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Pregnancy

  • Acupuncture
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How Megan Kept Her Blood Pressure in Check and Had Her Successful Homebirth

How Megan Kept Her Blood Pressure in Check and Had Her Successful Homebirth

Pregnancy, East and West, Herbal Medicine

Megan and I first began working together when I was still in acupuncture school and working as an intern in the student clinic. Over the years, we had the chance to work together on a number of issues- digestion, support while trying to conceive, and...

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Don’t Press There! Acupuncture’s Forbidden Points for Pregnancy

Don’t Press There! Acupuncture’s Forbidden Points for Pregnancy

Acupuncture, Pregnancy, Self-Care

As the popularity of acupuncture has grown, so has the notoriety of the so-called 'forbidden points' of pregnancy. As someone who's been through a couple of pregnancies, I know well the anxiety it can provoke to have such a small and vulnerable person so reliant upon...

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Audrey and Charlie’s IVF Journey

Audrey and Charlie’s IVF Journey

Fertility, Acupuncture, IVF, Pregnancy, Women's Health

When I first met Audrey and Charlie, they had been trying to conceive their first child for over 4 years. When it became clear after a year that a pregnancy wasn’t going to be as easy to achieve as they’d hoped, they began looking for answers. Not long after, Charlie...

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Acupuncture and Moxibustion for Breech Babies

Acupuncture and Moxibustion for Breech Babies

Self-Care, Pregnancy, Women's Health

Towards the end of pregnancy, most babies will rotate into a head down position in preparation for birth. Breech, or head-up position, occurs in 3-5% of pregnancies at term, and typically indicates a cesarean birth. There are many techniques mothers can use to...

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Your Period Pain Isn’t Going Away On Its Own

You down advil, take magnesium, try the herbs that helped your friend - and your period pain still screams every month. It keeps you from staying on track with your self-care, let alone your job. It keeps you from fully enjoying your vacation or summer - a hailstorm on your parade.

Not all period pain is created equal—and that’s why the treatment that worked for your sister isn`t working for you. There are many different root causes of period pain, each requiring a different approach.

We tailor our treatments to YOU. We help our clients kick all kinds of period pain:

🔴 Dull, achy cramping that starts before your period and comes with a mood that makes your loved ones cower in fear. (We call this Stuck Qi)
🔴 Sharp, stabbing pain on the first days of your period. (We call this Stuck Blood)
🔴 Squeezing pain with clotty flow that can be as bad as labor pain. (This one requires all the kinds of turmeric)
🔴 Persistent cramping that gets better with warmth. We know how much you love your heating pad. (We call this one Cold in the Uterus)
🔴 Dull, lingering pain towards the end of your period and comes with fatigue and dizziness. (We`ll call this Blood Deficiency)

When we switch from chasing pain to trying to hear its message, we help our whole body release the underlying pattern. Eastern and holistic medicine supports your whole system so you can move through your cycle with ease.

Doesn`t that sound lovely?

Would you like to meet with us in our Chicago clinic to learn more about how we work? Comment CONSULT and we`ll send you a link to book a free consultation.

Prefer to learn online? We`ve got some great info in our women`s health resource library (in the FREE community). Comment COMMUNITY and we`ll send you an invite.

2 0
Open post by fourflowerswellness with ID 18063073895273113
Your Period Pain Isn’t Going Away On Its Own

You down advil, take magnesium, try the herbs that helped your friend - and your period pain still screams every month. It keeps you from staying on track with your self-care, let alone your job. It keeps you from fully enjoying your vacation or summer - a hailstorm on your parade.

Not all period pain is created equal—and that’s why the treatment that worked for your sister isn't working for you. There are many different root causes of period pain, each requiring a different approach. 

We tailor our treatments to YOU. We help our clients kick all kinds of period pain:

🔴 Dull, achy cramping that starts before your period and comes with a mood that makes your loved ones cower in fear. (We call this Stuck Qi)
🔴 Sharp, stabbing pain on the first days of your period. (We call this Stuck Blood)
🔴 Squeezing pain with clotty flow that can be as bad as labor pain. (This one requires all the kinds of turmeric)
🔴 Persistent cramping that gets better with warmth. We know how much you love your heating pad. (We call this one Cold in the Uterus)
🔴 Dull, lingering pain towards the end of your period and comes with fatigue and dizziness. (We'll call this Blood Deficiency)

When we switch from chasing pain to trying to hear its message, we help our whole body release the underlying pattern. Eastern and holistic medicine supports your whole system so you can move through your cycle with ease. 

Doesn't that sound lovely?

Would you like to meet with us in our Chicago clinic to learn more about how we work? Comment CONSULT and we'll send you a link to book a free consultation.

Prefer to learn online? We've got some great info in our women's health resource library (in the FREE community). Comment COMMUNITY and we'll send you an invite.

