Adelaide Women’s Health

Adelaide Women’s Health Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine & Qualified Acupuncturist Carla is a member of AACMA (Australian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Association).

Carla Brion graduated with distinction from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology with a double degree in applied science; Chinese Medicine and Human Biology. This involved five years of study, including a clinical internship in Nanjing at the JiangSu Provincial hospital in China. Here, she was exposed to many different medical conditions and observed with some of China’s most renowned doctors. She undertook essential clinical training in acupuncture, gynaecology, oncology, paediatrics, dermatology, rheumatology and tuina (Chinese Massage) and applies this knowledge to her clinical practice. Passionate and committed, she endeavours to help prevent illness and promote well being by assisting in bringing the body back into balance. Treating each patient holistically as an individual, Carla applies Chinese Medicine to address and effectively treat a wide range of health conditions such as musculoskeletal conditions, respiratory disorders and low immunity, skin conditions, insomnia, headaches and arthritis. Carla has a special interest in treating chronic pain, digestive issues, stress and emotional disorders as well as Women’s health issues such as menstrual irregularities, fertility and PMS. Her treatment methods include a combination of acupuncture and Chinese Herbal medicine and may also include cupping and moxibustion, tuina and lifestyle and nutritional advice. Carla recognises the strengths of integrating Chinese and Western medicine to achieve the best possible outcome in achieving good health for all her patients. She is registered with major health funds and her patients are eligible for private insurance rebates on consultations.

_________________________________________________________
B.App.SC. Chinese Medicine
B.App.SC. Human Biology
Clinical Internship (JiangSu Provincial Hospital, China)

15/10/2025

R E M E M B E R T H E M
|| Today, we pause to honour all the little souls who were deeply loved but never held long enough — and the mothers, fathers, and families who carry them always in their hearts.🤍

There is no timeline for healing. Grief moves like the seasons — some days tender, some heavy, some still. In Chinese Medicine, we understand that emotions live within the body — and that love, loss, and longing are all part of the same great current that flows through us.

To those who have known this kind of loss — you are seen, you are held, and you are not alone.
To those still waiting, still hoping — may you be surrounded by gentleness and trust in the quiet unfolding of your journey.
And to those who have found light again after loss — may your heart continue to guide others through the dark. 🌈

🕯️ Tonight, as candles are lit around the world, we remember — together — the tiny lives that changed us forever.

🤍 With love,
Carla
xo||

✨BIRTH READY✨“Aligned Birth”A Workshop for Pregnancy and LabourJoin us for a heart-centred and practical day of learning...
28/09/2025

✨BIRTH READY✨

“Aligned Birth”
A Workshop for Pregnancy and Labour
Join us for a heart-centred and practical day of learning to prepare your body and mind for birth.

Together, we’ll explore powerful tools that support alignment, comfort, and confidence during pregnancy and labour.

✨ What you’ll learn:
-Optimal Maternal Positioning (OMP) techniques – support the body for easier pregnancy and smoother labour

-Active birthing positions – create space, encourage progress, and ease discomfort

-Acupressure for pregnancy & birth – natural support for relaxation, pain relief, and progress

-Yoga & breathwork – calm the mind, strengthen the body, and stay centred

-Daily stretches – promote balance and optimal baby positioning

This workshop is designed for women, partners, and birth support people who want to feel prepared, empowered, and aligned for the journey of birth.

Details✨
Investment $295 per couple
November 9th 11am-3pm
Location TBC (Central Adelaide)
Nourishing lunch and afternoon tea provided
(Afterpay Available, booking link in bio)

After so many years, we are excited to bring back this much loved workshop to the mama (& partners) of Adelaide.

Love,
Carla + Nadia
XOX

A C U & I V F || There’s growing clinical research that acupuncture around the time of embryo transfer can improve out...
28/09/2025

A C U & I V F
|| There’s growing clinical research that acupuncture around the time of embryo transfer can improve outcomes; gently, safely, naturally.

I’ve see this first hand in clinic and have also been involved in a clinical trial in 2012/2013 where I supported women going through IVF with acupuncture.

What the Studies Show 🔬
• A large meta-analysis of 20 trials (5,130 women) found that acupuncture as an adjunct to embryo transfer increased clinical pregnancy rates and live births compared to no adjunct treatment.
• Another recent updated meta-analysis confirmed that acupuncture improves clinical & ongoing pregnancy rates when paired with IVF-ET, though the effect on live birth rate is more modest.
• In women who’ve had repeated implantation failure, a randomized controlled trial using acupuncture + moxibustion before and after embryo transfer showed a clinical pregnancy rate of 35.7% (versus ~7-10% in control groups).

