In a world obsessed with quick fixes, Jess Strachan leans into something slower — and deeper. A Chinese Medicine Doctor, Acupuncturist and Shiatsu Massage practitioner based in Melbourne, she works with people navigating everything from hormonal havoc to high-functioning burnout. Her approach is gentle but exacting, shaped by traditional East Asian wisdom and years of treating both acute symptoms and long-held patterns.
Jess started out in shiatsu massage, drawn to the idea that the body already knows how to heal — it just needs the right conditions. That philosophy still drives her today. Whether she’s easing period pain, regulating stress, or calming the skin from the inside out, her work is about restoring flow and building body awareness, one point at a time.
For kit:, Jess breaks down the power of pressure points, what your feet are trying to tell you, and why no two treatment plans should ever look the same.
What actually is acupressure?
At its simplest, acupressure is the practice of applying massage or pressure to acupuncture points — to activate a therapeutic response in the body. We’re working with the same principles as acupuncture, just without needles.
Each point has a different role. Some calm the nervous system, others ease pain or support digestion — it depends on what the body needs. But it’s never just about the point itself. It’s about how it fits into a bigger pattern of what’s happening in the body as a whole.
And acupuncture points — what exactly are they?
There are over a thousand points across the body, and they’re not random. Most lie at intersections of nerve pathways, blood vessels or muscle tissue — places where you can influence what’s going on internally. Think of them as little access points to the body’s systems. When stimulated, they send signals — to relax a muscle, boost circulation, shift your internal state. They’re precise, and incredibly powerful when used well.
You’ve got such a specific lens — where did it come from?
I came into this through shiatsu massage. It gave me this tactile, intuitive understanding of the body — how everything is connected. But I was hungry for more depth and diagnostic tools, which led me to Chinese Medicine.
Over time, I found myself drawn to working in spaces that needed more nuance — mental health, reproductive health, and skin conditions that often benefit from an alternative or integrative medicine approach. I’ve also worked with trauma survivors through government programs, which shaped a big part of how I now hold space for people. There’s no one-size-fits-all here. Every body holds stories differently.
What do most people come to see you for? Are there any common themes?
Honestly, it’s a mix — but there are themes. Stress that’s turned chronic. Periods that don’t play nice. Exhaustion that doesn’t lift. People might come in with neck pain or digestive issues, but often what’s underneath is just as important.
In any given week, I’ll support clients through muscle tension, insomnia, fertility challenges, perimenopause, gut issues — often all in one day. What’s key is treating the whole picture, not just the headline symptom. That’s where Chinese Medicine shines.
What’s the power of this practice — and how does it actually shift things for people?
So much of what I do is about helping people reconnect with their own rhythms. We live in a culture that overrides the body constantly — caffeinate, push through, ignore the signals. My job is to help people tune back in.
That might look like a treatment plan using acupuncture, herbs, massage, gua sha or heat therapy — but it’s also about building body literacy. Once you understand your patterns, you can start shifting them. It’s empowering. It’s not about fixing someone, it’s about creating the right conditions for change.
What about everyday moments — when someone’s got a stress headache or a 3pm crash? Are there pressure points they can use themselves?
Absolutely. For stress-related headaches or neck tension, I often recommend Liver 3 — it’s between your big toe and second toe, right in that tender webbing. A bit of pressure in circular motions for 30–60 seconds can really help release that built-up tension.
If you’re hitting an energy slump in the afternoon, try Stomach 36 — it’s just below the kneecap, about a finger-width out from the shinbone. It’s known for replenishing energy and supporting digestion, which is often behind those post-lunch crashes. I also remind people to keep meals warm and not to overdo it on raw foods — your digestive system has to bring everything to body temperature, which takes energy.
Do you have any rituals for better sleep?
I’m a big believer in a generous wind-down. I always shower at night, do my skincare, keep the lighting low, and eat early so my body’s not still digesting at bedtime. But if I’ve had a long day or feel wired, I’ll do a foot soak or massage my ears — both are packed with acupressure points that help calm the nervous system.
The feet are one of the most overlooked areas in the body. They hold so much tension — especially depending on the shoes we wear or how long we’re on them. There are dozens of joints, muscles and pressure points down there that can benefit from even a few minutes of care. I tell clients: moisturiser, a tennis ball, five minutes in front of the TV. It doesn’t need to be complicated — just consistent.
In Jess’ kit: Acupressure for real life.
Jess Strachan’s approach is all about using the smallest interventions to create meaningful shifts. Through acupuncture, shiatsu and the broader tools of Chinese Medicine, she helps people decode their symptoms, calm their systems, and reconnect with what their bodies are really asking for. Personal, practical and grounded in deep listening, her work makes a point — quite literally — of meeting you where you are, and guiding you back to balance.
Explore more from Jess at https://www.machihealth.com.au/
This series was created by kit: in paid partnership with members of our Council — four independent wellbeing experts. While kit: funded and directed production, the content was shaped by the talent’s own experience and expertise.
