Why Spring Makes Some of Us Stuffy—and Others Bone Dry (And How Acupuncture Can Help)

Spring is a season of renewal, movement, and growth—but for many people, it also brings a wave of physical imbalances, especially when it comes to fluids in the body. You might notice it yourself: while some folks are constantly congested, puffy, or retaining water, others are dealing with dry skin, scratchy throats, and even sinus pain from lack of moisture.

So, why does spring affect people so differently—and how can acupuncture help restore balance?

🌿 The TCM Take on Spring and Fluids

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), spring is ruled by the Liver and associated with the Wood element—movement, flow, and the upward push of new life. But as nature begins to thaw and change, our bodies can struggle to adapt, especially if there’s an underlying imbalance in how we process fluids.

For some, this manifests as excess Dampness:

Congestion or sinus pressure
Post-nasal drip
Brain fog or heaviness
Puffy face or swelling

Others experience signs of Dryness:

Dry eyes or itchy skin
Tight facial muscles
Dehydrated lips
Scratchy throat or dry cough

These patterns can be influenced by local climate, seasonal allergies, diet, stress, and how well your body is able to regulate and transform fluids.

🪡 How Acupuncture Supports Fluid Balance

Acupuncture works to regulate the flow of Qi and fluids throughout the body. It supports the Lung, Spleen, and Kidney systems (all of which play a role in fluid transformation and distribution), while calming inflammation and opening up pathways of elimination—like the sinuses, lymphatic system, and skin.

💧 For those feeling congested and puffy:We use acupuncture points that help drain dampness, clear sinus congestion, and support healthy digestion (yes, your Spleen’s ability to process food and drink directly affects fluid retention!).

🔥 For those feeling dry and irritated:We focus on nourishing Yin, supporting the Lungs, and improving hydration pathways to ease dry skin, eyes, and airways. Acupuncture can even help with internal dryness like constipation or hormone-related dryness.

✨ Cosmetic Acupuncture and Spring Skin

Did you know cosmetic acupuncture doesn’t just target fine lines—it also helps regulate moisture levels and circulation in your skin?

By promoting microcirculation, lymphatic drainage, and collagen production, cosmetic acupuncture helps:

Reduce puffiness and facial swelling
Improve tone and hydration
Restore glow and reduce dry, dull texture

It’s not just skin-deep—cosmetic acupuncture addresses the whole body system, often including points on the body that treat digestion, hormones, or fluid metabolism depending on your individual needs.

🌸 Spring Is a Great Time to Reset

Whether you’re dealing with seasonal allergies, fluid retention, or dryness that just won’t quit, spring is a perfect time to get ahead of imbalances before they become bigger issues.

Acupuncture can help you: