Stress, Hormones & The Liver: Why Stress Can Make PMS Worse We all know that stress affects our mood, energy, and sleep. But, did you know it can also have a big impact on your menstrual cycle and period symptoms? Both Western medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) recognise that stress doesn’t just stay “in
... continue reading.
Facial Mapping: What Your Breakouts Reveal In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the face reflects our inner health. The skin is considered a messenger, revealing imbalances within the body’s organ systems. When breakouts appear in specific regions of the face, they are rarely random. Instead, they often point to patterns of disharmony that TCM practitioners have
... continue reading.
Spring and our Health How can spring can mess with our health? Spring is a funny time in Melbourne. One day it’s sunny and warm, the next it’s icy cold and you’re wondering if winter has snuck back in. If you’ve lived here long enough, you know the drill — four seasons in a day.
... continue reading.
Rest & Restore We’ve talked about the importance of movement in your daily routine and its effect on multiple systems in your body…. but what about in between movement and work?Recovery. Renewal. Restoration. Rebuilding…. Rest. Rest is essential to the functionality of our bodies and minds. Yet, resting is not just napping. There are many
... continue reading.
Strengthening & Stretching Why we need to both strengthen and stretch To truly support your body through injury recovery or ongoing muscle tension… a balance of both stretching and strengthening is key! Stretching without strengthening -> can create instability in your structure Strengthening without stretching -> can lead to tight muscles While stretching may help
... continue reading.
Movement for Period Pain: How to Gently Support the Flow You don’t have to push through pain — but you don’t have to stay still either. When period pain hits, most people either try to power through with their usual workout, or collapse on the couch and stay there for days. But in Chinese Medicine,
... continue reading.
Fatigue, Pain and Movement Why a lack of movement might be at the root of your fatigue & pain Our modern life finds us spending long hours in office chairs, car seats, or on the couch… however we might not realise how deeply this sedentary lifestyle can affect our health! Movement is a foundational part
... continue reading.
Exercise and the Menstrual Cycle Exercise smarter, not harder. The menstrual cycle presents an eb and flow of hormones. These fluctuations in hormones really affects the way that we feel and our motivation. If we take a deeper look at the hormonal changes that occur during menstruation, we can find out how to best exercise
... continue reading.
Nutrition in Chinese Medicine What is nutrition in Traditional Chinese medicine health? In TCM, food is more than just fuel. It directly dictates our body’s internal function, vitality, and our ability to prevent illness. When we look at food, we look at the properties of foods and how they interact with our bodies’ unique constitutions
... continue reading.
Bone Broth As the days grow shorter and the air becomes cooler, many of us naturally seek warmth and nourishment to support our health. One timeless tradition — cherished both in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and increasingly recognised by Western medicine — is starting the morning with a warm cup of bone broth. I personally
... continue reading.
Benefits of Daily BBT Tracking Taking your BBT daily is a simple yet powerful habit that can provide valuable insights into your health. BBT is your body’s lowest resting temperature, measured immediately upon waking, before any physical activity. Tracking it can significantly impact your overall wellness. So, what are the benefits of daily BBT tracking?
... continue reading.
Protein After 40: How Much Do You Really Need? So, you’re over 40, hitting the gym, keeping up with hobbies, walking the dog, chasing kids (or grandkids), and wondering if you’re getting enough protein to keep up with all. Well, it’s a good question. As we age, our bodies start to lose muscle mass and
... continue reading.
InsomniaWhen Sleep Won’t Come (and How Chinese Medicine Understands Why) You’ve created a calming bedtime ritual. You’re off screens by 9. You drink the chamomile tea. And still—you’re awake. It takes forever to fall asleep. Maybe you’re wide awake at 2am, your mind racing like it’s Monday morning. Sometimes, you do sleep, but it’s light,
... continue reading.
Sleep Well – Let’s talk about sleep again (Part Two): How to Actually Get a Good Night’s Rest In my last blog, we discussed why sleep matters, what happens while we sleep, the stages of sleep and potential impact of poor sleep. If you missed that blog, you can Click Here and read it now!
... continue reading.
Sleep: the basics We are spending some time talking about the 4 Pillars of Health: sleep, nutrition, exercise and stress management. To begin with, we’re focusing on sleep. I thought it would be a good idea to get into the basics to begin with. We’ll discuss why sleep is important, the phases of sleep and
... continue reading.
The 4 Pillars of Health Let’s Chat About the 4 Pillars of Health Hi everyone! I want to talk about something foundational. It’s not anything fancy or revolutionary, but it’s truly what everything else stands on — the 4 Pillars of Health. These are: sleep, nutrition, movement, and stress management. I know that they might
... continue reading.
