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Southwest Acupuncture & Traditional Chinese Medicine

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Margaret River, WA
Southwest Acupuncture & Traditional Chinese Medicine

Dr Bridie Ritchie (TCM)
Classical and Integrative Acupuncture, herbalism & bodywork. AHPRA registered. AACMA member.

Practising from Margaret River Acupuncture & Busselton Allied Health Hub

🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈 For all bodies
💛🖤❤️ Wadandi Boodja Working from Margaret River and Busselton, servicing the south-west of Western Australia. I combine Traditional East Asian therapies and Western health science to offer a holistic and integrative approach to health care. I am an AHPRA registered Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medic

ine and can use a broad toolkit of therapies to support your health goals. I have a special interest in:
- Pain conditions- chronic and acute
- Fertility and reproductive health
- Paediatric support
- Aesthetic acupuncture and dermatology

Acupuncture sessions and herbal medicine consultations can be claimed through private health- check your fund for coverage.

24/04/2026

I’ve fallen behind with the Chinese Solar calendar updates. Sorry folks! Between moving and setting up a new clinic in Nannup, life has been life-ing. Here’s a catch-up of the current phases, with a few in advance so you can see what the next few cycles may bring…

For those of you new here, firstly, a warm welcome! I’m really excited to extend my practice to Nannup and surrounding communities. I hope to connect with you here and IRL soon. For some context, I’ve been tracking the Chinese Nodal/Solar calendar since Spring. This is an ancient East Asian agrarian calendar based on the positioning of the sun. It essentially marks micro-seasonal shifts every 14 or 15 days. In traditional East Asian medicine, subtle changes in the environment and climate impact everything, so the nodal calendar is a great way to track what’s going on externally so we can find balance and optimal health internally. Of course, the calendar was based in the Northern Hemisphere, so I’m tracking it out of curiosity to see if it lands the same for us, and if not, where it differs.

The last two nodes, Cold Dew (Hán Lù 寒露) and Frost Descent (Shuāng Jiàng 霜降), are pretty on point with what’s been happening, particularly here in Nannup. I’ve noticed much chillier mornings, with the grass often sporting a fine layer of dew. Perhaps for us in the south, the warmth is lingering still later in the day, with some pretty nice sunny afternoons. It is the perfect weather for warm cuppas and soaking up the lingering yang-vibes. In clinic, I’m still seeing lots of wry necks and flaring of chronic aches and pains as the cold and yin continue to rise. Back pain has been a big one, which is interesting as we near winter, a season of the Water element which is related to the Bladder and Kidney meridians (both having a lot to do with the back).

15/04/2026

My Nannup clinic is opening tomorrow, Thursday 16th April 🎊

After moving to town a month ago I’ve been so keen to get up and running to support the local and surrounding communities with East Asian Medicine.

The clinic is in the Wellness Centre, right in the middle of town, and will be open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. From here I’ll be offering:
- Acupuncture
- Chinese Herbal Medicine (with tailored granule and raw herbal dispensing)
- Bodywork (cupping, gua sha and some massage)
- Lower cost community acupuncture launching early May
- And potentially some paediatric focused workshops in the not too distant future... watch this space...

Acupuncture and East Asian therapies can support a range of health conditions, as well as promote general wellbeing and balance.

If you have any questions don’t hesitate to reach out here or via call/text 0483804934

15/03/2026

The year of the Fire Horse has charged out of the gates for me, so I’m running behind on my nodal calendar posts. Here’s a quick catch-up on the last couple of phases, plus the next one ahead (which lands right when I’m moving house, so yay to proactive posting)…

On 23 February we entered the Southern Hemisphere equivalent of Chu Shu (Limit of Heat). This marks the point where summer begins to ease. From a yin–yang perspective, the expansive force of yang has reached its peak and starts to soften, while the first traces of yin begin gathering beneath the surface, even though the days can still feel hot.

On 7 March we entered Bai Lu, or “White Dew.” In classical thought this reflects the strengthening presence of yin. Nights begin cooling just enough for moisture to condense, while days can still carry the warmth of late summer. The shift that began at Chu Shu becomes more noticeable.

In the South West, both of these nodes sit within Bunuru, when the land remains hot and dry but the seasonal turn has quietly begun.

