, it’s critical to address these first. In TCM, a weak spleen and stomach impair nutrient absorption, meaning even the healthiest foods, like rice or sweet potato, may not benefit you fully until these issues are resolved. At our clinic, we prioritize strengthening digestion through acupuncture and tailored advice before optimizing your diet. We emphasize cooked foods to support spleen qi and promote lasting wellness.

Full content https://natureshealth.au/tcm-diet-guide

20/12/2024

Weak Tongue and Its Effects

Many individuals attribute their persistent tightness, susceptibility to injuries, and accelerated aging in the face and neck to “bad genetics.” However, the underlying issue might be a weak tongue, which can cause a cascade of problems throughout the body. 🌟

The tongue is linked to a deep fascia plane that stretches from the mouth to the feet. When the tongue is weak, it disrupts normal swallowing patterns, causing the cheeks to overcompensate, leading to puffiness and laxity. A weak tongue also fails to adhere to the roof of the mouth at rest, leaving the midface unsupported against gravity, which over time results in sagging and poor muscle tone. 😮

Moreover, a weak tongue can lead to a narrow palate, restricted airways, and misaligned teeth. This can contribute to snoring and sleep apnea, as the tongue's position affects the airway's openness during sleep. 😴 Neck tightness caused by tongue weakness can impede lymphatic drainage and blood flow to the thyroid, triggering a chain reaction that affects the face and overall health. Weakness of chi and lung chi can also contribute to a weak tongue, exacerbating these issues. 💨

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the tongue is considered a reflection of the body's internal health. A weak tongue may indicate deficiencies in chi (vital energy) and lung chi, which are essential for maintaining overall balance and vitality. 🌿 Strengthening the tongue, enhancing its mobility, and addressing tongue ties can significantly improve your appearance, posture, and overall well-being. It’s not just about aesthetics; it’s about unlocking your body’s full potential. 💪

08/10/2024

🕵Understanding Shingles and TCM treatment

What is Shingles? Shingles is a viral infection that affects the nerves and the surrounding skin, caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), the same virus responsible for chickenpox. It can occur at any age but is most common in individuals over 50. Shingles can appear on various parts of the body, including the neck, shoulder, upper back, chest, abdomen, and sometimes even the face or eyes. It manifests as a painful rash that develops into itchy blisters and can lead to severe nerve pain lasting months or even years after the rash has healed.
Causes of Shingles After recovering from chickenpox, the virus remains dormant in the nervous system. It can reactivate later in life, leading to shingles. The exact reason for this reactivation is not fully understood, but it is believed that a weakened immune system may play a role. Factors that might contribute to the reactivation include:

Stress
Fatigue
Aging
Immune system conditions such as cancer, HIV, and AIDS
Chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments
Skin injuries where the rash appears

It’s important to note that shingles is not contagious in the sense that you can’t catch shingles from someone else. However, if you haven’t had chickenpox, you can contract it from someone with shingles.

Symptoms and Complications A shingles episode typically lasts 2 to 4 weeks. Initial symptoms include a tingling sensation in the affected area, followed by pain and then a rash.

Pain: This is usually localized and can be continuous, dull, or burning, with varying intensity. Some patients may experience stabbing pains and find it difficult to wear clothing over the affected area.

Rash: Appears a few days after the onset of pain, starting as red blotches that quickly develop into itchy blisters similar to chickenpox. These blisters usually last about a week before drying out and potentially leaving minor scars.

Additional symptoms can include confusion, fatigue, fever, headache, upset stomach, and abdominal pain.

Complications Shingles can lead to several complications, especially in individuals with weakened immune systems or the elderly. The most common complication is post-herpetic neuralgia, where severe nerve pain persists long after the rash has healed. Other potential complications include:

Bacterial skin infections
Scarring
Encephalitis (brain inflammation)
Transverse myelitis (spinal cord inflammation)
Ophthalmic shingles (affecting the eyes, potentially causing vision loss)
Otic zoster (affecting the ears, potentially causing hearing loss)
Bell’s palsy (facial nerve paralysis)
Peripheral motor neuropathy (limb paralysis)


💁How TCM Can Help with Shingles
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), shingles is understood as an imbalance involving pathogenic dampness, heat, and wind. These imbalances typically manifest along the liver or gall bladder meridians on the body’s exterior. The specific symptoms and their locations can vary based on the predominant pathogenic factor:
Dampness: Lesions often appear in the lower body with more fluid discharge.
Heat: Blisters are more red and painful.
Wind: Lesions are usually in the upper body with a dominant itching sensation.

Acute Shingles
Acute shingles is commonly associated with either wind-fire or damp-heat in the liver and gallbladder meridians, or damp-heat in the spleen. These patterns can lead to Qi and blood stagnation, which is often seen in post-herpetic neuralgia.

