Anna Cherry Acupuncture & Physiotherapy

03/04/2026

I just did this most beautiful hike in the South Island!! The 4 night Greenstone-Routeburn track. I have a small gluteal tear and was worried how my body would fare with the distances. Interestingly it felt better and better each day, probably due to the gentle incline and slowly increasing distances each day. It reminded me to not be a boom or bust exerciser, as in, sit in clinic all week then do a 6 hour steep hike in the weekend, and then pay for it the next day! I often talk of the Goldilocks approach to exercise - not too much (all of a sudden), and not too little. Gradually building up strength/fitness to help your body adapt and prepare. Planning activities around your injuries and to split the bigger exertions into smaller chunks to allow your body to rest in between and build strength. And the biggest lesson of all - our bodies were made to move!! We have a saying in physio - motion is lotion 🙂

31/03/2026

Every day I talk to clients about posture! Good posture is such a simple but important thing to practise as it influences so many different parts of our body - not just our spine, but our shoulders, hips and even feet! Sitting upright instead of slouching, and using our core to lift our head (not chin) upwards when standing, are both low effort adjustments we can do, which over time strengthens the muscles that hold us in better form. Exercises like scapular retractions, neck retractions and posterior shoulder rolls can also help address the dreaded hunched back. Make an effort, it will pay off in the end!

26/02/2026

This is fascinating! I certainly have quite a few “SuperAger” clients who I always find interesting and inspiring!

“This shows the aging brain has the capacity to regenerate — that’s huge.”

Full story ⬇️

22/02/2026

After being rushed off my feet over the last few months I have some appointment openings this week! 9.30am and 10.15am Thursday, and 1.30pm Friday 😊
Shop 10/2 Oceans Resort Tutukaka
021 0246 9949 (best to text for an appointment)

16/02/2026

Is my hip pain osteoarthritis? If you have pain over the outer hip region it is usually due to a damaged gluteal tendon or inflamed bursa. Bursa are fluid filled sacs that provide cushioning and reduce friction between structures, and if irritated they can cause sharp pain with compression positions (ie. side lying, crossing legs) or overuse. Gluteal tendon injuries are common in active women over 50 and are made worse by compression positions or walking uphill/stairs.
Hip osteoarthritis usually presents as aching pain deep in the groin or in front of the thigh, which often gets worse after periods of inactivity.
It’s important to know these differences! With bursitis and gluteal tendinopathies, it’s important to take measures to reduce the irritating activities and progressively load the hip muscles in the correct manner. Dry needling has been shown to be helpful in reducing the acute gluteal pain episodes also. Osteoarthritis responds well to strength training, pain management and weight loss, and in worst cases, joint replacement is recommended.

05/01/2026

Officially back at work today (although I did see a few urgent clients yesterday!).
Hoping everyone had a lovely Christmas/NY holiday, and wishing you all a prosperous and happy 2026, aka Year of the Fire Horse 🐎🔥

20/12/2025

Wishing everyone a very happy Christmas and hoping you find a little ‘ichigo ichie’ (aka. living mindfully, appreciating the ‘now’, giving total attention to those around you) these holidays! Life is precious and a privilege ❤️ Stay safe!

In the village of Magome, a 16th century discipline leads to a sharper focus on the present moment.

10/11/2025

I’ve been having some conversations with clients recently about post-operative brain fog (aka post operative cognitive dysfunction or POCD). General anaesthetic procedures can have an impact on concentration and memory sometimes for months after surgery. I certainly noticed an impact on my ability to focus in university lectures after knee surgery in my 20s, and due to this opted for a spinal anesthetic and mild sedation for my second surgery many years later.
Interestingly, studies have shown that acupuncture before or after surgery can help to reduce the negative cognitive effects of anaesthetic drugs. Reasons suggested are that acupuncture reduces inflammation and increases blood flow to the brain, which protects neurons from cellular death.
More research in this area is required, but it’s great food for thought!

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7044481/ #:~:text=Acupuncture%20has%20been%20suggested%20as,to%20play%20a%20major%20role.rg

Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is a common sequela following surgery and hospitalization. The prevention and management of POCD are important during clinical practice. POCD more commonly affects elderly patients who have undergone major ...

23/09/2025

So this has been an interesting journey! A small avulsion fracture of my ankle after a mishap walking 10 days ago 😞
I’m back at work now part time, thank you to all my clients who have been patient and understanding!
I wanted to highlight a few things that might be helpful for others:
- Ngunguru Medical Centre has a supply of crutches that can be borrowed (please return once you don’t require anymore as their supply is limited).
- elevation and compression is the most important part of early management. Ice didn’t feel good so I opted not to use.
- when in doubt, get checked out. The pain was eventually quite severe and I had pinpoint tenderness over the bone, which made me suspect a small fracture.
- crutches can be tricky! There are other options such as scooters and walkers, for those with arm or balance issues. Luckily I was only on crutches for a few days 🙂
- if wearing a moon boot, wear a raised shoe on your good leg to balance the height the moon boot gives.

Injuries definitely make you appreciate normal function!!

19/08/2025

Physiotherapy NZ has been lobbying hard over the last several years to allow suitably trained physiotherapists to write work certificates for patients. At present only medical specialists/GPs/some nurse practitioners can give work certificates, and given the current wait times to see GPs this disadvantages patients who are injured and require time off work or have a reduced work capacity. The final details are being ironed out with ACC/Health NZ but it will happen which is a win for everyone! Watch this space ❤️

09/06/2025

Back at work today after an incredible trip to Japan! Great to meet practitioners from all over the world at the World Physio Congress in Tokyo, and so wonderful to catch up with old friends in Gunma, Hiroshima and Miyazaki!! ❤️

25/05/2025

I’m heading to Japan this week for the World Physiotherapy Congress in Tokyo woo hoo! Then a bit of travel visiting friends in Gunma, Hiroshima, and Miyazaki ❤️ I spent a few years living in Japan and I can’t wait to see it again in its hot, humid, early summer glory! Back at work on June 10th.