Lane Cove · North Shore
Chinese medicine's strength is in treating the person, not the diagnosis. Regardless of what has been named on a blood test or scan, Dr Shen's approach is to identify the underlying pattern of imbalance and address it at its root.
Category 01
Acupuncture is among the best-studied complementary therapies for pain. It modulates pain pathways at the spinal cord and brainstem level, promotes local circulation, reduces inflammation and stimulates endogenous opioid release — with an excellent safety record and no side effects compared to long-term NSAID use.
Acute and chronic lower back pain, disc bulge, lumbar stiffness and muscle spasm. One of acupuncture's most clinically robust applications, with multiple systematic reviews supporting its effectiveness.
Cervical spondylosis, office-related neck tension, whiplash and referred arm pain. Acupuncture reduces muscle guarding, promotes cervical circulation and addresses the underlying Qi and Blood stagnation pattern.
Tension headache, migraine with or without aura, cluster headache and chronic daily headache. Regular acupuncture can reduce frequency, severity and duration of migraine episodes comparably to preventive medication in some patients.
Radiating pain from the lumbar spine down the leg — whether from disc compression, piriformis syndrome or sacroiliac joint dysfunction. Acupuncture addresses Qi stagnation and Blood stasis in the Bladder and Gallbladder meridians.
Osteoarthritis, runner's knee, meniscal irritation, IT band syndrome and hip flexor tightness. Local acupuncture combined with distal point selection addresses both structural and energetic aspects of joint pain.
Muscle strains, tendon injuries, shoulder impingement, plantar fasciitis and post-competition recovery. We work alongside physiotherapy and sports medicine for integrative injury management.
Category 02
Chinese medicine has one of the world's most sophisticated traditions in gynaecology, documented in classical texts including the Fu Ren Liang Fang (Good Prescriptions for Women) and Jin Gui Yao Lue. Dr Shen's specialisation in women's health draws on this classical tradition alongside contemporary reproductive medicine.
Hormonal dysregulation, insulin resistance, irregular or absent periods, androgen excess and weight challenges. We address the underlying TCM patterns driving each patient's unique PCOS presentation.
Debilitating menstrual pain, pelvic adhesion pain and endometriosis-related infertility. Acupuncture and herbal medicine target Blood Stasis — the TCM correlate of endometriotic tissue growth.
Primary and secondary dysmenorrhoea. Pain signals stagnation in Chinese medicine — targeted treatment can substantially reduce cramping within 2–3 cycles.
Cycles that are too long, too short, absent or unpredictable. We regulate menstrual rhythm by treating the root hormonal pattern: Kidney deficiency, Liver Qi stagnation or Blood deficiency.
Hot flushes, night sweats, sleep disruption, mood instability, vaginal dryness and cognitive changes. Chinese medicine manages the menopausal transition exceptionally well without hormonal side effects.
Premenstrual breast tenderness, irritability, emotional lability, bloating and fatigue. The Liver Qi stagnation and Blood deficiency patterns underlying PMS are highly responsive to treatment.
Category 03
Dr Shen has specialised in fertility support, working with couples navigating natural conception, IVF, ICSI, frozen embryo transfers and donor cycles. We treat both female and male factor fertility, coordinate with your IVF clinic, and provide compassionate support throughout the entire journey.
When investigations are "normal" but conception isn't happening. Chinese medicine's functional diagnostic framework often identifies imbalances that conventional testing doesn't capture.
Timed acupuncture during stimulation, before and after embryo transfer. Growing evidence base supports improved clinical pregnancy rates and reduced anxiety during IVF cycles.
Low antral follicle count, poor stimulation response or premature ovarian insufficiency. Kidney-Yin tonic formulas and acupuncture work on follicular development in the 90-day pre-stimulation window.
Multiple pregnancy losses require careful TCM assessment of Kidney Jing, Blood Heat, Qi deficiency and immune dysregulation patterns. We support uterine receptivity and early pregnancy through careful treatment.
Low sperm count, poor motility, abnormal morphology and high DNA fragmentation. The 90-day sperm maturation window is the ideal intervention opportunity for Chinese medicine.
3-month pre-conception programmes for couples wanting to optimise their natural fertility before trying or before commencing an IVF cycle.
Category 04
Chinese medicine approaches mental health through the lens of organ systems and Shen (spirit) — understanding anxiety, depression and stress as expressions of physiological imbalance that can be addressed at their root. Acupuncture's regulatory effect on the autonomic nervous system is among its best-researched mechanisms.
Generalised anxiety, panic, social anxiety and excessive overthinking. Heart-Shen disturbance, Liver Qi stagnation and Kidney deficiency are the most common underlying TCM patterns.
Persistent low mood, emotional flatness and loss of motivation. Chinese medicine identifies specific patterns — whether due to Liver Qi stagnation, Yang deficiency, Heart Blood deficiency or other imbalances — each requiring a different treatment approach.
Difficulty falling asleep, frequent waking (particularly 1–3am), vivid dreams and unrefreshing sleep. Distinct TCM patterns guide different point and herb selections for reliable, dependency-free sleep support.
Exhaustion that rest doesn't fix, emotional depletion and cognitive fog following chronic overwork or stress. Kidney and Spleen Qi deficiency are the classic underlying patterns.
Chinese medicine addresses the physical manifestation of psychological trauma — the ways trauma is held in the body's tissue and organ systems. Integrates with conventional PTSD treatment approaches.
In Chinese medicine, unresolved grief affects the Lungs and Large Intestine. Acupuncture and holistic psychotherapy support the natural process of grieving without suppression or numbing.
Category 05
Chinese medicine's applications extend far beyond pain and women's health. The Spleen-Stomach system governs digestion and energy production; the Wei Qi (defensive Qi) governs immune function; and the holistic TCM framework addresses the full range of functional health concerns.
Irritable bowel syndrome, bloating, reflux, constipation, diarrhoea and food sensitivities. Spleen-Qi deficiency and Liver overacting on Spleen are the most common TCM patterns driving functional digestive complaints.
Persistent fatigue and post-viral syndrome — including post-COVID conditions. Chinese medicine addresses the underlying Qi and Yang deficiency patterns that drive fatigue unresponsive to rest.
Recurrent colds, slow recovery and immune dysregulation. Wei Qi tonification through herbal medicine and acupuncture is a cornerstone of classical TCM preventive care.
Eczema, psoriasis, acne and chronic hives. Chinese herbal medicine has a rich classical tradition for dermatological conditions, addressing internal Heat, Damp-Heat and Blood-Wind patterns driving skin inflammation.
Hypothyroidism, Hashimoto's thyroiditis and subclinical thyroid dysfunction. Chinese medicine supports thyroid function through Kidney-Yang tonification and Phlegm resolution protocols.
Morning sickness, pregnancy fatigue, back pain in pregnancy, breech presentation and pre-birth preparation. Carefully selected, pregnancy-safe acupuncture and herbal protocols throughout each trimester.
Book a free 15-minute phone consultation with Dr Shen to discuss your specific condition.