Chronic Shingles
Chronic shingles typically involves kidney Yin deficiency and Qi and blood deficiency, often complicated by Qi and blood stagnation.

TCM Diagnosis and Treatment
TCM focuses on the patient’s internal condition, or “internal environment.” Diagnosing “damp heat” relates to the patient’s systemic condition that allows the virus to replicate and cause an outbreak. This diagnosis helps practitioners provide practical guidelines to speed recovery, such as dietary advice to avoid hot, spicy foods, fried foods, and alcohol, which can exacerbate dampness and heat.

Treatment Approaches
TCM treatment for shingles is based on pattern differentiation according to the pathogenic factor and the energy meridian involved. Acupuncture , Chinese medicine and moxibustion have proven effective, especially in the early stages of shingles. These treatments can alleviate pain, treat blisters and rashes, and significantly reduce the risk of post-herpetic neuralgia.

Patient Care
Shingles often affects older patients with deficient constitutional energy or younger patients suffering from exhaustion. The weaker the patient’s condition, the higher the likelihood of complications and prolonged disease. Addressing the underlying condition is crucial to prevent relapse or prolongation of the disease.

Our Clinic’s Approach
Dr. Yang at Nature's Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture Clinic has successfully treated many patients with shingles, from early to late stages, and those with post-herpetic neuralgia. He emphasizes the importance of seeking treatment as soon as possible to lower the risk of complications and improve outcomes

26/09/2024

💁Acupuncture helps alleviate Snoring and Sleep Apnea

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), snoring and sleep apnea are often attributed to imbalances in the body’s vital energy (Qi) and organ systems. Below are some common TCM diagnoses associated with these conditions:

Lung and Spleen Qi Deficiency: This condition is characterized by loud snoring, abrupt awakenings with a feeling of gasping or choking, dry mouth, cough with yellow sticky phlegm, constipation, excessive sweating, and fatigue.

Phlegm Obstruction: This diagnosis involves the buildup of phlegm in the respiratory tract, which can block the airways and cause snoring and sleep apnea. Symptoms may include a sensation of heaviness, dizziness, and a greasy coating on the tongue.

Lung and Stomach Deficiency: This condition is marked by deficiencies in the lung and stomach meridians, leading to poor digestion and respiratory problems.

Treatment aims to replenish yang energy and enhance blood circulation.
TCM treatments for these conditions typically include acupuncture, herbal remedies, and lifestyle modifications to restore the balance of Qi and improve overall health.

💁Mechanisms of Acupuncture for Snoring and Sleep Apnea

Enhancing Muscle Tone: Acupuncture can fortify the muscles surrounding the airway, especially those in the tongue and throat. This reinforcement helps minimize the risk of airway blockage during sleep.

Airway Expansion: By targeting specific acupuncture points, the treatment can aid in widening the airways, facilitating normal breathing patterns.

Stress Alleviation: Acupuncture is renowned for its stress-reducing and relaxation-promoting effects. Lower stress levels can enhance sleep quality and lessen the severity of sleep apnea.

Reducing Inflammation: Acupuncture may help diminish inflammation in the airways, which is beneficial for those with obstructive sleep apnea.

Boosting Blood Oxygen Levels: Some research indicates that acupuncture can elevate blood oxygen saturation levels, potentially decreasing the severity of sleep apnea.

https://natureshealth.au/your-health/f/acupuncture-helps-alleviate-snoring-and-sleep-apnea

28/07/2024

Popular Q&A:

🕵️‍♀️Can I Have Acupuncture Even When I Am Feeling Well? What Are the Benefits?

Absolutely! Regular acupuncture is an excellent routine for maintaining optimal health. It's not just for treating existing conditions but also for promoting overall wellness and helping prevent future issues.

🌞Key Benefits of Regular Acupuncture:

1. Stress Reduction: Acupuncture can lower stress levels by reducing cortisol and increasing endorphin production, promoting relaxation and well-being.

2. Improved Sleep: Regular acupuncture can enhance sleep quality by regulating sleep patterns and boosting melatonin production.

3. Pain Management: Monthly sessions can help manage chronic pain by reducing inflammation, improving circulation, and relaxing muscles.

4. Boosted Immune System: Acupuncture can strengthen the immune system, making you less susceptible to common illnesses.

5. Enhanced Mental Clarity and Mood: Acupuncture can improve mental clarity and mood by balancing neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine.

18/03/2024

10/10/2023

💁Tips to help you prepare and enjoy the benefits of acupuncture

How can you make the most of your acupuncture session at Nature’s Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture Clinic? Here are some tips :

• Eat a light meal or snack about two hours before your session. This will prevent you from feeling dizzy or nauseous during the treatment. Do not go for acupuncture after a heavy meal or when you are very hungry, also avoid heavy, greasy, or spicy foods that may upset your stomach.

