Siegrid Delaney Acupuncture

Siegrid Delaney Acupuncture Acupuncturist, Chinese medicine practitioner, clinic owner, mum, and lifelong student of health.

Sharing insights from over 20 years in practice, along with clinic news, stories and observations from thousands of conversations in the treatment room.

"Your body keeps the score."It's the title of a bestselling book. It's also become a popular phrase. But what does it ac...
29/06/2026

"Your body keeps the score."

It's the title of a bestselling book. It's also become a popular phrase. But what does it actually mean?

The idea is that our bodies are influenced not only by what happens around us, but also by what happens within us. Our thoughts, emotions, stress and life experiences can all shape how we feel physically. It's a perspective shared, in different ways, by psychology, Chinese medicine and many mind-body approaches to health.

Take the throat, for example. Physically it's how we communicate. Energetically it's associated with the 5th (throat) chakra. If someone experiences recurring throat problems that don't improve as expected, there could also be an emotional component worth exploring - perhaps difficulty expressing themselves (even temporarily), or something left unsaid.

Does that mean every sore throat is caused by bottled-up emotions? I certainly don't think so. If you fall skiing and land on your shoulder (been there... ouch!), that's simply trauma. But if that shoulder never quite recovers despite appropriate treatment, it may be worth shifting perspective and asking whether there could be something more influencing healing - physical, emotional, or both.

For me, this perspective is absolutely not about blame; it's about curiosity. Could our emotional lives influence our physical health? Could understanding ourselves a better support healing alongside appropriate medical care?

Iconic author Louise Hay explored these ideas in You Can Heal Your Life, suggesting symbolic associations between different body areas and emotional themes. Whether they resonate with you or not, they can be an interesting invitation to reflect.

A few examples:

• Headaches – self-criticism, pressure, perfectionism
• Neck – flexibility, seeing another point of view
• Shoulders – carrying burdens and responsibility
• Stomach – digesting life experiences
• Liver – anger and resentment
• Lungs – grief and embracing life
• Kidneys – fear and disappointment
• Lower back – support and financial worries

I can definitely relate to shades of these.

What about you?

While these specific body–emotion connections haven't been scientifically proven, research continues to reveal just how closely the brain and body communicate. Neuroplasticity, psychoneuroimmunology and even the placebo effect all demonstrate that our thoughts, emotions and expectations can influence our physiology and our capacity to heal.

These days, everyone knows someone affected by breast cancer.My inner circle, and many of my patients, know that I had b...
22/06/2026

These days, everyone knows someone affected by breast cancer.

My inner circle, and many of my patients, know that I had breast cancer seven years ago. It started with finding a lump, getting it checked and taking a massive breath.

Let's be honest - it's never easy putting yourself into a situation where you're testing for a potentially life-threatening nasty embedded in your chest. But what's the alternative?

This week I had my seven-year scans. The women doing my mammogram and ultrasound were so kind, gentle and supportive and right there with me, giving me high fives when everything came back clear.

I know I'm one of the lucky ones, and I'm grateful for it every day.

If you've lost someone to breast cancer, or you're going through it right now, I'm sending you a massive virtual hug.

And for everyone else...

Go get your b***s checked.

It doesn't take long. It's a bit squishy. But you're a woman - you can handle it. 💕

⚡ Electro-acupuncture sounds far more dramatic than it actually is.Carpal tunnel syndrome is one of the cases where I lo...
22/06/2026

⚡ Electro-acupuncture sounds far more dramatic than it actually is.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is one of the cases where I love using e-stim acupuncture because the results are so good. Carpel tunnel occurs when the median nerve becomes compressed as it travels through the wrist.

Symptoms can include:
• Numbness or tingling in the thumb, index and middle fingers
• Pain in the hand or wrist
• Weakness when gripping objects
• Symptoms that are often worse at night

To do the e-stim treatment, a very gentle electrical current is applied between acupuncture needles, creating a mild stimulation that many people barely feel at all and is adjustable each direction to get it feeling good.

The goal is simple: reduce irritation, encourage healthy nerve function and create the conditions for healing.

Different tools. Same goal.

A little zappy encouragement goes a long way.

Despite the name, PCOS isn't simply a condition of the ovaries.In fact, many researchers now view PCOS as both a hormona...
22/06/2026

Despite the name, PCOS isn't simply a condition of the ovaries.

In fact, many researchers now view PCOS as both a hormonal and metabolic condition. Insulin resistance is thought to play a central role in many women, influencing everything from ovulation and hormone production to weight regulation and fertility.

This helps explain why PCOS can show up as:
• Irregular periods
• Difficulty conceiving
• Acne
• Excess hair growth
• Weight gain
• Fatigue
• Cravings

From a Chinese medicine perspective, we often see a combination of Dampness, Phlegm and hormonal dysregulation disrupting the normal rhythm of the menstrual cycle and ovulation.

