Exploring ADHD Through the Lens of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Welcome back to Study Acupuncture with Me—where we dive deep into the art and science of Traditional Chinese Medicine together. I’m so glad you’re here, and I’m honored to be a part of your journey as you build your clinical knowledge and confidence. In this episode, we take an open-hearted look at ADHD through the lens of TCM. You’ll hear us break down how ADHD symptoms might map to traditional patterns of imbalance like Heart Fire, liver qi stagnation, phlegm, and spleen deficiency. We’re not replacing psychiatric care with acupuncture, but we’re uncovering how we can support regulation, stability, and resilience in our neurodivergent patients. We cover everything from the Western diagnosis to practical TCM interpretation—plus how you can measure progress in your clinical practice, even when the changes are subtle. Here’s what you’ll find in this episode: Timestamps 00:00 : Welcoming listeners & sharing the inspiration from a viewer’s comment 01:53 : ADHD in the DSM: Symptoms & Western diagnosis 04:06 : TCM perspective: Patterns like Heart Fire, yin deficiency, and Shen disturbance 07:23 : Emotional regulation & the liver’s role 09:02 : Inattention, phlegm, and spleen Qi patterns 11:10 : Kidney’s connection to the nervous system 13:35 : Treating regulation, not chasing a cure—measuring subtle progress 16:25 : Neurodivergence & TCM: Embracing support and stability over perfection 17:48 : Closing thoughts, call for feedback & encouragement to keep learning If this episode sparked new thoughts, I’d love to hear your questions and experiences! Comment on my socials, subscribe to Study Acupuncture with Me, and visit www.studyacuwithme.com and join my email list. Happy studying!