Spring Acupuncture and Classical Chinese Medicine

“Sunshine daydream, walkin’ in the tall trees, goin’ where the wind goes, blooming like a red rose”
~ Sugar Magnolia, by Robert Hunter

As spring awakens and renews, we rise out of the deep winter freeze into relief and opportunity. This is the time to utilize the accumulated reserves built up throughout the fall and winter. The body is now re-fueled and repaired to access spring, one of the most energizing seasons of the year. In this Acupuncture and Classical Chinese Medicine: Spring Newsletter 2026, we scratch the surface of some of the key factors in how the body can tap into its powerful internal healing capabilities. Explore these seeds of opportunity and the many ways Integrative Med Solutions (IMS) can help make them a reality. 

Acupuncture: Ease Pain, Increase Mobility, Enhances QoL

Slowing down for reflection and re-balance during the frigid winter months could bring with it some peripheral challenges, particularly lower back pain, skeletal weakness and symptoms from arthritis. As movement begins to increase with the warming weather of spring, literally “hitting- the-ground-running” may benefit with the assistance of acupuncture. Committing to an acupuncture protocol could diminish pain symptoms, assist in much needed spring season movement and improve overall quality of life  (QoL).

Back Brace

Back pain can be debilitating and when the freedom of spring arrives, maintaining healthy movement could be a challenge. In a systematic review and meta-analysis published by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) titled, ‘Acupuncture vs Usual Care for Chronic Low Back Pain,’ it was reported that:

“The findings of this review suggest that acupuncture offers a valuable add-on or an alternative to usual care for adults with chronic low back pain, providing meaningful reductions in pain and disability at both immediate and intermediate timepoints”

Structural Support

Another advantage of acupuncture during the spring season is assisting osteoporosis treatment. Osteoporosis (OP) is considered a “bone remodeling disease” that could weaken parts of the skeletal structure. Movement during spring is essential in maintaining optimal health, yet OP could make this challenging. Advancements in conventional medicine have shown promise in slowing OP and there are some recommendations for naturally managing it which include:

• Plant-based dominant diet
• Weight bearing exercises 
• Vitamin D and calcium supplements 
• Alcohol and smoking reduction

However, by adding acupuncture treatments, the benefits could be increased. In a systematic review titled, ‘Efficacy and Safety of Acupuncture as an Adjuvant Therapy For Osteoporosis’ published by the peer‑reviewed, open‑access scientific journal Frontiers, it was stated that:

“Meta-analysis revealed acupuncture significantly enhanced bone mineral density…Acupuncture demonstrated significant improvements in treatment efficacy, biochemical markers, pain scores, and symptom assessments, while reducing adverse events…Acupuncture demonstrates efficacy and safety as an OP [osteoporosis] adjuvant [assistance] therapy.”

Practice Grounding, Navigate the Knees

As the surrounding flora opens, the warm breeze begins, and the sun is not too hot yet, navigating the season of spring by foot can be a powerful connection to nature. It is an opportunity to touch and smell all the amazing changes while hiking, playing or just meditating amongst it all. This is called ‘grounding’ or ‘earthing’ and is described in a report published by the National Library of Medicine National Center for Biotechnology Information, 

“Accumulating experiences and research on earthing, or grounding, point to the emergence of a simple, natural, and accessible health strategy against chronic inflammation…The living matrix…the very fabric of the body, appears to serve as one of our primary antioxidant defense systems. As this report explains, it is a system requiring occasional recharging by conductive contact with the Earth’s surface – the “battery” for all planetary life – to be optimally effective.”

Yet, when knee pain arises this can stifle such treasures and that is where some acupuncture sessions may help. 

In a bibliometric analysis (statistical look at books, articles and other publications) of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) which were a total of 295 publications, covering 26 countries, 133 institutions, and 107 journals, with contributions from 1,711 authors, it was concluded that, 

“This study highlights the growing global interest in acupuncture for KOA, evidenced by an increasing number of high-quality publications and emerging research hotspots…With the support of high-quality randomized controlled trials, acupuncture is increasingly recognized as an effective treatment for KOA”

At IMS, Dr. Fred Lisanti, Licensed Naturopathic Physician (ND) and Licensed Acupuncturist (LAc), creates an individualized acupuncture and Classical Chinese Medicine (CCM) program to address chronic low back pain, osteoporosis, arthritis and many other physical and cognitive challenges, especially when correlating with each unique season. 

