Mike McLeod Osteopathy

17/06/2026

We’ve had two last-minute cancellations with Zach tomorrow ( Friday the 19th) at 11am and 12pm. If anyone would like an acupuncture appointment, just book in 😊

Get in touch with us to make a booking or have a question answered. Email, phone or book online now.

03/06/2026

If we count from Christmas 2024, this is now Zach's third year in NZ and his second year working with us here in Gore.

When he first arrived from Guangzhou, China, with his family, he was stepping into a completely new life at the bottom of the world. He faced the challenges of a new culture, a new healthcare system, and most of all, a new language.

Today, many patients know him as the practitioner they see for a 45-minute or 60- minute treatment. But behind those appointments has been a long journey of learning, adapting, studying, and building connections within our community.

Over the past 15 months, Zach has had the privilege of working with hundreds of patients in Gore and the wider Southland region. We are grateful for the trust that so many people have placed in him.

If you have seen him at the clinic, we would love to hear from you. Feel free to leave a comment and share your experience.

Kind words and community support not only encourage our practitioners, but also help others discover care that may benefit them.

Thank you for being part of the journey.

01/06/2026

Our herbal tea will be brewed fresh tomorrow. These customised Traditional Chinese herbal formulas may help support concerns such as coughs, digestive issues, fatigue, women’s health, and recovery following illness or injury.

If you’d like a consultation or herbal prescription, simply book online with Dr Zach for tomorrow.
https://www.mikemcleodosteopathy.co.nz/book-now

25/05/2026

For many people in New Zealand, Chinese medicine may still feel quite new. But in China, it has been used for thousands of years, and acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine are still very common today.

We describe the herbal medicine as internal support. The herbs are chosen based on each person’s own condition and body pattern. We often use them to support things like coughs, digestion, tiredness, women’s health, and recovery after illness or injury.

24/05/2026

Headaches, migraines, vertigo, and acute neck, lower back strains are often the kinds of problems where earlier treatment may lead to better results.

The good news is that we’ve had a few last-minute cancellations this week, so there are currently some appointments available.

Book online with Dr. Zach and experience how acupuncture and Traditional Chinese medicine may help support recovery and relieve symptoms naturally.

Get in touch with us to make a booking or have a question answered. Email, phone or book online now.

20/05/2026

You probably know the usual cold and flu routine:

Take some pain relief if needed, drink plenty of water, stay warm, and get some rest.

For many people, that is enough. But sometimes the symptoms can hit hard early on — fever, chills, body aches, headache, sore throat, or a heavy cough. Other times, the worst part is what lingers afterwards: ongoing coughing, fatigue, or that “I’m still not quite right” feeling.

In Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), we don’t only look at the cough or the fever. We look at the pattern behind it — whether your body is showing signs of cold, heat, phlegm, weakness, or lingering inflammation.

TCM can be used in the early stage of an acute cold or flu to support the body’s response, and it may also help when symptoms drag on after the initial infection has passed.

If your cold or flu symptoms are starting strongly, or if they have been hanging around for too long, it may be worth getting some extra support.

Book with Zach — we still have one appointment available tomorrow ( Thursday) and one on Friday.

https://www.mikemcleodosteopathy.co.nz/book-now

14/05/2026

This may be a slightly more research-focused post than usual — but we believe it is worth taking a moment to read.

Yes, acupuncture often helps people feel calm and relaxed. But its value may go beyond relaxation itself, especially when it comes to women’s health.

A growing body of research is exploring how acupuncture may support the body through neuroendocrine regulation — in other words, the close communication between the nervous system, hormone regulation, and reproductive function.

In studies related to perimenopause and reduced ovarian function, acupuncture has been associated with improvements in symptoms such as hot flushes, sleep disturbance, and mood changes. Some studies have also observed changes in hormone markers including FSH, LH, and oestradiol.

In research on ovulatory dysfunction and reproductive endocrine imbalance — particularly in women with PCOS — acupuncture has been linked with improved ovulation frequency, more regular menstrual cycles, and changes in certain hormone indicators. For this reason, it is also commonly used as a supportive therapy during the preconception stage.

For period pain, the evidence is more direct. Clinical studies and systematic reviews suggest that acupuncture may help reduce menstrual pain and related discomfort. It may also form part of an individualised approach for irregular periods, infrequent menstruation, and some cases of amenorrhoea associated with endocrine imbalance.

We have included a selection of supporting research references in the images below for those who would like to read further.

14/05/2026

As the weather gets colder, you may still remember trying moxibustion at our clinic last year. The good news is: starting this week, we’ve brought it back for the cold season!

In TCM perspective, moxibustion is an important partner to acupuncture. The warmth from moxa feels very different from a hot water bottle, a heat pack, or a hear lamp. It's often experienced as a deeper, more penetrating warmth that reaches into the muscles and, in Chinese medicine terms, helps encourage smoother flow through the meridians.

① Warming the body and easing cold-related discomfort

Moxa is naturally warming. The gentle heat produced during moxibustion can warm the body and support circulation, helping to ease discomfort that is traditionally associated with “cold” in Chinese medicine. This may include chills with a cold, cold or cramping stomach pain, abdominal discomfort, diarrhoea, period pain, and some types of joint pain.

② Supporting circulation and relieving stagnation

Moxibustion may also help encourage local blood flow and support the body’s natural circulation. In Chinese medicine, this is described as helping to “move Qi and blood.” It may be used to support relief from discomfort linked with poor circulation or stagnation, such as muscle soreness, joint stiffness, headaches, and localised aches or tension.

11/05/2026

Over the past few weeks, we have supported many people with acute sports injuries using a combination of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine.

It has been encouraging to see swelling settle, bruising reduce, and movement gradually improve as their recovery progresses.

Whether it is an ankle sprain, neck or lower back strain, or knee injury, timely and appropriate care is always the first priority.

Acupuncture is only one part of what we offer. Traditional Chinese Medicine also includes herbal oils, herbal patches, and oral herbal extracts, which may help support the body’s natural recovery process.

Long before modern Western medicine reached China, and long before painkillers and modern surgery were available in everyday life, Chinese people relied on these traditional and natural methods to manage pain, reduce discomfort, and recover from injuries. These approaches have been passed down through generations because of their practical value in daily life and injury care.

03/05/2026

A few last-minute appointments have opened up with our osteopath Ella today.

Dr Zach also has a few acupuncture appointments available this week on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

Get in quick if you’d like to book a spot.

Book online:
https://www.mikemcleodosteopathy.co.nz/book-now