HERBAL MEDICINE

Chinese herbs are effective in treating a wide range of health conditions with little to no side effects. It is based on a rich body of knowledge developed over thousands of years of clinical practice. For almost any health condition your body can create, there is an herbal formula that is designed specifically to target that problem.

A prescription containing 5-20 will be tailored specifically for your health requirements. The term 'herbs' encompasses plant material, minerals and a small number of animal products.

Herbal formulas can be prepared in several different forms and are generally taken morning & night: -

RAW HERBS: A bag of herbs in raw form that you boil & then drink the remaining liquid, called a decoction. This process can be time consuming & the taste unpalatable. Its strengths lie in the fact that it is quickly and easily absorbed into the body, can be tailored to your specific needs and provides excellent therapeutic benefits.

GRANULES: Herbs are concentrated & powdered for ease of use. They can be simply dissolved in water & taken. Due to the amount of processing involved in their production they tend to be more expensive than raw herbs but provide comparable results to the raw herbs.

TINCTURE: Herbs are steeped in an alcohol solution for several weeks. This removes the need for boiling herbs but formulas are less tailored.

PATENT PILLS: Traditional herbal formulas processed into pills. They are a convenient way to take herbal medicine and useful for people who are time poor or who have a sensitive palate to drinking herbs. Pills are not as potent as raw or granule herbs & less tailored.

MASSAGE

Regular therapeutic massage can be an important part of your health and wellness plan. Massage is use activate blood circulation throughout muscles to alleviate pain & tension and improve general wellbeing.

Deep Tissue Massage/ Remedial/Sports Massage/ Trigger Point Therapy Remedial massage focuses on the deeper layers of muscle tissue, targeting more specific areas of tightness and restriction. It works to release the chronic patterns of tension in the body, to allow for tissue detoxification and healing. This type of massage is ideal for sports people, chronic pain syndromes, injuries and those with severe muscle tension.

Relaxation Massage Improve circulation and relieve muscle tension with a smooth flowing style that promotes gentle relaxation and stress relief. A soothing massage to help you let go of stress and reconnect with your inner self.

Oncology Massage Oncology massage is designed to safely and effectively work with people undergoing cancer treatment or have been treated for cancer. Each treatment is individualised to suit the client’s needs, with the very gentle treatment focusing on minimising the client’s discomfort. The massage is not a curative treatment, but aims to alleviate tension, anxiety and stress, improving overall wellbeing.

OSTEOPATHY

Each person, condition and injury is unique so osteopathic treatments will vary from person to person. Your osteopath will ask questions about your problem and symptoms. They may also ask about your medical history, any medications you are taking, as well as factors that may not appear to be directly related to your problem. Your osteopath will conduct a full osteopathic examination and if necessary, clinical tests, this may involve diagnostic, orthopaedic or neurological tests, postural assessments and activities or exercises that will determine how best to manage your condition. The examination may include passive and active movements, such as the osteopath lifting your arms or legs. Osteopathy takes a holistic approach to treatment, so your practitioner may look at other parts of your body, as well as the area that is troubling you. For example, if you have a sore knee, your osteopath may also look at your ankle, pelvis and back. Osteopathy is a manual therapy, so hands-on treatment may include massage, stretching, repetitive movements, mobilisation and/or manipulation. Most osteopathic treatments are gentle and should not cause undue discomfort. If your injuries do require hands-on treatment of painful and tender areas, your osteopath will exercise care to make you as comfortable as possible. Your osteopath may also provide education and advice to help you manage your condition between appointments. This may include giving you exercises to do at home or work. Osteopaths treat more than you think. They focus on how your skeleton, joints, muscles, nerves, circulatory system, connective tissue and internal organs function as a whole body unit. A visit to the osteopath does not require a referral. Osteopathy is covered by most private health funds and Medicare’s Chronic Disease Management (CDM) plans. Osteopaths are registered providers for patients under the Transport Accident Commission, WorkCover and Department of Veterans’ Affairs.

CHILDREN'S NUTRITION

A Children’s Nutritionist can assist from pre-conception right up to teenagers.  At each stage an infant/child/teen body requires different amounts of macronutrients and micronutrients.  Their diet should consist of a variety of foods that contain a range of these nutrients in the purest form possible.  A Children’s Nutritionist plans menus and meal plans, that incorporate a balanced diet supporting healthy nourishment and healthy body function.  They also teach children and parents on healthy and mindful eating and basic nutrition. Physically active and growing children require good nutrition to build a healthy and strong foundation to assist them through childhood and into adulthood.  Many habits and knowledge towards food are shaped during their early years, which forms the basis for future eating habits and patterns.  

COACHING, COUNSELLING, HYPNOSIS

INFRARED SAUNA

Unlike a traditional sauna which only heats the surface of the skin, the Far Infrared Sauna uses infrared rays like those we experience from the sun (without the harmful UV) that penetrate through the tissues to heat the body core safely. This provides multiple health benefits including:

• • • Increased circulation and metabolism
    • Pain relief, decreased muscle tension and inflammation
    • Helps to flush out toxins trapped in the subcutaneous fat
    • Boosts the immune system and helps to increase the white blood cell count
    • Rejuvenation of the skin, leaving it feel beautifully soft
    • A decrease of the appearance of cellulite and acne
    • Burning of calories

