Flow. It has many meanings depending on its context. “Go with the flow.” “Flow freely.” “Aunt Flow.” “Get your creative juices flowing.”

Mihály Csíkszentmihályi, the Hungarian psychologist who developed the psychological concept of flow, defines it as “the mental state of operation in which a person performing an activity is fully immersed in a feeling of energized focus, full involvement, and enjoyment in the process of the activity.” Regardless of the context, flow has a fundamental quality of effortless power in its natural rhythm.

It’s no coincidence that in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) optimal health is characterized by the smooth unobstructed flow of Blood and Qi, or vital energy. When flow is obstructed, the systems of the body reflect disharmony as pain, endocrine imbalance, mood disturbances, or digestive irregularity, to name a few.

Ladies, though it might not seem like it, we are fortunate to have a monthly barometer for our overall health. Ideally our monthly period should be regular, occurring every 28-30 days, with minimal to no PMS symptoms, such as moodiness, cramping, and breast tenderness, and the blood should be red with minimal to no clots. When we experience pain, PMS, or bleeding that deviates from this description, these are indications that flow is obstructed and our natural rhythm is off. 85% of women experience such symptoms, and I suspect part of the problem is societal influences that encourage us to see our “flow” as shameful and defective.

Imagine the healing potential of changing the way we see our periods from an attitude of shame and disgust to one of appreciation and admiration… as an opportunity for renewal and regeneration; an expression of life-giving potential. Now that is some incredible power of natural rhythms!

By naturally harmonizing all the systems in the body, acupuncture and herbal medicine can eliminate symptoms, regulate hormones, and facilitate the free flow of Qi and Blood to restore balance and bring vibrant health. Often with patients struggling to conceive, cultivating a new appreciation for the magnificence of their reproductive capacities, in addition to receiving regular acupuncture and herbal medicine treatment, brings new possibilities in their fertility journey.