Wholistic healthcare from registered acupuncturist Sarah Napier (she/her)

My Approach

Hi, I’m Sarah – owner of Hypha Forest.  I’m an AHPRA registered acupuncturist
and Chinese medicine herbalist.

Hypha Forest is an acupuncture-focused wellness clinic in Sydney’s Inner West. I create personalised treatment plans for a wide range of health conditions and wellness goals, with a particular focus on stress support, pain management, women’s health, fertility, IVF support, and pregnancy care. If you’re looking for someone to work in partnership with your broader healthcare team, I’m more than willing to communicate and work with your existing doctors and allied health practitioners.

As part of my wholistic, systemic approach, I offer the option to combine acupuncture with live sound therapy to deepen relaxation and harmonisation. I’m also a passionate advocate for the restorative power of creativity, and love to work in an intuitive way to guide my patients towards positive wellbeing transformations. It’s important to me to create safe and non-judgemental spaces, and I pride myself on my friendly and gentle presence.

  • Acupuncture

    My acupuncture approach starts with a wholistic health assessment, to form an overall understanding of your pattern according to Chinese Medicine principles.

    As part of your consultation, I may also suggest lifestyle and dietary changes, or herbal medicines based on your unique constitution. 

  • Adjunctive Therapies

    I use a range of therapeutic tools and methods which can be woven into your session depending on your unique needs.

    This might include traditional Chinese tools such as fire cupping and gua sha, to address muscular aches and pains.

  • Sound Therapy

    I offer the option to enjoy live music during your treatment session. This can include instruments including chimes, singing bowls and tuning forks to create personally tailored soundscapes.

    Sound can be used alone or in conjunction with acupuncture. It’s a wonderful experience for deep relaxation – all you have to do is lie back, enjoy the pleasant sounds, and relax!

Clinic Fees

  • Your first appointment takes 75 minutes and involves a comprehensive health assessment and an acupuncture session. We may use additional techniques such as cupping, sound therapy or herbal medicine if appropriate. Together we will discuss your health goals and create a treatment plan for future sessions.

    Fee - $130.00

  • Follow-up appointments take 1 hour and involve consultation and acupuncture. I may also suggest additional techniques such as cupping, herbal medicine or sound therapy.

    Fee - $100.00

    Treatment Package - $450 for 5 sessions
    (T & Cs apply)

Sarah Napier

Registration:

AHPRA CMR0002637143
AACMA 4137

 Qualifications:

Bachelor Of Health Science in Traditional Chinese Medicine
University Of Technology Sydney

Bachelor Of Visual Arts (First Class Honours)
University Of Sydney

Why “Hypha Forest”?


It’s a name that recognises we are all valuable parts of a greater whole.

Hypha are the threads that form a connective network in the Earth’s soil called mycelium, from which mushrooms grow. Mushrooms might seem like small, singular entities – but they’re actually the fruit of huge networks, absolutely vital to the ecosystem of the entire planet.

From microscopic threads to towering redwoods.

Mycelium networks are responsible for the creation of fertile soil, breaking down and transforming nature’s waste on a molecular level. The hypha tendrils of mycelium hold the earth together, providing a nurturing structure for the landscape. Most importantly, mycelium networks conduct multidirectional exchange of nutrients between plants! In this way, the small, delicate, hidden tendrils of hypha are essential parts of a great network that is indispensable for the wellbeing of entire ecosystems. So while hypha are arranged in their own microscopic ‘forests’, they’re also vital to the creation of actual forests – giving rise to the world’s tallest and sturdiest trees.

An approach to health inspired by ecosystems.

I chose the name Hypha Forest because I want to work in a way that deeply honours the value of both the parts and the whole – the “Hypha”, and the “Forest”. We are all, within ourselves, a multitude – so many different lifeforms and systems working together to make life possible. But we’re also all part of the great network of life – our successes and our failures, our health and our happiness, all connected to our environment and to each other.

With Hypha Forest, I aim to use this contextual and systemic approach to help you transform your well-being and integrate more effectively with your own personal ecosystem.

