Welcome to Sticking Points (formerly Sticking to the Point) -- today we tackle the most common reasons many of my patients feel "stuck" on their path to health and wellness.

Here it is, your holy grail for surviving the colder and darker portions of the year. If you struggle with seasonal issues like poor immunity, aversion to cold, seasonal depression, etc. this episode will give you the tips you need to start thriving! Contact me at [email protected] with any questions or comments about the episode! The Classical Tips today come from the Yellow Emperor's Classic "Simple Questions" (Huang Di Nei Jing Su Wen) Chapter 2 Guides to Seasonal Living (credit to Fusion Health): Autumn Guide (Click Here) Winter Guide (Click Here)

Bringing it back to the absolute basics today, I, Jon McDonell, Dr. Ac, take you through the most common questions I get in the clinic regarding acupuncture. This episode is perfect for prospective new patients, new practitioners who are learning how to answer these questions confidently, and anyone else who wants to nerd out for an hour about Acupuncture!

In this episode of Sticking to the Point, Jon McDonell discusses the importance of embodied living and how it can be informed by Chinese Medicine and holistic practices. He shares his personal journey of learning to trust his body and the tips he has collected along the way: body scanning, joyful movement, setting healthy boundaries, and using the HALT method to check in with yourself. Jon also emphasizes the importance of doing inner work and understanding your needs to heal and connect with your body truly. Books on the Mind-Body Connection, Healing from Stress/Trauma, Chinese Medicine Lifestyle etc. In an Unspoken Voice: How the Body Releases Trauma and Restores Goodness Paperback – Illustrated, Sept. 28 2010 by Peter A. Levine Ph.D. (Author) When the Body Says No: The Cost of Hidden Stress by Gabor Maté MD Live Well Live Long: Teachings from the Chinese Nourishment of Life Tradition by Peter Deadman Contact: [email protected]

A brief overview of Yin and Yang and why they are so important in Chinese Medical Thought. Learn about why your acupuncturist may have diagnosed you with a "Yang Deficiency" or a "Yin Excess" and how you could go about finding balance. Yin Nourishing Foods (from Debra Betts): https://acupuncture.rhizome.net.nz/acupuncture/dietary-therapy/yin-deficiency/ Yang Tonifying Foods (from Debra Betts): https://acupuncture.rhizome.net.nz/acupuncture/dietary-therapy/yang-deficiency/ Basic Overview of Yin and Yang Theory (from TCM World Foundation): https://www.tcmworld.org/what-is-tcm/yin-yang-theory/

Thank you so much for joining me for the FIRST-EVER EPISODE of Sticking to the Point! This podcast aims to improve the communication and understanding between Acupuncturists and their patients. Today I will briefly introduce myself, then explain why I started using this platform and what I hope to achieve with this podcast. Then we jump into the first installment of our "WIMATA" series (What is my Acupuncturist Talking About?), where I break down why it can be difficult to summarize Chinese Medicine to new patients. If you want to skip the preamble, jump to the 10-minute mark.