CCM Associations and Spring Applications 

CCM is the purest form of ancient Chinese Medicine as TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) remains a more watered down version. Therefore, by subscribing to the healing applications of CCM through a practitioner such as Dr. Lisanti, the advantages can be highly beneficial. 

Like all seasons, in the discipline of CCM there are specific correlations that give clues to the practitioner (as well as the patient) for maintaining optimal health. Although some correlations may not be completely understood by the layperson, a CCM professional can help navigate and apply the proper protocol as per each individual case. 

These are some examples of the associations of spring. 

• Organs – Liver and Gallbladder, two organs associated with the detoxification of the system. 
• Element – Wood, the upward expanding energy (such as a seed sprouting through the soil). It is the rising of the energy of Yang after the deep hibernation of Yin during the winter. Yin and Yang are the circulating life energy forces that use each other to create harmonious balance aka homeostasis. 
• Climate – Wind, sometimes referred to as the “Qi of spring” due to its rising and expanding properties, encourages growth, movement and activity. 
• Character a/k/a Hun – Some may call this the “spirit” of spring which is associated with planning, execution, internal change and broad imagination. 
• Emotion – Anger is the emotion of spring but this does not mean it is expected to walk around angry. On the contrary, it is about tapping into this emotion and using it for positive outcomes such as strong decision making, art, creativity and growth. 

Utilizing these and other spring associations helps guide proper acupuncture applications. In addition, there are many unique CCM herbs and other supplements that are often prescribed. Yet, in some cases these may be difficult to obtain so western choices could be another option.  Explore some of these that may be recommended for a personalized protocol as guided by Dr. Lisanti. 

Move Liver Qi 

Qi (“chee”) is the life force believed to fuel everyday functions. Life can sometimes get in the way and stagnate liver qi. These supplements may help:

• Milk Thistle (purple flower with marbled leaves)
• Schisandra (from magnolia vines)
• Artichoke extract 

Yang Support

As mentioned, spring is about the rising and expanding of yang energy. Here are some supporting choices:

• Magnesium glycinate
• Vitamin D3

Liver Blood Sustenance

Keeping the liver nourished is an essential part of spring enhancement. Adding one or more of these supplements through the guidance of a qualified practitioner may help enhance liver blood sustenance.

• Iron (be sure to take iron with proper guidance as it can cause constipation)
• B-complex
• Chlorella (single-cell green algae)

Heat Shield

During spring, too much heat in the body can cause adverse effects. Some of these may include: 

• Gum swelling
• Dry eyes
• Constipation
• Sore throat
• Irritability

Heat can be reduced and controlled by incorporating: 

• Peppermint
• Lemon balm
• Magnesium
• N-acetylenecysteine (NAC) – a common form of the amino acid L-cysteine, sometimes used by conventional medicine for liver support. 

Stay Away Spring Days

These are some supplements that may work against the system during the season of spring as they may unnecessarily tax the liver. 

• Protein powders that contain excessive amounts of protein 
• Ashwagandha 
• Ginseng
• Excessive doses of vitamin C
• Black pepper
• Cinnamon 
• Clove

Food for Thought: Seasonal Eats

According to CCM changing oneself as the seasons change can be essential to optimal health. It offers balance and harmony of the system for essential functioning on a subtle and possibly not-so-subtle response. Eating what each season has to offer and how food choices support that seasons associations can be an integral part of how the body responds within that season. 

These are some foods that may assist in embracing spring associations for optimal systemic balance:

• Mushrooms
• Spinach 
• Garbanzo beans 
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Arugula 
• Radicchio 
• Green beans
• Green peas
• Bamboo shoots
• Wheat grass 
• Kale
• Collard greens 
• Citrus fruits
• Pears
• Apples
• Rhubarb 

These recipes are a good starting point to support liver/gallbladder and enhance the upward movement energy of spring. 