How Acupuncture Supports Implantation (through a TCM lens) ☯️
• Helps relax the uterus and reduce contractions so the embryo can implant more smoothly
• Improves blood flow, micro-circulation and Qi to the womb lining (endometrium) → making it more receptive
• Reduces stress and anxiety → lowering cortisol and supporting hormonal balance
• Helps modulate immune responses locally so the embryo isn’t rejected

What This Means for our IVF warriors:❤️‍🔥
• Acupuncture before and after ET appears most beneficial
• Even if you’ve had failed transfers, acupuncture + moxa may offer added support
• It’s not a guarantee, but data is promising, and many find it helpful emotionally & physically.

Every path to motherhood is unique. If you’re navigating IVF, know you don’t have to walk it alone… gentle support is here for you. 🤍
xo||

✨ POSTPARTUM CARE✨2-Day Intensive Workshop We warmly invite you to a transformational weekend of learning and connection...
25/09/2025

✨ POSTPARTUM CARE✨
2-Day Intensive Workshop

We warmly invite you to a transformational weekend of learning and connection.
Together we will journey through the sacred art of supporting mothers in their postpartum period with traditional and holistic care practices that honour rest, nourishment, and healing. We will share our experience and knowledge on what postpartum care means and what home visits look like.

Over 2 days you will learn:

🫶🏽Day 1
• Holding space with compassion
• TCM & Ayurvedic nutrition + herbs
• Acupressure & cupping
• Mother-warming moxa

🫶🏽Day 2
• Womb & sacral massage
• Closing the bones & body wrapping
• Belly binding
• Steaming rituals

Saturday 25th & Sunday 26th October
10am – 5pm
Morning & afternoon tea + nourishing lunch included

Investment Options
✨ Option 1 – $1222:
2-Day Workshop + toolkit / goodie bag
✨ Option 2 – $1555:
2-Day Workshop + toolkit / goodie bag + 12 months of ongoing mentorship & support

This workshop is more than just skills, it’s about becoming part of a lineage of women who hold, nurture, and uplift mothers during one of the most tender seasons of their lives.

This 2 day intensive workshop is perfect for birth workers who feel they are needing extra tools to support thier mothers during the postnatal period or women who are feeling the call to nurture mothers

Come away with tools, wisdom, and a community that will continue to support you on your journey. We are so looking forward to this and excited for this offering after many requests. 🙏🏽

Booking link in Bio
(+ AfterPay available! 🥳 )

XOX

B E L L Y H E A L T H 🫶🏽|| Team Cold vs. Team Warm…When it comes to gut health, TCM says your digestion is like a littl...
24/09/2025

B E L L Y H E A L T H 🫶🏽

|| Team Cold vs. Team Warm…

When it comes to gut health, TCM says your digestion is like a little fire in your belly…

🧊 Cold foods (raw salads, iced drinks, cold smoothies, excessive dairy + sugar, deep fried foods) can dampen the fire and make it harder to digest. Imagine pouring cold water on your stove whilst trying to cook dinner.

🔥 Warm, cooked foods (soups, broths, cooked grains + veg, herbs like ginger + cinnamon, tea, probiotics, warm water) nourish your fire and support strong digestion. By adding already warming foods, your body can digest and absorb better and qi will flow more easily.

…Your gut loves warmth, routine, and easy-to-digest foods — that’s how you build strong Qi and long-lasting energy
So… are you Team Warm or Team Cold when it comes to your belly?
I’m obviously team Conrad, I mean, TEAM WARM😉||

B Y E , P A I N 👋🏽|| Pelvic pain and endometriosis can feel relentless — from period pain to cramping, pain with intima...
15/09/2025

B Y E , P A I N 👋🏽
|| Pelvic pain and endometriosis can feel relentless — from period pain to cramping, pain with intimacy, or digestive flares. For so many women, it’s brushed off as “just part of being a woman.” But here’s the truth: IT👏🏼DOESN’T👏🏼 HAVE 👏🏼TO 👏🏼BE!👏🏼

Evidence shows acupuncture can make a real difference:
• A 2023 systematic review (331 participants) found acupuncture significantly reduced menstrual and pelvic pain compared to sham acupuncture.
• In 2024, a study on women with deep endometriosis reported a 50% reduction in period pain and 30% less pain with in*******se after regular treatments.

If you’re living with pelvic pain, know that your experience is valid, your pain is real, and relief is possible. You don’t need to live at the mercy of your cycle.

