Autumn Falk Naturopath

26/10/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1C8hhGsvqB/

It's great when you can do your own testing, at home even better....bowel cancer is best to be diagnosed as early as possible.

See here Trueproactive.co.nz

23/10/2026

A big shout out to Settlers Way Country Store - Okaihau for having my sign parked there.

When you come to see me or are passing through you need to stop in this shop....a complete surprise....so many beautiful things to find here.

13/10/2026

🌷 A new beginning at Old Valley Retreat, Okaihau

It’s been 14 months since I left the Bay of Plenty, and what a journey of deep change and re-calibration it has been. I’m so happy to say that I’m finally set up with my work offerings here at Old Valley Retreat.

This feels like a true new beginning, in step with spring, and it feels good to bring my work to my new local community.

From here I’m offering:

🌱 Naturopathy and herbal consultations
🙌 Shiatsu Bodywork
🥰 Shiatsu courses

“Our body needs attention, our needs are asking to be met.”

My approach is holistic. I see the person, not just the symptoms. I want to know what you need and how I can support you to make the changes you want to make.

If you’ve been feeling that nudge to slow down and look after yourself, come and visit. Settle into the stillness of the valley and let’s work out what your body is asking for. Online appointments are available too, so distance is no barrier.

Where: Old Valley Retreat, Okaihau
Book online: https://autumn-falk-naturopath.co.nz/
Or give me a call: 027 293 1430

Please share this with anyone you think should know. 💚

08/09/2026

Spring is here! 🙋🌿

A warm spring greeting to you all! As nature begins to wake up, blossom and renew, it can be a lovely time for us to do a little spring cleaning of our own.

Spring is traditionally a wonderful time to support the body with herbal medicine, particularly herbs that gently encourage healthy liver and blood cleansing, lymphatic flow and elimination. 🌱

After the slower, more inward months of winter, these gentle supports can help us adapt to the changing season, refresh our systems and prepare the body for the lighter, more active months ahead.

Think of it not as a harsh “detox”, but as giving your body a little extra support to do what it naturally does best - move, clear, nourish and renew.

🌿 If you feel like your body could use some spring support, I’m happy to help you find herbs that are right for you.

Wishing you a fresh, vibrant and beautiful spring!
Autumn

25/08/2026

✨ Come find me at the Northland Holistic Expo! ✨

I'll have a Shiatsu stall at this seasons Northland Holistic Expo in Kerikeri - and I'm running a 1-hour Shiatsu workshop on Saturday 29 August, morning, where you can experience this ancient Japanese bodywork for yourself and understand a bit more about how it works.

Our bodies love touch, and with Shiatsu the effects are immediate - you feel it working right there on the mat. If you've ever been curious about Shiatsu but never quite known what it involves, this is a lovely, low-pressure way to try it.

Kingston House, 123 Hone Heke Road, Kerikeri
From 9am Sat 29th until 4pm Sun 30th August 2026
Free entry, free parking
🎤 Interactive talks all weekend

Come and say hi, have a chat, and feel the difference touch can make.

See you there!
Autumn

29/07/2026

Why B Vitamins Matter for Your Thyroid

Your thyroid gland makes thyroid hormone mostly as T4 - a fairly inactive storage form. Before your body can actually use it, T4 has to be converted into T3, the active form your cells respond to. That conversion step is where B vitamins come in.

B2 (Riboflavin) & B3 (Niacin) – needed to support the enzymes that drive T4-to-T3 conversion in the liver and tissues.

B6 – helps regulate the pituitary signals (TSH) that tell your thyroid how much hormone to make in the first place.

B12 – low levels are common in people with thyroid conditions (especially autoimmune ones like Hashimoto's), and deficiency can worsen fatigue, brain fog, and low mood — symptoms that already overlap heavily with low thyroid.

Folate (B9) – works alongside B12 in methylation pathways, which also influence hormone metabolism and energy production.

Here's the thing: you can have "normal" thyroid blood tests and still feel exhausted, foggy, and flat - if the conversion step isn't working well. B vitamins are one piece of that puzzle (alongside selenium, zinc, iron, and stress/cortisol balance).

