Mike McLeod Osteopathy

25/05/2026

For many people in New Zealand, Chinese medicine may still feel quite new. But in China, it has been used for thousands of years, and acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine are still very common today.

We describe the herbal medicine as internal support. The herbs are chosen based on each person’s own condition and body pattern. We often use them to support things like coughs, digestion, tiredness, women’s health, and recovery after illness or injury.

24/05/2026

Headaches, migraines, vertigo, and acute neck, lower back strains are often the kinds of problems where earlier treatment may lead to better results.

The good news is that we’ve had a few last-minute cancellations this week, so there are currently some appointments available.

Book online with Dr. Zach and experience how acupuncture and Traditional Chinese medicine may help support recovery and relieve symptoms naturally.

Get in touch with us to make a booking or have a question answered. Email, phone or book online now.

20/05/2026

You probably know the usual cold and flu routine:

Take some pain relief if needed, drink plenty of water, stay warm, and get some rest.

For many people, that is enough. But sometimes the symptoms can hit hard early on — fever, chills, body aches, headache, sore throat, or a heavy cough. Other times, the worst part is what lingers afterwards: ongoing coughing, fatigue, or that “I’m still not quite right” feeling.

In Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), we don’t only look at the cough or the fever. We look at the pattern behind it — whether your body is showing signs of cold, heat, phlegm, weakness, or lingering inflammation.

TCM can be used in the early stage of an acute cold or flu to support the body’s response, and it may also help when symptoms drag on after the initial infection has passed.

If your cold or flu symptoms are starting strongly, or if they have been hanging around for too long, it may be worth getting some extra support.

Book with Zach — we still have one appointment available tomorrow ( Thursday) and one on Friday.

https://www.mikemcleodosteopathy.co.nz/book-now

14/05/2026

This may be a slightly more research-focused post than usual — but we believe it is worth taking a moment to read.

Yes, acupuncture often helps people feel calm and relaxed. But its value may go beyond relaxation itself, especially when it comes to women’s health.

A growing body of research is exploring how acupuncture may support the body through neuroendocrine regulation — in other words, the close communication between the nervous system, hormone regulation, and reproductive function.

In studies related to perimenopause and reduced ovarian function, acupuncture has been associated with improvements in symptoms such as hot flushes, sleep disturbance, and mood changes. Some studies have also observed changes in hormone markers including FSH, LH, and oestradiol.

In research on ovulatory dysfunction and reproductive endocrine imbalance — particularly in women with PCOS — acupuncture has been linked with improved ovulation frequency, more regular menstrual cycles, and changes in certain hormone indicators. For this reason, it is also commonly used as a supportive therapy during the preconception stage.

For period pain, the evidence is more direct. Clinical studies and systematic reviews suggest that acupuncture may help reduce menstrual pain and related discomfort. It may also form part of an individualised approach for irregular periods, infrequent menstruation, and some cases of amenorrhoea associated with endocrine imbalance.

We have included a selection of supporting research references in the images below for those who would like to read further.

14/05/2026

As the weather gets colder, you may still remember trying moxibustion at our clinic last year. The good news is: starting this week, we’ve brought it back for the cold season!

In TCM perspective, moxibustion is an important partner to acupuncture. The warmth from moxa feels very different from a hot water bottle, a heat pack, or a hear lamp. It's often experienced as a deeper, more penetrating warmth that reaches into the muscles and, in Chinese medicine terms, helps encourage smoother flow through the meridians.

① Warming the body and easing cold-related discomfort

Moxa is naturally warming. The gentle heat produced during moxibustion can warm the body and support circulation, helping to ease discomfort that is traditionally associated with “cold” in Chinese medicine. This may include chills with a cold, cold or cramping stomach pain, abdominal discomfort, diarrhoea, period pain, and some types of joint pain.

② Supporting circulation and relieving stagnation

Moxibustion may also help encourage local blood flow and support the body’s natural circulation. In Chinese medicine, this is described as helping to “move Qi and blood.” It may be used to support relief from discomfort linked with poor circulation or stagnation, such as muscle soreness, joint stiffness, headaches, and localised aches or tension.

11/05/2026

Over the past few weeks, we have supported many people with acute sports injuries using a combination of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine.

It has been encouraging to see swelling settle, bruising reduce, and movement gradually improve as their recovery progresses.

Whether it is an ankle sprain, neck or lower back strain, or knee injury, timely and appropriate care is always the first priority.

Acupuncture is only one part of what we offer. Traditional Chinese Medicine also includes herbal oils, herbal patches, and oral herbal extracts, which may help support the body’s natural recovery process.

Long before modern Western medicine reached China, and long before painkillers and modern surgery were available in everyday life, Chinese people relied on these traditional and natural methods to manage pain, reduce discomfort, and recover from injuries. These approaches have been passed down through generations because of their practical value in daily life and injury care.

03/05/2026

A few last-minute appointments have opened up with our osteopath Ella today.

Dr Zach also has a few acupuncture appointments available this week on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

Get in quick if you’d like to book a spot.

Book online:
https://www.mikemcleodosteopathy.co.nz/book-now

29/04/2026

Massage is usually introduced after the acute stage of a sprain, once the main swelling and pain have settled. At this stage, it can help relax tight muscles, improve blood flow, reduce stiffness, and support tissue healing. In the later phase, massage also helps restore movement and flexibility, making rehabilitation smoother and more effective.

28/04/2026

Only three appointments left with Dr Zach this week. Book online: https://www.mikemcleodosteopathy.co.nz/book-now

After more than a year of clinical practice in Gore, combined with Dr Zach's 20+ years of experience in China, our acupuncture service is now mainly focus on supporting the following conditions：

28/04/2026

During Acupuncture treatment, many patients notice a special needle sensation rather than pain. In TCM, we call it “De Qi” — the body’s response to acupuncture stimulation.

This may feel like:

Aching · Pressure · Heaviness · Tingling · Numbness · Warmth · Coolness · A gentle spreading sensation

24/04/2026

A lot of patients with acute sports injuries want to know more clearly how we treat different stages of recovery.

So we’ve put together these flowcharts to make things easier to understand — turns out making a “simple” flowchart is not always that simple.

We hope they help show that Osteopathy, Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine and Massage are not competing options. They can all be part of the same recovery process, just at different times and for different purposes.

It’s not either/or — it’s about working together to help you recover better. At Mike McLeod Osteopathy, you always have options.