Margaret River Acupuncture

Sandee Lippiatt (she/her)

Acupuncture · Traditional Chinese & Western Herbal Medicine · Sho Ni Shin · Qigong

Sandee Lippiatt is the owner and senior practitioner of Margaret River Acupuncture, with over 20 years of experience in holistic healing. Her integrative approach draws on a wide range of therapeutic tools, including acupuncture, cupping, electro-acupuncture, moxibustion, qigong, Sho Ni Shin (non-invasive pediatric therapy), Western and Chinese herbal medicine, and tailored dietary and lifestyle advice.

Sandee earned her Diploma of Herbal Medicine and Graduate Diploma in Acupuncture (TCM) from the Australian Institute of Holistic Medicine. Toward the end of her studies, she was mentored by Master Andrew Tem-Foo Lim, whose guidance deeply influenced her clinical foundation. In 2004, Sandee traveled to China to further her training, participating in workshops on Chinese Orthopaedic Medicine, Qigong, and Acupotomy. A pivotal experience during this time was working in the specialist clinics of Longhua Hospital at the Shanghai University of TCM, where she treated hundreds of patients daily and observed a wide range of diagnostic and treatment methods.

A committed Qigong practitioner, Sandee is a Master Ziran Qigong Instructor and continues to train under Master Liu Deming, the 5th-generation lineage holder of Ziranmen. Her ongoing practice helps her stay attuned to her own Qi and that of her patients.

Sandee has a special clinical focus on women’s health, fertility, pregnancy, and postnatal care. She is a certified Fertile Life Method Practitioner, trained and mentored by Kirsten Wolfe, and has pursued additional studies in pediatric care and obstetrics/gynecology with Dr. Soma Devi.

Her professional growth continues through ongoing mentorship in Classical Chinese Medicine with Sean Tuten and, most recently, through an in-depth Daoist Death Medicine mentorship with Dr. Randine Lewis—exploring the deeper spiritual and energetic dimensions of life, death, and transformation through the Daoist tradition.

Sandee is professionally registered with the Australian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Association (AACMA), the Federation of Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture (FCMA), and the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).

Bridie Ritchie (she/her)

Acupuncture, Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine, Massage, Sho Ni Shin

Bridie has a grounded, patient centred and integrative approach to her practise. She works to empower and support her patients, with a commitment to clarity and keeping things as simple as they can possibly be. For Bridie, this means providing relevant and up-to-date information; honouring your autonomy and decision making; and offering a treatment space that has a strong foundation of care, comfort, and real informed consent. She also loves a chat, but will accept and meet you wherever you are at on the day. Bridie is committed to reducing barriers of access for her patients, offering home visits and flexible care plans on request. 

While she has specific interest in the areas of paediatrics, hormonal health, and chronic pain support, Bridie firmly believes in the power of Chinese medicine when it comes to general practice. She enjoys working with individuals of all ages to achieve health and balance through acupuncture, bodywork and herbal medicine. She treats a wide range of day-to-day ailments, from colds and flus to musculoskeletal aches and pains, as well as more long-term conditions such as hormonal imbalance, infertility, stress, and gastrointestinal conditions. Bridie belongs to, and supports, the LGBTQIA+ community, and is committed to providing a safe and inclusive space for all bodies and people. Bridie has experience working with trans and non-binary patients undergoing hormone replacement therapy and is always interested in deepening her understanding of how traditional Chinese medicine can assist essential gender affirming healthcare.

Studying a Bachelor of Applied Science/Health Science (Traditional Chinese Medicine) at RMIT has given Bridie a firm foundation in western health science and Chinese medicine theory and practise. She also holds a Diploma in Remedial Massage, entry level Zen Thai Shiatsu training and Ashtanga, Yin and Hatha Yoga teacher qualifications. Bridie is registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and is a member of Australian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Association (AACMA) and Association of Massage Therapists (AMT). 

 
Bek Bibby (she/her)

Acupuncture, Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine

Bek is a warm and down-to earth practitioner passionate about helping her patients become the happiest, healthiest versions of themselves. She loves working closely with people to uncover what’s happening in their bodies, understand any imbalances, and develop personalised plans to restore their well-being.

