Family Wellness Centre

01/11/2025

The state of your nervous system connects all of these signs back to STRESS.

Headaches
Neck + Shoulder tension
Back Pain
Burnout + Fatigue
Feeling depressed or low
Anxious feelings
Poor sleep
IBS + bloating
Recurrent colds
Skin breakouts

Acupuncture may be the strategy you've been looking for to start making real changes. It regulates and calms the brain and nervous system to reduce symptoms associated with stress.
Book in today to start managing your stress better.

30/10/2025

LATEST UPDATE: Changes to Katika's Acupuncture clinic days, how to manage and support HSC stress and Goji Berry bliss balls recipe inside! - https://mailchi.mp/3df33561836f/what-are-your-health-goals-for-9315668
To get the latest updates in the clinic join the mailing list here:

The season of Spring in Traditional Chinese Medicine means renewal — and it’s ruled by the Wood Element. This relates to your Liver and Gallbladder, the organs responsible for detoxification and resilience to stress.

30/10/2025

What’s your pick? Express Cupping on its own? or combo appointments of Acupuncture and Chinese cupping?

Release tense muscles, ease pain and improve circulation.

28/10/2025

GOJI LOVE❤️Made these for the Yoga + Acupuncture Mini retreat we did a little while ago.There were a few bliss ball recipes that day and all were delicious! Thanks Studio 5 Mona Vale - Massage and Yoga!

GOJI BERRY BLISS BALLS
These were the bliss balls I made for the Yoga + Acupuncture Mini retreat 4 mths ago. Moist and not too sweet, this recipe really lets the goji berries soak up the goodness of the coconut oil when stored.

Ingredients:
110g Almond Meal
30g Sunflower seeds
50g Goji Berries
20g Chia seeds
1tsp cinnamon
2 tsp raw cacao
20ml Maple syrup
1 tbsp coconut oil
150g medjool dates
pinch of sea salt

Put all ingredients in a food processor and blend until well mixed, or until the seeds and goji are ground into a smoother mix. Use your hands to shape the bliss balls. Store in the fridge to firm up, especially in the warmer months.

28/10/2025

Latest on the blog: JAW CLENCHING + ACUPUNCTURE - DOES IT HELP?
➡ TMJ pain
➡ Sore jaw muscles on waking
➡ Trigeminal Neuralgia
➡ Bell's palsy
➡ Grinding, chomping and clenching in your sleep

Read more below or make an appointment online: https://familywellnesscentre.com.au

Clinics in Brookvale and Warriewood.

If you're experiencing jaw clenching or symptoms related to TMJ, a degree-qualified acupuncturist can provide some pain relief.

22/10/2025

⚡️Nervousness or Anxious feelings
⚡️Can't sleep
⚡️Frustration, agitation
⚡️Loss of appetite or Constant grazing
⚡️Nail biting
⚡️Exhaustion

These are signs of a 'WIRED and TIRED' nervous system.
I can help support your teen with acupuncture and cupping to regulate and calm it down to give them their best opportunity to perform in the coming weeks.

Good luck to students!

Appointments online: https://familywellnesscentre.com.au
Health fund rebates available.
Clinics in Brookvale or Warriewood.

Teen Anxiety is common during exam periods, but there are gentle, practical ways you can support your teen right now.

21/10/2025

Latest on the Blog: Help your teen manage their stress, tension and anxious feelings before the exams finish. Read more on the link below.

Acupuncture can help with:
✅ Muscle relaxation in the neck and shoulders
✅ Headache and migraine relief
✅ Stress and anxiety
✅ Burning the candle at both ends with late night study and exhaustion.

You can make an appointment online here: https://familywellnesscentre.com.au

HSC stress: Exams bring pressure, affecting a teenager's mood and confidence. Complementary Medicine like TCM offers gentle support to assist

16/10/2025

My go-to herb to move stuck Liver Qi in the case of stress, headaches, PMS, irritability + bloating? CHAI HU or Bupleurum.

