Gentle Acupuncture

01/09/2026

Dao and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) are deeply connected, but Daoism is more than simply a philosophy behind acupuncture. It provides a way of understanding life, nature, the body, illness, healing and the practitioner, patient relationship.
🌿 Dao and TCM
At the heart of Daoism is the Dao “the Way,” or the natural process through which everything arises, transforms and returns.
TCM sees the human being as part of that same process:
Heaven → Earth → Human
The human body is not viewed as an isolated machine. We exist within the rhythms of nature: day and night, seasons, climate, aging, emotions, reproduction, activity and rest.
This is why classical Chinese medicine asks not only:
“What disease does this person have?”
but also:
“What has happened to this person's relationship with their environment, their rhythms and their own nature?”
☯️ Yin and Yang
Yin and Yang are expressions of the continuous movement of the Dao.
They aren't simply opposites. They depend upon, transform into and generate one another.
Yin → substance, stillness, interior, nourishment, night
Yang → movement, activity, exterior, transformation, day
Health is therefore not about making Yin and Yang perfectly equal. It is about their appropriate relationship and movement.
A person can have more Yang during the day and more Yin at night. Digestion transforms food. The menstrual cycle changes through phases. A fever develops and resolves. Emotions arise and pass.
Life is movement.
Qi the movement of life
This is where Daoist thought becomes particularly beautiful clinically.
Qi isn't merely a “substance” that sits inside the body. In classical medicine, Qi is closely related to function, movement, transformation and relationship.
When Qi moves appropriately, there is transformation.
When movement becomes constrained, excessive, deficient or reversed, pathology can develop.
So acupuncture isn't simply about “putting energy into the body.”
It can be understood as helping restore appropriate movement and relationship within the living system.
🌊 Wu Wei
One of the most important Daoist ideas for a practitioner is Wu Wei, often translated as non-forcing or effortless action.
This has enormous clinical relevance.
A good practitioner doesn't necessarily try to force the body to change.
Instead, we listen.
We observe.
We find where the system has become stuck.
Then we give the smallest appropriate stimulus and allow the patient's own regulatory capacity to respond.
This is particularly beautiful in Japanese acupuncture and moxibustion, where the treatment can be extremely subtle.
Less can sometimes do more.

Acupuncture and Moxibustion for pregnancy adults and children.

24/08/2026

If a person has pain or pressure in the chest/Heart region, has been appropriately assessed at hospital and an acute cardiac problem has been excluded, then we can look at why this presentation is so common and how TCM can understand it.
And there is actually a fascinating overlap between the modern understanding of non-cardiac chest pain and the classical concept of obstruction of the chest.

Non-cardiac chest pain is very common.
Modern medicine identifies several important contributors:
reflux/GERD
oesophageal sensitivity or spasm
musculoskeletal tension
autonomic nervous-system dysregulation
anxiety/panic and psychological stress
sometimes no single structural cause can be identified.

So when your patients say:
“My heart/chest hurts, but the hospital says my heart is fine,”
there is a genuine clinical syndrome there. It doesn't mean “it's all in their head.”
Now let's translate that into TCM
I think this is where Shang Han Lun/Jin Gui thinking becomes very relevant to modern practice.
The classical term:
胸痹 Chest Bi
is essentially:
The chest is not moving freely.
And that is remarkably compatible with what we now see clinically.
The modern patient may have:
autonomic tension + oesophageal sensitivity + diaphragm restriction + muscular tension + altered pain perception
while the classical physician might describe:
Qi constraint + Phlegm + Cold + deficient Yang → obstruction of the chest.
They aren't necessarily describing the same thing using the same language, but there is an interesting physiological and clinical intersection.
Why do we seem to see this so much today?
I would divide it into five major clinical layers.
1. We live in a much more sympathetic state
Many people spend enormous amounts of their day in:
fight / flight / perform / respond.
Constant notifications, work pressure, financial pressure, family responsibilities, lack of recovery, poor sleep and emotional stimulation keep the nervous system activated.
From a TCM perspective:
Liver Qi becomes constrained.
Qi doesn't move properly.
And where does that often manifest?
The chest.
The patient says:
“I can't take a satisfying breath.”
“There is pressure here.”
“I need to sigh.”
“My chest feels tight.”
That is a very recognisable Qi stagnation / Shaoyang / chest-Qi constraint presentation.
2. The diaphragm is incredibly important
This is something I would pay much more attention to clinically.
The chest and abdomen are not separate systems.
The diaphragm sits between them.
When someone is chronically stressed, they may develop:
shallow breathing
upper-chest breathing
abdominal tension
rib restriction
intercostal muscle tension
increased sympathetic activity
And suddenly the patient experiences:
chest tightness + epigastric tightness + difficulty breathing deeply.
From a TCM perspective, you could interpret this through the Lung descending function, Liver Qi movement, Stomach Qi movement and the Chong/Ren relationship, depending upon the individual presentation.

