Tend Therapies

13/08/2025

I keep a little stash of raw herbs at home, but it’s not a full dispensary, so when I’m making decoctions for myself I can’t just fall back on tried-and-true classic formulas. Making use of what I have becomes a fun little puzzle.

In today’s mix I have Gui Zhi (Cinnamon Twig), Fang Feng (Saposhnikovia Root), Sheng Jiang (Fresh Ginger), Zi Su Ye (Perilla Leaf), Bo He (Peppermint), Chuan Xiong (Szechuan Lovage Rhizome), Zhi Gan Cao (Honey-Fried Licorice Root), and Bai Shao (White Peony Root).

I’ve had a slight headache and a scratchy throat (no surprise with the wind today!) A lot of these are exterior-releasing herbs with warming properties. The Bai Shao might seem a bit random, but I’m in my luteal phase, so want to give my Liver channel a little extra love. I’m also keeping the other herb doses a bit lower than usual, so it’s not a big punch to the system. Balance is the aim of the game ☯️

You’ll notice the Bo He (peppermint) has its own little pot, as this herb is very aromatic I only add it to my decoction for the last 5mins of cook time.

I love playing with raw herbs. You learn so much about them by looking, feeling and smelling throughout the process.

And no, this is not going to be very tasty 🙃

27/07/2025

I’ve gone and done it. Yep… Substack. I’ve been wanting a place to dive a bit deeper, beyond the quick tips and soundbites of the socials. Somewhere to share what I’m learning and thinking, and hold myself accountable to a regular practice of distilling these ‘wonderings’ into something (hopefully) useful or at least a bit entertaining.

My first post, “The Missing Piece,” is all about my current professional development in Classical Acupuncture; the bits I felt were missing at uni, the “ah ha” moments from mentorship, and why I think this old medicine still really matters.

Putting things out into the world can be scary. But I remind myself it’s totally okay for it to be a snapshot of now: imperfect and in-process.

So if you are keen to dig into ideas and learnings related to natural medicine from East Asian traditions (with a bit of western health science in this mix) all the while trying to emulate the slow, gentle attention this kind of practice asks of us… 📢 subscribe to Tendlines over on Substack for free monthly explorations 📢.

You know where to find the links. 🌻🫶🏼

https://open.substack.com/pub/tendlines/p/the-missing-piece?r=57gyq&utm_medium=ios

07/04/2025

Did you know Traditional Chinese medicine has an entire system of dietary therapy? Foods have thermal and elemental properties and can support the body to do what it does best- find balance/homeostasis. I’ve been working on a document to help guide patients towards specific foods that can support their treatment plans. I’ve made these public so anyone who’s interested can check them out (via website and linktree)— BUT this comes with a few caveats. 1 # overly restrictive or anxious eating is never therapeutic, wether this is restricting the amount of food or entire food groups (unless allergic ofc…). 2 # self-diagnosing patterns of disharmony without the support of a TCM prac is dicey- diagnosis is complex! 3 # these lists are simplified and summarised, the idea is to add a few more ingredients from the section/s you need, and avoid a few from the section/s you don’t. 4 # Where food therapy falls short, herbal medicine and acupuncture can pick up the slack 🪴📍

10/03/2025

✨ stoked to be back in clinic from this arvo ✨
I only have one appointment left for a new or return patient this week (tomorrow 11am). Reach out if you want it ✌️

17/02/2025

I’m heading off to Melbourne this week to do the first of three Dynamic Myofacial Mobilisation trainings with . Bek and Sandee will be looking after my patients in clinic, so will have you covered while I’m away! I’m pretty excited to dive into some new learnings and integrate them into my practise when I’m back from March 10th ✨

Fun fact: to qualify for professional memberships, AHPRA registration and to be a health fund provider (to get you those private health rebates!) TCM practitioners have to do 20 hours of professional development every year. For remedial massage to be covered by private health I’ve got to do an additional 20 hours! This is logged with and monitored by my member associations .org.au and to ensure professional standards and continued learning. Most practitioners would do way more hours than this, but it’s so great we have a system that enshrines learning and development into professional practise.
See you when I get back!!

