Lou MacGraw Acupuncture & wellness

Lou MacGraw Acupuncture & wellness Acupuncturist with a background in naturopathic medicine. Women's & children's health.

I offer a gentle blend of acupuncture and nature-based remedies to support your body’s natural rhythm and restore balance

Dins! I love simple dinners, well all dinners really - dinner is my fave meal of the day 😍 Tonight’s homemade frittata w...
15/06/2026

Dins! I love simple dinners, well all dinners really - dinner is my fave meal of the day 😍 Tonight’s homemade frittata with eggs, pumpkin, spinach and feta - providing protein, healthy fats and a variety of whole-food ingredients. A nourishing option that’s easy to prepare, perfect for busy days & the best for lunch or brekky the next day! 🧡🌿

Trimester ZeroWe often think about preparing for a baby once we see a positive pregnancy test.But what about before that...
12/06/2026

Trimester Zero

We often think about preparing for a baby once we see a positive pregnancy test.

But what about before that?

‘Trimester Zero’ is a term often used to describe the preconception phase - the time before pregnancy.

While many people associate preconception care with the 3 months before trying to conceive, it can begin much earlier. For some, it may be 6–12 months or more before they start trying for a baby.

This phase can be an opportunity to focus on your overall health and wellbeing through things such as:

• Nourishing nutrition
• Quality sleep
• Regular movement
• Stress management
• Understanding your menstrual cycle and reproductive health
• Reviewing supplements and medications with your healthcare team

Whether you’re planning to try for a baby soon, preparing for IVF, or simply thinking about growing your family in the future, preconception care is about building healthy foundations.

Acupuncture is one of many approaches some people choose to include as part of their broader wellbeing routine during this time 🤍

Over time, I’ve found myself feeling more and more drawn to working with people navigating fertility, IVF and the many e...
13/05/2026

Over time, I’ve found myself feeling more and more drawn to working with people navigating fertility, IVF and the many emotions that can accompany the journey to parenthood.

It’s such a tender space to be in.

One that can hold hope, grief, waiting, uncertainty, disappointment and pressure all at once, often while continuing with everyday life as though everything feels normal.

In clinic, my approach is gentle, grounded and person-centred. I aim to provide a space where people feel heard, cared for and supported as they move through what can be a deeply personal experience.

Whether you’re trying to conceive naturally, undertaking IVF, navigating life after pregnancy loss, or simply looking to prioritise your wellbeing during this stage of life, you are so welcome here 🤍

Keep your feet warm 👣In Traditional Chinese Medicine, several meridians are described as beginning or ending in the feet...
07/04/2026

Keep your feet warm 👣

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, several meridians are described as beginning or ending in the feet, including the Spleen, Liver and Kidney channels, which travel along the legs as part of the meridian system.

The feet are considered an important area in relation to overall warmth and circulation in the body.

In Chinese Medicine, cold is traditionally described as having a contracting quality, while warmth is associated with movement and ease. Because of this, keeping the feet warm is often included as part of general self-care advice in Chinese Medicine.

Simple practices such as wearing warm socks, especially in cooler weather or before bed, are commonly suggested as supportive daily habits.

Small, simple choices that can be part of looking after your overall wellbeing 🧦 🧦 🧦

How good is it! 🖤That in-between state during acupuncture where things start to feel a little quieter… and you may notic...
02/04/2026

How good is it! 🖤

That in-between state during acupuncture where things start to feel a little quieter… and you may notice yourself drifting into a deeply restful state.

It’s often noticed as a sense of settling or stillness that can be hard to find in day-to-day life. You might not realise you’ve drifted until the treatment is over and you sit up feeling that contrast between rest and movement.

One of the quieter, more reflective parts of treatment 🖤

Warm foods… yep, we talk about this a lot in Chinese Medicine 🧡💛In TCM, the digestive system is often described metaphor...
16/03/2026

Warm foods… yep, we talk about this a lot in Chinese Medicine 🧡💛

In TCM, the digestive system is often described metaphorically as a system that prefers warmth and steadiness when processing food.

