Family Wellness Centre

01/02/2026

Needling shouldn’t be shoved, forced or rushed. I’m not a flicker nor a tapper.
The concept that “the intention is at the end of the needle” is rooted in classical Chinese medicine, particularly within the Ling Shu, one of the foundational texts of acupuncture.

It highlights that the effect of acupuncture relies not just on precise anatomical location, but also on the practitioner’s focused mind, spirit, and conscious intent. This is the differentiation of traditional acupuncture.

☀️Shen (Spirit/Mind): This refers to the practitioner’s concentration and presence.
☀️ Yi (Intention): This is the focused, conscious intention directed towards the treatment process.

🤍 We all need to work on being fully present in the moment and clear in our thoughts and mind…even your practitioner!
🤍 The treatment process is a dynamic symphony between you and your practitioner. It’s great when you feel comfortable, trust and rapport -an essential part of any therapeutic process.

If you want to try this style of acupuncture, make an appointment. 🤍

01/02/2026

Shoulders should carry joys not burdens. Shoulder pain is one of the most common complaints of patients seen in clinical practice.

👉A clinical trial comparing acupuncture + exercise with corticosteroid injections found both treatment significantly reduced pain and improve function.

🙌Acupuncture is a great option to consider alongside conventional care.

The mechanisms of acupuncture that help shoulder pain include :
🔹reducing inflammation
🔹relieving pain
🔹improving circulation
🔹stimulating neurotransmitters; endorphins & dopamine
🔹stimulating parasympathetic nervous system

You need professional advice to differentiate between shoulder bursitis, frozen shoulder, a torn rotator cuff and shoulder impingement. Know what you’re dealing with first!

19/12/2025

What do you need for right now?
Christmas and New Year might not always bring up joy.
Maybe you're experiencing loneliness. Grief. Loss. Anxious feelings. Overwhelm.
What's one thing you can do to make you feel better in this moment?

17/12/2025

🎈Bloating is your qi or digestive flow getting stuck. TCM has a few tools in the toolkit to get things moving again and deflate that 'balloon feeling' in your belly.

The main principles are:
1. Take the load off the gut by making it easier for it to process what you're eating. eg warm, softened and cooked foods for maximum nourishment and minimal effort digesting them.
2. Moving Qi Stagnation - using whole body movement via exercise, localised movement with massage, acupuncture, water or herbal medicine. When there's movement, things flow again.
3. Reducing inflammation - bone broth and acupuncture are strategies here.

🎄Have you got a gut-friendly game plan this festive season? If not, I can help you overcome bloating from overindulgence with the support of TCM herbs and acupuncture. Book online today, for the Northern Beaches of Sydney. ✨

https://familywellnesscentre.com.au

17/12/2025

⛱️Summer Wellness: Weight Loss, Bloating, Gut Health Tips -

As the year winds down, social events, festive meals and irregular routines can place extra strain on digestion. In Chinese medicine, digestion is closely linked to overall wellbeing, mood and energy levels — making it an important focus during the warmer months.

16/12/2025

I personally don't feel right claiming that my acupuncture treatments can help you or fat. Over 20 years of practicing, I just haven't seen or read anything that makes me sit up and pay attention about the direct connection between acupuncture and .

Here's how I CAN help you if you're on a weight loss journey; Acupuncture and herbs are useful for:

✅STRESS RELIEF: which can lower cortisol levels and offer an alternative to emotional or stress-driven eating.

✅BETTER SLEEP: which in turn supports appetite regulation, metabolism, and energy.

✅GETTING YOU MOVING AGAIN: It may ease digestive symptoms or pain issues that interfere with exercise or consistent movement.

🚫 If you’re hoping that acupuncture alone will deliver significant weight loss without dietary or activity changes, the evidence doesn’t support that.

✅ But yes, time tested, exercise, diet and lifestyle does help. Yes, working with a nutritionist, naturopath or clinical hypnotherapist can give you a plan and path forward towards healthy weight. I recommend on Sydney's Northside.

❤️‍🩹Healing and recovery for our emotions, building the relationship with themselves towards more self acceptance and confidence is a crucial part of any . I strongly recommend to clients to tune into their habits as a reflection of underlying issues. Whether it's , procrastination, or trauma, I encourage clients to seek professional psychological advice. This is how we work with the body in a holistic approach.

