In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the Liver is closely associated with the smooth flow of Qi throughout the body. When that flow becomes constrained or “stagnant,” we may start to notice that things just don’t feel like they’re moving as freely as they should. Some patterns traditionally associated with Liver Qi stagnation can include: • Feeling tense, irritable, frustrated or emotionally “stuck” • Tightness through the neck, shoulders or jaw • Feeling worse during periods of prolonged stress • Digestive discomfort, bloating or changes in appetite • PMS or menstrual changes • Frequent sighing or feeling like you need a deep breath • Difficulty truly unwinding, even when you finally have time to rest One of the interesting principles in Chinese medicine is that stagnation isn’t always about needing to push harder. Sometimes the body needs more opportunities for flow. Think gentle movement, walking outdoors, stretching and fascia work, breathing deeply, creating space for emotions, eating regular nourishing meals, supporting digestion, getting adequate sleep and finding small ways to reduce the constant “go, go, go.” Even joy, creativity, laughter and connection can be forms of movement. 🌿 A little reflection for this week: Where in your life or body have you been feeling “stuck”? And instead of asking, “How do I force my way through this?” try asking: “What would help create a little more flow?” Sometimes healing isn't about adding another thing to the list. Sometimes it's about creating the conditions that allow things to move again.

One of the biggest shifts we make in this program isn't simply trying to "kill" pathogens. Instead, we focus on changing the terrain of the body so they are no longer able to thrive. Think of it like a garden. Weeds don't usually take over because they're stronger than the flowers. They take over because the conditions allow them to. If we only pull the weeds without improving the soil, they'll often come right back. The same principle applies to your health. Viruses, bacteria, yeast, fungi, parasites, and other opportunistic organisms are much more likely to flourish when the body's internal environment is out of balance. Factors such as chronic stress, poor sleep, sluggish digestion, inflammation, excess dampness, blood sugar dysregulation, nutrient deficiencies, and impaired detoxification can all create conditions that make it easier for pathogens to persist. Our goal is to gradually restore an internal environment that supports you instead of the pathogens. Some of the ways we do this include: • Supporting healthy digestion so nutrients can be properly absorbed and waste can be eliminated. • Optimizing bowel movements to reduce stagnation and improve detoxification. • Following an individualized nutrition plan to reduce inflammation while nourishing the body. • Supporting the liver and natural detoxification pathways. • Improving hydration to support circulation, lymphatic flow, and cellular function. • Prioritizing restorative sleep so the immune system can repair and regulate itself. • Reducing chronic stress and supporting the nervous system, which has a profound influence on immune function. • Encouraging gentle movement and lymphatic circulation to help the body clear waste products. • Using targeted Chinese herbal medicine and other therapies based on your unique pattern, rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach. • Rebuilding resilience by supporting the body's own ability to regulate, adapt, and heal. This is why healing often takes time.

UPDATE The Group Coaching Calls are now Wednesdays at 5:30pm. If your are able to make this time but would like a check in with Nurse Julia feel free to email [email protected] and we an book you in for a 15 min video call. :)

As many of you move through the Medical Medium 3:6:9, the Biomed Gut Reset, and the remainder of your six-month healing journey, we wanted to share a gentle reminder: Healing has seasons. Right now, your body is already doing a tremendous amount of work behind the scenes. You're asking it to repair, rebalance, and restore while reducing its overall burden. During the summer, however, there can be additional demands on the body longer days, more activity, vacations, working outdoors, hotter temperatures, and increased sweating. All of these can increase your body's need for fluids, minerals, and nourishment. This isn't a season to underfuel yourself. It's a season to nourish yourself well. Some reminders to help support your body: 🍉 Aim for plenty of local in season fruits and vegetables each day. These provide water, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and the carbohydrates your body uses for energy and healing. 🥥 Don't forget coconut water. It can be a great way to replenish fluids and naturally occurring electrolytes, especially after time in the heat or increased activity. 💧 Hydration matters. Sip water consistently throughout the day rather than waiting until you feel thirsty. ☀️ Be mindful of long hours in the heat or physically demanding days. If you're working outdoors, caring for children, travelling, or simply busier than usual, recognize that your body may need additional rest, hydration, and nourishing foods. 🤍 Give yourself permission to slow down when needed. Trying to maintain your usual pace while also asking your body to heal can sometimes leave you feeling more fatigued. Listening to your body's cues and adjusting your expectations during this season is part of the healing process—not a sign of weakness. Remember, the goal isn't simply to get through the herbs, the 3:6:9 or complete the Gut Reset. The goal is to clean up a significant build up and added load on the system. create a strong foundation for long-term health over the next six months and beyond.

One of the most important things to understand about Dr. Cmolik’s approach is that healing happens in phases. The goal isn’t simply to quiet a symptom temporarily, but to work methodically through the patterns contributing to it. In Chinese medicine, we can think about this process in three broad phases: 1. CLEARING This is often where the deeper work begins. The focus may be on clearing patterns such as heat, dampness, stagnation or other pathogenic factors before trying to build the body up. And this phase can take time. The longer-standing or more complex the pattern, the more layers there may be to work through. Delaying getting started can simply delay getting through the phase that may require the most patience. 2. HARMONIZING As the excess begins to clear, the focus can shift toward restoring balance and supporting the systems that have been under strain. Treatment continues to evolve based on how the individual responds. 3. TONIFYING Once the appropriate clearing work has been done, the focus can increasingly move toward nourishing, strengthening and rebuilding what has become depleted, with the goal of supporting greater resilience over time. This is why Dr. Cmolik takes such a focused, methodical approach. Chinese medicine isn't about chasing each symptom as it appears or jumping from one intervention to another. Treatment is adjusted as the pattern changes and deeper layers become apparent. If you have made the investment in your healing, start the process and give it the consistency it deserves. Waiting for the “perfect time,” repeatedly starting and stopping, or looking for shortcuts can prolong the journey—especially when the clearing phase itself may take time. Many approaches are designed primarily to manage what is visible at the surface. Our intention is to look at the broader pattern and work through it layer by layer, while recognizing that every person's timeline and response will be different. Clear. Harmonize. Strengthen. The sooner the work begins, the sooner you can start moving through those phases.