The Hyggelig Journey

Pain arrives without ceremony. It does not send letters, nor does it announce itself. It simply happens. One moment, life is as it was; the next, pain is there, seated in the room, occupying space we never granted it. First, the shock. Then, a silence heavy with echoes. And finally, the inevitable question: what now? They say something can emerge from this — a transformation, a quiet and imperceptible growth. Calhoun and Tedeschi (2006) call it post-traumatic growth. A fine name, full of science. But the truth is, it is not a matter of choice. Growth does not come because we wish it to; it comes because, unnoticed, something begins to shift. One day, in the midst of an ordinary routine, the taste of coffee feels fuller, the wind brushes against the skin in a way it never did before. The pain is still there, but it has taken a different shape. Perhaps this is what they call wisdom. Some emerge from the fire with a newfound reverence for life — a quiet astonishment at having ...

When my father fell ill in his final days, the lyrics of Shawn Mendes’ In My Blood became an unexpected refuge, helping me process the reality unfolding before me. The song’s plea — its raw, urgent cry against the weight of helplessness — resonated in a way that felt almost too personal. “Help me, it’s like the walls are caving in” — those words captured the suffocating dread that gripped me in the small hours, waiting for news, hoping for a miracle I already knew would not come. The song does not offer easy comfort; nor does it deny the pain of endurance. Instead, it acknowledges the struggle — the desperate search for strength when every instinct urges collapse. “I just wanna give up, but I can’t.” That was it, exactly. The exhaustion, the emotional erosion, the moments when hope felt like a cruel joke. And yet, beneath it all, an unspoken defiance: the fight continues, not because it is easy, but because surrender is unthinkable. The grief that followed those long hours ...

The brilliance of children has always intrigued me. Quick, perceptive — they move through the clinic with an ease that even my own shadow cannot match. They take in every detail, every corner, as if the space were an extension of themselves. And yet, for all their boundless energy, they surrender to treatment with an openness that never ceases to amaze me. They feel the shift in their very skin, in the deep, unspoken language of the body. They arrive unsettled, their small frames weighed down by a world too vast, too demanding. Some are anxious, others irritable, their nervous systems frayed by stimuli too great to bear. But as the treatment unfolds, something changes. Their tension eases, their breath deepens. By the time they rise from the table, they are transformed — lighter, brighter, as if an invisible burden has been lifted. They leave with a spring in their step, their feet barely touching the ground, as if walking on air. Their parents — ah, the parents — watch i...

"Hello, professor." I say it as soon as someone crosses the threshold. I say it without thinking, like breathing. But behind these words, there is time, a journey, a memory. It was at the Hospital do Servidor Público de São Paulo that I first learnt to truly see teachers. They would arrive carrying invisible notebooks — not in their hands, but in their bodies. Their necks bent from years of looking down at lesson plans, their shoulders heavy with the weight of knowledge given away day after day. They would sit before me, their minds full of wisdom, their spines full of pain. And I would listen. And I would learn. Perhaps that is why I never stopped saying "professor." It does not matter who you are or what you do. Life itself is a classroom, and every person, knowingly or not, is a master of something. The body teaches through its aches, silence teaches through its absence, even pain imparts lessons — whether we ask for them or not. And so, the word stay...

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), illnesses progress through three stages: energetic, functional, and anatomical. This reflects a growing imbalance in the body, moving from subtle disruptions in energy flow to functional impairments and, eventually, structural damage. However, by recognising and treating these imbalances early, it is possible to restore harmony before they develop into serious conditions. The first stage, known as the energetic phase, presents subtle signs that may not yet be considered symptoms of illness. People may experience unexplained fatigue, emotional fluctuations, or difficulty sleeping — indicating a disturbance in the body’s vital energy, or Qi . At this stage, conventional medical tests often show no abnormalities, yet the person already feels out of balance. TCM sees this as an opportunity for early intervention. Acupuncture, dietary changes, and Qi Gong help restore the smooth flow of energy, preventing minor disharmonies from becoming ...

Unresolved trauma can manifest in many different ways — anxiety, insomnia, chronic tension, or even unexplained physical pain. These symptoms often develop gradually, without an obvious connection to past experiences, making them difficult to recognise as part of a deeper emotional wound. Instead of surfacing as clear memories, trauma frequently lingers in the nervous system, shaping how we react to stress, process emotions, and experience the world. In Tradicional Chinese Medicine, trauma is not seen as a purely psychological issue but as an energetic imbalance that affects the entire body. The mind and body are deeply interconnected, meaning that emotional distress can influence physical health just as much as physical imbalances can impact emotional well-being. Healing from trauma requires an approach that goes beyond intellectual understanding — it must also address the body’s response to past experiences. Acupuncture plays a vital role in this process by helping regula...

As an acupuncture physician practising in Uberaba, Minas Gerais, I face five main challenges that highlight the need for ongoing education about acupuncture. These challenges stem from misconceptions about integrative treatment, unrealistic expectations for immediate results, a limited understanding of acupuncture techniques, the role of hygge in the healing process, and the integration of cognitive therapy. Overcoming them is essential not only for raising awareness but also for building trust and ensuring long-term patient commitment. One of the most common difficulties is explaining what integrative treatment truly means. Many people still view acupuncture as an isolated or even mystical practice, unaware that it is recognised by modern medicine as part of a broader healthcare approach. This misconception can lead to hesitation or scepticism, making clear and effective communication essential. Medical acupuncture is a complete therapeutic system capable of treating a...

Now that the light at the end of the tunnel is finally visible, the mind wavers between hope and imbalance. Many have fallen victim to the syndemic, and many have survived, yet the scars will remain in humanity’s history for years to come. Recognising this is crucial because, in the years ahead, many will experience uncertainty. The fear that COVID-19 may leave lasting after-effects will be the subject of intense research. However, this is neither the first nor the last time humanity has undergone a collective rupture from normality. The difference is that you have witnessed it firsthand and will carry the critical perspective of someone who has lived through uncertainty. More than ever, we will celebrate life, yet among us will remain a lingering sense of sorrow, melancholy, and indignation that will take time to fade. Pain becomes history’s pages, while times of peace and tranquillity are only truly remembered by those who have seen the worst and learned to recognise t...

Medical Acupuncture is a constantly evolving field, where scientific research is expanding in both depth and academic rigour. The growing body of evidence reinforces its role in modern medicine, making continuous learning not just beneficial — but essential. Advancements in research bring new insights, refine techniques, and introduce innovative approaches to treatment. Recognising the importance of staying up to date, I have spent the past few weeks participating in several online seminars on Medical Acupuncture. These events provided a wealth of material, covering the latest findings, refined methodologies, and evolving perspectives. Reviewing this extensive content has been both intellectually stimulating and professionally enriching. Among the key takeaways were newly identified acupuncture points and updated somatotopies, reflecting the ever-expanding understanding of the body's response to needling. This practical dimension of medical acupuncture has always intr...