With a gentle, holistic approach, Bek blends acupuncture, bodywork, moxibustion, and herbs with tailored diet and lifestyle advice. She treats not only the symptoms but the root cause of illness.

A proud advocate for inclusive care, Bek is queer-friendly (LGBTIQA+) and deeply committed to providing non-judgmental, high-quality healthcare to people from all walks of life. She strives to create a safe space where patients feel truly seen, heard, and understood.

While she enjoys the variety of general practice, Bek has a passion for women’s health, with a particular focus on pelvic pain, menstrual disorders, and transition through peri/menopause.

Bek is trained in two distinct styles of acupuncture: Tung acupuncture, which uses minimal needling and specialised points located mainly on the extremities. It is renowned for its immediate effects and ability to treat complex health conditions by targeting distal points on the body.

She also holds a postgraduate certificate in Toyohari, a highly refined form of Japanese Acupuncture that uses non-assertive techniques to promote healing by balancing the body’s Qi. Toyohari is ideal for patients who are sensitive to needles or prefer a gentler approach.

Bek is registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and is a member of Australian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Association (AACMA)

Lisa Ogden (she/her)

Acupuncture, Traditional Chinese Medicine

Lisa has worked in holistic medicine for over 37 years. She has been an Acupuncturist and Chinese Medicine practitioner now for over 28 years after starting out as a Zen Shiatsu and massage therapist. She received her Diploma of Zen Shiatsu in 1988 and completed her Bachelor of Health Science (Acupuncture) at UTS in 1997.

Lisa’s sessions are known to be deeply restful and replenishing whilst effectively working with the health concerns, symptoms, injuries, aches and pains that bring people to Acupuncture. Her approach, developed over many years in practice, combines a gentle style of Acupuncture along with massage, gentle corrective movements, moxibustion, cupping and herbs as needed.

Lisa’s depth of knowledge allows her to work with the diverse needs of many different people with an open, caring and supportive attitude. She enjoys working in general practice, paediatrics, women’s health, fertility and IVF support, and pregnancy care. Lisa also has a special interest in working with anxiety, stress, depression and trauma.

Lisa has recently moved to the South West after many years in practice in Balmain, Sydney.

Lisa is registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and the Australian Traditional Medicine Society (ATMS).

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is an holistic system of health care continually practised and developed throughout Asia for many thousands of years.

The Chinese Medicine Practitioner will look for any imbalances in the body by taking the pulse and looking at the tongue and listening to the patients history, signs and symptoms. Acupuncture points are then needled to clear away blockages in the meridians and rebalance the system. By inserting very fine needles at specific points along the meridians, an acupuncturist can stimulate the body’s own healing response and help restore and maintain its natural balance.

All needles used are pre-sterilised, single-use disposable type, and all equipment and procedures conform to the highest health and safety standards.

Once balance and good health have been restored to the system, acupuncture plays a major role in a preventative health regimen, helping maintain the smooth flow of Qi (energy) through the body and allowing the system to function optimally, leading to continued levels of health and wellness.

OTHER METHODS OF STIMULATION MAY INVOLVE

• Moxibustion: the gentle warming of acupoints with a smouldering herb.
• Cupping: the application of suction cups to areas of tightness in the muscles or fascia.
• Gua Sha: rubbing and stimulating the meridians with a smooth Jade implement or spoon.
• Electro-Acupuncture: the stimulation of acupuncture needles with a very mild electrical current.
• Massage & Acupressure: massaging the body and focusing on particular Acupuncture points with pressure.

To look at an overview of evidence for Acupuncture, please click on this link – https://www.evidencebasedacupuncture.org/acupuncture-scientific-evidence/

Herbal Medicine

We often will offer and prescribe herbal medicines in conjunction with our Acupuncture appointments (prices are extra) or you can book a Herbal Medicine consult without Acupuncture.

