Welcoming the Lunar New Year of the Wood Snake 🐍

As we’ve stepped into the Lunar New Year of the Wood Snake since last week, January 29, 2025, we embrace a year rich with transformation, wisdom, and renewal. The Snake, in Chinese astrology, is deeply intuitive and strategic, while the Wood element adds flexibility, growth, and a connection to nature. From a Chinese medicine perspective, this year invites us to cultivate balance, strengthen our health, and align with the rhythms of the seasons.

The Energy of the Wood Snake Year

In Chinese medicine, the Wood element corresponds to the Liver and Gallbladder meridians, which govern the smooth flow of Qi (energy), emotional resilience, and decision-making. This means 2025 is a year of movement, adaptability, and personal evolution. However, when the Liver system is out of balance, we can experience frustration, irritability, and physical symptoms like headaches, muscle tension, or digestive discomfort.

With the Snake’s wisdom and introspection, this year also emphasises deep healing, shedding old patterns, and embracing new opportunities. It’s an ideal time to listen to your body, support your health proactively, and create steady, sustainable changes in your well-being.

How to Take Care of Your Health in 2025

To thrive in the Year of the Wood Snake, we should support the Liver and Gallbladder systems while nurturing overall balance in body and mind. Here’s how:

• Support Liver Qi Flow: Stress, frustration, and overwork can stagnate the Liver’s energy. Practices like acupuncture, herbal medicine, and tai chi help smooth the flow of Qi and reduce tension.
• Prioritise Rest and Recovery: The Snake moves with intention and conservation of energy. Avoid burnout by incorporating mindful rest, adequate sleep, and restorative movement like yoga or tai chi.
• Strengthen Digestion: The Liver and Spleen work together to regulate digestion. Eating warm, nourishing meals, avoiding excessive cold foods, and practicing mindful eating can prevent bloating and fatigue.
• Move with Purpose: Gentle, flowing movement is ideal this year. Whether it’s tai chi, walking in nature, or stretching, regular movement supports flexibility and emotional well-being.

Common Health Conditions to Watch for in 2025

Given the Wood element’s connection to the Liver and Gallbladder, we may see an increase in:

• Digestive disorders: Bloating, IBS, or sluggish digestion due to Liver overacting on the Spleen.
• Muscle and joint tension: Especially in the neck, shoulders, and hips, as the Liver system affects tendons and ligaments.
• Headaches and migraines: Particularly stress-related or those associated with hormonal imbalances.
• Eye strain and vision issues: The Liver is linked to eye health, so digital eye fatigue may be more prominent.
• Emotional imbalances: Frustration, irritability, or mood swings due to stagnation of Liver Qi.

Diet and Lifestyle Tips for the Wood Snake Year

To maintain balance and prevent health issues, consider these dietary and lifestyle tips:

• Eat green, leafy, and bitter foods to support the Liver, such as dandelion greens, rocket, and citrus peels.
• Incorporate sour foods like lemon, apple cider vinegar, and pickled vegetables to aid digestion and detoxification.
• Limit greasy, heavy foods which can congest the Liver and Gallbladder.
• Stay hydrated with warm water and herbal teas like chrysanthemum or peppermint to soothe Liver heat.
• Practice stress management through acupuncture, meditation, and movement therapies like tai chi.You can book in for Matt’s tai chi class on Wednesday mornings at 9:30am here.
• Monitor your screen time with a great technique  called the 20-20-20 Rule which we recommend and which there is also a great app for on Apple and Android.

Start the Year with Stronger Health

Don’t fret if you faltered on your new year resolution! Embrace the energy of the 2025 Lunar New Year that’s only just getting started. And you don’t have to do it all alone!

The Wood Snake year is an opportunity to shed old habits and embrace new ways of caring for your body. If you’re feeling stuck, stressed, or experiencing any of the imbalances mentioned, acupuncture, herbal medicine, and physiotherapy can help restore harmony and keep your energy flowing smoothly so that you start feeling revitalised and aligned sooner rather than later!

Join us in the clinic for a tailored treatment plan with Maya, Matt and Milos or bring more movement into your life with Matt’s Tai Chi class on Wednesday mornings at 9:30 am – a perfect way to cultivate balance and grace, just like the Snake.