📩 DM me or book a consult to find out how acupuncture can support you.
Love,
Carla
xo||

F A T H E R S ❤️|| a special place in our heart for our Daddio’s. Especially my Father, Ivan, who came by boat from Ital...
07/09/2025

F A T H E R S ❤️
|| a special place in our heart for our Daddio’s.
Especially my Father, Ivan, who came by boat from Italy in the 1950s and managed to build the most incredible life for me and my siblings. 🥺

Today we celebrate the dads — the ones who make us laugh, hold us steady, and show up in all the big and small. Today we show our love and appreciation.

But we also want to hold space for
The men facing fertility challenges — your journey is seen and honoured.
The single mums who show up every day in both roles — you’re incredible.
Those who are missing their dads today — may you feel their love in your heart.

Fatherhood, in all its forms, is a reminder of love, strength, and presence. Sending love and gratitude to every father figure, everywhere…
Love,
Carla xo ||

Y I N Y A N G ☯️|| Your hormones through the lens of Yin & Yang…In TCM, your menstrual cycle is more than just dates on...
28/08/2025

Y I N Y A N G ☯️
|| Your hormones through the lens of Yin & Yang…

In TCM, your menstrual cycle is more than just dates on a calendar — it’s a dance between Yin (oestrogen) and Yang (progesterone). Each phase of your cycle reflects a different energy, and by tuning into it, you can nourish your body in ways that feel supportive rather than draining.

Typical, “text book” cycle:
🩸 Bleeding phase → moving Qi & Blood, a time for rest + gentle release.
🌱 Follicular phase → Yin rising, nourishing and replenishing.
🌞Ovulation → the great Yin → Yang shift, dynamic and full of potential.
❤️‍🔥Luteal phase → Yang rises, warming and preparing for either pregnancy or renewal.

When Yin or Yang fall out of balance, this is when symptoms like PMS/PMDD, painful periods, fatigue, or mood changes show up. The good news? Acupuncture, herbs and TCM lifestyle guidance are powerful tools to bring your cycle back into balance.

Your cycle is a reflection of your inner world — the more you support it, the more it supports you.

Ready to harmonise your hormones and flow with your cycle? This is what I love to help and support women with at Adelaide Women’s Health. Book a treatment with me via the Link in bio.
xo ||

T R E A T 🙏🏽 Y O ‘ S E L F|| I have finally got back to regular treatments & have committed to weekly acupuncture treat...
01/08/2025

T R E A T 🙏🏽 Y O ‘ S E L F
|| I have finally got back to regular treatments & have committed to weekly acupuncture treatments for myself. This is getting back to me, my self-care. My non-negotiable.

After almost 8 years straight of being pregnant &/breastfeeding, my body is quite depleted; I’m feeling Yin and blood deficient & my Qi is certainly not where it should be (and as a result my hormones are feeling haywire). So these weekly sessions are gentle, restorative and tonifying, to help build me back up.
They also greatly calm me, release stress and tension in holding and honestly make me feel so much better.

You don’t need anything ‘wrong’ to get acupuncture, it can be just as maintenance and preventative too. But we also don’t need an excuse too look after ourselves. We are worth it.

Thank you to my girls at .health + .acupuncture for looking after me. 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽 There’s nothing quite like laying on a comfy bed with heat lamps keeping you toasty, listening to calm music and relaxing while the pins work their magic. 🪄

xo||

T H E P I N S 🤲🏽|| *…L et’s talk about the needles*Because I get asked all the time, do they hurt? And from someone wh...
01/07/2025

T H E P I N S 🤲🏽
|| *…L et’s talk about the needles*
Because I get asked all the time, do they hurt? And from someone who had a needle phobia before studying TCM, I can tell you the truth…

Acupuncture needles:
🤍 Not scary
🤍 Generally not painful (I’m very gentle)
🤍 Not the same as the ones at the doctors
🤍 Different to dry needling
🤍 Non invasive

They’re super fine, smooth, flexible and gentle — more like a tiny hair than a needle.
Most people barely feel a thing. Some even nap through their session (hello, acupuncture nap!!)

What you will feel:
❤️ A wave of calm
❤️ A softening in your body
❤️ A sense of coming back to yourself
❤️ Relaxation that’s like nothing else
❤️ Release of stress and anxiety
❤️ Better quality sleep following treatment

In Chinese Medicine, we use needles to gently move and tonify Qi, open channels, encourage wellness and invite your body back into balance.

So if the word “needle” is holding you back — please don’t worry. Acupuncture isn’t about pain — it’s about presence, calmness and deep, beautiful healing.

I’ve got you 🫶🏽

Love,
Carla
xo ||

Image;

T C M W I S D O M 🐚|| I came across this beautiful image and had to share…A gentle reminder from the beautiful wisdom o...
28/06/2025

T C M W I S D O M 🐚
|| I came across this beautiful image and had to share…

A gentle reminder from the beautiful wisdom of Traditional Chinese Medicine — to help you move through your days with intention, balance and softness especially in these cold-to-the-bone winter days…

In TCM, health is about harmony.
🌼 The way we eat.
🌼 The way we rest.
🌼 The way we move, breathe, and live in tune with the seasons; and Mother Nature.