When our internal systems are out of sync, they often signal their distress through pain or discomfort.

Whether it`s constipation, painful periods, perimenopause symptoms, headaches, exhaustion, insomnia, irritability, depression, anxiety, weight gain, back pain, or neck and shoulder tension—each is a clear indicator that a system isn`t functioning optimally. While we can`t eliminate all external stressors from our lives (that`s just part of living!), we can take steps to support our internal systems, helping them function more efficiently and reducing the daily load.

One effective way to establish regularity within our internal systems is by setting rhythms in our daily, weekly, and monthly routines:

🌙 Establish a consistent bedtime and wake-up time to regulate your sleep cycle.
🌙 Opt for regular meal times to help your body manage blood sugar levels effectively.
🌙 Commit to exercise regularly throughout the week.
🌙 Dedicate time to mindfulness each day.

We`re not advocating a dull, overly regimented life but one in which the systems flow in an orderly fashion.

Within structure lies freedom—a sense of security in knowing that your systems are working to keep you healthy. Regular acupuncture treatments can contribute significantly to establishing optimal health flow for you and your body. This approach addresses symptoms while supporting the entire system, leading to improvements in every aspect of your well-being.

Interested in learning more about how we can help you achieve better long-term health? Comment CONSULT, and we`ll send you a link to schedule a free consultation.

2 2
Open post by fourflowerswellness with ID 18135848734420522
When our internal systems are out of sync, they often signal their distress through pain or discomfort. 

Whether it's constipation, painful periods, perimenopause symptoms, headaches, exhaustion, insomnia, irritability, depression, anxiety, weight gain, back pain, or neck and shoulder tension—each is a clear indicator that a system isn't functioning optimally. While we can't eliminate all external stressors from our lives (that's just part of living!), we can take steps to support our internal systems, helping them function more efficiently and reducing the daily load.

One effective way to establish regularity within our internal systems is by setting rhythms in our daily, weekly, and monthly routines:

🌙 Establish a consistent bedtime and wake-up time to regulate your sleep cycle. 
🌙 Opt for regular meal times to help your body manage blood sugar levels effectively. 
🌙 Commit to exercise regularly throughout the week. 
🌙 Dedicate time to mindfulness each day. 

We're not advocating a dull, overly regimented life but one in which the systems flow in an orderly fashion.

Within structure lies freedom—a sense of security in knowing that your systems are working to keep you healthy. Regular acupuncture treatments can contribute significantly to establishing optimal health flow for you and your body. This approach addresses symptoms while supporting the entire system, leading to improvements in every aspect of your well-being.

Interested in learning more about how we can help you achieve better long-term health? Comment CONSULT, and we'll send you a link to schedule a free consultation.

You Might Be Sabotaging Your Fertility (Without Even Realizing It)

We work with so many thoughtful, proactive women who’ve done *everything right*—but are still stuck, overwhelmed, and unsure of what to do next in their fertility journey. If that sounds familiar, know this: it’s not your fault, and you’re not alone.

Here are five patterns we often help our clients gently unwind:

1️⃣ Doing all the things (and exhausting yourself in the process).

It’s easy to fall into the trap of trying every supplement, protocol, or trending diet. But fertility isn’t about doing more—it’s about balance. When we slow down and get clear on what your body actually needs, things start to shift.

2️⃣ Seeing fertility as only a medical issue

Yes, your labs matter. But fertility is so much more than numbers on a page. It reflects your overall vitality—how well your body is nourished, how resilient your nervous system is, and how safe your body feels to conceive.

3️⃣ Not understanding your body`s uniqueness

Your friend’s IVF timeline, that influencer’s supplement stack… none of that tells the story of *your* body. And your body’s story deserves to be honored with care that’s just as unique.

4️⃣ Searching for a single solution to “fix” the problem.

Fertility challenges are not failures. They’re your body’s way of asking for support. Healing is rarely linear—and never one-size-fits-all. It’s not about fixing what’s broken; it’s about creating the right conditions for your body to thrive.

5️⃣ Carrying it all alone.

Let’s say this louder: fertility is not solely a woman’s responsibility. Male fertility matters just as much, and emotional support is essential. You were never meant to do this by yourself.

✨ If this resonates, know there’s a gentler, more holistic path forward. At Four Flowers Wellness, we support the whole you—body, mind, and spirit—with acupuncture, herbal medicine, and individualized care that meets you where you are.

9 0
Open post by fourflowerswellness with ID 18123793309443909
You Might Be Sabotaging Your Fertility (Without Even Realizing It)

We work with so many thoughtful, proactive women who’ve done *everything right*—but are still stuck, overwhelmed, and unsure of what to do next in their fertility journey. If that sounds familiar, know this: it’s not your fault, and you’re not alone.

