Supporting those living with hEDS, HSD, POTS, MCAS and more
Gentle acupuncture and bodywork for chronic, complex conditions
Explore this page
A reflection on my own experience with chronic symptoms, and what I’ve come to understand. This section is for anyone—whether you live with a diagnosis or not.
For those searching for ways to reconnect with their body—diagnosed or undiagnosed—this is a message from my heart.
An overview of these often misunderstood conditions, explained in simple terms. Whether or not you’ve been diagnosed, you are welcome here. Includes helpful links for further reading.
Through my work, I’ve met many people whose bodies are sensitive, intuitive, and easily overwhelmed. In this section, you might find something that helps you feel seen and understood.
Rather than forcing change, I work with your body—breathing with it, listening carefully, and offering support it can receive gently. I also share my perspective on overstimulation and healing reactions.
Whether you’d like to book a session, ask a question, or just talk—I welcome you. This section offers a soft and open invitation.
Introduction
I spent many years wondering,
“Why does my body feel so difficult to live in?”
There were times when medical tests showed nothing wrong,
and I had to silently endure symptoms that no one else could see or understand.
Through studying acupuncture and East Asian medicine—
and with the help of certain medications and lifestyle changes—
I’ve slowly begun to understand how to live more gently with my body.
This page is written for people like my past self:
those who feel unwell without a clear reason,
or whose condition changes from day to day,
leaving them unsure how to cope.
From the perspective of traditional medicine,
I hope to offer small insights and support that help ease your discomfort,
even just a little.
You don’t have to read or understand everything on this page.
It’s okay to skip around, to close the tab, or to come back another time.
I would be honored if you interact with this page at your own pace,
in a way that feels kind to you.
Why I wrote this page
For a long time, I felt like I was living alone with my symptoms—
struggling each day while those around me didn’t seem to understand.
I often wondered,
“Who am I, really? What’s wrong with me?”
Time passed with that quiet fear living inside me.
Then one day, online, I came across the voices of people who felt like me.
People whose bodies reacted in similar, mysterious ways.
Little by little, I began to find names for what was happening inside me.
Eventually, I received a diagnosis:
hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS)—a rare connective tissue disorder.
But I know that some people, like me, get a diagnosis.
And many others don’t… yet live with very similar struggles.
There are also those who have a diagnosis,
but receive no real care for their physical symptoms—
left wondering, “Where do I even go?”
I wrote this page for all of those people.
In the chronic illness community overseas, there’s a term: “Spoonie.”
It describes someone whose energy is limited—
who must carefully choose how to spend their strength each day.
I’ve had mornings where just waking up and existing
left me completely drained.
And honestly, there are still days like that.
But over time, I’ve found a gentler way to care for myself.
One that doesn’t involve blaming or pushing my body too hard.
Through acupuncture and East Asian medicine,
I hope to support others in exploring their own path—
one that allows for healing, understanding, and self-compassion.
That’s why I created this page.
What are hEDS, HSD, POTS, and MCAS?
The terms “hEDS,” “HSD,” “POTS,” and “MCAS” may be unfamiliar to many people.
They’re not part of everyday language—and even in medical settings, they’re often overlooked or misunderstood.
But each of these names points to real, valid struggles.
They are connected to chronic symptoms that may not show up on standard tests,
yet affect people’s lives in profound and lasting ways.
🗣️hEDS (hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome) 🗣️HSD (Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder) These conditions involve joint hypermobility—a body type where joints move more than average. Because of this flexibility, people with hEDS or HSD may be more prone to injuries or dislocations, and their muscles and nerves may experience extra strain. This can lead to chronic pain, fatigue, and dysautonomia (nervous system imbalance). Yet, these symptoms are often invisible. Many people are misunderstood as being lazy or out of shape— when in reality, they are working hard just to make it through daily life. I personally live with hEDS. In 2017, international diagnostic criteria were updated, and since then, many people who would have previously received an hEDS diagnosis are now classified as having HSD. The symptoms of hEDS and HSD often overlap. Rather than focusing solely on the diagnosis label, what truly matters is: how can we support your body in everyday life? Joint hypermobility varies widely between individuals. Some people were flexible as kids, good at gymnastics, or may recall frequent falls or ankle sprains. If you’ve ever thought, “Could that be related?” —this might be something worth knowing.
🗣️POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome) POTS is a condition where your heart rate spikes suddenly when you stand up, often leading to dizziness, breathlessness, and a foggy head. It can feel like the blood isn’t reaching your brain properly— making it hard to concentrate or move smoothly. In Japan, diagnostic criteria for POTS are relatively strict, so people with milder symptoms may go undiagnosed. Personally, I’ve never received a formal diagnosis, but I’ve experienced similar body reactions. POTS can affect both adults and children, but it’s sometimes confused with orthostatic intolerance or autonomic dysfunction in youth, like the condition known in Japan as OD (orthostatic dysregulation). Regardless of the label, the shared experience is this: “Standing feels hard.” And that is valid.
