Chronic Body Pain: Could Your Lymphatic System Be the Missing Piece?

Chronic pain in the body is frustrating, limiting, and often misunderstood. Many people are told their discomfort is “just tight muscles” or “stress-related,” but in reality, there’s often more at play.

One overlooked factor is the lymphatic system — your body’s drainage and immune network. While we usually think about muscles, joints, or nerves as the source of pain, a sluggish lymphatic system can contribute to inflammation, swelling, and persistent discomfort throughout the body.

Understanding the Lymphatic System

The lymphatic system is a network of vessels, nodes, and organs that:

• Drains excess fluid from tissues back into the bloodstream

• Transports immune cells to help fight infections

• Removes waste products, toxins, and cellular debris from the body

Unlike the circulatory system, the lymph doesn’t have a pump like the heart. It relies on movement, breathing, and gentle muscle contractions to keep fluid flowing. When lymphatic flow slows, waste and fluid can accumulate, leading to inflammation, stiffness, and pain.

Why Chronic Pain Isn’t Always “Just Muscle Tightness”

While muscle tension certainly plays a role in chronic pain, there are other contributors that often go unnoticed:

• Inflammation from sluggish lymphatic drainage

• Accumulated toxins or cellular waste in tissues

• Immune activation that sensitises nerves and muscles

• Fascial restrictions that trap fluid and reduce mobility

All of these factors can create a cycle of pain that isn’t resolved by stretching, massage, or exercise alone.

How the Lymphatic System and Chronic Pain Are Connected

When lymphatic flow is impaired:

• Swelling in tissues can compress nerves, leading to soreness or tingling

• Inflammatory molecules remain longer in the tissue, creating chronic discomfort

• Stiffness and tightness develop as muscles and fascia try to compensate for fluid buildup

This is why some people experience full-body aches, heaviness, or pain in multiple areas even without a clear injury.

Supporting Your Lymphatic System for Pain Relief

There are natural, non-invasive ways to support lymphatic health and help reduce chronic pain:

1. Movement & Exercise – Walking, swimming, yoga, rebound trampolining and gentle stretching stimulate lymph flow.

2. Deep Breathing – Diaphragmatic breathing acts like a pump for the lymphatic system.

3. Hydration – Water supports lymph fluid circulation and toxin removal. Having regular baths or foot baths may also help stimulate lymphatic flow.

4. Massage & Lymphatic Drainage – Manual lymphatic drainage or gentle self-massage/ dry brushing can encourage fluid movement.

5. Nutrition – Anti-inflammatory foods, antioxidants, and reducing processed foods can reduce lymph congestion.

6. Acupuncture & TCM Support – In Traditional Chinese Medicine, stagnation of Qi and Blood and dampness can mirror lymphatic congestion. Acupuncture, cupping, and herbal therapies can support circulation, reduce inflammation, and promote detoxification.

Why a Whole Body Approach Works Best

Chronic pain is rarely just one thing. While muscles may feel tight, underlying issues like lymphatic congestion, inflammation, or fascial restrictions often contribute to the discomfort. Addressing only the muscles can provide temporary relief, but a holistic approach — supporting lymphatic flow, reducing inflammation, and balancing the body’s systems — can lead to longer-lasting results.

Next time you experience persistent body pain, remember that muscle tightness is only part of the picture. Supporting your lymphatic system, improving circulation, and addressing inflammation can help break the cycle of chronic pain — and give your body a better chance to heal naturally.

Vaginal Microbiome & Fertility: How Chinese Medicine Can Help Restore Balance

Vaginal Microbiome & Fertility | Chinese Medicine Support

When it comes to fertility, we often think about hormone balance, egg quality, or sperm health but the vaginal microbiome plays a much bigger role than most people realise. If the delicate balance of bacteria in the vagina is disrupted, it can make it harder to conceive naturally, reduce IVF success rates, and increase the risk of recurrent infections.

Chinese medicine takes a holistic approach, focusing on restoring internal balance, improving circulation, and strengthening the body’s natural defences — all of which support a healthy microbiome and reproductive health.

What is the Vaginal Microbiome?

The vaginal microbiome refers to the community of bacteria that naturally live in the vaginal canal. In a healthy state, it’s dominated by Lactobacillus species, which help maintain an acidic pH, protect against harmful pathogens, and support reproductive health.

When this balance is disturbed — due to antibiotics, hormonal changes, stress, poor diet, or chronic infections — it can lead to bacterial vaginosis, yeast overgrowth, and inflammation that impacts fertility.

