Some people struggle to describe their nighttime leg discomfort: it is not quite pain, numbness or cramping, but they feel an irresistible need to move. Teresa Shen discusses when this pattern may suggest Restless Legs Syndrome, what else needs to be considered, and how Chinese medicine differentiates individual presentations.
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Lower back pain may be easy to feel, but its cause and recovery are not always easy to judge. Teresa Shen discusses seven issues patients often overlook, including residual problems after pain settles, MRI findings, long-term physical load, sudden triggers and signs that require further assessment.
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There is no single acupuncture formula for lower back pain. Teresa Shen explains how she first identifies the likely pain source and reversible factors, then uses clinical assessment and TCM differentiation to choose an individual treatment approach.
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Lower back pain is a symptom, not a diagnosis. Teresa Shen explains why she first considers the cause of the pain, whether acupuncture is appropriate, and when further investigation or reassessment may be more important than continuing treatment.
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When lower back pain spreads into the buttock or leg, many people assume they have sciatica caused by a slipped or herniated disc. But similar symptoms can come from a lumbar nerve root, the sciatic nerve itself, other peripheral nerves, or muscles around the hip and buttock. The source of the pain matters because it changes the treatment.
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An ankle sprain from yesterday and a shoulder injury that has persisted for a year may both be ACC injuries, but they should not automatically be treated in the same way. Teresa Shen explains why timely management matters in acute injuries, while chronic injuries often require careful reassessment to identify what is now preventing recovery.
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Many patients ask me whether their painful, stiff shoulder is caused by frozen shoulder or a rotator cuff injury. Although both conditions can make lifting the arm difficult, they develop differently and require different treatment approaches. In this Clinical Reflection, I explain how I distinguish between these conditions using clinical history, physical examination, imaging when appropriate, and Traditional Chinese Medicine
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Many patients tell me that their shoulder is manageable during the day but becomes much more painful at night. Night pain is not a diagnosis—it is an important clinical clue. In this reflection, I share how I approach persistent night shoulder pain from both modern medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine, and why understanding the cause always comes before treatment.
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Many people assume persistent shoulder pain simply needs another treatment. In this clinical reflection, Teresa Shen shares why long-lasting shoulder pain often has a deeper story, and why understanding what is preventing recovery is the first step towards choosing the most appropriate treatment.
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Not every painful knee is caused by arthritis. In this clinical reflection, Teresa Shen shares how one patient with medial knee pain reminded her that careful observation, thoughtful assessment, and treating the individual—not just the symptoms—are the foundation of effective acupuncture care.
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