Stir Fried Bamboo Shoots With Scallions And Garlic

Ingredients

2  cups  sliced bamboo shoots

1⁄4 cup  sesame oil

6  green onions, cut in 3-inch length

1  garlic clove, minced

1  chili pepper, minced

1  tablespoon soy sauce

Directions:

Rinse bamboo shoots

Stir fry in oil over medium heat for 10 minutes until tender

Add remaining ingredients

Stir fry for 5 minutes until onions are tender

Serves 4-6

*Recipe courtesy of Food

Asparagus With Ginger Carrot Sauce

1 pound asparagus, ends trimmed

2 T olive oil

Kosher salt and pepper

1 shallot, peeled and cut into quarters

2 – 3 garlic cloves, peeled

1″ finger of ginger, peeled and cut into slices

1/2 pound carrots, peeled and cut into 2″ pieces

1/2 cup rice vinegar

3 T soy sauce

1 t brown sugar

Salt and pepper to taste

1 t toasted sesame seed oil

1/2 cup mild olive oil (not lite!)

1 T toasted black or white sesame seeds

Instructions:

Heat oven to 400 degrees

Toss asparagus with two tablespoons olive oil on a baking sheet

Sprinkle with salt and pepper and put in the oven to roast about 5-10 minutes.

Put shallot, garlic, ginger and carrots in a food processor/blender until minced

Add rice vinegar, soy sauce, brown sugar, salt, pepper blend

Add sesame seed and olive oil to create an emulsion

Plate the asparagus and drizzle the dressing over the asparagus

Garnish with toasted sesame seeds

Serves 4

*Recipe courtesy of Something New for Dinner 

News & Noteworthy 

Brain Acupuncture 

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) currently afflicts approximately 7 million Americans and, unless a treatment is found, is expected to double by 2060.  

According to systemic review titled, ‘Effects Of Acupuncture on Brain Functional Networks in Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer’s Disease’ published in the Quantitative Imaging in Medicine and Surgery it was reported that, 

“Acupuncture consistently activates the frontal, temporal, parietal, and cerebellar regions linked to cognitive and sensorimotor functions. Stronger effects in individuals with MCI suggest greater neuro-plastic responsiveness. These findings provide quantitative evidence supporting acupuncture as a potential adjunctive therapy for cognitive impairment in neurodegenerative diseases.”

This new research gives promise to better managing AD with acupuncture treatments as an adjunct to conventional approaches. 

Cellular Cleanse

Quercetin and fisetin are compounds found in foods such as apples, berries, grapes, onions, leafy greens, strawberries, kiwi, and lotus root. A 2026 study published in the journal ‘Biomolecules’ has shown that these and other similar compounds prove to be natural cellular cleansers which, when consumed regularly, may be attributed to preventing cancer and potentially leading to a longer life span. 

“Fisetin and quercetin are some of the most prevalent plant flavonoids that are reportedly present in many fruits and vegetables such as apples and onions. The bioactive potential of fisetin and quercetin has been established, especially in the modulation of a range of cancer signaling pathways. The anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant roles exhibited by these flavanols have been reportedly found to be associated with their ability of apoptotic activation, cell cycle arrest, regulating ECM [extracellular matrix] remodeling, and inhibiting EMT [Epithelial to mesenchymal transition aka cancer invasion].”

At Integrative Med Solutions, we will design a spring health and acupuncture treatment program that works for you. In many cases, insurance covers portions of the treatment. Allow us to support you to achieve optimal health. To make an appointment or find out more about how acupuncture and naturopathic medicine can benefit you, please call our office at 914-337-2980 or Click Here to schedule an online appointment.

*Please Click Here to see a current list of insurance companies that commonly carry acupuncture benefits for its members. For more info, please call 914-337-2980 or securely email us at info@intmedsolutions.com.

Best in health from Integrative Med Solutions.

Sources:

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12867475/

https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/endocrinology/articles/10.3389/fendo.2025.1561344/full

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4378297/

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12185490/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41522078/

https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/9/5/174