Wishing Everyone Great Health After Lunar New Year!【TCM After Chinese New Year? Heartfelt Post-Holiday Wellness Tips from a Registered Chinese Medicine Practitioner】

明醫館 Yinyang-cmc
2 hours ago
3 min read

香港註冊中醫師解答新年後食滯、腸胃不適、過量食用年糕引發關節痛症與濕疹爆發的中醫調理指南

It is an unwritten tradition among the Chinese not to visit a doctor during the first days of the Lunar New Year. That is why, ever since our clinic opened, I have always taken an extended holiday during the Spring Festival to rest and recharge.

However, over the past couple of years, more and more patients have 'complained' that our clinic reopens too late! They have to wait until the 11th day of the Lunar New Year to get treatment for their aches, pains, and internal health issues. Everyone laughs resignedly, saying how excruciating the wait can be!

Seeing a TCM practitioner after Chinese New Year? Why does this happen?

During Lunar New Year, everyone is in high spirits, naturally indulging in lavish meals and a wide array of festive treats. Deep-fried, savory, sticky, and sweet—with such delicious food before us, who could possibly resist? On top of that, days of staying up late playing, socializing, and playing mahjong mean people won't rest until the very last second.

Gastrointestinal Indigestion & Bloating: Overindulging in rich food overburdens the Spleen and Stomach.
Flare-ups of Joint & Muscle Pain: Eating excessive sticky rice products—like rice cakes (Nian Gao) and glutinous rice balls—creates dampness and stagnation in the body, causing chronic pain and old injuries to resurface.
Sore Throats, Canker Sores & Eczema Breakouts: Staying up late consumes Yin and triggers "Deficiency Fire" (虛火), while deep-fried foods generate "Excess Fire" (實火). With both Deficiency and Excess Fire acting together, issues like sore throats, mouth ulcers, acne, eczema, and even hives (urticaria) flare up repeatedly...

According to our clinic's informal statistics, patients seeking treatment for these exact conditions account for nearly 70% of all visits immediately after the Lunar New Year holiday! It really is quite a mind-boggling proportion!

💡 TCM Science Corner: Seeing a TCM Practitioner After CNY? Why Do Health Issues Flare Up During Lunar New Year?

From a Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective, these flare-ups are far from coincidental:

The Spleen and Stomach Are the Foundation of Acquired Constitution: Overeating deep-fried and sticky foods (such as glutinous rice) easily obstructs Qi circulation, leading to food stagnation and the internal generation of Damp-Heat. As Damp-Heat flows through the meridians into the joints, it naturally triggers muscle and joint aches.
Staying Up All Night Consumes Yin Fluid: Staying up late leads to Yin deficiency and hyperactivity of Fire. Combined with the accumulated Heat from deep-fried foods, the body suffers a double blow from both "Deficiency Fire" and "Excess Fire." When internal Damp-Heat and toxins cannot be properly discharged, they manifest on the skin (as eczema and hives) and mucous membranes (as canker sores and sore throats).

❓ 新年後常見問題 (FAQ)

Q: If I suffer from post-holiday indigestion or a flare-up of aches and pains after Lunar New Year, how does Traditional Chinese Medicine usually provide relief?

A: For indigestion and abdominal bloating, Chinese herbal medicine can regulate Qi and relieve food stagnation. For joint pain, low back stiffness, or soreness caused by all-night mahjong sessions or internal Damp-Heat, acupuncture unblocks the meridians, while cupping and guasha help dispel dampness and detoxify—typically delivering rapid and effective relief.

So please remember, remember, and remember—moderation is key at all times!

Wishing everyone a whole year of good health!

#ModerationIsTheKeyToWellness

📍 Yin-Yang TCM Center

Services:

Acupuncture & Pain Relief | Bone-setting & Tuina Massage | Chinese Herbal Internal Medicine | Cupping & Guasha | Body Constitution Restoration

Clinic Addresses: