A Tao of Healing , Vanessa Whiteley . Acupuncture, Massage & Healing

29/04/2026

Looking for something special for Mother’s Day?
Gift vouchers available for all treatments😁🥰
Special offer for those beautiful Mammas :

1 hour Chinese Face reading with acupuncture/ acupressure energy balance with face and neck massage $95
Half hour $65
This can be done online also for those far away ( without the face and neck massage but more time on face reading and acu pressure)
Please message me for more information 😊
Vanessa 0415318280

15/04/2026

Ice baths are trending… but are they right for everyone? 🧊

I recently watched a video from a popular Dr influencer showing him in an ice bath and coaxing his children to stay in too - made my skin crawl a little so I thought I’d do a post on it explaining from a TCM viewpoint as I think this is important to be aware of.
Not wanting to be a wet blanket for those of you who love ice baths but just to be aware … 😁👍

People take ice baths to help the body recover. The cold can reduce inflammation, ease muscle soreness, and improve circulation as the body warms back up.
They are also used to build mental resilience, as coping with the cold helps train the nervous system to handle stress. Some good positive things here but from a Chinese medicine perspective, not always.

Kids, in particular, are more sensitive to cold. Their bodies are still developing, their qi can be weaker or more erratic which means strong cold exposure (like ice baths) can weaken their natural warmth and energy, impact digestion, lower immunity, and even affect growth over time.

It’s not that all cold is bad - it’s more about balance.
Swimming, fresh air, cool water, lying on warm rocks after …great! 😁
Prolonged or extreme cold is not so good.

People with strong yang ( lots of heat and strong vitality) may be fine to do minutes in an ice bath - a colder yin type body may take a long time to recover from the deep internal cold. I had a client who took months to recover from an ice bath - to get her yang back to full restore. This manifested in cold in the Earth element (digestive system) and Water element (Kidney/bladder/joints) causing weakness, fatigue, lower back pain and digestive issues.

Women are also considered more vulnerable to cold in Chinese medicine—especially when it comes to hormonal health. Too much cold exposure can affect circulation and warmth in the lower abdomen, which may contribute to issues like painful periods, irregular cycles, development of fibroids, circulation issues, fatigue etc. I would not recommend ice baths during menstruation at all. ( another good reason women shouldn’t sit around in wet swimmer bottoms too!) 🤪😁

In clinic, there’s often a pattern seen -
cold in → stagnation → imbalance.

Just because something is popular doesn’t mean it’s right for your body.
If you’re full of heat/ inflammation/ strong yang constitution it should be fine but just tune in and feel if it is really right to be that extreme for you right in that moment.

Protect your warmth.
Support your energy.
Especially if you’re growing… or in your moon phase!

For more info or if you’d like to know if you have strong yang or not 😉. Or you’d like to build some yang with an Acupuncture and Moxa session
Please message me on
0415318280

11/04/2026

Upcoming course on Moxibustion if anyone is interested.
Please message Narelle or me for more info. 🥰

29/03/2026

Your face is a map - let’s read it!
I’m running a Chinese Face Reading beginners class in the Easter holidays.
Chinese face reading ( Miang Xiang) is an ancient practice that unlocks the story written in your features. Your face can reveal patterns in your personality, your health, and even the way your life tends to unfold.

Once you understand what you’re looking at, things start to make sense—why you react the way you do, what your strengths are, and where you might feel stuck.

It’s a powerful tool for self-awareness and better decision-making, understanding others and helping you work with your natural tendencies instead of against them.

Come and learn some of the basics in understanding ourselves and others better.
Option to learn more in part b at another date.

Class in Coolum
April 7th
3pm-5:30pm
Notes provided
$75 exchange
Teens ($50) 😊

Please message me or leave a comment with any questions ☺️.

Send a message to learn more

16/02/2026

Happy Chinese New Year of the Fire Horse!!

Some ways as suggestions for you to align with this fiery and exciting energy:

Move your body daily (walk, stretch, dance) to keep energy flowing and not stuck in frustration.
Take bold, positive action on something you’ve been putting off - be deliberate. Something that’s aligned with your higher purpose and intentional - and moves you towards your goals. 😁👍
Declutter your space ( physically and emotionally 😵‍💫😁) to create room for new opportunities.
Spend time outdoors and connect with nature!
Eat well - have a rainbow on your plate 😊🌈 good nourishing foods to support your energy.
Practice patience and avoid impulsive reactions -such as decisions made from being reactive and not grounded - or from emotions such as anger, frustration, jealousy or fear.
Set clear intentions and act on them with confidence . 💃🕺🏻⚡️
Surround yourself with uplifting, motivated people and if you can’t then raise your energy to infect them with your high vibe..! 😁
Start something new, even if it’s small and
balance action with rest to avoid burnout.