Coming up this week, 21–23 March we reach Qiu Fen, the Autumn Equinox. Day and night are nearly equal, marking a balance of yin and yang. From here, yin gradually begins to lead as nights lengthen and the year turns inward.

Locally this sits at the transition from Bunuru into Djeran, when cooler mornings begin to arrive and the landscape prepares for the change of season. 🍂

We are moving from Earth transition time to Metal element. This governs Lung and Large Intestines. Start leaning towards soups and broths to combat dryness, and protect yourself from wind and cold chills with scarves and dressing for the current weather, not the summer days that are past us 🙌🌻

07/02/2026

In East Asian medicine, the Five Shu points are some of the most powerful points on the body, and they start from the hands and feet 🙌👣

These points sit along each meridian from the tips of the fingers and toes up to the elbows and knees. Classical texts describe qi moving here like water: first bubbling up, then gathering, flowing, and finally diving deeper into the body. Because qi is more accessible and dynamic in these areas, small inputs can create big shifts.

This is why we sometimes treat distantly, using the hands and feet rather than the area of concern. The Five Shu points allow us to support the whole channel and its associated organ, helping regulate heat, calm inflammation, move stagnation, and support deeper, long-term balance.

05/02/2026

Anyone else noticed a little shift around them lately? Some cooler mornings, that early morning chill, more pockets of cool and a bit more wind, the light changing? It’s not officially autumn, but this solar node, Li Qiu, is known as the Beginning of Autumn. It’s the point where the seed of Yin emerges within peak Yang. Think of the little black dot in the white half of the Taijitu ☯️.

In Five Elements Theory, we are moving from Fire into Earth before we arrive at the Metal phase of true autumn. From a Noongar seasonal perspective, we are in the transition between Birak and Bunuru. This transition is read through the land itself, not dates on a calendar, as winds shift, heat settles, and movement becomes more conserving rather than expansive. There are some clear similarities across both systems.

Most people in clinic lately have commented on how sh*tty their sleep has been over the last week. The full moon has copped a lot of blame, but this also tracks with seasonal Yang reaching its peak and disrupting our nighttime Yin cycle.

Here are some supports that might be useful in the flux:
* Shifting to warmer, cooked foods, such as soups, stews, and lightly spiced broths
* Avoiding wind and cold, especially around the neck, chest, and low back in early mornings and evenings
* Supporting Yin as it deepens at night with good sleep routines.
* Supporting the lungs in preparation for Metal season, using herbs like lily bulb or Mai D**g, and foods such as pear, white fungus, almonds, or small amounts of honey to moisten dryness
* Honouring what’s been grown and achieved over summer, and reflecting on what you might want to let go of as we move through autumn toward the stillness of winter and peak Yin

Even if the weather still feels mostly summery, this node marks the start of inward movement, when the body and spirit begin to prepare for the rest and consolidation of the Yin season to come. We’ll start to notice this as a little more chill in the air and a little less light.

02/02/2026

Moxibustion is a traditional therapy that uses the gentle heat of burning mugwort (Ai Ye) to warm and activate acupuncture points. Clinically, it’s used to support yang, improve circulation, and help the body move from cold, sluggish, or depleted states into better function.

Moxa is especially helpful for pain made worse by cold, digestive weakness, fatigue, and recovery after illness. It’s about providing the right kind of warmth to encourage the body to do what it already knows how to do.

28/01/2026

Aesthetic acupuncture is a whole-body approach to skin health that works from both the surface and deeper levels. Fine needles are used on the face as well as on body points to support circulation, collagen signalling, muscle tone, and overall balance.

Clinically, the focus is on skin quality, resilience, and natural lift. It’s about supporting how the skin functions and optimising qi flow - not blocking it.

23/01/2026

This one is a few days late, because clinic and life have been occupying my reflective time… but here’s another micro-season update!!

Right now in the South West we’re getting a cool reprieve, but the heat at the start of this week lined up with Dà Shǔ (大暑 or Major Heat) so perfectly 👌 Meanwhile a pal in country Vic sent me the forecast for their week ahead 🌶️🌶️🌶️ And that’s following such devastating fires. A reminder of how intense this time of year can be, on bodies and on land.

In East Asian medicine, Dà Shǔ is the peak of heat; not just temperature, but intensity. Things move fast, we sweat easily, emotions can pop off, and it’s easy to feel overstimulated without quite realising why. Our systems are working hard just to regulate.