🗣️MCAS (Mast Cell Activation Syndrome) MCAS is a still-emerging and often misunderstood condition. People with MCAS tend to react hypersensitively to various triggers— like changes in weather, temperature, certain foods, smells, or stress. These reactions can include things like: •Skin flushing, itching, or hives •Shortness of breath, heart palpitations, or fatigue •Allergy-like symptoms, even when test results show nothing •Autonomic nervous system instability and sensory hypersensitivity Often, several of these symptoms overlap, making the experience confusing and difficult to explain. I’m still learning about MCAS myself. But just finding a name for what I was experiencing— even without a clear diagnosis—helped me stop blaming my body. It gave me a way to understand what I was feeling, and to begin responding with more compassion.
What happens when the body gets overwhelmed?
(Like when a cup slowly fills and finally spills over)
In everyday life, we experience things like:
-
changes in air pressure
-
temperature swings
-
hormonal cycles
-
stress or fatigue
-
certain foods or smells
Each one might seem small on its own—
but when they stack up, there may come a day when it suddenly becomes too much.
This isn’t because you’re “too weak.”
It’s often the sign of a body that is highly sensitive and responsive to its surroundings.
It’s okay to have days when you simply can’t push through.
Discomfort and symptoms don’t always appear out of nowhere—
they’re often the result of many subtle burdens that have quietly built up over time.
I hope you can remember this,
and treat yourself with kindness instead of blame.
Want to learn more? Here are a few trusted international organizations providing information on hEDS, POTS, and MCAS.
Helpful resources
A gentle message from me
These conditions can be hard to diagnose—
and even harder for others to see or understand.
But no matter how “mild” or “severe” a symptom may seem,
the feeling of “this is hard” is always real.
Even if your discomfort doesn’t have a name yet,
even if you can’t quite explain what your body is telling you—
what you feel is valid. And it matters.
This is the spirit with which I offer every treatment.
Bodies I’ve encountered that felt like mine
Through acupuncture and massage,
I’ve met many people living with unexplained symptoms—
things that didn’t show up on tests, but still deeply affected their lives.
Here are just a few examples:
One person had chronic digestive issues.
They went to the hospital for tests, but nothing abnormal was found—
and they were sent home without support.
But at home, they struggled with ongoing stomach pain,
cycles of constipation and diarrhea, and noticeable weight loss.
Another person had lived with headaches for years,
relying on over-the-counter painkillers just to get through the day.
Medication from a headache clinic eased some of the pain—
but a deeper, lingering discomfort remained.
One client felt okay on “good days” and went out…
only to crash the next day, unable to move.
They longed to do things they loved,
but would end up in bed for days after, trapped in that pattern.
Another person said that, after long-term illness,
they started fearing what might happen to their body next.
The anxiety made their fatigue even worse,
and their sense of calm completely disappeared.
Many of them asked,
“Where does my natural sensitivity end—and where does illness begin?”
It’s a question I’ve heard again and again.
These were not people who simply needed a diagnosis or a number on a chart.
They carried deep, daily exhaustion—
and alongside it, a quiet loneliness from feeling misunderstood.
In working with these people,
I’ve spent years gently exploring:
Where to step in? Where to hold back?
How to meet the body halfway, without overwhelming it.
Maybe you, too, live in a body that feels similar.
If so, I hope this space can offer even a little comfort.
About my approach to treatment
My sessions don’t begin with the intention to “fix” something.
Instead, they start by gently placing hands on the body—listening, observing, and holding space for dialogue.
When someone visits for the first time,
I begin by listening carefully to their body’s story and any concerns they may wish to share.
You don’t have to talk about anything you’re not ready for.
Just tell me what you feel comfortable saying, at your own pace.
My treatments never involve forceful pressure or sudden movements.
Instead, I tune in to the present moment—
reading the pulse, the texture of the skin, the tone of the voice.
All of these help me understand where the body is today.
Every body is different, and even the same body can feel different from day to day.
Sometimes, the same treatment can feel completely different depending on timing.
That’s why I don’t follow a fixed formula.
I adapt to the moment, and work gently alongside the changes I observe.
Especially for people with heightened sensitivity,
“feeling safe” often matters more than any specific technique.
So I try not to be the hand that forces change—
but the hand that breathes with the body.
I choose needles, moxibustion, and hands-on techniques based on what the body can receive that day.
I keep stimulation to the minimum needed,
and I’m always careful to avoid what’s known as “overdosing”—
when treatment causes more harm than healing.
In East Asian medicine, some practitioners call that reaction a “healing crisis.”
But I don’t use that phrase to explain away someone’s pain.
If you feel worse after a session,
that may not be a reaction—it may be too much.
That’s why I aim to give only what’s needed,
and avoid giving more than the body can handle.
And one more thing I hold dear:
Even when symptoms are complex, I don’t turn away. I don’t dismiss.
Pain that can’t be explained.
Layers of discomfort.
Suffering that has no words.
I believe in what you’re feeling.
And I will touch your body with that belief.
If you’ve had a long and painful journey,
I hope you’ll find space here to finally let go—
and to receive care in safety and peace.
Booking & Contact
I hope you’ll find someone who truly listens—
someone who understands your body and treats it with care.
Maybe that person is here.
Maybe they’re somewhere else.
Either way, I hope you keep looking until you feel seen.
If something on this page speaks to you,
please feel free to reach out anytime.
Whether you’d like to book a session,
ask a question,
or simply talk—
you are welcome here.
📅 Book a session → [Go to booking page]
✉️ Send a message → [Contact form]