Puffy eyes Puffy eyes — the bane of many people’s mornings. Whether it’s due to lack of sleep, allergies, or lifestyle factors, dealing with swollen, tired eyes is not the way we want to start our day. Fortunately, there are ways to start the day feeling refreshed and ready to tackle the morning. Stay Hydrated:
... continue reading.
Meditation Debunked! As you’ve likely seen me write and talk about meditation and breath work many times over in the past, I think it’s safe to say I am very passionate about it. Meditation is an easy and reliable tool that we have access to for free, any time, any where. So, I thought it’s
... continue reading.
Benefit of Bone Broth As the cooler months set in, bone broth is an excellent addition to your diet, offering a wealth of nutrients and vitamins. Rich in gelatine, bone broth supports collagen production. Collagen is a protein essential for joint health and maintaining skin elasticity, hydration, and overall health. I have been loving starting
... continue reading.
Why Glowing skin starts with your Gut In Chinese medicine, beauty isn’t just skin deep—it’s rooted in your internal health. While many focus on skincare routines to achieve radiant skin, Chinese medicine suggests that your gut health is equally, if not more, important. From blemishes to dullness, your skin often reflects what’s happening inside your
... continue reading.
We need to talk about ‘Stress’! In today’s fast-paced world, stress is a constant presence in our lives. While a little stress can help us stay alert and focused, chronic stress can lead to profound impacts on our physical and emotional well-being. Stress is a natural response from the body in response to challenges or threats.
... continue reading.
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome – Part 1 Nick and Zoe sit down to discuss Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome as part of our deep dive into Women’s Health & Hormonal Imbalances. In this 3 part series they will discuss the what, why, how and what’s next of PCOS. For part 1, explaining what PCOS is and how it
... continue reading.
Hi everyone! Nick and Zoe here to introduce our topic of focus for the next few weeks… Women’s Health & Hormonal Imbalances. We’ll get into what hormonal imbalances actually means, what symptoms we may expect to see and how we can go about re-balancing the body. You can read below for a written summary of
... continue reading.
Blood Glucose & Chinese Medicine Chinese medicine is founded on a concept of balance, balance between the Yin and the Yang. This concept applies to everything beyond just Yin and Yang, and included in that is the balance of blood glucose. In this blog, we explore the significance of blood glucose and how its fluctuations
... continue reading.
The Liver Detox, is it a thing? I know you may be thinking, why am I, as an acupuncturist and Chinese herbalist, debunking the “Liver Detox”, one of the most common concepts in the alternative/complementary health field? Well, it’s just that we have a sophisticated detoxifying organ on board already. It doesn’t really need any
... continue reading.
A very common complaint in the clinic so let’s chat about it. Bloating has become one of those symptoms that we have all experienced at some point and for some, it has almost become a way of life. With all the new foods and drinks introduced to our diet alongside the weight of social/emotional/physical stressors
... continue reading.
Let’s discuss some of my top skin care tips as a Cosmetic Acupuncturist… Achieving and maintaining healthy, radiant skin requires a holistic approach. There are a few things that we can do that can support our skin and help it glow as much as possible. If you are getting cosmetic acupuncture, these top tips will
... continue reading.
How does our breath impact the nervous system? Let’s talk about it… In our fast-paced lives, stress can take a toll on our nervous systems. If only there was a way to take a break from the stress and the business of the mind. Enter breath-work – a simple yet powerful practice that is gaining
... continue reading.
Signs of Heat As we move through Spring and into the early days of Summer, I am seeing plenty of signs of heat in the clinic. It’s the dormant seed in us wiggling out of the ground and sprouting, stretching its arms and getting things flowing inside. With that and the warmer weather comes Heat.
... continue reading.
Phases of the Menstrual Cycle Part 3: The Luteal Phase We’ve been talking about the phases of the cycle on here. We’ve touched on menstruation, the follicular phase and ovulation, now last but not least, is the Luteal. Now this phase of our cycle can certainly be the cause of lots of anguish for everyone
... continue reading.
Movement matters, but sometimes we feel too strapped for time to get in some exercise. Or sometimes, we just feel too low on energy to move. It is so easy to get caught up in our busy lives that we don’t set time aside for any movement whether its stretching, walking or exercise of another
... continue reading.
The Prostate Gland In A Nutshell What’s it all about then? The prostate gland, a small but significant part of the male reproductive system. Even though we may hear about it, it’s common for us not to really know what it is and does and why it can be problematic. What does the prostate gland
... continue reading.