From a modern scientific perspective, Chai Hu contains powerful natural compounds called saikosaponins, along with flavonoids like rutin and quercetin. These components work together to:
✅ Protect liver cells
✅ Reduce inflammation
✅ Support the body’s stress response
✅ Regulate liver enzymes
✅ Improve circulation

Chinese herbs like Chai Hu can be prescribed to complement your acupuncture treatments or as a standalone herbal plan to promote recovery. We can prescribe pills, capsules or powdered herbs to stir into hot water as a drink. You would take the herbs once or twice per day and expect to see changes in symptoms within the first week.

Book a consultation at our Northern Beaches clinic to see how Chinese Herbal Medicine can support your stress management, mood, and digestion. I've been practicing Chinese Herbal Medicine for over 20 years and am degree-qualified.

14/10/2025

When they tell you headaches are ‘just stress,’ here’s what they’re missing.

Are you tired? Do you feel energetic?
Do you feel nourished, like REALLY?
Are you getting good quality sleep — the kind that allows your body to repair overnight?
What’s your digestion like? Your hormone cycles?

Why are these questions important? These questions matter because your headaches aren’t random — they’re signals.
My best tip for recurring headaches is to treat the cause, not just the pain. And digging deeper gets you the answers.

If you’re ready to stop guessing and start recovering, book your appointment today.
I'm a degree-qualified acupuncturist and TCM Practitioner that can advise you on whether Acupuncture or Chinese Herbs will be part of your game plan for pain relief. I'm based on the Northern Beaches of Sydney in Brookvale and Warriewood.

09/10/2025

Now is Wood element's moment to FLEX - are you solid, dry Oak? Or bendy Bamboo?

Working on the Liver and Gall Bladder (Wood element) with TCM can help you feel all the benefits of moving stuck Qi and maximising your energy levels in Spring.

The liver is one of the body’s most work-horse organs. Scientifically, it performs hundreds of distinct roles; many sources say “more than 500 functions.” It's easy to appreciate, then, why the Chinese in TCM classics said “The liver is the general of an army.”

The Liver (Gan) oversees planning, and the Gallbladder (Dan) is responsible for decision-making, which are core aspects of the Wood element's association with going for what you really want in life and setting boundaries.

A Congested Liver
“The liver is responsible for the smooth flow of Qi and Blood, ensuring the free movement of energy throughout the body.” Consider using acupuncture to alleviate symptoms associated with this stuck feeling or sluggishness, including PMS, fatty liver, bloating and constipation.

The Gall Bladder meridian covers many large muscles that often get tight or injured; the neck, shoulders, hips and legs. It may also produce digestive related symptoms such as burping, reflux and bitter taste.

Using this TCM framework, Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs prescribed by an experienced and fully qualified practitioner, can help you feel better.
I’m a degree qualified Acupuncturist based on Sydney’s Northern Beaches with over 20 years experience.

Ref: Huang Di Nei Jing (Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon)

08/10/2025

Feeling stuck, sluggish or flat? Spring is the season of renewal and in TCM, it’s ruled by the Wood Element. This is your Liver and Gallbladder, the organs responsible for detoxification, smooth energy flow, and emotional balance. So now is the season of growth for you; physically, mentally and emotionally.

When your Wood energy is strong — you feel energised, clear, and motivated.
When it’s blocked — you may feel fatigued, irritable, sluggish, or stuck.

Signs your Wood Element needs support with the help of Acupuncture and TCM:
Stiff neck or tight muscles
PMS or mood swings
Bloating + Constipation
Feeling frustrated or easily angered

Make an appointment today with a degree-qualified acupuncturist to seek professional advice on your symptoms.

06/10/2025

Your tight jaw? It’s your body’s way of saying you’re stressed. Clues your jaw might need release include:
• Headaches or migraines
• Nerve pain on the face
• Insomnia or restless sleep
• Muscle tension showing in the face
• Clenching or teeth grinding day or night
• Neck and shoulder pain

🔵Chronic jaw tension often links to stress and muscle overuse, which can disrupt sleep and increase pain.

🔵Acupuncture and acupressure offers direct pain relief and manages your stress by relaxing tight muscles, improving circulation, calming the nervous system.

If you’re struggling with jaw pain or tension, it starts with seeking professional help from a degree-qualified acupuncturist experienced in pain and stress management.

Don’t let jaw pain hold you back—relief is possible with the right support.