Naturopathic Practitioner & Acupuncturist

B.H.SC.(Nat) & MAppSc(Acu)

Nicola is a motivated and grounded practitioner with a passion for preventative health care, helping people restore balance and vitality into their lives. 

Nicola’s treatment places an emphasis in preventative care that encourages healthy lifestyle changes to restore balance to the body promoting long lasting wellness and vitality. 

Treatment may include diet therapy, herbal remedies, nutritional advice and supplementation.

Naturopathic treatment to assist in areas of: 

Hormonal imbalances & Thyroid issues

Menopause: Peri/menopause

Digestion  & Detoxification

Stress & mental Health support

Insomnia & sleep issues

Immune & Energy support

Weight loss and management

Special interests in supporting women through all life stages from fertility, pregnancy and hormonal regulation through to wise woman transition and beyond.

Resources: A traditional and evidence-based journey

Naturopathy applies traditional, empirical, biomedical and scientific knowledge to optimise health and to prevent and treat disease. The principles of naturopathy are: supporting the body's innate healing power; identifying and treating the causes of illness; treating the whole person; promoting optimum health and preventing disease; and educating and actively engaging patients in the management of their health. Naturopathy is underpinned by holistic considerations of human health - physical, mental, spiritual and environmental. The practice of naturopathy utilises a range of modalities that are congruent with these principles. These commonly include dietary and lifestyle advice, nutritional medicine, herbal medicine, tactile therapies and iris analysis (Southern Cross University, School of Human Health Science, 2009).

Functional Pathology testing - extensive assessments in:

Full Thyroid panel including thyroid antibodies

Comprehensive digestive & stool analysis

Metabolic testing

Gut mapping & microbiome profiles

Nutritional deficiencies and assessment

Food Intolerance/allergies/sensitivities

Genetic profiling - MTHFR

Pyrrole Disorder assessment and support

Food intolerance testing IgG/IgA/IgE

HTMA Hair tissue mineral analysis

– Heavy metal assessment

IVF Support – supporting couples through cycles

*Thorough case history, hormonal assessment, dietary and nutritional support during cycles for both male and female fertility - optimising IVF outcomes.

Naturopathy is an holistic form of medicine with two main themes:

using nature and the body's own healing properties; and preventing illness and disease through healthy lifestyle adaptations such as diet.

At times lifestyle counselling and coaching are included in your recommended treatment.

Naturopathy focuses on treating both chronic diseases and acute, short-term ailments.

There are six recognised foundation principles in modern naturopathy:

• Use the healing power of nature;

• First do no harm

• Find and treat the cause, not only the symptom

• Always treat the whole person, not only their disease

• Education; and Prevention

• Naturopathy is considered suitable for patients of any age

A naturopath may specialise in a particular field, but generally they look at common disorders such as:

Fatigue; Digestive complaints; Mood disorders and depression; Allergies; Behavioural problems; Chronic fatigue syndrome;

Musculoskeletal complaints such as arthritis; Cardiovascular (heart and blood vessel) problems; High blood pressure;

Fertility problems; Endocrine disturbance; and Hormonal imbalances, such as premenstrual tension and menopause.

Naturopathy applies traditional, empirical, biomedical and scientific knowledge to optimise health and to prevent and treat disease. The principles of naturopathy are: supporting the body's innate healing power; identifying and treating the causes of illness; treating the whole person; promoting optimum health and preventing disease; and educating and actively engaging patients in the management of their health. Naturopathy is underpinned by holistic considerations of human health - physical, mental, spiritual and environmental. The practice of naturopathy utilises a range of modalities that are congruent with these principles. These commonly include dietary and lifestyle advice, nutritional medicine, herbal medicine, tactile therapies and iris analysis (Southern Cross University, School of Human Health Science, 2009).

 Practitioners should meet stringent qualifications always ensure the Naturopath that you are seeing is a registered practitioner and a member of a reputable association such as ANTA Australian National Therapies Association.

Functional Testing

Specialist laboratories such as Nutripath, Clinical Labs and i-screen perform a range of functional pathology tests that we use to investigate functional, biochemical, nutritional, metabolic and hormonal status.

Results from these tests provide essential information to assist with the diagnosis, treatment and management of patient treatment plans.

Saliva, urine and stool samples are designed to be collected in the comfort of your own home with clear instructions on the process and your role of return collection.  

If blood samples are required you will be advised to your local pathology collection centre. 

Salivary Hormone Profile

Salivary hormone testing provides the most accurate assessment of your hormonal profile.  With return results I am then able to individualise your treatment plan to correct hormonal imbalances that may be effecting your overall health.  

Hormones tested:

Oestrone (E1)

Oestrodiol (E2)

Oestriol (E3)

DHEA-S

Cortisol

Comprehensive Digestive and Stool Analysis - CDSA

Allows an investigative look into the function of the gastrointestinal tract, formulating insight into digestion, absorption, intestinal function and microbial flora, as well as testing for pathological bacteria, parasites and yeasts.  Poor digestion function and an imbalance of gut flora has been directly linked with a number of health conditions such as:  constipation, diarrhoea, flatulence, bloating, abdominal discomfort and a presentation of bad breath.