• Wear loose-fitting and comfortable clothing that can be easily rolled up to expose your arms and legs. You may also need to remove your shoes and socks, so wear something that you can take off easily. Avoid tight, restrictive, or synthetic fabrics that may interfere with the flow of energy.
• Avoid caffeine and alcohol before your session. These substances can alter your mood and energy levels, and affect the accuracy of your diagnosis and the effectiveness of your treatment.
• Bring a list of all your current medications and supplements, as well as any medical conditions or allergies you have. This will help your acupuncturist to tailor the treatment to your specific needs and avoid any potential interactions or contraindications.

• Relax and enjoy the experience. Acupuncture is not painful, but you may feel some sensations such as tingling, warmth, or pressure at the points where the needles are inserted. These are normal and indicate that the treatment is working. Try to breathe deeply and calmly, and focus on the positive effects of the treatment. You may even fall asleep during the session, which is a sign of deep relaxation.

By following these tips, you can prepare yourself for a successful acupuncture session at Nature’s Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture Clinic which will leave you feeling refreshed, balanced, and energized.

08/10/2023

Science meets ancient wisdom - Ying & Yang (Tai Chi)

Tao Te Ching (Daode Jing) - Verse 42
萬物負陰而抱陽，沖氣以為和
"The created universe carries the yin at its back
and the yang in front;
Through the union of the pervading principles it
reaches harmony."

Visualizing the mysterious dance: Quantum entanglement of photons captured in real-time
https://phys.org/news/2023-08-visualizing-mysterious-quantum-entanglement-photons.html

Researchers at the University of Ottawa, in collaboration with Danilo Zia and Fabio Sciarrino from the Sapienza University of Rome, recently demonstrated a novel technique that allows the visualization of the wave function of two entangled photons, the elementary particles that constitute light, in real-time.

Using the analogy of a pair of shoes, the concept of entanglement can be likened to selecting a shoe at random. The moment you identify one shoe, the nature of the other (whether it is the left or right shoe) is instantly discerned, regardless of its location in the universe. However, the intriguing factor is the inherent uncertainty associated with the identification process until the exact moment of observation.

The wave function, a central tenet in quantum mechanics, provides a comprehensive understanding of a particle's quantum state. For instance, in the shoe example, the "wave function" of the shoe could carry information such as left or right, the size, the color, and so on.

More precisely, the wave function enables quantum scientists to predict the probable outcomes of various measurements on a quantum entity, e.g. position, velocity, etc.

This predictive capability is invaluable, especially in the rapidly progressing field of quantum technology, where knowing a quantum state which is generated or input in a quantum computer will allow to test the computer itself. Moreover, quantum states used in quantum computing are extremely complex, involving many entities that may exhibit strong non-local correlations (entanglement).

Knowing the wave function of such a quantum system is a challenging task—this is also known as quantum state tomography or quantum tomography in short. With the standard approaches (based on the so-called projective operations), a full tomography requires large number of measurements that rapidly increases with the system's complexity (dimensionality).

Previous experiments conducted with this approach by the research group showed that characterizing or measuring the high-dimensional quantum state of two entangled photons can take hours or even days. Moreover, the result's quality is highly sensitive to noise and depends on the complexity of the experimental setup.

The projective measurement approach to quantum tomography can be thought of as looking at the shadows of a high-dimensional object projected on different walls from independent directions. All a researcher can see is the shadows, and from them, they can infer the shape (state) of the full object. For instance, in CT scan (computed tomography scan), the information of a 3D object can thus be reconstructed from a set of 2D images.

In classical optics, however, there is another way to reconstruct a 3D object. This is called digital holography, and is based on recording a single image, called interferogram, obtained by interfering the light scattered by the object with a reference light.

The team, led by Ebrahim Karimi, Canada Research Chair in Structured Quantum Waves, co-director of uOttawa Nexus for Quantum Technologies (NexQT) research institute and associate professor in the Faculty of Science, extended this concept to the case of two photons.

Reconstructing a biphoton state requires superimposing it with a presumably well-known quantum state, and then analyzing the spatial distribution of the positions where two photons arrive simultaneously. Imaging the simultaneous arrival of two photons is known as a coincidence image. These photons may come from the reference source or the unknown source. Quantum mechanics states that the source of the photons cannot be identified.

This results in an interference pattern that can be used to reconstruct the unknown wave function. This experiment was made possible by an advanced camera that records events with nanosecond resolution on each pixel.

