Pearl of Health Traditional Chinese Medicine

Pearl of Health Traditional Chinese Medicine Dr Anita Ackers (ChineseMed) located in Gisborne, Taylors Lakes & Tullamarine.

15/06/2026

Ever notice that when you’re stressed, exhausted, overworked, or skipping meals, all you want is something sweet?

In Chinese Medicine, sweet cravings are often linked to the Spleen system. The Spleen is responsible for transforming food into energy (Qi) and nourishing the body. When Spleen Qi becomes depleted, the body starts searching for quick, easy fuel, showing up as intense cravings for sugar and refined carbohydrates.

From a physiological perspective, there are a few reasons this can happen too:
•Blood sugar fluctuations can trigger cravings for fast-acting energy.
•Poor sleep increases ghrelin (the hunger hormone) and reduces leptin (the hormone that signals fullness), making sweet foods more appealing.
•Chronic stress elevates cortisol, which can increase appetite and cravings for highly palatable foods.
•Inadequate protein, fibre, or overall calorie intake can leave the body looking for a quick energy source.

In clinic, I often see sweet cravings alongside symptoms such as:
• Fatigue
• Brain fog
• Bloating after meals
• Loose stools
• Feeling heavy or sluggish
• Low motivation and poor concentration

Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine aim to support healthy digestion, regulate stress, and address the underlying patterns contributing to those craving so your body isn’t constantly asking for a sugar hit to get through the day.

Gisborne • Albert Park • Gladstone Park • Taylors Lakes

~ Anita 🍯

HEY! Why are you taking all those sups if you’re not sure what they’re doing??HEY! Why are you taking those sups if your...
09/06/2026

HEY! Why are you taking all those sups if you’re not sure what they’re doing??

HEY! Why are you taking those sups if your spleen, stomach and small intestine meridians aren’t absorbing????

Appointments available.

Albert Park • Gladstone Park • Taylors Lakes • Gisborne

~ Anita 🥗

08/06/2026

It can literally be that easy 🤍

~ Anita

Gisborne • Albert Park • Gladstone Park • Taylors Lakes

07/06/2026

Systematic reviews have found acupuncture may reduce migraine frequency and intensity and is generally associated with fewer adverse effects than many preventative medications.

Common symptoms can include:
• Throbbing or pulsating head pain
• Light and sound sensitivity
• Nausea and vomiting
• Visual disturbances (aura)
• Neck pain and muscle tension
• Dizziness or vertigo

In Australia, people are commonly prescribed medications such as paracetamol, ibuprofen, naproxen and triptans (including sumatriptan and rizatriptan) to manage acute attacks. Preventative medications may include propranolol, topiramate, amitriptyline and newer CGRP-targeted therapies.

One of the biggest misconceptions I see is that people think acupuncture and medication have to be an either/or choice.

For many people, acupuncture can be used alongside their existing treatment plan. The goal is to support the body, reduce the frequency and intensity of attacks where possible, and help people get back to living their lives without constantly wondering when the next migraine is coming.

~ Anita 🤍

Albert Park • Gladstone Park • Taylors Lakes • Gisborne

References:
DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2020.576272
DOI: 10.1111/head.13723
DOI: 10.1016/j.joim.2018.06.002

When people hear “autoimmune disease”, they often think of conditions like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.Autoimmune cond...
06/06/2026

When people hear “autoimmune disease”, they often think of conditions like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.

Autoimmune conditions can show up in ways you might not expect.

Psoriasis. Hashimoto’s disease. Coeliac disease. Alopecia areata. Vitiligo. Ankylosing spondylitis. Sjögren’s syndrome. Lichen sclerosus.

Many of these conditions can affect far more than the area they’re known for. They may impact energy levels, sleep, pain, digestion, mood, skin, hair, and overall quality of life.

As a practitioner, I often see people who have spent years trying to understand why they don’t feel like themselves.

While acupuncture does not cure autoimmune disease, research suggests it may help support symptom management for things like pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, stress, and overall wellbeing when used alongside appropriate medical care.

Autoimmune disease doesn’t always look like what people expect.

Awareness matters. Earlier recognition can mean earlier support.

~ Anita 🗿🤍

03/06/2026

What to do if you want to eat but your body is like 🙅🏽‍♀️
Sometimes being unable to eat is not just a mental eating disorder. There is usually a physical aspect.

Albert Park • Gladstone Park • Taylors Lakes • Gisborne

~ Anita 🫪

28/05/2026

Some things that I personally include in my routine to help minimise my period pain! (Ain’t nobody got time for that)

When doing my final thesis in the impacts of Chinese medicine on period pain (dysmenorrhea), it was incredible to me how many biological mechanisms of action there were to contribute to period pain. Hence why there is no once size fits all for any pain! (Endo, adeno, standard pain, PMOS, PID)

My door is ALWAYS open to you dysmenorrhea girlies (and NO you’re not being dramatic, pain is not something to just deal with)

~ Anita 🤍

What’s in my toolkit as an injectable alternative? These can often be used adjunct to your usual treatments 🤍🫶🏽~ Anita
25/05/2026

What’s in my toolkit as an injectable alternative?

These can often be used adjunct to your usual treatments 🤍🫶🏽

~ Anita

What’s in my toolkit for an injectable alternative 🫶🏽🤍 These can often be used adjacent to your usual treatments, so no ...
25/05/2026

What’s in my toolkit for an injectable alternative 🫶🏽🤍

These can often be used adjacent to your usual treatments, so no need for a “cosmetic” appointment.

~ Anita 💖

Time to discuss that sore jaw of yours. Is it the temporomandibular joint of yours or is it something deeper?Chronic str...
20/05/2026

Time to discuss that sore jaw of yours. Is it the temporomandibular joint of yours or is it something deeper?

Chronic stress can increase nervous system activation, muscle tension and pain sensitivity, especially through the jaw, neck and temples. In Chinese medicine, stress also affects the movement of qi throughout the body, which is why tension often starts showing up physically over time.

This is why tight jaws so commonly come with headaches, poor sleep, bloating, reflux, PMS and that constantly wired feeling.

My treatment aims to regulate the nervous system while addressing the underlying pattern driving the tension, not just the jaw itself.

~ Anita 🦷

Gladstone Park • Albert Park • Taylors Lakes • Gisborne

Address

18 Brantome Street
Gisborne, VIC
3437

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 7pm
Tuesday 7am - 2pm
Wednesday 2pm - 8pm
Thursday 9am - 7pm
Friday 7am - 2pm
Saturday 9am - 12pm

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Pearl of Health Traditional Chinese Medicine posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category