This is a season for less pushing, more listening.
🧊 Remember, cooling doesn’t mean cold. Think shade rather than ice, rest rather than full-flop.
💧 Simple meals, plenty of fluids, and letting digestion do its thing without overload.
🛌 Early nights if you can, or at least moments of quiet to let the nervous system settle after long, bright days.

It’s also a time where irritability, restlessness or the dreaded fried feeling can creep in. These are not personal failings (!) but a natural response to peak yang. This medicine reminds us to soften the edges, so think slower mornings, gentler exercise, fewer demands on yourself (if you can).

22/01/2026

Meridians are the body’s communication highways in East Asian medicine. They’re the pathways through which qi and blood circulate, linking the organs with the surface of the body and with each other. When meridians are flowing freely, the system is coordinated and resilient; when they’re blocked or deficient, symptoms show up. Acupuncture works by accessing these pathways, helping restore clear movement, regulation, and balance across the whole body.

19/01/2026

A few of my favorite things to treat ...

Dermatology- I love the creativity and problem solving needed to get to the bottom of complex derm cases! I also love; making up topical herbal treatments, showing folks how acupuncture can be useful for cosmetic concerns as well as easing irritation and itch with just a few needles 👌

Paediatrics - working with kids in clinic is so fun! They often get big results with gentler treatments. It’s also beautiful to support body based knowledge and embodiment from earlier ages. I wish more people knew how much East Asian therapies can do for kiddos! This year my planned professional development is heavily focused on Paediatric acupuncture. Later this month I’m starting the online diploma course with Rebecca Avern - a world leading paediatric focused practitioner from the UK. Very excited to dive in and hone my skills.

Reproductive heath- acupuncture and herbs are truly amazing in the realm of reproduction. It’s can be both a very exciting and difficult time to offer support to people, but always an honour to be part of their journey.

Pain- pain is a fascinating response in the body. Whether acute or chronic acupuncture (and electro acupuncture) can offer such tangible support. More and more studies are coming out to confirm how effective acupuncture is for pain. The biggest block I see in clinic? People can assume it’s a one hit wonder and have big hopes for one session, rather than commit to a series of treatments. Those trials that show acupunctures effectiveness for pain, also show that it’s dose dependant. So the 8-12 session plan is based in science, not me trying to lock you in ‘just cause’.

Of course in clinic I treat a wide range of conditions. These four areas are my special interests, where I’m committing to extra learning and study. If you have any questions about what East Asian Medicine can support, or if it’s right for you drop a comment or DM.

16/01/2026

In acupuncture, we look for the arrival of qi. It’s a sign that the body has responded to the needle. This might show up as a little zap when the pin first ‘hits the spot’, a feeling of heaviness, warmth, or a gentle ache for the patient. More often than not (and especially on back points) it shows up as a redness or flush around the needle insertion point.

Clinically, this indicates engagement of the local tissue and nervous system. In East Asian medicine we’d say we have activated and connected with the meridian point.

More sensation or redness doesn’t mean better. It’s about the right response, not the strongest one.

15/01/2026

I love treating dermatology patients, even more so when they are a dream team-player and happily take their herbal formula every-damn-day 💪🏼! This patient's efforts have paid off. Over three months we have seen a drastic reduction in their eczema, particularly the redness and itch. We've got a little way to go to work on dryness and protection against recurrence, but big changes like this are encouraging.

Skin conditions are notoriously tricky and require 3+months (not days or weeks) to treat. Treatment involves herbs, lifestyle/diet changes and acupuncture - in that order of importance. It also requires consistency and commitment. Its not for everyone, but if you want help with a current flare, or a support plan to shift off the corticosteroid cycle, just reach out and we can chat.

I truely believe in access to health support, so work with all my patients to tailor treatment plans to their needs. This could mean go hard with intensive treatment, or a slower more economical pace. Treatment plans are never one size fits all., and can accomodate most time and budget restraints.

(Patient gave consent to share their case and images)

Address

Margaret River, WA
6285

Opening Hours

Monday	12pm - 7pm
Tuesday	8am - 2pm
Wednesday	9am - 6pm
Thursday	3pm - 7pm

Website

http://southwestacupuncture.com.au/

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