“Beyond the Symptom: The Work of Chinese Medicine”
Charlie Foust Dr Chinese Medicine, Balmain Sydney
With Charlie Foust - Dr Chinese Medicine
There are times when the body begins to change in ways that are difficult to ignore. Sleep becomes lighter, energy drops, digestion shifts, headaches become more frequent, periods change, pain lingers, or stress begins to show up physically.
We often respond to these changes one by one. Something for sleep. Something for pain. Something for digestion. Yet Chinese medicine has long viewed health through the relationships between these experiences, asking not only what is happening? but why might this be happening now?
Charlie works with both women and men across a wide range of health concerns, with particular experience in fertility and reproductive health, menstrual and hormonal changes, pregnancy, preparation for labour, menopause, pain, headaches and migraines, digestive concerns, fatigue, stress and disrupted sleep.
Her work in fertility and reproductive health is an important part of her practice. Charlie has undertaken further training in both female and male fertility. She supports people through natural conception, assisted reproductive treatment, pregnancy and preparation for labour, bringing both clinical experience and a deep understanding of the many transitions that can occur during these stages of life.
Before becoming a Chinese medicine practitioner, Charlie spent more than a decade working as a birth doula and childbirth educator. This background continues to inform her work with women and families, particularly through fertility, pregnancy, birth preparation and reproductive change.
Her practice also extends well beyond women’s health. Charlie works with people experiencing chronic or recurring pain, headaches and migraines, digestive changes, fatigue, poor sleep and the physical effects of ongoing stress. Her approach is shaped by additional study in classical Chinese meridian therapy and Japanese acupuncture, bringing a gentle and considered style to treatment.
Depending on the individual, a consultation may include acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, moxibustion, cupping, gua sha, dietary guidance and practical lifestyle support.
Perhaps one of the enduring strengths of Chinese medicine is its willingness to stay curious. A headache may sit alongside disrupted sleep. Digestive symptoms may become more noticeable during stress. Fatigue may appear with hormonal changes or after a prolonged period of pushing through.
These details matter because health rarely changes in isolation.
Charlie’s work offers the opportunity to look more closely at these patterns, understand what may be contributing to them, and create an individualised approach to care.
Charlie Foust practises at Beattie Street Health every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.
Book with Charlie
