Olivia Shurdova is a fully registered acupuncturist with the Chinese Medicine Board of Australia (CMR0001734164), completed an Advanced Diploma of Oriental Health Science in 2004 and a Masters in Health Sciences (Traditional Chinese Medicine) in 2014 at the University of Western Sydney. Her studies included Acupuncture, Counselling, Chinese Herbs, Food as Medicine, Qi Gong and Tai Chi, Do In, the study of the Tao, as well as Krishnamurti, and inner and outer Feng Shui. Since then, Olivia has completed many post-graduate courses and certifications, including a full-year apprenticeship with her then teacher and mentor Geoffrey Wilson in 2005, certified training in 5 Elemental Acupuncture, Pregnancy and Childbirth Acupuncture with leading author and teacher Debra Betts, Cosmetic Acupuncture (trained by Virginia Doran in 2005 and Mary Elizabeth Wakefield in 2011, 2013 and 2021), Esoteric Acupuncture with Mikio Sankey, and Male and Female Fertility with numerous teachers. She’s also trained in Munich, Germany with leading teacher Marc Mezard in Traditional Oriental Medicine with particular focus on endocrinology and in New York City with Lonny Jarrett on 'nourishing one's destiny' through Taoism and the 5 Elements. Currently she is passionate about Scalp Acupuncture for back pain relief as she’s trained in the Yamamoto Scalp Acupuncture technique since early 2021. She also qualified as a Reiki practitioner (in year 2001) but comes from a long history using energy healing from her Russian family background where it was the norm to lay one's hands on any aches and pains. If you’d like to know more about Olivia’s background, please visit her bio.
Acupuncture is a modality of Chinese Medicine that has been practiced for thousands of years. It involves the pain-free insertion of fine needles into particular points along the energetic pathways of the body. These pathways, called meridians, are connected, and intertwined, moving within and on the surface of the body, where your Qi (or life force) creates an energetic network.
The acupuncturist therefore works on a holistic level, looking at the whole body, mind, and spirit, rather than treating just the symptom(s). Acupuncture points contain wells of energy, restoring your good health and wellbeing once a needle is inserted. Dis-eases are outgrowths of the body and mind not being at ease. Acupuncture generates a high level of relaxation and vitality, encouraging your ability to allow your body to heal itself… naturally.
And if you’re not fond of needles, take heart from this client:
''Having an absolute phobia of needles, I was quite nervous about trying Acupuncture. However, with Olivia’s gentle and comforting persuasion, my mind was at rest. I left the session invigorated and energised and definitely able to go back.”
— Christian L.
Olivia uses Japanese needles, which are pain-free due to their thin and silicon-coated design. Traditional Chinese Acupuncture can be more painful, as the aim of those treatments is to activate the Qi (energy) of each point, triggering a strong sensation when the needle is inserted. There are many successful techniques that are used today that don't include the ‘waking of Qi’ approach, and Olivia is a firm believer that one doesn't need to feel pain in order to heal — she prefers a gentle approach with strong results.
Energy Healing was something quite natural to Olivia growing up with her mother laying her healing hands on her whenever Olivia felt unwell. A Reiki practitioner since 2001, Olivia’s Energy Healing work as been progressing with various mentors, teachers, and modalities ever since. Typically, her hands will be on the (clothed) client's head or body, sometimes she may not even touch the physical body at all. As energy transfers from Olivia’s hands to the client on the massage table, clients report feeling energy shifts in their minds and bodies that may feel deeply transforming but also very relaxing. Energy Healing can also be done remotely.
A session is typically 1 hour and 15 minutes for the first visit and 1 hour for follow-up visits. Acupuncture on its own is $170 for an initial consult and $120 for a follow-up appointment. Acupuncture in combination with Energy Healing is $170. Cosmetic Acupuncture is charged at $200 for the initial consult as well as follow-up sessions.
First, you'll fill out a client history form that will outline your overall physical, mental and emotional health. You may want to address just one specific reason or health concern on your first visit but, rest assured, taking care of your health holistically, while exploring other signs and symptoms along the way will give you a bigger and clearer picture of what may be going on. Upon completing the form, we will take some time discussing it, making links, and getting clarity on how and why certain things are occurring the way they are. Once we have identified what we would like to work on, we will proceed to the massage table where you'll be either lying down on your front or back. From then on, you'll be able to relax.
Generally speaking our clients leave their sessions feeling relaxed, refreshed, and happy. Read more if you’d like to hear what clients have to say about the various benefits of their treatments and the long-lasting results they have achieved.
For maximum benefits and results (see the Cosmetic Acupuncture page), it is recommended that you visit for a full treatment plan of 10 to 15 sessions, once a week. Naturally, the more often you come in, the more benefits you’ll receive, but if you’d like to simply try one treatment and see the results that are possible yourself, you’re welcome to book in for a single session. The subsequent visits build on the results over time. It’s akin to rewinding the ageing process, and you’ll notice yourself looking (and feeling) younger each week. It’s worth noting that upon completion of the Cosmetic Acupuncture plan, going forward you can maintain your full results for up to 10 more years with just a single monthly visit. Many of Olivia’s clients choose this treatment as a treat for themselves, (ie. as an alternative or complement to a facial, or in preparation for a special event where they want to look and feel their best). Results from one-off treatments like this naturally won’t last as long but will certainly give you a refreshed and younger appearance for days.
How many sessions required, and how often, both depend on what it is that you are after, how long your health concerns have been troubling you and, of course, how quickly you respond to the treatment. All of the above is hard to ascertain until you come in and experience a session. Once you have, we can discuss and tailor a treatment plan that's right for you and your wellbeing. Naturally, the more often you come in, the more benefits you’ll receive, but if you’d like to simply try one treatment and see the results that are possible yourself, feel free to book in for a single session. Rest assured that Olivia will tailor every treatment session to suit your needs, and that she also espouses the fact that transformative change doesn’t necessarily need to take years or even months — many of her clients report major improvements and shifts after just one session.
Acupuncture and Energy Healing are both wonderful accompaniments to any forms of treatment and modalities, mostly because they are gentle, non-invasive, and safe. Olivia regularly receives referrals from, and refers to psychologists, naturopaths, chiropractors, osteopaths, dieticians/nutritionists, massage therapists and other clinicians. If you are unsure how the treatments may complement each other, please contact Olivia or your other health care practitioner for more personalised information.
EFTPOS facilities are available, and all cards are accepted. Clients have the option to purchase a bundle of 10 sessions upfront to save 10% of the total cost. You can pay by PayPal or bank transfer for your Remote Energy Healing session. It is advised you make your payment before your session. Naturally, the more often you come in, the more benefits you’ll receive, but if you’d like to come in simply to try one treatment and see the results that are possible yourself, you are very welcome.
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