Here are five patterns we often help our clients gently unwind:

1️⃣ Doing all the things (and exhausting yourself in the process).

It’s easy to fall into the trap of trying every supplement, protocol, or trending diet. But fertility isn’t about doing more—it’s about balance. When we slow down and get clear on what your body actually needs, things start to shift.

2️⃣ Seeing fertility as only a medical issue

Yes, your labs matter. But fertility is so much more than numbers on a page. It reflects your overall vitality—how well your body is nourished, how resilient your nervous system is, and how safe your body feels to conceive.

3️⃣ Not understanding your body's uniqueness

Your friend’s IVF timeline, that influencer’s supplement stack… none of that tells the story of *your* body. And your body’s story deserves to be honored with care that’s just as unique.

4️⃣ Searching for a single solution to “fix” the problem.

Fertility challenges are not failures. They’re your body’s way of asking for support. Healing is rarely linear—and never one-size-fits-all. It’s not about fixing what’s broken; it’s about creating the right conditions for your body to thrive.

5️⃣ Carrying it all alone.

Let’s say this louder: fertility is not solely a woman’s responsibility. Male fertility matters just as much, and emotional support is essential. You were never meant to do this by yourself.

✨ If this resonates, know there’s a gentler, more holistic path forward. At Four Flowers Wellness, we support the whole you—body, mind, and spirit—with acupuncture, herbal medicine, and individualized care that meets you where you are.

Reframing Meditation: What If You’re Not Doing It Wrong?

If the idea of meditating makes you feel more stressed, you’re not alone.

Many women I work with say they’ve “failed” at meditation because they couldn’t stop their thoughts or quiet their minds. But there`s a reason we call it meditation "practice".

🧘‍♀️ Meditation isn’t about stopping your thoughts.
🧘‍♀️ It’s about creating the internal conditions that help your nervous system shift into a more calm, balanced state.

When you sit or lie down and bring your attention to your breath—or to the sensations in your body—you’re helping your brain shift from a high-alert Beta state into slower Alpha and Theta brainwave patterns.

These are the brainwave states that may promote the release of:
✨ Serotonin — your natural mood stabilizer
✨ GABA — calming and anxiety-reducing
✨ Endorphins — your body’s natural pain relievers
✨ Growth hormone — which supports repair and regeneration

You don’t have to clear your mind or reach some mystical state of stillness. Just 10–13 minutes of practice each day can help your body feel safer—and your stress response begin to recalibrate.

Over time, your baseline state of stress can shift. Not because you’ve learned to “do meditation right,” but because you’re regularly giving your body what it needs to unwind, reset, and feel supported.

Your presence is more powerful than perfection.

💛 Double tap if this makes meditation feel more doable for you.

2 0
Open post by fourflowerswellness with ID 18268636129262932
Reframing Meditation: What If You’re Not Doing It Wrong?

If the idea of meditating makes you feel more stressed, you’re not alone.

Many women I work with say they’ve “failed” at meditation because they couldn’t stop their thoughts or quiet their minds. But there's a reason we call it meditation "practice".

🧘‍♀️ Meditation isn’t about stopping your thoughts.
🧘‍♀️ It’s about creating the internal conditions that help your nervous system shift into a more calm, balanced state.

When you sit or lie down and bring your attention to your breath—or to the sensations in your body—you’re helping your brain shift from a high-alert Beta state into slower Alpha and Theta brainwave patterns.

These are the brainwave states that may promote the release of:
✨ Serotonin — your natural mood stabilizer
✨ GABA — calming and anxiety-reducing
✨ Endorphins — your body’s natural pain relievers
✨ Growth hormone — which supports repair and regeneration

You don’t have to clear your mind or reach some mystical state of stillness. Just 10–13 minutes of practice each day can help your body feel safer—and your stress response begin to recalibrate.

Over time, your baseline state of stress can shift. Not because you’ve learned to “do meditation right,” but because you’re regularly giving your body what it needs to unwind, reset, and feel supported.

Your presence is more powerful than perfection.

💛 Double tap if this makes meditation feel more doable for you.

If you feel like your body is a lemon—glitchy, unreliable, or working against you—you’re not alone. So many women come to us carrying this belief, and honestly, it makes sense. We`ve been conditioned to see our bodies, especially women`s bodies, as problems to be fixed, machines that should perform perfectly, or unpredictable forces that need to be controlled.

But what if that story is wrong?

At our clinic, we see things differently. In the world of acupuncture and Chinese medicine, symptoms aren’t failures—they’re feedback. Whether it’s pain, anxiety, digestive issues, irregular cycles, or fertility struggles, your body is trying to tell you something. Not to sabotage you, but to protect you, to guide you back to balance.