3. The Gut–chest relationship
This is a huge one.
Modern literature identifies GERD as the most common gastrointestinal contributor to non-cardiac chest pain, and reflux can produce pain that is surprisingly similar to cardiac-type chest pain.
TCM would immediately make us think about:
Stomach Qi
Spleen Qi
Phlegm
Food accumulation
Dampness
And particularly:
Stomach Qi not descending.
So a patient may say:
“It feels like my heart is being squeezed.”
But their actual pattern may involve:
Middle Jiao dysfunction → Stomach Qi rebellion → diaphragm/chest obstruction.
This is one reason I wouldn't treat every “Heart pain” patient primarily through the Heart channel.
4. Emotional suppression
This is another pattern I see reflected beautifully in classical medicine.
A person may not consciously feel anxious.
They may say:
“I'm actually fine.”
But their body says something different:
tight diaphragm
clenched abdomen
shallow respiration
neck/shoulder tension
frequent sighing
chest oppression
palpitations
This is where Liver Qi constraint becomes clinically useful.
And importantly:
Qi stagnation doesn't mean “the patient is imagining it.”
It means we're describing a functional disturbance in movement and regulation using the TCM model.
Modern medicine similarly recognises autonomic dysregulation, visceral hypersensitivity and anxiety as important contributors to non-cardiac chest pain.

5. Why doesn't the hospital find anything?
This is actually very important.
Some patients think:
“They found nothing, therefore there is nothing wrong.”
Not necessarily.
A negative cardiac investigation answers a specific question:
Is there evidence of an acute or significant cardiac cause that requires treatment?
It doesn't necessarily explain:
oesophageal hypersensitivity
reflux
muscular pain
costochondral pain
autonomic dysfunction
functional chest pain
diaphragm tension
visceral hypersensitivity.
Modern literature specifically recognises functional chest pain, where patients experience genuine substernal pain despite no structural explanation, and visceral hypersensitivity is thought to play an important role.

Acupuncture for pregnancy adults and children

18/08/2026

🌿 The importance of continuing to study acupuncture 🌿
Finishing College is not the end of learning acupuncture, it is only the beginning.
Even after completing my studies, my learning never stopped. I travelled to Japan to deepen my knowledge, study Japanese acupuncture and moxibustion, and learn from teachers who have dedicated their lives to this medicine, Masakazu Ikeda Sensei.
And one of the most special parts of that journey was that I studied in Japan while I was pregnant with my first son. ❤️
Looking back, it feels so beautiful to realise that I was carrying my first baby while continuing to nurture my passion and knowledge of this incredible medicine.
The more I study, practise and experience, the more I realise how incredibly deep acupuncture is.
There are always new layers to understand, techniques to refine, classical texts to revisit, teachers to learn from and, most importantly, patients who continue to teach us every day.
Continuing our education is not just about collecting certificates. It is about becoming a better practitioner, developing deeper clinical understanding, better palpation, more refined hands and a greater ability to truly listen to the body.
After all these years, I still consider myself a student.
And I hope I always will. 🌿
Keep studying. Keep practising. Keep questioning. Keep learning.
This beautiful medicine deserves nothing less. 🫶✨

10/08/2026

✨ Fertility, Acupuncture & Moxibustion ✨
After 16 years of walking alongside women on their fertility journeys and supporting countless gynaecological conditions, I continue to be deeply inspired by the beauty and wisdom of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Acupuncture and moxibustion are gentle yet powerful therapies that work to support the body, regulate the menstrual cycle, improve circulation, reduce stress, and promote overall wellbeing, creating a more balanced environment for fertility.
Throughout the years, I have witnessed many remarkable transformations, and this medicine never ceases to leave me in awe. Every woman’s story is unique, and it is a privilege to support women through such an important and often emotional chapter of life.
Fertility is not only about creating new life; it is also about nurturing health, restoring balance, and supporting the body’s natural ability to thrive.
I feel truly grateful for the trust that so many women have placed in me over the past 16 years. Thank you for allowing me to be part of your journey. 🌸🙏✨

04/08/2026

A truly inspiring weekend in Brisbane teaching the Art of Moxibustion alongside the Queen of Moxa, Catherine Kato from House of Moxa, Kaz and Efrat.
It fills my heart with hope to see so many dedicated acupuncturists and students with such a genuine passion for learning. Moxibustion is a profound therapeutic art with centuries of tradition, and it is wonderful to witness its knowledge being shared with the next generation of practitioners.
I feel deeply grateful to be part of such a supportive and passionate community. Thank you to everyone who attended, asked thoughtful questions, and contributed to a weekend of learning, connection, and inspiration.
Together, we continue to honour this beautiful medicine while striving to provide the very best care for our patients. ✨🫶💙🙏