14/02/2025

Massage + acupuncture in the one sessions is SO GOOD. I offer these treatments in 1.5hr and 2hr sessions for new patients, and 75mins for return patients who have an established treatment plan. I usually start with massage, to activate qi and blood flow and get a sense of areas of tension. During the massage I might use cupping techniques, gua sha or “ashi point” needling (think dry needling TCM style) as needed. These modalities will always be presented as options and explained why I think they’d be supportive. You, of course, can decide what feels best. After massage we’ll start acupuncture, and you will get 30mins to chill with the needles. Sometimes folks like to switch up this order, or take a small break between- it’s flexible and can accomodate what you need on the day. I honestly love to offer these sessions and see how people float out of the clinic after (especially those who book the full 2hrs!). If you’ve never tried these two forms of bodywork together, come give it a shot at 💆🏻‍♀️☯️

11/02/2025

So excited for this! 🫶🏼
It’s been a while in the making but I’m now offering community clinic sessions at ! These will run every second Saturday from 9am to midday, starting late March (bookings are open now…)

This offering will provide lower cost treatments in a communal setting- similar to how acupuncture treatments were traditionally provided (and still are in hospitals all around China). For you this means the usual comfy clinic rooms, but with doors open so I can keep an eye on multiple patients.
The aim is to provide an affordable option for folks with financial barriers, or those who need long-term treatment for chronic conditions.
For now, this is for return patients who have attended Margaret River Acupuncture clinic before. This is because the community clinic setting is fast paced! So it is best to already have had an initial appointment where we’ve taken a detailed health history and established a thorough treatment plan. (If you have a financial barrier to a regular priced initial appointment, please get in touch and we can figure something out).
If you’d like more info leave a comment 💌

28/01/2025

It the Chinese Lunar New Year tomorrow! Bring on the Wood Snake energy for 2025 🐍✨

Luna New Year is a major holiday in the Sinosphere. It is thought to have originated 3,500 years ago as a key holiday to celebrate the end of winter and the start of spring which brings in a fresh new year!

What can you do to join in the festivities:
- decorate with red, especially paper lanterns 🏮
- make the kiddos day and give them hong bao (money wrapped in red paper or a red envelope to ward off evil-spirits)
- Sweep away dust and bad luck. The festival marks the end of winter, so is the OG “Spring Clean”.
- enjoy a meal with loved ones and reflect on tradition and community

The symbolism of the snake in Chinese literature and mythology is dualistic. On one side, the snake is linked to the yin, embodying darkness, moisture, and femininity. Sometimes its even seen as evil-femininity! The snake is also viewed as a small dragon and it’s shedding skin, referred to as the dragon’s coat signifies good fortune, renewal, and nobility.

This year it’s taboo to kill snakes, and for those born in the year of the snake (1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013 and 2025) traveling West is not a great idea!

Happy festivities to all who celebrate! 🏮🎊

Image: unsplash Amir Sani

25/01/2025

In clinic at as normal this Monday. Always was, always will be 🖤💛❤️

24/01/2025

24/01/2025

Humidity = damp heat.
The weather we are having here in Margs this week feels like summer in southern China. So sticky!!
In Traditional Chinese Medicine this kind of weather can stir up a range of symptoms (think acute eczema, nausea, diarrhoea, dizziness, heavy body and/or limbs) or add to the mix and complicate existing patterns of disharmony.
Some things you could try to counter the environmental factors:
🍉eat cooling foods like watermelon, mint and mung beans.
🧉Stay hydrated- with room temp water, I know it’s tempting, but please avoid the ice cold drinks!
🧘‍♂️ And rest up out of the heat.
Herbs and acupuncture are a great option if you have any symptoms that need a bit of additional support.
Lovely Sandee has just ordered a bunch of new herbs for making up some topical creams and liniments. So if you have skin flares at the moment, or ongoing dermatological issues, get in touch. (This little herb geek can’t wait to mix up some ointments 🙋🏻‍♀️)

15/01/2025

I finally got my act together and sorted out my membership and provider numbers, meaning you can now claim my remedial massage treatments (if your cover includes it). Also in the process of updating the HICAPS machine in clinic, so instant claims will be available in the coming weeks.

AMT membership (and industry associations in general) require annual professional development and training, police checks and first aid certificates to ensure to ensure high standards of practise.

Book massage sessions with me in Margs on Mondays, Tuesdays and every second Saturday at .