As the mornings get brighter and the days longer, I’m opening up all the doors and windows in my house to let the fresh air in. Things have been building up and feeling a bit stuffy during Winter, and I’m excited to refresh, tidy and attend to all the jobs I’ve neglected. 

In Chinese medicine, Spring is the season of the Liver — the organ system responsible for keeping our Qi flowing smoothly. Just like clutter in the house, when Liver Qi becomes stuck it can show up as both physical and emotional imbalances. 

You might notice:

Acupuncture can help to smooth the flow of Liver Qi, releasing tension, calming emotions, and supporting the body’s natural rhythms. Many people find it brings a sense of ease, clarity, and renewal—perfect qualities for the season of Spring.

Now is a great time to do some Spring cleaning for your body, and support your Liver energy so you can grow, move, and flourish with the season.

Why is my Energy Stuck?

The flow of Qi is deeply affected by emotions. For the Liver, those emotions are stress, frustration, and anger—feelings many of us experience daily in our modern world. When Liver Qi becomes stuck, it can show up as physical pain, but also as difficulty relaxing, creative blocks, anxiety, or low mood.

In their wonderful book Burnout, Emily and Amelia Nagoski describe how stress can become “stuck” in the body when we don’t have healthy ways to release it. They emphasise that stress itself isn’t the problem—it’s being stuck that harms us. If the body never receives a signal of safety, the stress response lingers.

In Chinese medicine, this is described as Qi stagnation. When our energy can’t move, emotions fester and physical tension remains. It’s like an inner river that has lost its current. Both modern neuroscience and ancient Chinese medicine point to the same truth: healing happens when flow is restored and tension is released.

Spring and the Liver

Spring is the perfect time to pay attention to your Liver Qi. The outward, opening energy of the season encourages movement, helping to clear away the stagnation of winter so we can step forward with more vitality, ease, and balance.

Small, daily shifts often make the biggest difference when it comes to moving Qi:

Eat Seasonally to Support Flow

Eating with the seasons keeps your body nourished. In Spring this means enjoying light, leafy greens such as spinach or Chinese broccoli, prepared with gentle methods like steaming or stir-frying to preserve their fresh energy. The flavour associated with the Liver is sour, so small amounts of lemon, lime, vinegar, fermented foods—or even kiwi fruit—can gently stimulate Qi and keep things moving.

Move Your Body, Move Your Energy

Gentle, flowing movement helps release stagnation and support the Liver. Walking outdoors, swimming, or practising Qigong all align the body with Spring’s expansive, upward energy. Pairing movement with time in nature is especially nourishing.

Free-Flowing Energy with Chinese Medicine

Acupuncture is beneficial year-round, but it’s especially powerful for easing Qi stagnation. By calming the nervous system and grounding frazzled energy, it creates space for relaxation, ease, and clarity. Chinese herbal medicine can also help soften tension and restore flow. A favourite classic formula is Xiao Yao San (Rambling Powder), traditionally used to reduce stress, harmonise Liver Qi, and open the heart.

Renew and Grow this Spring

Spring is a season of renewal, growth, and possibility—the perfect time to support your Liver Qi. With gentle daily practices, nourishing seasonal foods, and the support of acupuncture and herbal medicine, you can move through the season feeling lighter, clearer, and more energised. By aligning with the rhythms of nature, you create space for balance, flow, and a sense of ease in both body and mind.