15/12/2025

👄 Forget covering up with chewing gum, Bao He Wan, a Chinese herbal formula is a good starting point for bad breath and the festive season overindulgence.
When you come in for a Chinese Herbal medicine consult with me, I work out what herbs are the best match for you by looking at your tongue, reading your pulse and asking questions (Yes! About your💩)

Let me introduce you to some of these bad breath-fighting herbs!
❤️ Shan Zha (Hawthorn Fruit):
Helps digest fatty foods and reduce food stagnation
Supports the stomach and spleen
Improves energy flow after heavy meals

🧡 Chen Pi (Aged Tangerine Peel)
Regulates Qi and reduces bloating
Helps move stagnant food and improve digestion
Reduces nausea and discomfort

💛 Ban Xia (Pinellia Rhizome):
Helps transform phlegm and dampness in the digestive system
Supports the stomach to descend rebellious Qi
Reduces nausea and acid reflux

🩷 Lai Fu Zi (Radish Seed):
Promotes digestion and reduces bloating
Helps relieve food stagnation
Supports healthy movement of Qi through the stomach and intestines

Persistent bad breath? Book in and we'll treat the root cause, not just the symptom.
✨ This is a sign from your gut to you!

www.familywellnesscentre.com.au

10/12/2025

Brookvale: last day Sat 20th Dec.
Closed 21st Dec- 5th Jan 2026

Warriewood: last day Sat 20th Dec.
Closed 21st Dec- 8th Jan 2026

10/12/2025

Stagnation is the root of many symptoms. FLOW is the goal.
TCM’s perspective on pain, stress, burnout and fatigue is that they often begin with stagnation — when Qi stops moving freely.

This can show up as tension, anxiety, poor sleep, low energy, digestive issues and nervous system overload, especially as we head into Christmas.

Acupuncture and Chinese herbs restore the flow of Qi, helping release tension and support a nervous system reset.

Much like a flowing river stays pure, it’s a call to keep moving your body in a supportive way. A way that energises or calms you to feel in a flow state. Give yourself space from other things that stagnate you -  so you can feel the best you possibly can.

With many health funds resetting on 1 January, now is the ideal time to use your extras cover. Appointments are available before the clinic closes on 20 December.
If you’ve been feeling stuck, this is your sign to book in.

28/11/2025

Do other people suggest you take a break? Or can you pick up on the signals when you're exhausted yourself?

This time of year can bring up a lot of emotions, stress and fatigue for us all. Whether it be work, family, your relationship or deadlines and pressure from elsewhere, what are you doing to round out your year and finish it feeling GOOD?

When is your next pit stop? Who is on your pit crew to refuel and support YOU? Reach out if you are needing some holistic, calming treatment such as Acupuncture, Cupping or Chinese Medicine before 2025 comes to an end.

26/11/2025

🤧 Rhinitis and hay fever can hit hard as allergies in the Australian spring surge. Warmer weather brings higher pollen counts, and with it comes sneezing, congestion, itchy eyes, headaches and that heavy “pollen allergy” fatigue many people know too well.

🤧 If your hay fever or allergies increase in spring and summer, there are practical ways to ease symptoms. Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can support sinus drainage, reduce inflammation, calm the immune response and the body's overactive pathways driving seasonal allergies.

🤧 Early treatment can make a meaningful difference. If you’re struggling with ongoing congestion, disrupted sleep, pressure headaches or persistent sneezing, consider booking an appointment to manage your allergies today.

Spring doesn’t have to be the season you dread. Let’s get you breathing easier.

25/11/2025

is all about starting real conversations around
It’s a reminder that looking after yourself isn’t optional. Early action saves lives, and support doesn’t need to wait for a crisis regarding anxiety or depression.

I wanted to highlight a typical month in clinic and the practical and evidence-informed ways men are making appointments to support their physical, mental and emotional health.

Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can play a valuable role alongside conventional care. Research shows acupuncture can influence the release of serotonin, dopamine and endorphins, supporting mood regulation, pain reduction and stress response.

Movember encourages men to take actionable steps: talk to someone, get checked, improve lifestyle habits, move your body, and seek support when things feel off. Prioritising your health is a strength.

Whether it be pain relief, a sports injury, stress or poor sleep, this is your sign to book the appointment.