Practitioners

Shelley Hickson

Shelley has been practising Traditional Chinese Medicine since 1985, having graduated from the NSW College of Natural Therapies in Sydney, Australia. After practising in Auckland for three years, Shelley moved back to Hawke's Bay with her family in 1989 and established Acupuncture Havelock North. The practice was extended in 2002 when the Hastings Health Centre was opened and Shelley established a clinic within the Centre.

In 2013 the clinics were renamed Acupuncture Heretaunga to reflect the ongoing care between the two sites. Shelley is registered with the Chinese Medicine Council, has previously been on the executive committee for Acupuncture NZ, and has in the past been an expert court witness for Acupuncture and Natural Therapies.

Shelley's passion for Traditional Chinese Medicine is as strong as ever, and she brings over 40 years of experience to the clinic.

Trudi Collins

Based at our Havelock North clinic, Trudi brings over two decades of acupuncture expertise rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine and an additional interest in Functional Medicine. She graduated from the New Zealand School of Acupuncture and TCM in 2002 and, in recognition of her commitment to the profession, was appointed as a Practitioner Member of the inaugural Chinese Medicine Council of New Zealand in May 2022.

Trudi is a dedicated mum of three, whose passion for balance and well‑being extends both professionally and personally. She enriches her treatments with the harmonious resonance of tuning forks and singing bowls, tailoring each session with care and attention to detail.

Chelsea Wright

After graduating her BHSc in Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine in 2013, Chelsea joined our team at Acupuncture Heretaunga. Prior to joining the Practice, Chelsea gained two years experience working under Dr Debra Betts PhD. at the Lower Hutt Hospital in the first Acupuncture Pregnancy clinic. She has carried this passion for fertility and pregnancy care through to the Practice here in Hawkes Bay. Chelsea is a registered ACC provider and has extensive experience working with musculoskeletal conditions and rehabilitation.

Chelsea has a young family and is the Managing Director and owner of the Hastings Clinic. 

Lee cooper

Lee brings a rich and diverse background to her acupuncture practice. After a career in executive management, she followed a deep call to the internal arts, training in Shaolin kung fu, Tai Ji, and Qigong in China and Southeast Asia. This path led her to formal studies in Traditional Chinese Medicine at the New Zealand School of Acupuncture, where she recently completed her degree.

Lee has taught Qigong and Tai Ji in Australia and New Zealand and holds over 500 hours of teacher training. She’s passionate about mind–body integration and supporting others on their healing journey with grounded care, insight, and practical tools.

Her interests include physical wellbeing, human performance, and philosophy — all of which inform her holistic approach. You’ll often find her in the gym before sunrise or enjoying a strong coffee — always learning, always moving.

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Together, we offer over 75 years of combined experience in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Our clinic is dedicated to providing a nurturing, safe, and welcoming space to support your ongoing health and well-being.

All of our practitioners are trained in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and have completed a minimum of three years of formal study, including over 500 supervised clinical hours prior to entering practice. We are all Registered Health Professionals, registered with the Chinese Medicine Council of New Zealand, and are committed to ongoing professional development through annual continuing education.  Each practitioner is also a registered ACC treatment provider.

The Chinese Medicine Council of New Zealand (CMCNZ) is the regulatory authority responsible for overseeing the professional standards, conduct, and competence of practitioners of Chinese Medicine in Aotearoa.  This includes acupuncturists, Chinese herbal medicine practitioners, and tuina (Chinese Medical massage) therapists.

Being a Registered Health Professional under the CMCNZ means that a practitioner has met rigorous standards of education, clinical training, and ethical conduct.  Registration also requires ongoing professional development and adherence to a formal Code of Ethics.  This official recognition places Chinese Medicine alongside other regulated health professions in New Zealand, such as physiotherapy, nursing, and midwifery, helping to protect the public and uphold the integrity of the profession.

Below is a list of some of the conditions we can treat.

Do not take good health as granted.  [Just as one] should not forget danger in times of peace, try to prevent the coming of diease beforehand.

Sun Simiao, 7th Century CE

Traditional Chinese Medicine 

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) developed over a period of 5000 years, and has been written for the past 2000 years. Acupuncture needles were found in archeological diggings dating from the Shang Dynasty c1000BC. The classics, which are still studied today, were completed by the 4th Century.

Basic Theory of TCM

TCM is based upon the theory of Qi (chee, energy) and Blood flowing smoothly through the body. Both the Qi and Blood should be of good quality to ensure and maintain optimum health. The theme of 'balance' occurs repeatedly within the theory of TCM - Yin/Yang, Hot/Cold, Internal/External, Excessive/Deficient.

