In the late 1990’s, when I had almost finished my acupuncture studies, one of my teachers needled a point on my hand in a forceful way which caused me to feel fear and pain. My teacher said that this was the correct way to needle a point. I remember thinking “If this is the correct way, I have just studied the wrong course”.
Shortly thereafter my brother introduced me to his acupuncturist who practiced in the Japanese style. This opened the door to another world for me where acupuncture could be collaborative, effective and painless!
As soon as I graduated I started to pursue further studies in the Japanese style. I have since completed courses in a number of Japanese Acupuncture styles and took a study trip to Japan in 2002.
Most recently I have completed advanced training in Kiiko Matsumoto Style Acupuncture. Kiiko Matsumoto is, in my opinion, the greatest acupuncturist in the world today. She has studied the ancient classical texts of acupuncture and presented them within a modern biomedical framework. Her genius lies in identifying reflexes all over the body and teaching students how to release them to obtain compelling clinical results.
I am qualified in the use of herbal medicine and I love to integrate this into treatments. Herbs can be incredibly effective when they are of high quality and are used correctly.
In 2025 I worked as a Lecturer and Student Clinic Supervisor at the Australian College of Natural Medicine. I am grateful to all my students who were also my teachers!
Acupuncture has been an incredible gift for me by giving me a pathway to follow. I hope to share this gift with you.
More details here:
Post-Graduate Studies
Certificate in Advanced Japanese Acupuncture and Moxibustion Techniques in the Tradition of Kiiko Matsumoto and Master Nagano (150 hours – 2025). Member of Directory of Practitioners: turningpointseminars.com/directory-of-kiiko-style-practitioners
Certificate in Master Nagano’s Diagnostic and Treatment Methods with Tsuyoshi Shimamura (3 day course – 2018)
Certificate of Proficiency in Practical Herbal Therapy – Australian College of Phytotherapy (12 month course – 2008)
Post-Graduate Certificate in Japanese Acupuncture and Manaka Protocols (12 month course – 2004)
Certificate in Toyohari East Asian Needle Therapy (6 month course – 2002)
From 2010 – 2016 I practiced at Fertile Ground Health Group, a multi-disciplinary clinic in East Melbourne, which focuses specifically on fertility and pregnancy (fertileground.com.au) and:
- participated in a research study run by the University of Western Sydney and involving Melbourne IVF – Acupuncture to Improve Live Birth Rates for Women undergoing IVF: a randomised controlled trial;
- presented, with colleagues to Graduate Midwives about acupuncture and acupressure and to medical staff at Melbourne IVF about acupuncture to support Assisted Reproductive Technology; and
- contributed to the book Create a Fertile Life: Everything you need to know to get pregnant naturally, boost your fertility, prevent miscarriage and improve your success with IVF.