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Tight shoulders, a clenched jaw and itchy eyes often arrive with spring. Here is how traditional Chinese medicine theory connects them with the liver, and how a combined visit can help you unwind.

The season that shows up in your shoulders

Spring in Lane Cove brings longer days, blossom and, for many people, a familiar knot between the shoulder blades. If you find your jaw clenched at your desk or your eyes watering as the pollen rises, you are not alone. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has an interesting way of describing this seasonal pattern, which links it with the liver.

Why spring belongs to the liver in TCM

TCM theory pairs every season with an organ system. Spring, the season of growth and new beginnings, is matched with the liver, whose energy tradition describes as upward, bold and full of drive. That is the same lift many of us feel when the weather warms and we want to start new projects. In theory, when that energy gets stuck, it rises and gathers in the upper body.

What people often notice

In the face and eyes

• Eyes that feel red, itchy or irritated, since TCM connects the liver with the eyes
• Watery, itchy eyes during allergy season
• Teeth grinding or a tight, clenched jaw

In the neck and shoulders

• Shoulders that creep up towards the ears
• A stiff neck by the end of the day
• Headaches felt at the crown, which tradition says may be worse when you sit still

In mood and digestion

• A short fuse, restlessness or feeling generally unsettled
• Bloating, or bowel habits that alternate between constipation and loose or hard, stony stools
• For some women, more noticeable bloating, breast tenderness, sensitivity, or painful or clotted periods

See your GP first

Every item above can have many causes, from eye strain to hormonal changes, so ask your GP to check anything new, persistent or worsening, and let them know about any other therapies you use.

A spring reset in one visit

For general relaxation, some people like to combine therapies in a single appointment. A remedial massage to ease tight neck and shoulder muscles, acupuncture as a traditional approach many people find calming, and a soothing facial can make a pleasant seasonal ritual. Everyone responds differently, and these treatments are best seen as a complement to medical care rather than a replacement for it. A few minutes of slow breathing or stretching at home in between can help you keep that unwound feeling going.