If your shoulder feels stiff, painful, or just won’t move the way it used to, this episode is for you. In today’s Ask Me Anything with Chi Flow with Jo, Joanne Faulkner shares how to gently ease frozen shoulder and restore pain-free movement using Qi Gong, acupressure, and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) food therapy.You’ll learn:🌿 Why daily Qi Gong is like compound interest for your joints — calming your nervous system, nourishing fascia and tendons, and teaching your body to move without bracing.💆♀️ Two acupressure points to open the “shoulder gates” (LI14 and LI15) to release tension, improve circulation, and melt stiffness.🥣 TCM food medicine for healthy, flexible shoulders — including warming ingredients to move stagnation and a delicious Shoulder-Soother Broth recipe to nourish Liver and Kidney energy.💨 A gentle Tendon Nei Gong mini-set you can do seated or standing to breathe life back into your shoulders, clear stagnation, and invite warmth, flow, and freedom of movement.Jo reminds us that healing frozen shoulder is not about forcing change but inviting it through kindness and consistency. Each small daily practice helps your body trust movement again.💫 Join the Chi Flow with Jo FREE ONLINE Qi Gong class, post-class Q&A with Jo, and the supportive energy of a group that truly cares.👉https://joannefaulkner.ie/feel-well-every-day/
If your shoulder feels stiff, painful, or just won’t move the way it used to, this episode is for you. In today’s Ask Me Anything with Chi Flow with Jo, Joanne Faulkner shares how to gently ease frozen shoulder and restore pain-free movement using Qi Gong, acupressure, and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) food therapy.You’ll learn:🌿 Why daily Qi Gong is like compound interest for your joints — calming your nervous system, nourishing fascia and tendons, and teaching your body to move without bracing.💆♀️ Two acupressure points to open the “shoulder gates” (LI14 and LI15) to release tension, improve circulation, and melt stiffness.🥣 TCM food medicine for healthy, flexible shoulders — including warming ingredients to move stagnation and a delicious Shoulder-Soother Broth recipe to nourish Liver and Kidney energy.💨 A gentle Tendon Nei Gong mini-set you can do seated or standing to breathe life back into your shoulders, clear stagnation, and invite warmth, flow, and freedom of movement.Jo reminds us that healing frozen shoulder is not about forcing change but inviting it through kindness and consistency. Each small daily practice helps your body trust movement again.💫 Join the Chi Flow with Jo FREE ONLINE Qi Gong class, post-class Q&A with Jo, and the supportive energy of a group that truly cares.
Have you ever noticed a lingering salty taste in your mouth and wondered what it means? In this episode, we explore this often-overlooked symptom through the lens of Chinese medicine. For women over 40, a salty taste can signal deeper imbalances—ranging from kidney health and yin depletion to the body’s way of flagging stress or hormonal shifts.
Join us as we unpack the traditional wisdom behind this curious sensation, why it shows up more often at midlife, and how gentle lifestyle, diet, and self-care practices can help restore harmony. If you’ve been curious about how ancient insights can illuminate modern health, this episode is for you.
JOIN US FOR A FREE QI GONG CLASS ONLINE: https://joannefaulkner.ie/feel-well-every-day/
🌿 New Ask Me Anything Podcast Episode: How to Reduce Uterine Fibroids Naturally – A Chinese Medicine Perspective
Uterine fibroids affect many women, often bringing discomfort, heavy periods, and abdominal pain.Through the lens of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), these growths are seen as a result of stagnation in Qi (energy), blood, or dampness.In this episode, I share natural ways to ease fibroid symptoms using Qi Gong, food medicine, acupressure, and womb connection—approaches that support the whole woman, not just the condition.TRY A FREE QI GONG CLASS WITH US ONLINE: https://joannefaulkner.ie/feel-well-every-day/
How TCM Understands Cholesterol and Cardiovascular Imbalance
In TCM, we don’t use terms like “cholesterol.” Instead, we look at patterns of disharmony. High cholesterol is often linked to:
- Dampness and Phlegm accumulation- Spleen deficiency (which impairs digestion and fluid transformation)- Liver Qi stagnation- Blood stasisWhen the Spleen is weakened by rich food, overthinking, or stress, it fails to properly transform fluids, leading to the production of damp-phlegm. Phlegm is thickened mucus that can build up in the body. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, it can solidify into “accumulations”, denser masses of cells or fluids, including cysts and tumors, whether benign or malignant. This phlegm obstructs the flow of Qi and Blood, creating conditions that TCM equates with atherosclerosis, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. And remember, in Chinese Medicine, the Heart is the Emperor. All organs are in service to it. So when phlegm or stagnation blocks the flow of Qi and Blood, the Heart suffers most.JOIN US FOR A FREE ONLINE QI GONG CLASS: https://joannefaulkner.ie/feel-well-every-day
From sneezing fits to food sensitivities and itchy skin, allergies can feel like an invisible assault on your body. But in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), these reactions aren’t random—they’re signs of imbalance, especially within a vital but lesser-known energy system: the Triple Burner (San Jiao).