Here are a few of my favourite lifestyle rituals for supporting your health as a modern Woman — whether you’re in preconception care era, nourishing fertility, growing by a baby, deep in postpartum recovery, or simply wanting to feel more grounded and supported.

✨ Eat warm, seasonal, nourishing foods
✨ Drink herbal tea and warm water instead of icy drinks (time to breakup w/ the cold smoothies)
✨ Keep your channels (especially feet and neck!) warm in wind and cold 🧣 🧦
✨ Move with kindness — yoga, qigong, gentle walks
✨ Rest deeply. Sleep is sacred.
✨ Calm your Shen (spirit) with stillness, nature, and connection
✨ Honour your cycle. Honour your energy. Honour your Yin.

It’s not about being perfect, perfections is unachievable — it’s about coming home to your body. Meet yourself where you are…
Bit by bit. Season by season. Day by day.

Which of these feels most needed for you right now? For me it’s SLEEP, need more and craving more right now.

🤍love,
Carla
xo ||

(Image credit unknown so please tag if you know)

B I R T H P R E P 🤍|| …An Invitation to Labour;Not an induction. Not a push. Not a force.But a gentle invitation — for ...
27/06/2025

B I R T H P R E P 🤍
|| …An Invitation to Labour;
Not an induction. Not a push. Not a force.
But a gentle invitation — for baby, for body, and for spirit — to begin the sacred journey of birth. (Side note: I received this text yesterday from a mama who went into labour the same night after acupuncture. LOVE!)

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), we view birth as a natural unfolding of readiness. From around 36 weeks, acupuncture, cupping and moxibustion can be used to support this transition — safely, gently, and holistically.

We call this “labour preparation”, but really it’s about inviting the body into balance — softening the cervix, calming the nervous system, supporting optimal baby positioning, and encouraging hormonal flow.

How TCM helps mama prepare for birth:

🌿 Acupuncture works to:
• Promote cervical ripening
• Regulate hormones like oxytocin and prostaglandins
• Calm the mind and ease fear
• Support energy, stamina, and emotional readiness

🔥 Moxibustion (the burning of herb ‘mugwort’ over specific points and meridians) gently warms and moves Qi and Blood and support innervation of the uterus — used also in cases of breech presentation or sluggish energy.

🤍 These treatments are nurturing, not invasive. They’re a chance to slow down, tune in, soften and open gently.

You can start “invitation to labour” sessions weekly from 35-36 weeks, or more frequently if you’re past your due date and your body is feeling ready.

…If you’re nearing the end of pregnancy and want to prepare gently, naturally, and holistically — this is for you, mama.

Love,
Dr Carla Brion
xo||

Doctor of Chinese Medicine | Women’s Health & Pregnancy Support

Address

225 Grote Street
Adelaide, SA
5000

Opening Hours

Tuesday 10am - 7pm
Thursday 10am - 2:30pm
Friday 9:30am - 5pm

Telephone

+61882216600

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Carla Brion graduated with distinction from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology with a double degree in applied science; Chinese Medicine and Human Biology. This involved five years of study, including a clinical internship in Nanjing at the JiangSu Provincial hospital in China. Here, she was exposed to many different medical conditions and observed with some of China’s most renowned doctors. She undertook essential clinical training in acupuncture, gynaecology, oncology, paediatrics, dermatology, rheumatology and tuina (Chinese Massage) and applies this knowledge to her clinical practice. Passionate and committed, she endeavours to help prevent illness and promote well being by assisting in bringing the body back into balance. Treating each patient holistically as an individual, Carla applies Chinese Medicine to address and effectively treat a wide range of health conditions such as musculoskeletal conditions, respiratory disorders and low immunity, skin conditions, insomnia, headaches and arthritis. Carla has a special interest in treating chronic pain, digestive issues, stress and emotional disorders as well as Women’s health issues such as menstrual irregularities, fertility and PMS. Her treatment methods include a combination of acupuncture and Chinese Herbal medicine and may also include cupping and moxibustion, tuina and lifestyle and nutritional advice. Carla recognises the strengths of integrating Chinese and Western medicine to achieve the best possible outcome in achieving good health for all her patients. Carla is a member of AACMA (Australian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Association). She is registered with major health funds and her patients are eligible for private insurance rebates on consultations. _________________________________________________________ B.App.SC. Chinese Medicine B.App.SC. Human Biology Clinical Internship (JiangSu Provincial Hospital, China)