The Fire Horse year is about passion, movement, and courage — you want to use fire to move you forward - not burn things down unintentionally!
All the best for a great year 💕😁🔥🌈

Post ive done previously explaining a little more about what this year is about from a Chinese Astrology point of view 👇🏻👇🏻

If you need help with some grounding and calm or even a tone up to give you some clarity..! Please message me for a treatment 😊💕
Vanessa 0415318280

On February 17th we enter the Year of the Fire Horse in Chinese Astrology and also the annual solar eclipse on the same day- called the Ring of Fire..!
A time that could bring fast, fiery energy, intensity and passion!
In Chinese medicine, Fire relates to the Heart, Small Intestine, Mind, and Nervous System, while the Horse represents constant movement, independence and momentum. Together, this year can feel exciting but also possibly exhausting.!

With the Fire Horse’s fierce self-direction, at its best, the year favors courage, reinvention, leadership, and breakthroughs. It’s an excellent time for innovation, travel, entrepreneurship, and pursuing long-suppressed ambitions. At its worst, it can bring burnout, conflict, impulsive decisions, and instability if energy is not consciously grounded.

If not keeping our cool 😎, we may notice more stress, restlessness, poor sleep, anxiety, or burnout as life speeds up and may demand more of us.
Fire Horse energy pushes forward momentum, but without balance it can easily lead to overheating - physically and emotionally.

The good bit is that this is a powerful year for change, circulation, and renewed motivation. When Fire is regulated, it supports joy, clarity, and vitality.

The key is grounding the fire. Regular rest, slowing the nervous system, and supportive practices like acupuncture can help cool excess heat, calm the mind, and keep you steady while still moving forward.

Here’s to a great new year of moving forward with lots of passion and pursuing dreams while staying calm and grounded ! 😁👍

02/02/2026

On February 17th we enter the Year of the Fire Horse in Chinese Astrology and also the annual solar eclipse on the same day- called the Ring of Fire..!
A time that could bring fast, fiery energy, intensity and passion!
In Chinese medicine, Fire relates to the Heart, Small Intestine, Mind, and Nervous System, while the Horse represents constant movement, independence and momentum. Together, this year can feel exciting but also possibly exhausting.!

With the Fire Horse’s fierce self-direction, at its best, the year favors courage, reinvention, leadership, and breakthroughs. It’s an excellent time for innovation, travel, entrepreneurship, and pursuing long-suppressed ambitions. At its worst, it can bring burnout, conflict, impulsive decisions, and instability if energy is not consciously grounded.

If not keeping our cool 😎, we may notice more stress, restlessness, poor sleep, anxiety, or burnout as life speeds up and may demand more of us.
Fire Horse energy pushes forward momentum, but without balance it can easily lead to overheating - physically and emotionally.

The good bit is that this is a powerful year for change, circulation, and renewed motivation. When Fire is regulated, it supports joy, clarity, and vitality.

The key is grounding the fire. Regular rest, slowing the nervous system, and supportive practices like acupuncture can help cool excess heat, calm the mind, and keep you steady while still moving forward.

Here’s to a great new year of moving forward with lots of passion and pursuing dreams while staying calm and grounded ! 😁👍

28/01/2026

Acne isn’t just a skin issue and not just a teen issue - although they can suffer more intensely!
From a TCM perspective, it’s often a sign of internal heat, dampness, stagnation - especially involving the digestive system and liver — not something to be burned away.

Medications like Accutane may suppress breakouts on the surface, but they can be very harsh on the liver, gut, and nervous system, sometimes creating deeper imbalances long-term.

In Chinese medicine, clear skin comes from healing digestion, cooling excess heat, supporting the liver, kidneys and restoring balance — not depletion.

Some possible causes of acne can include:

• Gut and digestive imbalance
• Inflammation in the body
• Hormonal fluctuations or imbalance
• Stress and nervous system dysregulation
• Liver overload or poor detox pathways
• Diets high in processed foods or sugar
• Food sensitivities
• Poor sleep or irregular routines
• Chronic constipation or sluggish digestion
• Environmental toxins or skincare that disrupts the skin barrier

Always good to try and find your root cause so you can clear that and let your body find balance rather than a quick band aid fix that may ignore a larger underlying problem.

Skin can be a messenger.
Instead of silencing it, we can listen, nourish, and heal from the inside out.

Some commonly reported side effects of Accutane (isotretinoin) include:

• Extremely dry skin, lips, and eyes
• Gut and digestive issues
• Liver strain or elevated liver enzymes
• Joint, muscle, and back pain
• Fatigue and headaches
• Mood changes, anxiety, or depression
• Increased sensitivity to the sun
• Changes in cholesterol levels
• Hormonal disruption
• Thinning hair or hair shedding

Accutane is also known to be teratogenic, meaning it can cause severe birth defects if taken during pregnancy.

