Our Uniqueness

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What is Meridian in Traditional Chinese Medicine?

Meridians are paths through which the life-energy known as "Qi" flows. The simplest definition is that a meridian is an energetic highway in the human body. Meridians allow for the flow of energy, known as Qi, to circulate throughout the body. Meridians exist in corresponding pairs and each meridian has multiple acupuncture points along the pathway. Blocked Qi causes pain or illness. The flow of Qi is restored by using needles (acupuncture), pressure (acupressure/tui na/massage), suction (cupping), or heat (moxibustion) at specific points along the meridians.  

What are 12 Meridians?

The 12 Meridians, also called Principal Meridians, are divided into Yin and Yang groups. The Yin meridians of the arm are the Lung, Heart, and Pericardium. The Yang meridians of the arm are the Large Intestine, Small Intestine, and Triple Burner/San Jiao. The Yin Meridians of the leg are the Spleen, Kidney, and Liver. The Yang meridians of the leg are Stomach, Bladder, and Gall Bladder. 

What is the 12-Meridian Test?

The 12-Meridian Test is a completely non-invasive way used to gain valuable information about your body’s energy meridians. Unlike conventional medicine, which uses chemistry and bloodwork to check vital functions, the 12-Meridian Test uses physics and energy to assess your current health condition by measuring the conductivity of the entire body through examining very particular acupoints. While the concept may sound foreign, it’s the same process as an EKG. Whereas an EKG measures the electrical activity of the heart, the 12-Meridian Test measures the electrical activity of the acupoints. It can tell you the functional status of your meridians and their related organs, systems, functions, or energy levels, by determining if meridians are stressed, balanced, or weakened, and by how much. Dr. Liu will explain the 12-Meridian Test results in detail during your consultation. Meridians are Qi/energy pathways are invisible but by implementing this test, you can actually SEE your meridians’ Qi levels and status. This mystery Qi/energy can be quantitatively measured and plotted onto graphs. If you are a visual learner, this can be easily understood. 

What is Heart Rate Variability (HRV)?

HRV is simply a measure of the variation in time between each heartbeat. This variation is controlled by a primitive part of the nervous system called the autonomic nervous system (ANS). It works behind the scenes, automatically regulating our heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, and digestion among other key tasks. The ANS is subdivided into two large components: the sympathetic and the parasympathetic nervous system, also known as the fight-flight mechanism and the rest-digest response. 

The brain is constantly processing information in a region called the hypothalamus. The ANS provides signals to the hypothalamus, which then instructs the rest of the body either to stimulate or to relax different functions. It responds not only to a poor night of sleep, or that sour interaction with your boss, but also to the exciting news that you got engaged, or to that delicious healthy meal you had for lunch. Our body handles all kinds of stimuli and life goes on. However, if we have persistent instigators such as stress, poor sleep, unhealthy diet, dysfunctional relationships, isolation or solitude, and lack of exercise, this balance may be disrupted, and your fight-or-flight response can shift into overdrive.

A higher HRV at rest generally indicates better health, a younger biological age, and better aerobic fitness. People with high HRV are usually happier and less stressed. In general, low HRV is considered a sign of current or future health problems because it shows your body is less resilient and struggles to handle changing situations. However, HRV is affected by everything from your mindset, to air quality, to age, to exercise pattern.

Different emotions relate to different meridian systems. How healthy your emotional state is will definitely affect how well your overall balance is. Dr. Liu will utilize a simple non-invasive device to test your HRV during your initial in-person visit. According to your test results, she will guide you with simple tips to bring you into a much more balanced/coherent state. You can leave her office with simple and effective tips to practice throughout your daily life. 

What is body sensitivity？

Sensitivity to bodily signals is the tendency to be aware of bodily states and to identify subtle bodily reactions to internal and external environmental conditions. You might notice that certain odor, temperature change (sudden cold or hot), environmental pressure change (before rain or storm), or particular food (gluten or cheese) will trigger your symptoms. But other people are completely fine. This might frustrate you constantly. 

What is the Body Sensitivity Test? 

Over years of practicing, Dr. Liu has found a short-cut to test your body sensitivity and identify your patterns by using a very specific test that is also non-invasive and uses a particular essential oil. This easy test also helps her better serve you by selecting the proper acupuncture needle size, assigning the appropriate dose of Chinese herbs and supplements, predicting accurate intervals, and providing lifestyle or diet coaching. All of these things would be customized to fit your uniqueness in your treatment plan.