This July in Chi Flow with Jo, we’re focusing on core strength, immunity, and emotional resilience—the same foundational systems affected by the Triple Burner. Let’s dive into how understanding and harmonizing this energy pathway can help you feel clear, strong, and allergy-free.JOIN US FOR A FREE QI GONG CLASS: https://joannefaulkner.ie/feel-well-every-day/
Understanding Tremors in Chinese Medicine
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), tremors are seen as manifestations of internal imbalances, particularly involving the liver and kidney energy systems. These systems are not just organs but represent a holistic network of functions. Disruptions in the smooth flow of Qi (chi), your vital energy and blood can create what is known as internal wind. This isn't flatulence, but rather a chaotic climactic condition that can lead to spasms and tremors throughout the body.Today, we're addressing a heartfelt question from a listener undergoing evaluation for Parkinson's Disease, seeking guidance on reducing spontaneous body tremors.
Remember, the insights I share are complementary and should harmonize with your personal health journey and any advice from your healthcare providers.SIGN UP FOR A FREE CLASS, EBOOKS & MORE:
How Acupressure and Qi Gong Can Boost Immunity, Banish Coughs and Colds, and Stop Spontaneous SweatingWhen you think about winter sniffles, sweaty discomfort, and that dragging lack of energy, it might feel like you're stuck in an endless cycle. But in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), these symptoms often signal something deeper, an imbalance in your body's energy, or “Qi”. Let’s explore how acupressure, Qi Gong, and nourishing food medicine can help restore balance and improve your immune system.JOIN US FOR A FREE QI GONG CLASS: https://joannefaulkner.ie/feel-well-every-day/
How can Acupressure and Qi Gong Can Help Women Over 40 Manage Incontinence?This was a question submitted in the latest Ask Me Anything Podcast.Incontinence is a common but often frustrating challenge, particularly for women over 40. Hormonal changes, life stressors, and even past medical treatments like those for breast cancer can impact bladder health and kidney energy. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers an empowering solution through the practices of acupressure and Qi Gong, which address not only physical symptoms but also emotional well-being.Join me to explore how these techniques can strengthen kidney energy and improve incontinence while incorporating specific tips, exercises, and foods for holistic healing.WANT A FREE QI GONG CLASS? https://joannefaulkner.ie/chi-flow-with-jo/
In my most recent episode of Ask Me Anything, Janine asked me about a recurring ear infection. She had had antibiotics but it just kept coming back. Unfortunately with ear infections you can’t really tell if they are bacterial or viral. Often we just throw antibiotics at it and hope it clears and if not we try other measures. So, here I am today to give you some other measures. In Chinese Medicine, with these infections that won’t clear, they usually cause a lot of heat and pain. This tells me that there is stagnation and things are not moving. When we have pain it’s either because things can’t move through joints, vessels, or muscles. Or we don’t have the physical energy to move the blood or energy through the area and that’s what causes the pain. With this ear infection I would think it is due to stagnation within the area. Janine also mentioned that she had a baker's cyst, which is a nodule at the back of the knee, that wasn’t draining. This tells me that you’re having a problem with your lymphatic drainage. We have lots of lymph nodes around the neck and ear area but also at the back of the knee area. So, I’m going to share some food, points, and movement to help clear this stagnation and this infection!If you do have recurring infections please do consult your health practitioner. SIGN UP FOR A FREE ONLINE QI GONG CLASS HERE: https://joannefaulkner.ie/chi-flow-with-jo/
How Acupressure and Qi Gong Can Help Relieve Back Pain and Heal the Trauma of Grief
As women over 40, we often find ourselves navigating unique physical and emotional challenges. Back pain, whether from posture, injuries, or even emotional trauma, can significantly impact our lives. If you’ve been carrying the heavy weight of grief; an emotion intimately tied to the lungs in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), this blog will guide you on how acupressure and Qi Gong can help release that burden while easing your back pain.
Struggling To Breathe Feeling like you’re out of breath all the time? Can’t do much because of it? In our most recent episode of Ask Me Anything, Marie reached out with the same problem. She said that once a week she was out of breath, not able to do much but relax because of it. For Marie, this sounds like an energy rising causing that feeling of congestion in the chest. Ideally, the kidneys should be able to grasp the breath so we don’t get congested and cause heart problems. So let’s address how to manage that! We are mainly going to focus on acupressure for this issue.