Scar and Wound Healing We can learn a lot about our health through our skin, especially if we notice that we are easy to get little nicks and scrapes, or the healing process isn’t as neat or quick as we’d like it to be. So, let’s chat about scar and wound healing. It’s normal for
... continue reading.
Hormonal changes in teenage years Teenage years are challenging enough as it is, but the hormonal changes that come with them can sometimes only add to the stress of navigating this period of life. The novel influx of hormones only adds to the angst of navigating the teenage years – mood swings, acne, body changes,
... continue reading.
Supporting fertility with foods in TCM Chinese medicine believes in a holistic approach for every aspect of health. This means, not only keeping up with your herbs and treatments. But, also prioritising a healthy diet and lifestyle. What we eat can have a massive impact on not only our gut-health and digestion, but also can
... continue reading.
Protecting your Immunity in Winter It’s that time of year again where every day feels colder than the last and our heaters are working over-time. Everyone’s favourite season… Winter! So, I think it’s time we have a chat about protecting yourself and your immunity in the winter. Winter can pose unique challenges to the body
... continue reading.
So, we’ve heard of Gua Sha for the face… but what about other places on the body? Recently, facial gua sha has become quite prevalent. Gua Sha uses a jade tool to lightly draw across the face, neck, and chest in certain patterns to move fluid retention, stimulate microcirculation, release tight face muscles, soften wrinkles,
... continue reading.
Do you need to be taking supplements for fertility? And if so, which ones? As anyone who has struggled to conceive knows, infertility can be a hard journey with many treatment possibilities. But, one factor that may boost your chances can be relatively simple: your diet. Micronutrients you get through food or supplements play a
... continue reading.
How can acupuncture be used for IVF? Acupuncture is an exciting option for those undergoing IVF who are looking for some support. Acupuncture may help to improve the chances of conceiving from IVF and support a successful birth. Additionally, it’s an excellent choice for couples who want to avoid the side effects of medication. So,
... continue reading.
Have you noticed that you seem to get more injuries in the winter? Let’s discuss why that might be happening… Winter is here, with all the joys that come with it, including an influx of old injuries playing up (and new ones). Which begs to question… are we more susceptible to injuries in colder weather?
... continue reading.
Tired of waking up with stiff, achy joints that make simple movements a challenge? Acupuncture might hold the key to unlocking improved joint mobility and relieving discomfort. Let’s explore how acupuncture can help alleviate stiff joints and improve overall joint health. Understanding Stiff Joints: Stiff joints can result from various factors: age, injury, overuse, inflammation,
... continue reading.
Let’s talk about Libido… I think the time has come, so let’s talk about Libido. Low libido essentially means low sex drive, but it can also be associated with no sex drive or not being able to get or sustain an erection. However, that issue could also be referred to as erectile dysfunction. They have different terms,
... continue reading.
What are the benefits of Belly Breathing, and why do we suggest it to most of our patients? What exactly are the benefits of Belly Breathing? Why do we need to do it, and how do we ensure we breathe deeply into our bellies? Keep reading… Diaphragmatic breathing Deep belly breathing, also known as diaphragmatic
... continue reading.
A sign saying menopause approaching warning for the symptoms including weight gain
... continue reading.
recommended intake The below is also explained in each tab; The Australian dietary guidelines recommend 5-6 serves of veggies per day and on average most adults only have 2.5 serves. So what is a serving size? A standard serving size is about 75g which equates to: 1/2 cup cooked green or orange veggies (broccoli, spinach,
... continue reading.
How does acupuncture work? This is a question I get a fair bit, especially after people see how effective it is for assisting with symptoms of pain. It is all about Qi and healthy blood flow Qi represents healthy oxygenated blood flowing through your body. If you have a healthy movement of Qi, you should
... continue reading.
Method Use boiled water to make sure it’s sterile. Add enough salt to make it a similar strength to seawater. Here you can use a traditional neti pot or a syringe or even Tupperware sauce bottle Gently pour in one nostril at a time
... continue reading.
Spring foods Chinese Medicine strongly believes in eating according to the season for optimal digestion. In warmer weather you can enjoy more cooling foods, whilst in cooler weather you should eat more warming foods. In spring the weather is still relatively cool, so we encourage you try and eat more warming and pungent foods such
... continue reading.
For ladies who like to exercise in a more vigorous (yang) style, it may be important to tailor your exercise program with your menstrual cycle to improve your health. Below is an outline of what is happening to your body during your cycle, and how to exercise to help avoid injury and maintain good health.
... continue reading.Signup today for a free downloadable guide to help you improve your health.
Signup today for free downloadable steps to help manage and recover from pain.
Signup today for a free downloadable guide to help you manage your menopausal symptoms.
Signup today for a free downloadable guide to help your body during pregnancy