Why Vaginal Microbiome Testing Matters for Fertility

Vaginal microbiome testing is a valuable tool for women trying to conceive, especially if they’ve experienced:

• Recurrent thrush or bacterial vaginosis

• Unexplained infertility

• Multiple failed IVF cycles

• Endometriosis or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)

• Ureaplasma or mycoplasma infections

Testing provides insight into the exact bacterial composition of the vaginal environment, helping guide both medical and Chinese medicine fertility treatments.

How an Imbalanced Microbiome Affects Conception

An unhealthy vaginal microbiome can affect fertility in several ways:

• Increased inflammation in the reproductive tract

• Reduced cervical mucus quality, making it harder for sperm to survive

• Altered endometrial microbiome, which can affect implantation

• Higher risk of miscarriage due to chronic low-grade infection

Addressing microbiome health isn’t just about preventing infections — it’s about creating an environment that supports conception and a healthy pregnancy.

A Chinese Medicine View of the Vaginal Microbiome

From a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perspective, a healthy vaginal microbiome reflects strong Kidney Jing (essence), balanced Yin and Yang, and free-flowing Qi and Blood in the reproductive organs.

TCM sees recurrent vaginal infections or imbalances as signs of:

• Damp-heat in the lower burner

• Qi and Blood stagnation

• Spleen Qi deficiency, leading to excess dampness

• Kidney Yin or Yang deficiency, impacting reproductive function

By addressing the root imbalance, TCM not only helps resolve symptoms but also supports fertility at a deeper level.

Herbal Medicine, Acupuncture & Diet for Vaginal Health

In TCM, vaginal microbiome health is supported through:

• Acupuncture to improve blood flow to the reproductive organs and regulate immune function

• Chinese herbal medicine to clear damp-heat, nourish Yin, and strengthen Qi — available through a Chinese medicine practitioner or from Asian grocers for more common herbs

• Dietary therapy to reduce dampness (avoiding excess sugar, alcohol, and processed foods) and support gut health

• Lifestyle adjustments to reduce stress, improve sleep, and support hormonal balance

Combining Microbiome Testing with TCM Treatment

Vaginal microbiome testing gives clear insight into which bacteria are missing or overgrown. By combining this data with a Chinese medicine fertility approach, treatment can be personalised for maximum effectiveness — especially for women with complex reproductive histories.

For example, if testing reveals low Lactobacillus levels and high inflammatory markers, TCM can use targeted herbal formulas, probiotics, and acupuncture to restore balance while supporting ovulation and implantation.

When to Consider Vaginal Microbiome Testing

You might want to discuss vaginal microbiome testing with your healthcare provider if you’re experiencing:

• Difficulty conceiving after 6–12 months of trying

• Recurrent vaginal infections

• Multiple early miscarriages

• Chronic pelvic pain or endometriosis

• Failed IVF attempts

Fertility is more than just hormones — your vaginal microbiome is a critical part of the puzzle. By combining vaginal microbiome testing with the wisdom of Chinese medicine, you can restore balance, improve reproductive health, and give yourself the best chance of conception.

It’s also important to remember that in some cases such as the detection of certain bacterial infections, Western medical intervention, including antibiotics, may be necessary. When this happens, combining conventional treatment with Chinese medicine can be highly effective, helping to restore balance more quickly, reduce side effects, and support the body’s natural healing process.

If you’d like personalised support, an experienced Chinese medicine practitioner can guide you through testing, treatment, and ongoing care.

Chinese Medicine for Surfer’s eye (Pterygium)

Surfer’s Eye (Pterygium):

If you spend a lot of time surfing, sailing, or outdoors in bright sunlight, you might have heard of surfer’s eye, also called pterygium. This is a fleshy, triangular growth on the white of the eye that can slowly extend toward the cornea. It’s most often caused by UV exposure, wind, saltwater, and dry, dusty conditions.

While Western medicine explains it as a reaction to long-term irritation, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) views surfer’s eye as a sign of Wind, Heat, and Dryness impacting the eyes, combined with an imbalance in the Liver system which, in TCM theory, “opens into the eyes.”

What Causes Surfer’s Eye from a TCM Perspective?

In TCM, healthy eyes rely on Liver Blood and Kidney Essence to stay nourished, moist, and clear. Surfer’s eye can appear when:

• Wind and Heat irritate the eye’s surface (ie hours in the surf, coastal winds, and sun glare).

• Dryness depletes eye fluids, leaving the eyes vulnerable.

• Long-term irritation leads to Phlegm and Blood Stagnation, creating the thickened tissue of pterygium.