I’m not offering medical advice but just another possible approach.
Please message me for more information or a consultation 😊

Vanessa 0415318280

25/01/2026

Did you know that before the 1900s, gardeners pulled out grass to make room for dandelions…?!
For centuries, dandelion was a respected medicinal plant, used by ancient Greeks, Romans, Chinese healers, and Arabian physicians as far back as the 10th century. It wasn’t until manicured lawns became a status symbol that dandelions were rebranded as weeds and targeted by herbicides. 🥹

What we forgot is that dandelion is one of natures most versatile healing plants. 🌱 😁👍

Every part of the plant is edible and medicinal, supporting liver and digestive health, bile flow, blood sugar balance, inflammation, and heart health. Dandelion is rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and even contains more potassium than bananas.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM, dandelion (Pu Gong Ying) is a cooling herb that clears heat and toxins from the body.

It supports the Liver and Stomach, and is commonly used for inflammation, acne, boils, swollen glands, and breast inflammation. It also helps clear Liver heat linked to irritability and red or inflamed eyes.

Dandelion promotes urination to help flush damp-heat, but because it is cooling, it’s best used with care in people with cold digestion.

Easy ways to use dandelion at home:

Dandelion tea: Steep 1 to 2 teaspoons of dried dandelion leaf or root in hot water for 5 to 10 minutes. The Leaf supports fluid balance, while the root is especially supportive for the liver.

Eat the greens: Young dandelion leaves can be added to salads, smoothies, or sauted like spinach with olive oil and garlic to reduce bitterness.

Roasted dandelion root coffee: Roasted dandelion root makes a caffeine-free coffee alternative that supports digestion and liver function.

Supplements: Dandelion tinctures or capsules are an easy option for people who want the benefits without preparing the plant.

It’s sad we think of them as Weeds! Maybe leave a few around the garden for a go to medicinal if you need - the bees will be grateful too 😁👍. Make sure they haven’t been sprayed with any nasty pesticides.

If you want to know any more about your digestion ( and maybe if it is cold or not 🤪😁) please message me for a consultation.

Acupuncture is such a wonderful tool for any imbalance in digestion and to help clear the liver and keep it strong 😁
🥰😊
Vanessa 0415318280

08/01/2026

The US has announced major changes to its food and nutrition guidelines after decades of rising chronic disease. Hopefully Australia will follow suit. The food pyramid definitely needs some updating (and not influenced by the Agriculture/ Grain or any other industry).

Around 70%, of Americans ( 66-67% of Aussies) are overweight or obese, over half are diabetic, and most live with at least one chronic illness – despite following government dietary advice.

Much of this health crisis is linked to processed, convenience foods and outdated nutrition guidance that pushed grains and low-fat products while real, whole foods and healthy fats were sidelined.

The new US food pyramid flips the old model. Grain-based foods are now at the bottom as foods to limit, while greater focus is placed on real, nutrient-dense foods that support energy, strength and long-term health. Too much grain can be guilty of spiking blood sugar, causing inflammation, weight gain, gut issues and reduced nutrient absorption - often causing many chronic illnesses.

While this change is a positive step, no single diet suits everyone. Genetics, culture and individual tolerance matter, and some people still don’t do well with grains or dairy.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, grains are not considered bad, but they are meant to be eaten in moderation and prepared properly. Small amounts of well-cooked grains can support digestion and energy. However, eating too much grain, especially wheat and refined grain foods, is believed to weaken digestion and create dampness in the body. This can lead to fatigue, bloating, weight gain, mucus, and brain fog.
Rice is seen as the most neutral and easiest grain to digest, ( basmati being the easiest to digest) while cold, dry or heavily processed grain foods are discouraged.
In TCM, grains were traditionally one part of a varied diet, not the main foundation of it.

Overall, I think it’s a big move back toward real food and common sense nutrition.
Any thoughts..?
😁💕

15/11/2025

Beautiful couple of days Chinese Face Reading at the magical Sacred Earth’s Woman’s Retreat. 💕💕
Thanks you Teagan from and Narelle for having me! 🥰🙏💕

07/11/2025

Sore muscles but never thought to try Acupuncture/Cupping/Moxa?
The three can work beautifully together to help clear any Qi blockage, tightness, accumulation of toxins and/or emotions.

This 2024 controlled study found low-frequency acupuncture reduced muscle and fascia stiffness in the calf and improved range of motion.
The review concluded that acupuncture is effective and safe for pain conditions and a valid option for muscle pain relief and mobility.
For more info please just ask or to book a treatment please message
Vanessa on 0415318280 😊

Link to study:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39520569/