Within this framework, warm, cooked meals are traditionally considered easier for the body to process and are commonly recommended as part of a supportive dietary approach.

From a TCM perspective, food is seen not only in terms of nutrients, but also in terms of its energetic qualities and how it is prepared.

This doesn’t mean avoiding all cold or raw foods, but rather considering balance and how different foods feel in the body from person to person. Many people find that grounding, cooked meals feel comforting and satisfying, especially during cooler months.

Think soups, stews, broths, slow-cooked meals, roasted vegetables, stir-fries, porridges and warm breakfasts.

As we move into the cooler seasons, many people naturally lean toward warmer-style meals as part of their everyday eating patterns 🍲

In clinic, paediatric treatments are very gentle, calm, and tailored to the individual child.Shonishin involves light, n...
12/03/2026

In clinic, paediatric treatments are very gentle, calm, and tailored to the individual child.

Shonishin involves light, non-invasive techniques and is designed to be as comfortable as possible, with sessions often adapted to the child’s age, temperament, and willingness on the day. Children are usually supported in clinic with a parent or caregiver present. Many families are drawn to this style of care because of its gentle and non-invasive nature.

If you’re curious about whether paediatric Chinese Medicine may be suitable for your child, you’re welcome to get in touch via the link in bio 🌿

Liked by florence_finds and othersThere’s something deeply comforting about warmth on the belly 🌿In Traditional Chinese ...
08/03/2026

Liked by florence_finds and others
There’s something deeply comforting about warmth on the belly 🌿

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, menstrual experiences are understood through different patterns such as stagnation, excess, or deficiency within the TCM framework.

Within this perspective, discomfort during menstruation may be viewed as relating to how the body’s systems are functioning and interacting at that time.

Moxibustion (moxa) is a traditional technique that involves the gentle application of warmth using the herb Artemisia vulgaris. It is sometimes used in clinic as part of an individualised treatment approach.

In practice, moxa may be selected when a gentle warming technique is appropriate within a person’s treatment plan, and is often combined with other Chinese Medicine methods such as acupuncture and tailored to the individual 🤍

In Chinese Medicine, Autumn & the Metal Element 🍂In Traditional Chinese Medicine, autumn is associated with the Metal el...
03/03/2026

In Chinese Medicine, Autumn & the Metal Element 🍂

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, autumn is associated with the Metal element, which is traditionally linked with the Lungs, breath, and the processes of taking in and letting go.

As the light softens and the air cools, nature begins to shift inward. Leaves fall, energy contracts, and there is a sense of return to simplicity and refinement.

Within this seasonal lens, autumn is a time that invites reflection and a gentle turning inward -nan opportunity to notice what feels essential, and what may no longer need to be held onto.

In TCM theory, the Lungs are associated with breath and the rhythmic exchange of taking in and releasing. The emotion traditionally associated with this element is grief, understood broadly as part of the human experience of processing change and letting go.

Seasonal living in Chinese Medicine offers a way of observing how nature and human experience mirror one another through cycles of change.

This season is often viewed as a time for slowing down, reflecting, and returning to what feels meaningful.

A quiet invitation to simplify, soften, and come back to your own rhythm 🍂

How Chinese Medicine views painful periods 🌙In Western medicine, period pain is often described as either primary (with ...
01/03/2026

How Chinese Medicine views painful periods 🌙

In Western medicine, period pain is often described as either primary (with no identifiable structural cause) or secondary (associated with conditions such as endometriosis, adenomyosis or fibroids). Medical investigation plays an important role in understanding this.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, menstrual pain is viewed through a different lens. Rather than focusing on a single cause, practitioners consider patterns of presentation such as stagnation, excess or deficiency within the TCM framework.

Care is individualised and based on a person’s overall presentation, including their cycle history, symptoms and general wellbeing. Within clinical practice, treatment is adapted to the individual and may change across different phases of the menstrual cycle.

If there are any concerns about underlying conditions, referral back to a GP or specialist is always appropriate.

Chinese Medicine offers one way of looking at the menstrual cycle as part of a wider picture of health and balance 🖤

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