In this episode of the Modern Aging Podcast, we explore the healing power of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and how it can help you feel more balanced, energized, and resilient—especially as we move into the winter season. Joined by TCM doctor, acupuncturist, and herbalist Dr. Laurel Liu, we break down foundational concepts like yin and yang, the five elements, and liver chi stagnation in a way that’s practical and easy to understand.

Dr. Laurel shares how stress and emotions show up in the body, why TCM focuses on restoring balance instead of chasing symptoms, and how food, herbs, acupressure, and seasonal habits can support sleep, digestion, immunity, and even blood pressure. Whether you’re new to holistic health or already familiar with Eastern medicine, this conversation is full of tools you can start using right away.

Bonus for listeners: Get 15% off Dr. Laurel’s self-healing tools at sunmooncare.com with the code MODERNAGING, and follow her on Instagram @treatmentbylaurel for weekly tips and live teachings.

In this episode, we step inside The Rooted Refuge, a community-centered acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) clinic founded by Dr. Christopher Peacock, whose approach blends accessible healthcare and deeply personalized treatment. Dr. Peacock shares how growing up with sick parents in rural Ohio shaped his belief that healing must go beyond symptom management and instead focus on root-cause wellness. He explains the fundamentals of TCM—including acupuncture, herbs, tongue and pulse diagnosis—and how he tailors every treatment to the individual, especially for conditions like anxiety, insomnia, digestive imbalance, fertility challenges, and chronic pain.

We also explore his mission to make acupuncture financially accessible through sliding-scale pricing, free clinics, and a collaborative practitioner model that reduces overhead to better serve marginalized communities. This conversation offers listeners an eye-opening look at how holistic medicine can be both effective and equitable.

To learn more about Dr. Peacock, visit therootedrefuge.com

In this empowering episode, Risa sits down with Dr. Venessa Lee, a Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine, to explore how acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, and TCM philosophy can support women through perimenopause, menopause, and midlife health challenges. They dive into the root causes behind symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, irritability, dryness, fatigue, and sleep issues, and discuss how balancing yin and yang helps restore harmony in the body. Dr. Venessa explains how diet, lifestyle, herbs, and acupuncture work together to nourish yin, clear heat, and regulate the organ systems most affected during this transition. She also shares insights on facial acupuncture, micro-needling, cupping, and moxibustion, plus surprising ways Chinese medicine can support fertility and pregnancy.

Guest Bio: Dr. Vanessa Lee is a licensed acupuncturist in NY and CT states, and an herbalist certified by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM)®. She earned her Doctorate of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine (DACM) and Masters of Science in Traditional Oriental Medicine (MSTOM) from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine. Her greatest joy lies in helping each patient rediscover their innate healing abilities and cultivate a healthy, sustainable connection with their inner world. Feeling heard and seen is essential to any therapeutic process.

Connect with Vanessa: www.drvenessalee.com

IG @drvenessalee

#WomensHealth #Perimenopause #MenopauseRelief #ChineseMedicine #AcupunctureBenefits #HolisticHealth #TCM #MidlifeWellness #HormoneHealth #NaturalHealing