Digestive issues: calming the gut, naturally.
Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture for bloating, IBS, reflux and gut imbalance, at our Highgate Hill clinic.
Bloating, reflux and an unpredictable gut affect far more than mealtimes: they drain your energy and your patience. We look for the root cause of digestive imbalance, not just the flare-up in front of you.
What we commonly support
- Bloating and irritable bowel symptoms
- Reflux and indigestion
- Constipation and irregular bowel habits
- Gut imbalance linked to stress
Why the gut and nervous system are linked
Your gut and your nervous system are in constant conversation, which is why "butterflies" and a stress-related stomach ache are real, physical things, not just a figure of speech. When you're stressed, your body slows digestion down to focus on the perceived threat, which is exactly why stress and poor sleep so often show up first as bloating, cramping or an unsettled gut.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, this connection has been recognised for centuries. Digestive complaints are matched to your specific pattern, whether that presents as heat, cold, sluggish flow or general weakness, rather than treated as one generic problem. Acupuncture uses points that help settle the muscles moving food through your gut and calm your nervous system at the same time, while herbal formulas work on the underlying pattern directly.
- Chinese herbal medicine
Formulas tailored to your pattern, whether that's heat, cold, stagnation or deficiency.
- Acupuncture
Settles your gut's natural rhythm and calms the nervous system.
- Lifestyle guidance
Practical adjustments to diet, stress and daily rhythm.
Conditions we commonly help with
Every gut is different, so every formula and treatment plan is personalised to your presentation, not a generic protocol.
Book now- Bloating and IBSDoctors call ongoing gut sensitivity Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). We calm an overactive, easily upset gut.
- RefluxSettling the stomach and reducing irritation.
- ConstipationRestoring regular, comfortable digestion.
- Stress-related gut symptomsTreating the nervous system alongside the gut.
- Low appetite or energyStrengthening digestion to support overall vitality.
- Whole-body approachDigestion assessed alongside sleep, stress and hormones.
What to expect in your consultation
- We listen first
A full picture of your symptoms, diet, sleep and stress levels.
- Tongue and pulse diagnosis
Traditional diagnostic tools that reveal internal imbalance.
- A personalised plan
Herbal medicine, acupuncture and lifestyle advice, tailored to you.
Gut symptoms rarely have one cause. We look at digestion as part of the whole picture, not an isolated complaint.
- Individually prescribed herbal formulas
- Acupuncture to calm the gut-nervous system link
- 20+ years combining Western and Chinese medicine
- A private, unhurried consultation
Our belief
You play a vital role in your own healthcare. The earlier you seek treatment, the quicker you get better.
Good questions
Digestive symptoms can feel awkward to talk about. Here's what helps most people relax into it.
Is it embarrassing to discuss digestive symptoms?
Not at all, we hear about bloating, IBS and gut issues every week. It's treated as the medical concern it is, without any awkwardness.
Will I need to overhaul my whole diet?
No. Any dietary suggestions are practical and gradual, built around what already works in your life, not a complete overhaul.
How long before symptoms settle?
Many people notice initial improvement within a few weeks, though gut healing is often gradual and builds over a couple of months.
Do I need a doctor's referral?
No, you can book directly. A referral is only required for WorkCover, Veterans' Affairs, CTP or a Medicare chronic condition management plan.
Can I claim on my private health fund?
In most cases, yes. The clinic is registered with all major health funds for physiotherapy, acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine, so most policies allow you to claim on the spot through HICAPS and just pay the gap. Check with your fund to confirm your level of cover.
Which digestive symptoms need a doctor first?
Blood in your stool, unexplained weight loss, difficulty swallowing, or severe abdominal pain need medical assessment first, not acupuncture or herbal medicine. For the more common bloating, reflux, constipation and stress-related gut symptoms, our approach works well as ongoing care.
Settle your gut, naturally.
If digestive issues are wearing you down, we welcome you to Holistic Physio in Highgate Hill.
Tue 1:30–5:30pm
Thu 10am–6:30pm
Closed Wed, Fri, Sat & Sun
- Visit
- 26 Gladstone Rd (Cnr Brook St)
Highgate Hill Qld 4101On-site parking via Brook St - Call
- 07 3844 8202