Georgia Payten (she/her) is a registered Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner and Acupuncturist. She graduated from the University of Technology Sydney with a Bachelor of Health Science in Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Georgia is passionate and experienced in treating a wide range of conditions, including supporting women’s reproductive health including menstrual irregularities, amenorrhea, endometriosis, PCOS, fertility and pregnancy support, and post-natal care; musculoskeletal conditions involving pain management and recovery; digestive disorders, stress, and anxiety; sleep concerns and cosmetic acupuncture including Bell’s Palsy.
She has spent time living in China, interning and studying at the Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital and the Beijing United Family Hospital and Clinic. During this time she observed firsthand the benefits of incorporating both eastern and western therapies to treat her patient’s conditions. She continues to encourage and support shared care with her patients and allied health care practitioners and specialists in the local area.
Since graduating, Georgia has furthered her studies in female reproductive health and pregnancy, in which she has a special interest. She has also completed further study in cosmetic acupuncture including preventative care and acne management.
Georgia believes optimal health is a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing. In her treatments, she advises on the importance of diet and lifestyle. Alongside her Chinese Medicine treatments, she incorporates tailored advice specific to her patient’s needs.
In addition to clinical practice, Georgia is the co-host of the podcast, ‘Integrating Chinese Medicine’. Which is an educational platform for practical ways to integrating Eastern medicine into your Western lifestyle.
Georgia is a registered member of The Australian Health Practitioner Registration Agency (AHPRA) and Chinese Medicine Registration Board (CMRB). She is also a member of The Australian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Association (AACMA) and is covered by all major healthcare providers for her patients to claim private insurance rebates on consultations.
Georgia Payten: I moved to Munich to study at the Heinz Bosl Stiftung when I was 17. I was there for two years, and in hindsight realised I was incredibly homesick. I missed my friends and family, and being far from home was challenging. During my last 6 months in Munich, I started experiencing a series of injuries.
I had a hip injury, knee injuries, and these physical issues began to take a toll on me emotionally. I couldn't exercise, which affected my fitness, and reached a point where I felt unable to continue in this state. In the last couple of months, my days were often unhappy, and I wasn't the same person I was before moving to Munich. I wanted to rediscover my love for ballet and be myself again, but also didn’t want to grow resentful.
I decided to return to Australia and continued a pre-professional intensive program at Academy Ballet with Vicki Attard in Sydney. Vicki specialized in training dancers who had been overseas and were returning to Australia. These dancers were typically in their early twenties, not 14 or 15 years old. After about a year, I began to realize that my heart wasn't in it. It took 6 to 12 months for me to acknowledge that I wanted a career change.
Despite attending an overseas audition tour, I no longer felt passionate about ballet. It was no longer my priority. That's when I decided to pivot career-wise.
As a Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner, my work is continuously evolving. With a history spanning thousands of years, there's always new knowledge to enhance my practice, making my work engaging and fascinating.
Georgia: During my ballet career, I lived in a bubble, particularly after I left school to pursue ballet full-time. It was all-consuming and at the time I absolutely loved it. My perspective began to change when I returned to Australia and needed to find employment. I started a part-time job at a city bar, meeting people from diverse backgrounds.
This experience broadened my horizons. I wasn't being judged on my body fat percentage, exercise routine, or diet. People were interested in knowing me as Georgia the person, which I found refreshing. Making new friends outside the ballet world was definitely a factor in my decision to change paths, along with dance-related injuries that limited my capabilities.
Deciding what to do post-ballet was daunting but also exciting. After nearly five years of full-time ballet, returning to formal education was a challenge. The shift back to writing essays and studying was substantial. Fortunately, I found a bridging course at the University of Technology, Sydney, that helped me transition. Studying psychology was difficult, not due to the subject matter, but because of the different study habits it required. Acclimating to using my brain differently and writing essays again after five years was a significant change.
A pivotal moment in my career transition was a conversation with a sports psychologist. As I grappled with my mental health and injuries, he questioned why I pursued ballet. I explained my love for the dance, the movement, the structure, and the discipline. He suggested that I could enjoy ballet recreationally instead of professionally. That realization was a turning point; that ballet didn’t need to consume my life.
While still dancing full-time and working at the bar, I began to enjoy life outside dance. My passion for dance remained, but it no longer held the same intensity. My meeting with the sports psychologist made me realize that I wanted to support other dancers through their transitions, helping them to understand that their feelings are valid.
Georgia: I discovered complementary and Traditional Chinese Medicine when I was suffering from shin splints. Despite seeking help from a physiotherapist, my symptoms didn't improve. During this time, my mom was receiving acupuncture treatments and suggested I try it to address my shin splints. After three sessions, my symptoms completely resolved.
Throughout my visits, the acupuncturist would discuss the philosophy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the conditions he treats, and the therapeutic benefits of Chinese herbs. I found this incredibly intriguing and sparked my interest in pursuing this path.
After researching, I realized I could study this at university. This was the turning point for me, realizing that I wanted to help people from a Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective rather than continue the path of psychology. From there, my journey with Chinese medicine has become so much more rewarding than I initially anticipated.