Studies have shown that the sweat from a traditional sauna is comprised of 97% water and 3% toxins, while the sweat produced in a Far Infrared Sauna is 80% water and 20% heavy metals, pesticides, cholesterol, nicotine, alcohol, and other morbid residues. Sweating is a much safer way to release fat-soluble toxins, as they can damage the kidneys if excreted via the urine. Relaxing in the infrared sauna for 30mins burns at least 300 calories and you will feel warm and relaxed as though you have just had a massage or lay in the sun. You won’t feel overly hot during the session because it is not the surrounding air that is being heated, it’s your body’s core, so although it’s not intensely hot and steamy you will still sweat profusely! Our single person sauna is designed to give you the most beneficial and relaxing experience possible. The patented technology creates a larger heating area, up to 27 times greater than any other Far Infrared Sauna, which enables a deeper sweat with minimal heat. Plus, our sauna has in built chromotherapy, which is just a fancy name for light therapy.  Light and colour therapy is an ancient healing technique used to elicit feelings of well-being and harmony. Important information

• • • Drink lots of water before your appointment, it’s important to be well hydrated before your session so that you sweat well and to avoid feeling lightheaded during or after your session. We will also provide you with an electrolyte post-sweat to rebalance your levels.
    • Try to avoid putting on lotions, makeup, cream and oils on your skin to encourage your pores to open more effectively.
    • You do not need to bring anything to wear in the sauna, because Infrared waves are most effective when they can contact bare skin and we have a single person sauna, so you will be in the treatment room by yourself, in your birthday suit!  As FIR heats the body core, you may feel hot or even still be sweating after your sauna, so loose comfortable clothing is ideal for afterwards.
    • There are some medical conditions that are advised to avoid the use of the sauna. For a full list of those conditions and cautions please see the cautions below….
    • The sauna is safe enough to use daily provided you have none of the existing conditions listed on the cautions page and you are mindful to replenish the fluids you are losing via the sweat.

Click on icon below to schedule an Infrared Sauna session online:

 

CAUTIONS

Cardiac Conditions The use of infrared saunas should be avoided by anyone who has unstable angina, recent myocardial infarction & severe aortic stenosis. Haemophiliacs / Individuals Prone to Bleeding The use of infrared saunas should be avoided by anyone who is predisposed to bleeding. Fever An individual who has a fever should not use an infrared sauna until the fever subsides. Sensitivity to Heat An individual with sensitivity to heat should not use an infrared sauna. Joint Injury If you have a recent (acute) joint injury, it should not be heated for the first 48 hours after an injury or until the swollen symptoms subside. If you have a joint or joints that are chronically hot and swollen, these joints may respond poorly to vigorous heating of any kind. Medications Individuals who are using prescription drugs should seek the advice of their personal physician or a pharmacist for possible changes in the drugs effect when the body is exposed to infrared waves or elevated body temperature. Diuretics, barbiturates and beta-blockers may impair the body’s natural heat loss mechanisms. Anti-cholinergic such as amitryptaline may inhibit sweating and can predispose individuals to heat rash or to a lesser extent, heat stroke. Some over-the-counter drugs, such as antihistamines, may also cause the body to be more prone to heat stroke. Pregnancy It is not recommended that pregnant women use the sauna, however, it is safe to use when breastfeeding. Cardiovascular Issues, Obesity or Diabetes Individuals suffering from obesity or with a medical history of heart disease, low or high blood pressure, circulatory problems or diabetes should consult a physician prior to use. Heat stress increases cardiac output and blood flow in an effort to transfer internal body heat to the outside environment via the skin (perspiration) and respiratory system. This takes place primarily due to major changes in the heart rate, which has the potential to increase by 30 beats per minute for each degree increase in core body temperature. Alcohol / Alcohol Abuse Contrary to popular belief, it is not advisable to attempt to “sweat out” a hangover. Alcohol intoxication decreases a person’s judgment; therefore, he/she may not realize when the body has a negative reaction to high heat. Alcohol also increases the heart rate, which may be further increased by heat stress. Chronic Conditions / Diseases Associated with Reduced Ability to Sweat or Perspire Multiple Sclerosis, Central Nervous System Tumours and Diabetic Neuropathy are conditions that are associated with impaired sweating. Consult a physician prior. Implants Metal pins, rods, artificial joints or any other surgical implants generally reflect infrared waves and thus are not heated by this system. Nevertheless, you should consult your physician prior to using an infrared sauna. Children The core body temperature of children rises much faster than adults. This occurs due to a higher metabolic rate per body mass, limited circulatory adaptation to increased cardiac demands and the inability to regulate body temperature by sweating. When using with a child, operate at a lower temperature and for no more than 15 minutes at a time. The Elderly The ability to maintain core body temperature decreases with age. This is primarily due to circulatory conditions and decreased sweat gland function. The body must be able to activate its natural cooling processes in order to maintain core body temperature. When using with the elderly, operate at a lower temperature and for no more than 15 minutes at a time. Communicable Skin Diseases These include warts, scabies, etc.  Even though the warm-up time of the sauna (before a person enters the solo system) is believed to get rid of bacteria/sterilize the sauna, we ask that if you think you may have any communicable skin disease please inform us before using our sauna.  We will then advise you if we can offer you this treatment. Menstruation Heating of the low back area of women during the menstrual period may temporarily increase menstrual flow. This should not preclude (contraindicate) sauna use. Many women find relief of menstrual symptoms after a sauna due to improved blood flow and decreased inflammation.

YOGA

Yoga with Camille is Gita style Hatha Yoga is a practice founded in mindfulness.  Classes incorporate physical postures, mudras, breathing, relaxation and meditation aimed at bringing your mind, body and soul back into alignment. Each class targets the hormones via the endocrine system, returning them to balanced functioning using classical yoga postures. The class is for everyone, it works within an individual's capacity in an incremental way to improve health and well being and bring the student back into real connection with their body and mind. Students will emerge feeling balanced, recharged and whole, ready to face the world again. Yoga classes are held at the Romsey Mechanics Hall (next door to In Symmetry) on Tuesday evenings at 7.30pm. Classes are $15 and run within the school terms.  To register interest please contact the clinic on (03) 5429 3610.  BYO yoga mat