✨ Food sources: leafy greens, eggs, legumes, nutritional yeast, meat, and fish.

If you're ticking boxes on thyroid symptoms despite "normal" labs, it might be worth looking beyond TSH alone.

I see quite a few people with Thyroid issues and helping them to correct those means putting the puzzle slowly together.

22/07/2026

Well worth looking into.

" The First teacher of Rongoā Māori is the ngahere, te Wao Nui a Tāne, the forest itself. I remember well the answer I was given from koroua and kuia in Wanganui in response to my constant questions about the medicinal used of various plants. "E Pa, why do you keep asking us

09/07/2026

I recently came across the book Mother Hunger after listening to Mel Robbins interview its author, Kelly McDaniel, and I felt called to share it.

One message really stayed with me:

"Let's stop blaming ourselves for the pain we didn't cause."

The book explores the concept of mother hunger - the deep longing that can develop when, as children, we didn't receive enough nurturing, protection, or emotional attunement from our mother or primary caregiver. This isn't about blame. Many mothers simply gave what they themselves had available.

Kelly describes this as a hidden grief - one that can quietly shape our nervous system, our relationships, our sense of worth, and even the way we seek comfort, connection, and belonging throughout life. She explains that this early wound can leave us with a lifelong craving to be mothered, cared for, and truly seen.

Our earliest experiences help shape how safe our nervous system feels in the world. When those needs aren't consistently met, our bodies may stay in patterns of hypervigilance, people-pleasing, emotional overwhelm, or difficulty trusting others. These are often protective responses, not personal failures.

One of the most important reminders from this work is that mother hunger is gender-neutral. It can affect anyone, regardless of gender, because every child has fundamental needs for love, safety, and attunement.

As a naturopath and Shiatsu practitioner, I'm continually reminded that our bodies hold our stories. Understanding our origins - where we come from and how our experiences have shaped us - can be an important step towards healing. When we understand our patterns with compassion instead of judgment, we create space for change.

If this topic resonates with you, I highly recommend listening to the conversation between Mel Robbins and Kelly McDaniel
https://youtu.be/Li5PCbqEaEw?si=BfWKrFTbDEmXs1Zw or reading Mother Hunger.
It may help you understand yourself—or someone you love—with greater kindness.

Have you come across the idea of "mother hunger" before? I'd love to hear your reflections. 💚

07/07/2026

During a Shiatsu treatment, I often notice an area of tension or tenderness around the ileocecal valve, located in the lower right abdomen where the small intestine (the ileum) meets the large intestine (the caecum).
The ileocecal valve acts as a one-way gateway, helping regulate the movement of digested food from the small intestine into the large intestine while helping to prevent material from flowing back into the small intestine.

When this area feels tight or sensitive to gentle pressure, I may pause and hold the point using comfortable, sustained contact. By finding the most receptive angle and encouraging the client to breathe slowly and deeply into the area, the tissues often begin to soften and relax. Clients frequently report a sense of release, greater comfort, or reduced tension in the abdomen.

From a Shiatsu perspective, this gentle approach supports the body's natural ability to relax and restore balance. While Shiatsu is not intended to treat structural disorders of the ileocecal valve, releasing tension in the surrounding tissues may help improve comfort, encourage body awareness, and support healthy digestive function as part of a holistic treatment.

Getting work done on your Hara (Abdomen) is an important part in Shiatsu and can help restore well-being through this specific belly attention alone.

06/07/2026

Did you know?

Around 70–80% of the body's immune cells are associated with the gut, making digestive health an important part of overall wellbeing.

A diverse, healthy gut microbiome helps educate and regulate the immune system, supports the intestinal barrier, and may improve resilience against infections.

Eating plenty of fibre-rich vegetables, fermented foods (if tolerated), and a varied plant-based diet can help nourish these beneficial microbes.

This is why we as naturopaths and medical herbalists often begin with the digestive system. By supporting healthy digestion, bowel regularity, nutrient absorption, and a balanced gut microbiome, we aim to strengthen the foundations of health and help the body function at its best.