28/07/2026

Hip Pain? Moxibustion May Help. 🔥
Hip pain can make everyday activities like walking, climbing stairs, or even sleeping uncomfortable. Moxibustion, a traditional Japanese therapy that uses the gentle warmth of burning mugwort (moxa) over specific acupuncture points, may help reduce pain and improve mobility.
The warmth from moxibustion can: Relieve muscle tension and stiffness. Improve local blood circulation. Support the body's natural healing response. Reduce chronic pain and discomfort. Promote relaxation and overall wellbeing.
From a Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective, hip pain is often associated with stagnation of Qi and Blood or the invasion of Cold and Damp. Moxibustion helps warm the channels, improve circulation, and restore the smooth flow of Qi, helping to ease pain and stiffness.
Whether your hip pain is due to arthritis, overuse, muscle strain, or chronic tightness, a personalised acupuncture and moxibustion treatment may help you move more comfortably.



Moxibustion isn't appropriate for every type of hip pain, so it's important to have the underlying cause assessed, especially if the pain is severe, follows an injury, or is accompanied by fever, numbness, or inability to bear weight.

21/07/2026

Chinetsukyū (知熱灸) is a traditional Japanese moxibustion technique in which very small cones of moxa are burned until the patient feels warmth, then removed before causing a burn. It provides gentle but effective stimulation.
It is commonly used for:
Chronic pain (neck, shoulder, back, knees)
Cold conditions and poor circulation
Fatigue and low energy
Digestive disorders (bloating, diarrhea, weak digestion)
Women's health, including menstrual pain and fertility support
Immune support and general wellness
Stress and tension
Supporting recovery from muscle and tendon injuries
In Japanese Meridian Therapy, Chinetsukyū is especially valued for warming deficiency patterns, moving Qi and Blood, and tonifying the body's vital energy without being overly stimulating.
As with any moxibustion technique, it should be performed by someone properly trained, particularly in people with reduced sensation, certain skin conditions, or other medical concerns.
Given your acupuncture and moxibustion practice, Chinetsukyū can be a wonderful technique for patients who need gentle warming and tonification while minimizing the risk of blistering or discomfort.

In traditional Japanese moxibustion, Chinetsukyū can be very helpful for sinus congestion, especially when symptoms are chronic or associated with a "cold" pattern (clear mucus, congestion, facial pressure, sensitivity to cold).

Gentle Chinetsukyū warming at appropriate points may:
Improve local blood circulation.
Reduce nasal congestion and facial pressure.
Support the immune response.
Help drain the sinuses.
Warm the channels and reduce chronic inflammation associated with cold patterns.
For acute bacterial sinusitis (high fever, severe pain, thick green discharge lasting many days), moxibustion should be used with caution, and medical assessment may be appropriate. Chinetsukyū is generally better suited for chronic, recurrent, or cold-type sinus issues rather than hot, inflamed conditions.
Many practitioners combine Chinetsukyū with acupuncture to enhance the treatment effect for chronic sinus problems.

Acupuncture for pregnancy adults and children

14/07/2026

The last month of winter is the perfect time to prepare your body for the changing season. ❄️➡️🌿
During winter, shorter days, colder temperatures, and seasonal viruses can place extra stress on the immune system and leave many people feeling tired, stiff, or run down.
Acupuncture and Moxibustion are traditional therapies that have been studied for their potential to: Support healthy immune function, Improve blood circulation , Reduce muscle and joint pain , Help regulate the nervous system and reduce stress , Promote better sleep and overall wellbeing
Moxibustion provides gentle therapeutic heat to specific acupuncture points, helping to warm the body and support circulation—particularly beneficial during the colder months.
Finish winter feeling stronger, healthier, and ready for spring.
Book your appointment today and give your body the support it deserves. 🌿

Acupuncture for pregnancy adults and children

13/07/2026

Only one spot left!

You know how to use the needles, but what about the other half of the word "Acupuncture" in Chinese/Japanese - Moxibustion?!

A spot has opened up for my upcoming Brisbane Moxa Workshop on 1-2 August.

Come and join me in a small intimate setting where you will learn how to use different techniques and when to use them. There will be plenty of time for practicing and refining your techniques, no matter where you are on your moxa journey.

All the details are here: https://houseofmoxa.com.au/introductory-moxa-skills-workshop/

26/06/2026

❄️ Winter School Holiday Closure ❄️
The clinic will be closed for the winter school family holidays for 2 weeks.
We will be back in the clinic on Tuesday, 14th July.
To book a future appointment, please visit: www.gentleacupuncture.com.au⁠
Thank you for your understanding. Wishing you and your family a wonderful, restful winter break. Stay warm, and I look forward to seeing you soon! 💛🪷

Welcome to Gentle Acupuncture We provide a range of treatment options to keep the whole family healthy and balanced. At Gentle Acupuncture, a combination of classical acupuncture and moxibustion techniques are utilised to address women's health, pregnancy, paediatrics, men's health, mental/ emotiona...