From this perspective, treatment isn’t just about the eye it’s about restoring balance, cooling Heat, nourishing Yin, and improving circulation to the eyes.

Natural Remedies & Lifestyle Tips for Surfer’s Eye

Whether you’re dealing with a mild pterygium or want to prevent surfer’s eye, these self-care steps can help:

1. Protect from Sun & Wind – Wraparound sunglasses and a wide-brim hat block UV rays and airborne irritants.

2. Hydrate the Eyes – Use preservative-free lubricating drops and blink often when outdoors.

3. Reduce Screen Strain – Minimise glare and take regular breaks to rest your eyes.

4. Eat Eye-Nourishing Foods – Foods rich in antioxidants, healthy fats, and natural pigments help protect vision.

Chinese Herbs Commonly Used for Eye Health

These common Chinese herbs are traditionally included in TCM food therapy or gentle home teas—not as a replacement for a personalised herbal prescription from a qualified practitioner.

• Goji Berries (Gou Qi Zi) – Nourishes Liver and Kidney, supports tear production, and brightens the eyes.

• Chrysanthemum Flower (Ju Hua) – Clears Liver Heat, soothes dry or irritated eyes, and helps relieve redness.

• Cassia Seeds (Jue Ming Zi) – Calms Liver Yang, clears Heat, and moistens dryness.

• Mulberry Fruit (Sang Shen) – Nourishes Yin and Blood to maintain eye moisture and healthy vision.

• Dandelion Leaf (Pu Gong Ying) – Clears Heat and reduces inflammation.

Easy Herbal Tea for Surfer’s Eye Support

Ingredients:

• 6–8 goji berries

• 3–5 chrysanthemum flowers

• 1 tsp roasted cassia seeds

Instructions:

1. Place all herbs in a cup or teapot.

2. Add hot water (around 85°C, not boiling).

3. Steep for 5–10 minutes.

4. Drink warm, once daily for a week.

This blend supports the Liver, clears Heat, and gently nourishes the eyes.

Moxibustion for Primary Dysmenorrhea (Period Pain)

What is primary dysmenorrhea?

Primary dysmenorrhea is the cramping pain that comes before or during the menstrual period (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, n.d.). The pain can be dull, throbbing or cramping in nature. Patients may also experience vomiting, nausea, diarrhoea, fatigue, fever, headache, insomnia, and backaches in addition to lower abdominal pain. Primary dysmenorrhea usually starts from the onset of ovulatory cycles without any obvious underlying disease as opposed to secondary dysmenorrhea which is caused by other gynaecological issues. It’s quite common among young girls and women of reproductive age and can interfere with quality of life.

What is moxibustion?

Moxibustion is a traditional Chinese medicine technique that involves the burning of mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) near specific acupuncture points on the body. The primary goal of moxibustion is to promote healing, enhance energy, and improve overall health. By warming and stimulating the local area and meridians.

Types of Moxibustion:

Moxa can be used in a few different ways. Chinese medicine practitioners will use either moxa sticks, moxa cones, loose moxa in a moxa box, needle head moxa or rice grain moxa. It is burned either near the skin or directly on acupuncture points. Moxa can also be burned on a layer of ginger or salt for different therapeutic benefits.

Research showing the benefits of moxibustion for primary dysmenorrhea:

A study (Yang et al., 2017) looking into the effects of moxibustion for primary dysmenorrhea shows promising results. This study included 152 participants who were randomised into two different treatment groups: Moxibustion vs conventional drugs (NSAIDS) over a 3 month period. From the 152 participant, 133 of them completed the whole treatment course. The results showed that the menstrual pain intensity in the experimental group (moxibustion) and control group (conventional drugs) was reduced from 6.38±1.28 and 6.41±1.29, respectively, at baseline, to 2.54±1.41 and 2.47±1.29 after treatment. Three months after treatment, the effectiveness of moxibustion sustained and started to be superior to the drug’s effect.

This study demonstrated that moxibustion therapy is as effective as conventional drug for pain relief in patients with primary dysmenorrhea and that it’s therapeutic effect can sustain after a course of treatment.

References:

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (n.d.). Dysmenorrhea: Painful periods. Retrieved September 30, 2024, from https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/dysmenorrhea-painful-periods

Yang, M., Chen, X., Bo, L., Lao, L., Chen, J., Yu, S., Yu, Z., Tang, H., Yi, L., Wu, X., Yang, J., & Liang, F. (2017). Moxibustion for pain relief in patients with primary dysmenorrhea: A randomized controlled trial. PLoS One, 12(2), e0170952. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0170952