FAQs

  • I treat a wide range of conditions! Most of us think about joint and muscle pain when then think of acupuncture but did you know that acupuncture is a whole-systems health approach that can be applied to a wide range of conditions?

    Treatments plans can be tailored to support your body through:

    • Musculoskeletal conditions

    • Stress and anxiety

    • Insomnia and fatigue

    • Menstrual health and menopause

    • Fertility and IVF support

    • Pregnancy care and birth preparation

    • Insomnia

    • Digestive conditions

    • Headaches and migraines

    • and much more

    Just like we need enough water, nutrition, sleep and exercise for basic wellness, we need the right combo of healthcare services working together to support our mind and body. I love working with other practitioners to support you in your wellness goals. With your consent I can communicate with your doctors and other complementary practitioners to explain my treatment aims, check in to make sure we are on the same page and discuss progress and concerns. You totally deserve a solid healthcare team!

  • I practice a classical style of acupuncture called the Balance Method. This style is a distant method of acupuncture. I needle points away from the area of pain or concern with a systematic approach to encourage change via the channels (pathways) in the body. This approach encourages systemic healing without aggravating painful or inflammed areas.

    This style of acupuncture is taught through lineage by following a master. I offer gratitude to my sifus (teachers) Dr Sonia F. Tan and Dr Elieen Han, disciples of the late Dr Richard Tan. I also thank my kind mentor An Ni Chien, who inspires me everyday.

  • If Western Medicine is like a power tool, Chinese Medicine is like sandpaper - less efficient but slow, careful and handcrafted.

    It's important to understand that acupuncture is a slow medicine that takes commitment and patience. Acupuncture aims to correct the imbalances of the body by sending messages through the acupuncture channels. We often need to repeat the signals we send to the body so that long term change can be achieved. This process can take even longer if it's difficult to stop the things that cause disharmony - such as working long hours.

    I may suggest you have acupuncture weekly, or even bi-weekly, when we first start working together and we’ll reduce frequency over time as the affect cumulate. I may also suggest other healthcare resources, investigations or approaches to help you reach your goals. My main objective is that you get the right care.

  • Acupuncture can feel like mild pressure, dullness, aching or tingling. Sometimes there is a little sting and other times you can’t feel anything at all. Acupuncture needles are much smaller than regular needles and most people find it can be a peaceful experience with minimal pain.

  • It’s totally natural to feel a bit nervous about getting acupuncture for the first time. Slowly over time I can help you and your body to feel safe during acupuncture and hopefully the benefits will quickly outweigh the fear. Most people feel at ease and comfortable with the process after only a couple of sessions.

    Remember: YOU are always in charge, we can go as slow as you need and I will explain each step of the process. If you're just not ready to give acupuncture a go, that’s okay! Why not just try starting with acupressure, cupping or sound therapy instead?

    Reach out if I can help put your mind at ease and answer any questions you have.

  • YES! I celebrate and welcome all bodies regardless of shape, size and gender expression! Please know that you're safe, honoured and respected in my presence. Hypha Forest is a no judgement, no diet-culture and fat-phobia free zone.

    I’m a proud member of ACON’s welcome here LGBTQ+ inclusion program. I’ll make every effort to welcome the real YOU including using correct pronouns. Please let me know how I can help you access my services with ease.

  • Unfortunately at this stage there is no wheelchair access or accessible bathroom onsite. There is a flight of 10 stairs leading to the clinic entrance.

  • I’m registered with all major health insurance funds. Please check with your health fund to see if acupuncture is listed as one of your extras. There is a HICAPS machine at the clinic for instant rebates.

Contact

Location
Shop 1, 2 Holt Street, Stanmore, NSW 2048
(We share clinic space alongside Stanmore Chiropractic)

Hours
Wednesday: 1pm—8:30pm
Thursday: 1pm — 8:30pm
Friday: 12pm — 6:00pm
Saturday: 10am—6pm

Phone
0421 921 140

Email
hyphaforest@gmail.com

Getting Here
By train: We are just a few steps away from Stanmore train station!
By car: There is 1- and 2-hour parking is available opposite Stanmore Primary School.