Beyond the Couch Ep 55: Coming Into Balance Through East Asian Medicine with Melissa Soong

This week, Christie chats with Melissa Soong about becoming more attuned to natural patterns to better care for ourselves and our mental health. Melissa shares how eastern medicine, such as acupuncture, can help us explore root causes of maladies and addiction, observe and treat our bodies through a holistic lens, and achieve sustained health and balance in our lifestyles. They also discuss the ways in which the practice of east asian medicine can open the doors to a stronger sense of community and willingness to seek health support, especially for marginalized and at-risk communities.

Melissa (she/her) is a LMSW, with over a decade of experience as a program director and social worker in supportive housing for people with HIV/AIDS, mental health disorders and substance use disorders. She is a Registered Trainer and AcuDetox Specialist for the NADA protocol (ear acupuncture for stress) where she helped to build and provide holistic services in a harm reduction setting. Also, she is a Science of Self yoga teacher and teacher trainer, specializing in the study of applying the meridian anatomy of East Asian Medicine to the physical practice of yoga. Connect with Melissa on her website or on Instagram @mel_durga