Herbs can help enhance your treatment outcomes quicker and they have the ability to manage a range of symptoms and patterns in the body including:

• Stress support
• Skin conditions including Acne, Eczema, Psoriasis
• Digestive problems including bloating
• Sleep support
• Headaches
• Women’s Health conditions including irregular periods (including coming off the pill), amenorrhea, painful periods, endometriosis, fibroids, heavy periods, PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome), menopause
• Preconception care – recommended at least 3 months prior to conception
• Fertility support – recommended at least 3 months prior
• Pre and post IVF support
• Postpartum support

Fertility, IVF and preconception care

Chinese Medicine has many ways to support fertility, preconception care and IVF including:

• healthy single women or couples (including same sex couples) who want to give their baby the best possible start to life
• women and couples who have been diagnosed with either primary or secondary infertility including issues with sperm quality, anovulation, amenorrhoea etc.
• women and couples who have suffered one or more miscarriage
• women and couples already undertaking IVF or ART treatment  who are looking for a healthy complement to improve their chances.
• In a heterosexual couple, we recommend that the partner attends a fertility consultation leading up to the IVF cycle if possible to discuss lifestyle advice, sperm analysis and possible supplementation and if appropriate, Chinese Herbal Medicine.

We recommend at least 3 months of preconception care

Pregnancy and Postnatal support

Each pregnancy is unique, and we structure a treatment regime to suit each individual.

Acupuncture can help manage symptoms that may arise during pregnancy:

• spotting
• threatened miscarriage
• nausea
• neck or back pain, and other body aches
• sciatic pain
• pelvic pain or instability
• thyroid issues
• reflux
• fluid retention
• headaches
• varicose veins
• insomnia
• high blood pressure
• thrush/UTIs

And later in pregnancy, we may be able to help with breech presentation, and preparing you for labour. Treatment is most effective if started at the 34-36 week mark. Acupuncture may be very beneficial in the weeks leading up to birth, to help soften the tendons and ligaments, promote blood flow to the uterus, and soften the cervix by increasing the flow of oxytocin. Regular treatments leading up to birth may reduce the need for medical induction and reduce the length of the birth.

Postpartum support

Traditional Chinese Medicine encourages the ancient practice of “sitting the month”, in which new mothers are looked after completely by family members. Whilst we can’t come to live in your house and look after you completely, we can offer some support in those first few months postpartum to make the transition easier, smoother and overall more sustainable. One of these support treatments include the ancient treatment of “Mother Warming”, designed to help a new mum build up her blood supply and reserves after birth, help with mood and nervousness, increase energy and encourage milk supply. 

We encourage postpartum mothers to “sit the month” and not leave the house. Therefore we offer home visits (extra charge) or we encourage mothers to come into the clinic or request a home-visit for treatment within the first 7 – 10 days postpartum and your birth partner and baby are welcome. We recommend mothers to come to the series of Labour Preparation appointments beginning at 36 weeks where we provide education about how to prepare for the fourth trimester.

Children’s Acupuncture and Sho Ni Shin

Yes, we do treat children!

We use Acupuncture, massage, moxibustion and Herbal Medicine to treat children of all ages.

Babies and young children (generally up to around 10 years) usually prefer a Sho Ni Shin treatment. This involves asking questions, observation of the child, pulse/finger/stomach diagnosis and the treatment. Home treatments are often taught to the parents so that the therapy can continue between sessions. This encourages a beautiful bond between the parent and their child. Parents can use a spoon or a toothbrush for treatment. 

Sho Ni Shin tools are often blunt and used for techniques that stroke, tap and press the various meridians to promote health and balance. The techniques are gentle and the procedure is often completed fairly quickly without any discomfort or distress to the child. A treatment can be only 5-20 minutes long and the child can sit on your lap.

Massage

Our practitioners may use a combination of relaxation, deep tissue, remedial, Shiatsu and Tui Na (Chinese Remedial Massage) techniques that focus on balancing a person’s energy, relieving tension and pain.

Other bodywork such as cupping, moxa and gua sha may be used as necessary with organic cold-pressed coconut oil combined with some Chinese liniment to the skin.

We currently aren’t offering massage only, we will only offer a brief massage with an Acupuncture session if we see fit or you can book our Acupuncture with Massage appointments for 75 or 90 minutes.