Georgia: My qualifications include a Bachelor of Health Science in Traditional Chinese Medicine from the University of Technology, Sydney (UTS). This four-year degree culminates in a two-month internship at a TCM hospital in Chengdu, China.
After completing the degree, all health practitioners, acupuncturists included, must register with AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency). This entity ensures we have the appropriate training and qualifications for safe practice. Each year, I must accumulate a specified number of CPD (Continuing Professional Development) points by staying current with research and learning in specific areas. For instance, my specialties are Women's Health and Cosmetic Acupuncture.
With the skincare industry thriving, Cosmetic Acupuncture serves as a safe alternative for those wanting to avoid cosmetic injectables. I also work in Women's Health, including supporting menstrual cycles, irregular cycles, painful periods, preconception care, pregnancy, postpartum, and menopause in a TCM clinic as well as working in an IVF clinic where I perform acupuncture on women during their fertility treatment. It is becoming more common for Acupuncturists to work in tandem with fertility treatment.
There's substantial research supporting the integration of acupuncture, fertility, and IVF, which is why it's been incorporated into clinics. It's rewarding to see our practice recognized and respected by specialists and GPs. Acupuncture is often recommended as a supplementary treatment in IVF and fertility procedures, alongside other additions such as supplements, dietetics, and more.
Georgia: Absolutely. My healthy lifestyle as a ballet dancer has always aligned with Traditional Chinese Medicine and integrative healthcare.
Understanding the human body from a ballet perspective has significantly aided my treatments and study. Being aware of how the body works and how it communicates when it's struggling is crucial. As a ballet dancer, there is a constant push, which aligns with the concept of 'yang'. However, it's important to balance this with 'yin' - slowing down, calming the central nervous system, and focusing on restoration rather than adding more strain to an already depleted body.
In today's world, there's a common narrative of being busy, sleep-deprived, and stressed. However, if we shift this mindset and prioritize sleep and stress management, we can function better overall. This approach improves our overall quality of life and reduces the risk of burnout.
Georgia: The discipline of ballet greatly benefited my university studies. It was evident in my dedication to preparing for exams and assignments. This precision is also reflected in my treatments.
I also want dancers to understand that further education is not off-limits. For dancers who finish school early to pursue ballet full-time, as I did, there are different prerequisites for mature-age students to enter university, and exceptions are always made.
Georgia: There are numerous benefits to my career. I work two days a week in a Traditional Chinese Medicine clinic where I recently returned from maternity leave, experiencing a refreshing sense of renewal. Before having my daughter, I worked in a Women's Health Chinese Medicine clinic in Sydney for five years.
As a Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner, my work is continuously evolving. With a history spanning thousands of years, there's always new knowledge to enhance my practice, making my work engaging and fascinating. A significant perk of my job, particularly as a mother, is the autonomy in setting my work hours. I can maintain a successful career working two to three days a week, without the constraints of a traditional nine-to-five schedule.
After moving to Melbourne and returning from maternity leave, I started working at a clinic called Quiescence, operating independently. Patients seek my expertise in Women's Health and fertility for various reasons. Additionally, I work at an IVF clinic, where women come for consultations, referred by their specialists or GPs for acupuncture. This work extends beyond fertility treatment to general Women's Health and menstrual issues.
I am passionate about educating women on their reproductive health and menstrual cycles, viewing them as a monthly report card or the fifth vital sign. Many women experience cycle-related symptoms that impact their quality of life. Through my clinical practice, podcasts, and talks, I aim to increase awareness of this topic. My work is deeply dedicated to improving patients' quality of life, focusing on Women's Health, fertility, pregnancy and postpartum. I find my workdays rewarding and find great joy in helping people.
Besides my clinical work, I co-host a podcast called "Integrating Chinese Medicine," launched in 2020 during COVID-19. We noticed a gap in the market for Chinese Medicine and Integrative Medicine. The podcast features practical ways to incorporate Eastern medicine into daily life, focusing mainly on Women's Health. We interview specialists, doctors, and allied health practitioners about various Women's Health topics.
As a Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner, I view my practice as complementary medicine. I often advise patients to get blood tests or scans from their GP and maintain open communication with other healthcare practitioners to collaboratively treat a patient's condition.
Georgia: I appreciate this question. One of my biggest challenges was understanding who I am beyond my identity as a ballet dancer. It had been my identity for so long that, without it, I didn't know who I was. I want dancers to understand that the first step in changing careers is the hardest. However, the discipline and knowledge gained from dancing can be applied to many other career paths and aspects of life.
I also want dancers to understand that further education is not off-limits. For dancers who finish school early to pursue ballet full-time, as I did, there are different prerequisites for mature-age students to enter university, and exceptions are always made. Unless you're passionate about a career that doesn't require a university degree, don't think your options are limited. Universities have resources for mature-age students, whom they greatly value.
The unknown can be daunting for dancers. They might think, "I know ballet and dancing, what else can I do?" However, once you start exploring your other interests and options, you'll realize you're not as limited as you may think you are.
Top image by Mitch Fong