In my most recent episode of Ask Me Anything, Shelley asked about post menopausal inflammation and high blood sugar peaks and troughs. This is actually something that comes up a lot in Chi Flow with Jo! Most of the participants are peri, mid, and post menopausal so often these symptoms occur. This is why we do intermittent fasting together as a group in January and February. Symptoms of joint pain, low energy, putting weight on around the middle, all tend to happen mid and post menopause. This is usually due to liver congestion which can happen from a lifetime of eating fried foods, eating late at night, and alcohol.
So how do we clear the liver so that blood flows well, we don’t have big hot flushes, we don’t suffer from insomnia, and we have good blood sugar levels?
One of the first things we can do in intermittent fasting is Qi Gong. We need to have a good exercise routine to retain muscle mass. This will help things from rocketing out of control and help your resting metabolic rate. So even when you are sitting down at a rest, your body is working well because you have good muscle mass. Gentle squats using the arms are an easy exercise. We don’t need to run a marathon, we just need to stay active.
WE WILL BE FOLLOWING THE INTERMITTENT FASTING 6 WEEK PROGRAMME WITH CHI FLOW STARTING IN JANUARY 2025 - WHY NOT JOIN US?
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Chest Tightness, Poor Breathing, and Fatigue: Finding Relief with Acupressure and Breathing Techniques Do you ever find yourself overwhelmed by chest tightness, shallow breathing, and deep fatigue? You’re not alone—these are common experiences that can be linked to both physical and emotional blockages. In this recent episode of the Ask Me Anything podcast, Joanne answered Maura’s question; she found herself frequently struggling with tightness in her chest and feeling completely wiped out. She felt so exhausted and breathless that it affected her daily life. Learn a simple acupressure point and breathing exercise in this episode to help you regain energy, release tension, and find ease in your body. DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION? https://podcast.joannefaulkner.ie/ask... SIGN UP FOR A FREE ONLINE QI GONG CLASS: https://joannefaulkner.ie/chi-flow-wi...
Managing Night Sweats and Hot Flashes Using Chinese Medicine
In this episode of Ask Me Anything, we’re tackling a topic that’s been causing a lot of distress for many women; Hot flushes. Cindy, one of our listeners who entered her question in Ask me Anything has been experiencing severe night sweats and hot flashes that are disrupting her sleep and daily life. This, combined with her history of Hashimoto’s disease and breast cancer, has left her feeling exhausted and overwhelmed. Let’s dive into how we can manage this using the wisdom of Chinese medicine.
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Today, we're diving into a topic that's super relevant in our screen-heavy world: eye inflammation.
I was recently asked on the Ask Me Anything Podcast, about dealing with inflammation after eye surgery.
So, let's explore some natural remedies through the lens of Chinese medicine, including using warm compresses, consuming anti-inflammatory foods, staying hydrated, practicing QiGong eye exercises and acupressure points to improve blood flow.
in this episode, Joanne offers advice using her knowledge of Chinese medicine to alleviate the symptoms of shock and insomnia. A Listener’s Heartbreaking Story One of our listeners, who wishes to stay anonymous, shared her heartbreaking story. Her mother was diagnosed with cancer, and her husband passed away suddenly. It's hard to imagine the level of shock and devastation this brings. Such events can throw our entire world into chaos, deeply affecting our body and mind. The Impact of Shock in Chinese Medicine In both Western and Chinese medicine, shock has profound effects on the body. In Chinese medicine, shock impacts the heart and small intestine, which are linked to our spirit. The heart is seen as the home of our spirit, akin to the fire element, symbolising vitality and energy. When we experience shock, it can feel like our spirit can't settle. This restlessness affects our ability to sleep and find peace. But don’t worry, there are ways to help your spirit return home. DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION? You can submit a question here: https://podcast.joannefaulkner.ie/ask-me-anything/ WANT A FREE QI GONG CLASS: https://joannefaulkner.ie/chi-flow-with-jo/
In Chinese medicine we have 3 dantians: Upper in the head, Middle in the centre of the chest and Lower in the lower belly which is your power source. These are our 3 major energy centres.
The lower dantian is where we want to focus our energy and always return to. It has a lot to do with your sexual energy, your relationship to your lifeforce energy. Connect here and don’t be afraid to spend time in your lower belly around your sexual organs!
Tune into this Ask Me Anything episode to learn more about connecting with your lower dantian, how to find it, and more about its importance to your body’s power seat.
DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION?
The Ask Me Anything podcast series has been created to answer your questions using my knowledge of Chinese medicine, Qi Gong, Qi Food therapy and Shiatsu.
You can ask a question by clicking on this link, or you can watch past episodes to see if your question has already been answered.
https://podcast.joannefaulkner.ie/ask-me-anything-podcast/
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Also, join me in Chi Flow with Jo every weekday morning for live online Qi Gong where we will practise Qi Gong, as well as self-acupressure, delicious healthy recipes, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) tips and Meridian stretches.
You can sign up for a FREE online qi gong class with the form below.