FOOD INTOLERANCES OR FOOD ALLERGY

Signs and symptoms of a food-mediated reactions:

·         Anxiety                                  Fluid retention                   Migraines                                 Weight problems·         

          Arthritis                                 Gastritis                             Mood swings                            Inflammatory bowel disease

·         Asthma                                  Headaches                         Post nasal drip                          Irritable bowel syndrome

       Depression                            Bloating                              Indigestion                               Sinus congestion   

·         Constipation                          Insomnia                             Diarrhoea                                 Lethargy

·         Fatigue                                  Malabsorption                               Fibromyalgia                            Mental fog 

·         Sleep disturbances

·         Skin conditions, e.g. acne, rashes, eczema

Food intolerances differ by having varying causes includE:  

Lactose Intolerance - A genetic lack of enzymes needed to break down particular foods such as in the case of lactose intolerance.

Fructose Malabsorption - the body's inability to absorb certain food constituents

Salicylates - reacting to other food constituents such as amines:

• found in chocolate, cheese, red wine or salicylates found in some fruit and vegetables such as capsicums, tomatoes and certain spices.

Food additives/colours - intolerances arising from food additives such as artificial colours and flavours, and commonly associated with childhood behavioural issues

Igg & IgA- Antibody activation

Immune activation involving IgG and IgA antibodies arising from food intolerances can be of a slow onset making it difficult to identify the reactive food culprits.  Most common allergens identified are foods found abundant within the western diet such as gluten, wheat, cow's milk, eggs and yeast.

Identifying reactive foods:

Two approaches commonly used for identifying reactive foods are through a combination of an elimination/exclusion diet

Food Detective same day testing/results

In House same day testing: Immune-mediated food intolerance testing, which can clearly identify which foods you are reacting to and can be organised through our clinic for a fast response.  

In response to results, a tailored treatment plan is set in place to help restore gut function often related to food intolerances.  Correcting nutritional deficiencies that may result from chronic undetected intolerances will give you more energy and an  improved health status having you feeling better within days.

Hair Mineral Analysis Testing - HTMA:

Hair can contain minerals and metals that have accumulated over a long period of time.  A wide range of metals and minerals can be measured in one sample to provide status of cellular activity and nutrient metabolism.  Hair mineral analysis is a safe non-invasive test that can detect excess or deficiencies present of vital nutrient minerals such as: Calcium, potassium, zinc and iron.  Heavy metal toxicities such as:  aluminium, lead, arsenic and mercury can lead to significant development and neurological damage and have been implicated in health conditions including those affecting the cardiovascular, endocrine, immune, musculoskeletal, skin and nervous system.  

What can Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis Reveal?

MINERAL DEFICIENCIES AND EXCESSES

HEAVY METAL TOXICITY

METABOLIC RATE (FAST OR SLOW)

IMMUNE

MENTAL HEALTH

NERVOUS SYSTEM IMBALANCE

LIVER & KIDNEY STRESS

DIABETES AND INSULIN RESISTANCE

ENERGY LEVELS & FATIGUE

CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH

ADRENAL & THYROID FUNCTION

SPORTS ENDURANCE & RECOVERY

Wellness program tailored for each individual

Whole Life Vitality - Eating for Health & Detox programs

Cleanse, Revitalise & Rejuvenate

The whole life vitality programs are health and wellness programs that have been shown to be easy to follow and effective lifestyle plans.  The health and wellness program will enable you to improve your energy, vitality and manage your weight.

•  Stabilise blood sugar levels and boost energy
•   Mobilise fat stores for fat loss
•   No calorie counting or fasting through mealtimes
•   Set up healthy diet and lifestyle habits that are long lasting
•  Offers an eating plan that provides an optimal balance of carbohydrates, fats and protein

Setting up a sustainable wellness program that allows you to achieve your optimal body weight and size.  During the initial stages of the program you will be guided by professional support in choosing healthy diet and lifestyle habits that will become long lasting and will make the difference in achieving and maintaining your goals.

Identifying and targeting weight issues is the first step towards achieving optimal health and wellness.  Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight is not only important for overall health, but is necessary in the prevention and progression of many diseases and conditions. 

By being overweight you are at a higher risk for the development of serious health problems including:  heart disease, high blood pressure, type II diabetes, gallstones, breathing problems and certain cancers.  Weight management will help to reduce your risk for the above conditions along with helping you to feel good about yourself and give you more energy to enjoy your life.

There are many contributing factors to a person’s weight these factors include:

•   Environment
•   Family history & genetics
•   Metabolism (the way your body changes food and oxygen to energy)
•   Behaviour or habits

When setting up a Health & Wellness program tailored for your needs, your practitioner will take into account the above factors and make necessary considerations in individualising your treatment plan to reduce set back challenges and will make moving forward an easy transition.  Mediherb 2015

Make an appointment today:  Reclaim your health

Healing Well Castlemaine - 0433048430