Many ways to care for body, mind, and spirit
The rain, early nights, and cooling weather are definitely making me want to snuggle up on the couch in front of the fire and not think about things like healthy eating, good exercise, and, keeping fit and healthy. But I know I can’t just eat chocolate, indulge in Irish coffees, and stop getting out of the house – so Byron Healing is a good reminder that while a little self-indulgence is good for the soul – getting out and engaging in the world is essential for all of us to stay positive in our heads, hearts, and bodies.
Of course, there is no one-stop health shop where we can get a quick solution to staying healthy – it is our lifestyle and awareness that helps us stay fit, healthy, and engaged at all stages of our lives.
With no ‘one size fits all’ solution to how we work out a lifestyle that keeps us healthy, fit, and mentally agile, we’ve taken the time to give you an in-depth look at a range of areas we can all keep in mind as we move forward in life.
From a range of approaches including allied health, to the importance of oral health, and a wide range of exercise approaches for the mind and body, we have taken the chance to explore a few options in the pages ahead.
For some people the gym is the place where they get the physical engagement they need, but for others it might be more of a combination of mind, body, and spirituality that allows them to explore and maintain overall wellbeing.
There are great suggestions around the potential to explore different modalities such as Qigong, body-based psychotherapy, limbs of yoga, music, or individual exercise programs that work with your body and your needs.
While I generally try to keep myself on track with lifestyle choices, there are times I need to head to the doctors to understand what is happening to me.
The approach of allied health is that there is a network of professional that can help address your health needs through an effective range of approaches from physios, to GPs, to psychologists. There is an increasing recognition that a more wholistic approach is needed to healthcare to ensure that we get the right help, at the right time, to ensure the quickest and most effective recovery.
Lifestyle, and wellness is also vital to maintaining our overall wellbeing.
The Byron Wellness Festival is a place you can engage with a wide range of experiences in one place to inform how you are looking after your body, mind, and spirit.
One part of being healthy that is getting more recognition is oral health. While in the UK its importance has had long-term recognition, and a visit to the dentist is included in their equivalent of Medicare, in Australia we have yet to provide free oral care. However, it is vital that you don’t ignore your dental and oral health.
So open wide and take a look inside this issue of Byron Healing to get some of the latest insights into what’s happening to improve our, hearts, minds, bodies, and souls.
Aslan Shand, Editor
Inside Byron Healing 2026–2027
Billinudgel Psychology: A Nurturing Practice
Matthew Cooper – Relationship Coach
Dr Sam Gartland – Life Medical Mullumbimby
Dr Sarah Cunningham – Life Medical Mullumbimby
Bodyworkz Fitness & Wellness Centre
Shirsha Marie – Tai Chi, Qigong, Insight Meditation & Somatic Psychotherapy
Flo Fenton’s Intouch Yoga Byron Bay
Evolve Physio And Pilates, Byron Bay
Billie-Jo McDean – Naturopath and TRTP Practitioner
Elizabeth Huxtable, Sound Therapist, Biofield Tuner
Artemis – Unique & Unusual Bodywork & Massage Infused with Essential Oils
Cape Byron Kinesiology – Georgie Claire
The Meditation People
Kate Messenger Kinesiology & Crystal Healing
Natwah Petruszka, Holographic Kinetics
Somatic Movement Therapy
Belle Eder, Herbalist, Gut Specialist
Lin Bell, Kinesiologist, Trauma Counsellor, Somatic Healer, Kinesiology Training
Nimbus Co – Premium At-Home Flat Pack Saunas & Ice Baths
Hemp Culture, Mullumbimby
WholeLife Healthfoods Markets Tweed Heads
Flannerys Organic Wholefood Wellness Market, Murwillumbah
Food Culture Bulk & Wholefoods, Ocean Shores
Byron Bay Detox Retreats
Osprey Spa at Elements of Byron
Eléme Day Spa at Crystalbrook Byron
Thai Sabai Traditional Massage
KV Wellness at Krishna Village Yoga Retreat
The Rainbow Health Centre, Lismore –Naturopathic Health Clinic
Lionsgate Events – Private Wellness Retreats & Healing Workshops, Byron hinterland
Nuha Collective, Byron Bay
Byron Community College – grow, learn, and create your future
Krishna Village: Courses, Retreats & Yoga Teacher Trainings
Ambassador for the Avatar® Course – Moni Jowsey Health,
Bromley’s Denture Clinic, Tweed Heads
Byron Hair Clinic, Hair Transplants by Dr Adam Ellerby
Releaf – Byron Bay Clinic & Dispensary
Oasis Dental Studio, Pottsville
MANAGE YOUR DEPRESSION MEDICATION FREE
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a clinically-proven, non-invasive therapy that employs targeted magnetic pulses to stimulate specific regions of the brain, with the goal of alleviating depression. Suite 61, 1 Porter Street, Byron Bay, NSW. northcoasttms.com.au phone (02) 5642 4570
*Eligibility criteria apply.