Dr. Alessio D'Errico, a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Ottawa and one of the co-authors of the paper, highlighted the immense advantages of this innovative approach, "This method is exponentially faster than previous techniques, requiring only minutes or seconds instead of days. Importantly, the detection time is not influenced by the system's complexity—a solution to the long-standing scalability challenge in projective tomography."

The impact of this research goes beyond just the academic community. It has the potential to accelerate quantum technology advancements, such as improving quantum state characterization, quantum communication, and developing new quantum imaging techniques.

The study "Interferometric imaging of amplitude and phase of spatial biphoton states" was published in Nature Photonics.

16/04/2023

🍴 Digestive health tips in TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) by Nature's Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture Clinic 🌿

• Balance grains and vegetables. 🍚🥕
• Avoid fridge cold drinks. ❄️🚫
• Drinking porridge and soup regularly can reduce stomach discomfort. 🍲🍵
• Avoid overeating during dinner to prevent discomfort during sleep. 🍽️💤
• Enjoy delicious food in moderation to avoid overeating. 🍴😋
• Rub your belly half hour after eating to aid digestion. 👐🍽️
• Avoid drinking strong and cold alcohol. 🍺❄️🚫
• Soak grains and beans overnight before cooking. 💦🌾
• Take a short walk after meals. 🚶‍♂️🥘
• Avoid talking too much while eating. 🤐🍴
• Put down your phone during meals. 📵🍽️
• Getting angry during meals can harm the liver and stomach. 😠🍴👎
• Avoid consuming too much food for dinner, as it can make it difficult to fall asleep. 🌙🍽️🛌

02/04/2023

Addressing Constipation with TCM: Understanding Diagnosis and Acupuncture & Herbal Treatments at Nature's Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture Clinic

☘In TCM, constipation is typically seen as a sign of imbalance in the body, often related to the function of the spleen, stomach, or large intestine. The spleen and stomach are responsible for transforming food into nutrients and energy, while the large intestine is responsible for eliminating waste from the body. When there is a disturbance in any of these organs or their functions, it can lead to constipation.

Some common TCM patterns associated with constipation include:

Spleen Qi Deficiency: This pattern is characterized by fatigue, bloating, and a lack of appetite. The stool may be hard and dry, and may require straining to pass.
Stagnation of Liver Qi: This pattern is associated with stress and emotional tension. Constipation may be accompanied by abdominal pain, bloating, and irritability.
Kidney Yang Deficiency: This pattern is associated with aging or chronic illness. Constipation may be accompanied by cold limbs, low back pain, and fatigue.
Acupuncture and herbal medicine can be effective treatments for constipation in TCM. Acupuncture can help to stimulate the flow of Qi and blood throughout the body, which can help to regulate the function of the digestive system. Acupuncturists may use points on the abdomen, back, and legs to address constipation, depending on the specific pattern diagnosed.

In addition to acupuncture and herbal medicine, TCM practitioners may also recommend dietary and lifestyle changes to help address constipation. This may include increasing fiber intake, drinking plenty of water, and getting regular exercise. By addressing the underlying imbalances in the body, TCM treatments can be a safe and effective way to manage constipation and improve overall digestive health.

25/02/2023

🧘‍♀️ Understanding Acupuncture: The Role of "Water and Air" in the Human Body 🌊💨 by Nature's Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture Clinic

Water and air are the most important elements on Earth, just as water and blood are the most important elements in the human body. Water and air are essential for all forms of life on Earth, while blood and chi are essential for all functions of the human body.

Energy, or chi, is the invisible energy that flows through the body and animates all functions. Without chi, the body cannot function properly, just as without air, life on Earth cannot exist. Chi flows through the body's meridians, much like how air flows through the atmosphere. When chi is flowing smoothly, the body is healthy and vibrant, but when chi is blocked or stagnant, it can cause pain, illness, or disease.

Water, or blood, is the physical material that nourishes and sustains the body's tissues and organs. Blood carries oxygen and nutrients to the cells, while also removing waste products and toxins. Water is also essential for maintaining the body's temperature, lubricating joints, and cushioning organs. Just as water needs to flow smoothly through pipes to reach its destination, blood needs to flow smoothly through the body's vessels to nourish the tissues. When blood flow is disrupted, it can cause pain, inflammation, or disease.

Acupuncture works by stimulating specific points along the meridians to regulate the flow of chi and blood. By promoting the smooth flow of chi and blood, acupuncture can help to restore balance and harmony to the body, allowing it to heal itself and maintain optimal health.

In conclusion, water and air are the most important elements on Earth, and water and blood are the most important elements in the human body. By recognizing the similarities between these elements and understanding how they interact with each other, we can appreciate the importance of maintaining balance and harmony to sustain life and promote health. Acupuncture is one way to help restore balance and promote healing, allowing the body to function at its best.