Dr. Shirley O'Dwyer

26/05/2026

Last week I got my first cold for the season. This time is was my son, who's in prep who brought it home for the family to experience. People always ask me what I take so here it is.

For my kids I give them ArmaForce for juniors with some extra zinc (its watermelon flavour so goes down without an issue) and Nin Jiom Chinese herbal throat and cough syrup which the kids LOVE!

For me, as soon as I get a wiff that there's a cold on the way I start taking Chinese herbs in granules (these easily dissolve in hot water and I drink it like a tea). I also take zinc picolinate, Vit D and Andrographis (in a tablet form as its way too bitter for tea). All this holds the sickness at bay for 1-2 weeks and then things go one of two ways:

1) I fully recover (with barely any symptoms)

2) I succumb to the cold but its only mild and usually no secondary infections (like bronchitis, tonsillitis, sinusitis etc).

But, you know what the best trick I can give anyone is - its not herbs or supplements, its REST - don't push it when you know your immune system is fighting. Stay home. Keep your kids at home. Practice letting go ☺️

(Pic: Anemone who popped up in my garden last week who brought me much joy)

25/05/2026

I knew I had to put it straight into practice, so for the last month since completing my training in the Evolve Acupuncture Method I have been using it with my patients.
Whats different?
- I have had to stop patients from stripping off all their clothes! The points are in "distal" positions and therefor easy to reach without getting undressed.
- They all lay face up on my cozy heated table, covered with warmed towels
- I now gauge their system by feeling their pulse AND the tone of the muscles in their neck, back, legs and abdomen.
- I only use 1-4 needles! A relief for many who are nervy about the needling part
- And I keep going back to palpating the muscles until I can feel the change I am looking for - my patients have been loving the extra massage!!!

The results have been very positive! I'm just amazed and so grateful to have this opportunity to help others.

13/05/2026

I’m so happy to hear that PCOS (Polycystic ovarian syndrome) has been renamed!!! PMOS for Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome.
For those suffering with the condition and for those yet to be diagnosed, this is a huge boon. For a while now we have known that PMOS is much more complex than its former name suggested. PMOS describes its endocrine (hormonal) and well as metabolic challenges (think heart disease and type 2 diabetes) and will hopefully lead to earlier diagnosis and more preventative care for those who suffer.

Read more here:

Polycystic o***y syndrome (PCOS) has been renamed polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS), a move health experts say will lead to faster diagnoses and better treatment for women of all ages.

01/05/2026

Yesterday I was given the opportunity to be a patient experiencing the new needling method I am learning. My teacher put 1 needle, in my foot to treat the digestive discomfort I had been experiencing for the last week (PMS induced bloating, loose stools and lower abdominal pain). I felt only small changes during the treatment, though he could feel significant change in my connective tissue/muscles when he palpated.
Today though - I feel AMAZING, all previous symptoms resolved completely plus a deep, restorative sleep and woke early and refreshed ready to learn more again today!!!
❤️Evolve Acupuncture Training

30/04/2026

For a while now I have wanted to learn more about Balance Acupuncture for pain relief (a type of acupuncture that uses only 1-3 needles each treatment!).

So after a rushed morning getting the kids to school AND forgetting my phone at home (and of course going back to get it because you can’t go anywhere without your phone!!!) I’m now in Adelaide ready to learn 😁
With Evolve Acupuncture Training ✊

13/03/2026

09/11/2025

It’s definitely a start

07/11/2025

Today’s the day! Come down to SELBY ‘50th’ FEST 2pm - 6pm, and help us celebrate 50 years of Selby Community House - and this AMAZING community we are all a part of❤️

Don’t let the weather deter you…
We have a HUGE circus tent covering the whole amphitheater, and heaters to keep you warm! 🔥

So much to enjoy, both inside and outside (under cover) - with live music, food trucks, a history display and talks (in the lounge), devonshire teas and fun hand-on activities for kids and adults!

We have a FREE Shuttle Bus to deliver you straight to the party! Plenty of parking at Belgrave Station or Selby Primary School.

Shuttle bus stops at:
1. Belgrave Station
2. Selby CFA Bus stop (park at school)
3. Selby General Store
Look for the big signs at each bus stop. Bus running in a continuous loop all afternoon, so no more than 20 mins wait.

We can’t wait to see you all today and celebrate everything that makes SELBY and our beautiful community so special ❤️🥳🎂🎉🌳🍃🏡

05/11/2025

I love listening to learning from podcasts so I thought I would share this one. It hits the spot for women entering perimenopause and starting to think about the importance of the right kind of exercise, diet and supplements for optimising musculoskeletal health before you get all arthritic and osteoporotic…

Podcast Episode · Low Tox Life · 30/10/2025 · 1h 2m

29/10/2025

Low progesterone with a relative Oestrogen excess is a picture that I love to work with in women. It’s been a personal journey for me and I love to share what I have learnt to help other women.

Progesterone is a true shape-shifter and the most enigmatic of hormones. It's responsive, relational, and endlessly fascinating. And it can behave entirely differently depending on estrogen, gut health, the state of the nervous system, and many other factors.

• In the uterus, it can either enrich the lining or keep it thin and quiet.

• In the brain, it can calm GABA receptors or, in some women, stir anxiety.

• In metabolism, it both boosts metabolic rate and temporarily reduces insulin sensitivity as part of the body’s adaptive rhythm.

It also increases the body’s requirement for sodium, protein, rest, and basically everything. So, when you're making (or taking) progesterone, it will demand MORE of everything you need.

💬 Drop your progesterone thoughts or questions below, and I’ll bring them to Sarah E Hill during our Instagram Live this week:

📅 Friday, Oct 31st at 2 pm Pacific.

13/10/2025

Spring is here! But have you ever heard of a women's "second spring"?

Read more here:
https://www.rangesintegrativehealth.com.au/perimenopause-and-a-womens-second-spring/