Different frameworks. Similar observations.

Meaningful change becomes possible when we stop asking, "What's happening in the ovaries?" and start asking, "What is driving the ovaries to behave this way?" Because what can be influenced can often be improved.

(The image below by Anatolii Savitskii was made for PCOS Awareness. It uses a weather metaphor depicting a storm clearing to sunshine symbolizing PCOS awareness, management and hope).

Ever wake up with puffy eyes and feel sluggish, even after a good night's sleep?One of the jobs of the lymphatic system ...
22/06/2026

Ever wake up with puffy eyes and feel sluggish, even after a good night's sleep?

One of the jobs of the lymphatic system is to help move excess fluid, proteins, cellular waste and immune cells around the body.

Unlike the circulatory system, the lymphatic system doesn't have a heart to pump fluid around. Instead, it relies on movement, breathing, muscle contractions and healthy connective tissue to keep things flowing.

It's one of the reasons a walk, a stretch, a deep breath or a lymphatic drainage treatment can sometimes leave people feeling unexpectedly lighter.

Not every case of fatigue or puffiness is a lymphatic issue, but sometimes supporting lymphatic flow can make a surprising difference to how people feel.

Different systems. Same principle.

Flow matters.

The question I'm asked most often when people discover I'm an acupuncturist?"Doesn't it hurt?"The short answer is: usual...
22/06/2026

The question I'm asked most often when people discover I'm an acupuncturist?

"Doesn't it hurt?"

The short answer is: usually much less than people expect.

Most people are comparing acupuncture needles to injections, blood tests or vaccinations. Acupuncture needles are much finer and are designed very differently.

In fact, one of the most common things I hear after i do the first point is:

"Was that it?"

Or sometimes:

"Have you already done it?"

Of course, everyone's experience is different. Some points are more noticeable than others, and occasionally a point might produce a brief sensation of warmth, heaviness, tingling or an ache.

But pain isn't the goal.

In Japanese acupuncture, which has strongly influenced my approach, the aim is often to use the gentlest treatment necessary to create a response.

So no, acupuncture isn't usually what people imagine.

The bigger challenge is often convincing people to try it in the first place.

One of the most common things I hear after a first appointment is:"I didn't realise acupuncture would be so relaxing."Mo...
22/06/2026

One of the most common things I hear after a first appointment is:

"I didn't realise acupuncture would be so relaxing."

Most people arrive expecting to talk about symptoms.

What they don't expect is to leave feeling calmer, quieter and more settled than when they arrived.

Sometimes that's because pain has eased.

Sometimes it's because they've finally had an hour without emails, children, deadlines or decisions.

Sometimes it's the acupuncture.

Sometimes it's being listened to.

Sometimes it's having permission to stop for an hour.

And occasionally, I'd like to think the therapist helps a bit too. 😉

Whatever brings you through the door, creating a space where you can pause, breathe and reset is an important part of the process.

🥚 Did you know?Many people assume IVF is all about egg quality.In reality, success depends on a number of factors includ...
22/06/2026

🥚 Did you know?

Many people assume IVF is all about egg quality.

In reality, success depends on a number of factors including embryo quality, uterine receptivity, blood flow, hormone signalling and timing.

Even a genetically normal embryo still needs to successfully communicate with the lining of the uterus before implantation can occur.

Chinese medicine has traditionally described this as the relationship between the Seed and the Soil.

Different language. Similar observation.

Creating an embryo is only part of the story. Helping to create the conditions for that embryo to implant, grow and thrive is where things start to get really exciting.

In my experience, the most successful IVF journeys often begin well before embryo transfer. Preparing beforehand gives us time to nourish the soil, support the nervous system, and help create the best possible environment for implantation.

🔥 Did you know?Many people assume hot flushes are caused by a lack of oestrogen.It's a little more interesting than that...
22/06/2026

🔥 Did you know?

Many people assume hot flushes are caused by a lack of oestrogen.

It's a little more interesting than that.

Research suggests that declining oestrogen narrows the brain's thermoneutral zone. In simple terms, the body's thermostat becomes more sensitive. A very small change in core temperature can trigger a sudden heat-dumping response: vasodilation, flushing and sweating.

Chinese medicine describes something remarkably similar through the concept of declining Yin. As the body's cooling and anchoring influence diminishes, Heat rises more easily.

Different frameworks. Similar observations.

The challenge isn't simply that women have less oestrogen. It's that the body's ability to regulate temperature becomes less stable.

The next step then becomes helping the body's thermostat find a little more stability - and that's where acupuncture enters the conversation.

Address

64 West Street
North Sydney, NSW
2060

Opening Hours

Tuesday 9:30am - 8pm
Wednesday 9:30am - 3pm
Thursday 9:30am - 7pm
Friday 9:30am - 5pm

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Siegrid Delaney Acupuncture posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category