What happens when you stop fighting your body and start listening to it instead? That shift—from frustration to curiosity—can be a turning point. It opens the door to deeper, more sustainable healing. Not just symptom relief, but the kind of care that reconnects you with yourself.

You don’t need to be “fixed.” You deserve to be heard.
We’re here to listen—and to help you listen, too.

12 0
Open post by fourflowerswellness with ID 17910152523016427
If you feel like your body is a lemon—glitchy, unreliable, or working against you—you’re not alone. So many women come to us carrying this belief, and honestly, it makes sense. We've been conditioned to see our bodies, especially women's bodies, as problems to be fixed, machines that should perform perfectly, or unpredictable forces that need to be controlled.

But what if that story is wrong?

At our clinic, we see things differently. In the world of acupuncture and Chinese medicine, symptoms aren’t failures—they’re feedback. Whether it’s pain, anxiety, digestive issues, irregular cycles, or fertility struggles, your body is trying to tell you something. Not to sabotage you, but to protect you, to guide you back to balance.

What happens when you stop fighting your body and start listening to it instead? That shift—from frustration to curiosity—can be a turning point. It opens the door to deeper, more sustainable healing. Not just symptom relief, but the kind of care that reconnects you with yourself.

You don’t need to be “fixed.” You deserve to be heard.
We’re here to listen—and to help you listen, too.

Elderberries aren’t just a seasonal trend—they’re packed with powerful compounds that can support your overall well-being in some amazing ways. Here are five key reasons to include elderberry in your routine:

1️⃣ Antioxidant Powerhouse
Elderberries are loaded with anthocyanins—potent antioxidants that help protect your cells from oxidative stress. Over time, oxidative stress contributes to aging and chronic disease, so giving your body a daily dose of antioxidants is a smart move.

2️⃣ A Natural Vitamin C Boost
Just one cup of elderberries provides over 50mg of vitamin C—an essential nutrient for immune support, skin health, and tissue repair. If you’re looking for an easy way to up your vitamin C intake naturally, elderberries are a great option.

3️⃣ Supports a Strong Immune System
Elderberries have been linked to enhanced immune defenses, with research suggesting they may help reduce the severity and duration of colds and flu. That’s why elderberry is a go-to during cold season!

4️⃣ Naturally Antiviral
Compounds in elderberries have been shown to inhibit viral replication—especially when it comes to influenza. While they’re not a cure-all, they can be a great tool to support your body’s natural defenses.

5️⃣ Helps Combat Inflammation
Thanks to their rich anthocyanin content, elderberries offer anti-inflammatory benefits. Chronic inflammation is at the root of many health issues, so adding anti-inflammatory foods like elderberries can be a helpful step.

✨ How to Use Elderberries
Elderberries can be enjoyed as a syrup, tea, tincture, or even in gummies! Just remember—raw elderberries should not be consumed, as they can be toxic.

Do you use elderberry as part of your wellness routine?

1 0
Open post by fourflowerswellness with ID 18067729912751424
Elderberries aren’t just a seasonal trend—they’re packed with powerful compounds that can support your overall well-being in some amazing ways. Here are five key reasons to include elderberry in your routine:

1️⃣ Antioxidant Powerhouse
Elderberries are loaded with anthocyanins—potent antioxidants that help protect your cells from oxidative stress. Over time, oxidative stress contributes to aging and chronic disease, so giving your body a daily dose of antioxidants is a smart move.

2️⃣ A Natural Vitamin C Boost
Just one cup of elderberries provides over 50mg of vitamin C—an essential nutrient for immune support, skin health, and tissue repair. If you’re looking for an easy way to up your vitamin C intake naturally, elderberries are a great option.

3️⃣ Supports a Strong Immune System
Elderberries have been linked to enhanced immune defenses, with research suggesting they may help reduce the severity and duration of colds and flu. That’s why elderberry is a go-to during cold season!

4️⃣ Naturally Antiviral
Compounds in elderberries have been shown to inhibit viral replication—especially when it comes to influenza. While they’re not a cure-all, they can be a great tool to support your body’s natural defenses.

5️⃣ Helps Combat Inflammation
Thanks to their rich anthocyanin content, elderberries offer anti-inflammatory benefits. Chronic inflammation is at the root of many health issues, so adding anti-inflammatory foods like elderberries can be a helpful step.

✨ How to Use Elderberries
Elderberries can be enjoyed as a syrup, tea, tincture, or even in gummies! Just remember—raw elderberries should not be consumed, as they can be toxic. 

Do you use elderberry as part of your wellness routine?
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Who We Are

Four Flowers Wellness is a holistic East Asian Medicine practice serving Chicago’s West Loop and West Town neighborhoods. We are experts in acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, fertility support, and women’s health, and love taking on challenging cases.

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Where to Find Us


1526 W Monroe St.

Suite 100
Chicago IL 60607

312-404-5882
[email protected]

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