Treatment

A complete history is taken. 
This consists of:

• noting how the patient looks - face, body, skin colour

• palpation of various body sites

• taking the pulse

• looking at the tongue

• questioning

• any relevant history

From this a TCM diagnosis is made and the patient is treated according to the principles relevant to that particular problem.

Methods of Treatment

A treatment may consist of :

• Acupuncture

  • The insertion of very fine stainless steel needles in specific points on the body. Painless,  sterile, and very safe in our experienced hands. These are retained for 20 - 45 minutes. It is an  extremely restful process, and many people sleep during this time.

• Dry Needling

  • Another name for the ancient tradition of inserting acupuncture needles into specific  sites. Usually into what we call Ah Shi points. Retention is of shorter duration, and should be painless. This method is part of our 4 years of study, and incorporates the full theory of where and  why we use this method. 

• Herbal Medicine

  • The prescription of Chinese Herbs where applicable. Usually taken in pill form.  All care is taken with the safety of dosage, prescription and relevant herbs required.

• Moxibustion

  • This can be used in several forms. As a stick, on the end of needles (warming needle), and in a moxa box. Moxabustion consists of the burning of the herb Artemisia Vulgaris to provide warmth and promote healing to certain areas.

• Cupping

  • Glass or silicon cups are applied to the chosen points on the body using suction. They can also be moved along certain areas (sliding cupping). Bruising may occur, which is harmless, painless  and constitutes part of the body’s healing mechanism. 

• Electro-Acupuncture

  • The attachment of nodes to the needles which emit a mild current. The current is adjusted to suit the condition. It is often used to stimulate the appropriate muscles to help relieve pain. 

• Tui Na

  • A form of chinese massage which has been used for centuries.

• Gua Sha

  • An alternative to cupping, where an implement is used to stimulate the skin. Bruising may occur, but once again it is not painful and is considered part of the healing process. It can be used for muscle skeletal issues, and also for internal problems such as a cold to help alleviate symptoms. 

• Dietary Advice

  • Based on the Tradtional Chinese Medicine philosophy and appropriate to the condition presented.

What can be treated?

Disorders successfully treated by Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine;

Musculo-Skeletal - All injuries, sprains and strains. Post operative nerve pain. Sciatica. All practitioners in this clinic are ACC registered.

Gynaecology - PMS, Menopause symptoms, Irregular periods, painful periods, all gynecological issues.

Fertility - Assistance in preparation for conception.

Pregnancy - Morning sickness, malposition of the baby, pregnancy related aches, pains and disorders, preparation for labour.

Post Natal - Lactation deficiency, well-being following birth of baby.

Childhood - Bedwetting, coughs and colds, anxiety, nightmares, headaches.

Adults - Headaches, migraines, sinus, hay fever, digestive disorders, asthma, coughs and colds, hypertension, shingles, low spirits/depression, anxiety, weight loss, Bell's Palsy, post stroke.

Cancer - Treatment is available for the symptoms of cancer, and as support whenundergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

Maintenance of Health - Treatment is usually given about once a month to help maintain wellbeing and address any issue which may arise in the early stages. Consider it as a WOF and service. We  often treat our cars better than ourselves.  

A treatment is a well worthwhile treat .

Traditional Chinese Medicine is a complete system, and is able to treat most medical conditions.

Some conditions that people have asked for treatment for include Infertility, Menstrual Flow Regulation, Arthritis, Mental Disorders and Regulation of Blood Pressure.

Appointments

All treatment is by appointment made either by calling or booked online and is carried out in a private, caring and relaxing atmosphere.

Additional Services

Acupuncture Heretaunga are now pleased to be offering Carb Choice, a personalised genetic profile report which shows your individual response to starch from carbohydrates.

How your body processes starch carbohydrates plays an important role in weight management, diabetes, gluten intolerance, dental decay and other everyday health and wellbeing issues.  There is more than one type of carbohydrate but do you know which are best for you?  The Carb Choice genetic test takes the guess work out, and helps you to make informed dietary choices based on your individual genetic make up.  

Once you have completed a Carb Choice test and received the results, Trudi will help you with dietary and lifestyle advice that is specific to you.  If you're curious and would like further information about this, please contact Trudi via the Havelock North clinic.

Links

Acupuncture New Zealand

Cape Physio

Peter Sanson Yoga