First though, what is a holistic medical practitioner?
A holistic medical practitioner is someone who looks at you as a whole – body, mind and spirit. There is an emphasis on finding the underlying issues for ill-health, rather than just treating the symptoms. They are also referred to as ‘integrative’ practitioners as they combine integrative services in their treatment.
I am finding that more and more people are seeking a holistic approach to their health. We want someone who has up to date information on nutrition and values natural alternatives instead of just handing out prescriptions. We want someone who will listen, who will let us have a say in our health plan, who will not judge our choices. We want to spend more than ten minutes with someone. We want someone who offers a thorough consultation, taking into account our medical history and lifestyle. We want someone who will work with us on a plan towards wellness, treating us a whole person – body, mind and spirit.
Well, if that sounds like what you are looking for, I have some resources for you. My gorgeous friend and amazing nutritionist, Anita Rossiter from Eat and 3 Veg has helped me with this compilation. You may find what you need in a general practitioner who specialises in holistic health or maybe it will be a naturopath or a nutritionist.
♥ Ask for recommendations.
Ask your family and friends if they know of anyone great that has a similar philosophy to you. You can also ask our Natural New Age Mum community in our Facebook chat group. Please email me if you would like to join. sonia (at) naturalnewagemum.com
♥ Mindd Foundation.
The Mindd Foundation has a directory of biomedical practitioners in Australia and New Zealand. A biomedical approach is one that looks at physiological, biochemical and nutritional factors. To be in this directory, practitioners need to have completed DAN!, Pfeiffer and/or Mindd training programs.
“Integrative Healthcare offers real solutions for the whole family by combining diet, nutrient therapy, structural support, energy medicine and lifestyle to restore the body’s natural ability to grow, heal and prevent disease. Sometimes neuro therapies are also needed.
Mindd Foundation helps practitioners and patients discover and implement effective treatments for Metabolic, Immunologic, Neurologic,Digestive, Developmental conditions that often affect the mind. Our focus is on paediatric disorders such as ADHD, Asthma, allergies, autism, chronic illness, depression, learning and language delay, and digestive and behavioural disorders. Research is showing that these children are coming from families with a history of “brain-immuno-gut disorders” triggered by toxins, malnutrition and infections.” Mindd Foundation.
♥ Bio Balance Health
“Bio-Balance Health’s primary aim is to make available in Australia information on the use of a comprehensive biochemical assessment and advanced complementary nutritional treatment of a range of disorders such as behavioural disorders, ADD, ADHD, learning disorders and Autism as well as mental disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and depression. Bio-Balance Health supports a not for profit basis of the training of Doctors in Australia.”
Check out their directory to find a Bio Balance practitioner.
♥ ACNEM
The Australasian College of Nutritional and Environmental Medicine has a practitioner listing that puts members of the public in touch with medical doctors, dentists and other healthcare practitioners in Australia and New Zealand who have completed the ACNEM Primary Modules in NEM and who are current members of the College.
“Nutritional and Environmental Medicine (NEM) is concerned with the interaction of nutritional and environmental factors with human biochemistry and physiology, and the resulting physiological and psychological symptoms and pathology. NEM is evidence-based, drawing on the latest biomedical and genetic science and research to develop new treatment approaches to illness and disease, for primary prevention and to promote optimal health and well-being.
Nutritional deficiencies, imbalances, or the presence of environmental toxins in the body can result in cellular dysfunction, illness or disease. Treatment is aimed at correcting underlying causes as well as providing symptomatic relief. This may involve removal of certain foods from the diet or toxins from the patient’s environment, or prescription of supplements such as vitamins, minerals, trace elements and essential fatty acids where diet and lifestyle alone cannot rectify physiological imbalances.”
♥ ANTA
Not medical as such, but this association is a also a fantastic one to find a natural therapist.
The Australian Natural Therapists Association has a directory of a wide range of natural therapy practitioners. Look here for aromatherapy, homeopathy, traditional Chinese medicine, chiropracters, naturopathy, nutritionists etc.
“The Australian Natural Therapists Association Limited (ANTA) is the largest national democratic association of ‘recognised professional’ traditional, complementary medicine and natural therapy practitioners established for more than 60 years who work in the areas of health care and preventative medicine.”
On a personal note, since finding my holistic GP (who incidentally is a member of the first three organizations), I have finally uncovered long term health issues and am on the way to resolving them!
I would love to know how you find a good holistic medical practitioner. Any tips for us?