I enrolled in acupuncture school expecting to learn how to move Qi, regulate organs, and maybe (eventually) feel like a competent adult with a treatment plan and a clipboard.
What I did not expect was a slow, systematic dismantling of my personality.
Not in a bad way.
Just… thorough.
Somewhere between memorizing point locations, trying to keep my clinic linens folded like a functioning human, and pretending I remember what day it is, I’ve learned something important:
Not everything is fixed with needles.
Sometimes it’s your Liver.
Sometimes it’s your expectations.
Sometimes it’s both.
Today’s Lesson: Amenorrhea Can Be Caused by Disappointment
This was dropped into class casually. No dramatic pause. No warning.
Amenorrhea, we’re told, can be related to Liver Qi stagnation.
And Liver Qi stagnation can come from… disappointment.
Not trauma.
Not disease.
Disappointment.
Like:
- “I thought this phase of life would feel different.”
- “I thought he would notice.”
- “I thought this syllabus would be… clearer.”
The Liver, it turns out, does not care how hard you’re trying.
It cares how annoyed you are about it.
Some Cases Are Not Treated With Acupuncture
This is devastating news for people who like solutions.
Because while acupuncture can move Qi, herbs can nourish Blood, and congee can theoretically fix everything if you’re patient enough, some cases require:
- A deep sigh
- A reframed thought
- And deciding that your partner throwing laundry near the basket is endearing and not a personal attack
There are patterns we treat with points.
And then there are patterns we treat by choosing to think:
“Oh. That’s irritating.”
instead of
“This is symbolic of every unmet need I’ve ever had.”
This is advanced medicine.
The Liver Is Unimpressed by Your Self Care Routine
Here’s another thing acupuncture school teaches you very quickly:
Your Liver does not care that you:
- meal prep
- take supplements
- journal
- needle yourself
- drink warm lemon water
- are spiritually aware
If your inner monologue is still:
“Why am I the only one holding this together?”
Congratulations.
Qi has stagnated.
You can’t out supplement resentment.
I don’t love this fact either.
Acupuncture School Is Humbling in Unexpected Ways
Every week, something clicks and you realize:
You are not broken.
Your body is not betraying you.
Your organs are not failing.
Your system is just responding appropriately to the challenges of life.
Which is… rude.
But also kind of validating.
The body is not subtle.
It will absolutely withhold your period if it feels you’ve been tolerating nonsense too long.
Some Things Only Mindset Can Move
This part hurts a little, especially for the Type A women among us.
There are things needles can move.
There are things herbs can nourish.
And then there are things only boundaries, perspective, and a slight lowering of expectations can resolve long term.
No amount of perfect point prescription can compensate for chronic disappointment paired with silence.
The Liver wants expression.
Not perfection.
My New Favourite Treatment Plan
Currently includes:
- Acupuncture
- Walking
- Eating real food
- Sleeping
- And choosing to think
“That’s annoying. Oh well.”
instead of
“This is a moral failing and I am doomed.”
This alone has probably saved my cycle.
If You See Me Smiling to Myself in Clinic…
Just know:
I’m not serene.
I’m actively reframing.
I am choosing my thoughts carefully so my Liver Qi can keep moving and my hormones don’t file a formal complaint.
Acupuncture school is not just teaching us medicine.
It’s teaching us emotional efficiency.
And honestly?
That might be the most valuable skill of all.
Come for the needles.
Stay for the personality restructuring.
A Gentle Note: I’m a student of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and this space reflects my learning as it unfolds. TCM is deep, layered, and complex, and I’m still finding my footing within it. I will refine my understanding over time. I will make mistakes. That’s part of doing this honestly. What I share here is my current perspective, shaped by my teachers, clinical training, lived experience, and my own biases. It’s not absolute, it’s evolving. I welcome thoughtful conversation, shared insight, and respectful correction along the way. I humbly welcome your insight. Let’s learn together. You can always find me over on Instagram to keep the conversation going.