Migraines & Acupuncture

One of the wonderful things about acupuncture is how it helps us find the root cause of what’s really going on. When it comes to migraines, that means not just easing the pain, but understanding why they happen in the first place. Every little detail gives us a clue — where the pain sits in your head, whether it feels better when you lie down or stay upright, if it comes with nausea or tension, or shows up around your menstrual cycle. By looking at the full picture — your symptoms, lifestyle, and emotional wellbeing — we can start to see what your body’s trying to tell us.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), migraines can stem from a few different patterns. For many people, they’re linked to the Liver system, which is all about keeping energy and emotions flowing smoothly. When that flow gets stuck — often from stress, frustration, or hormonal changes — it can cause pressure to build and rise to the head. But migraines can also come from too much heat in the body (think throbbing, intense pain) or blood deficiency, where there’s not enough nourishment reaching the head, leading to a dull, lingering ache. Each pattern needs a slightly different approach — and that’s where acupuncture shines.

By gently guiding your body’s energy (Qi) back into balance, acupuncture helps ease tension, calm the nervous system, regulate hormones, and improve blood flow to the head. Over time, this can reduce both the frequency and intensity of migraines — and often, clients notice better sleep, steadier moods, and more overall energy, too.

A few ways to support yourself between treatments:

• Keep moving: Gentle movement like yoga, walking, or stretching helps your Qi stay free-flowing.

• Eat regularly: Skipping meals can deplete your energy and trigger headaches.

• Stay cool and calm: Stress and overheating both make things worse — cooling foods and moments of stillness help.

• Hydrate and rest: Simple, but essential for keeping your system balanced.

• Track your patterns: Noting when migraines appear can reveal what your body’s responding to.

Acupuncture helps bring your body — and your head — back into flow. Because true balance isn’t just about being pain-free; it’s about feeling clear, calm, and fully yourself again.

Tongue & Pulse Diagnosis

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, your tongue and pulse are like little maps of what’s happening inside your body. Before each treatment, I’ll take a good look at your tongue and feel your pulses — not to be nosy, but because they tell me so much about your internal landscape.

Your tongue can reveal how well your organs are working, how your digestion’s doing, whether there’s heat, cold, or stagnation in the body — even how your energy is moving. Its colour, shape, and coating all give clues. Likewise, the pulse isn’t just about speed; it has depth, strength, rhythm, and quality that tell me what’s happening on a deeper level.

This is what makes acupuncture so wonderfully personal. You might have five women coming in for fertility support, but each of their tongues and pulses will tell a slightly different story. That means no two treatments are ever the same — every session is tailored to what your body needs on that day.

Over time, as your energy balances and your body finds its rhythm again, those tongue and pulse changes become a beautiful way to see and feel your progress.

The Heart–Kidney Connection in Fertility

Over the years of working closely with couples on their fertility journeys, I’ve noticed something that goes far beyond the physical. So often, there’s a lack of joy — a sense that everything becomes about what not to do, rather than what to embrace. Couples can get caught up in the rules, the restrictions, and the pressure, and somewhere along the way, the joy of connection and hope gets lost.

That’s one of the main reasons I created this new space. I wanted Root & Balance to be about more than just treatment — it’s about helping bring back the joy, nourishing the Heart energy, and reminding people that fertility isn’t just about science or structure. It’s also about love, laughter, warmth, and the deep emotional connection that makes life feel full.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the Heart and Kidney meridians are deeply connected — a beautiful balance of Fire and Water. The Heart represents warmth, passion, and emotion; the Kidneys hold our deepest reserves of energy and essence, our ability to grow, reproduce, and create life.

When these two are in harmony, communication between them flows smoothly — the Heart’s warmth supports the Kidneys, and the Kidneys’ calm anchors the Heart. But when this connection becomes disrupted (often by stress, exhaustion, or emotional strain), it can impact both our emotional wellbeing and our fertility.

Through acupuncture, lifestyle support, and a good dose of compassion, I work to help the body (and mind) find that natural rhythm again. My ongoing CPD training and work with the Acupuncture Fertility Network keep me up to date with the latest developments in fertility and IVF, allowing me to blend the ancient wisdom of TCM with the evolving science of reproductive health.

Acupuncture supports the Heart–Kidney relationship by regulating hormones, calming the nervous system, and encouraging better blood flow to the reproductive organs — all while creating a deep sense of relaxation and safety in the body.

🌸 Root & Balance Tip: Nurturing Your Heart–Kidney Connection

When it comes to fertility, small daily rituals can make a big difference. The Heart and Kidneys thrive when we feel grounded, rested, and emotionally nourished — so here are a few gentle ways to keep that Fire–Water balance flowing beautifully:

💧 Stay warm and grounded. Avoid too many cold foods (like smoothies and salads) and instead opt for warm, cooked meals that support digestion and nourish your Kidney energy. Think soups, stews, and gentle spices.

🫖 Make rest non-negotiable. The Kidneys are your body’s energy bank — they love early nights, quiet evenings, and time to recharge.

💞 Calm and nourish the Heart. Create moments of stillness each day — whether through journaling, gentle breathing, or a few minutes of mindful silence. Emotional rest is just as important as physical rest.

🌿 Work with your cycle. Notice the natural rhythms of your menstrual cycle and honour what your body needs in each phase — acupuncture can help support and balance these transitions.

🎶 Bring back the joy. The Heart flourishes with warmth and connection, so spend time with people who lift you up, do things that make you smile, and allow yourself to feel good along the way.