The Byron Healing magazine and website are proudly produced by www.echo.net.au
Editor: Aslan Shand
Contributors: Eve Jeffery, David Lowe, Mandy Nolan
Advertising team: Emma Burkett, Anna Coelho, Lesley Hannaford, Nicole Hargreaves, Angela Harris, Katie Thompson
Design & production: Alexandra Birot, Ziggi Browning
Printed by IVE Group
If you like what you see in this magazine, be sure to check out the Byron Healing website. A comprehensive website including articles and detailed listing of all of the healing practitioners, businesses and services in this magazine.
Follow us online: @byronhealing
If you would like a free hard copy of Byron Healing sent to you, or you would like to be on the mailing list for next year’s edition, email byronhealing@echo.net.au with your name and address.
Offers and services listed in this directory are current at the time of publication but are subject to change. The views expressed in this publication are those of the respective contributors and are not necessarily endorsed by the publisher.
Byron Wellness Festival
A new era of conscious celebration in Byron Bay begins 27 November, 2026
For decades, Byron Bay has been a destination for creatives, healers and music lovers searching for inspiration, transformation, and community. Now, a new gathering is emerging that captures the spirit of modern wellness culture while celebrating the power of music, movement and human connection –The Byron Wellness Festival.
Set in the heart of Byron Bay from 27 to 29 November, the festival is designed as a multi-sensory experience that blends wellness practices, live music, spirituality, education, and conscious living into one immersive weekend. Founder Dani Djokic has spent the past decade producing successful events across Australia, and has now turned her focus toward creating what she
describes as the ultimate wellness festival in her hometown of Byron Bay. With years of experience in large-scale festivals, expos, and conscious events, Dani’s vision is to create a gathering that feels both inspiring and deeply connected to community.
At a time when more people are prioritising mental health, nervous system regulation, meaningful connection, and holistic wellbeing, the rise of wellness festivals reflects a much deeper cultural shift. Across Australia and globally, people are searching for experiences that nourish rather than deplete them. They are looking for spaces where they can dance, heal, learn, celebrate, and belong – all in one place.
Byron Bay is the perfect backdrop for this evolution.
Long known as Australia’s spiritual and wellness capital, Byron has cultivated a global reputation for yoga retreats, sound healing, breathwork, conscious music, and alternative therapies. The region continues to attract world-class wellness practitioners, musicians, facilitators, and entrepreneurs who are helping shape the future of the wellness tourism industry.
The Byron Wellness Festival embraces this growing movement while creating an experience that feels both grounding and expansive. By day, attendees can immerse themselves in yoga, meditation, cacao ceremonies, holistic workshops, breathwork sessions, sound healing, and personal development experiences designed to restore balance and vitality.
Photos supplied
As the sun sets, the energy transforms.
Live music becomes the heartbeat of the festival, with conscious artists and musicians creating an atmosphere of celebration, freedom, and emotional connection. The fusion of wellness and music is intentional. Music has always been medicine, and festivals have historically served as gathering points for collective expression, storytelling, and transformation.
What makes the Byron Wellness Festival unique is its commitment to creating a space where wellbeing and entertainment coexist in harmony. This is not simply a wellness retreat, nor is it a traditional music festival. It is a hybrid experience that reflects how people want to live now, with more intention, authenticity, and presence.
For founder Dani, the festival is also about creating something that genuinely reflects the spirit of Byron Bay. After years spent travelling Australia, producing events and working closely with artists, healers, and conscious brands, she recognised an opportunity to bring together the very best elements of wellness culture into one transformational weekend experience. Her goal is to create a festival that feels inclusive, uplifting, and community driven while still delivering world-class entertainment and production.
Importantly, the festival arrives during a pivotal moment for Australia’s live event industry.
In recent years, many major festivals have faced enormous economic pressure due to rising production costs, insurance premiums, and changing audience behaviour. At the same time, wellness tourism and conscious events are experiencing
significant growth. Experiences that focus on community, wellbeing, sustainability, and transformational programming are resonating deeply with modern audiences seeking more meaningful ways to spend their time and money.
The Byron Wellness Festival reflects this shift beautifully.
Rather than focusing solely on large commercial headliners, the festival creates value through experience, atmosphere, and emotional connection. It invites attendees to slow down, reconnect, and participate actively instead of simply consuming entertainment passively.
There is also a strong emphasis on community and collaboration.
Local businesses, wellness brands, artists, therapists, and conscious entrepreneurs are central to the festival ecosystem. Markets, wellness activations, and holistic health vendors create opportunities for attendees to discover products and services aligned with mindful living. This community-centred approach not only supports local industry but also strengthens Byron Bay’s identity as a destination for conscious culture and wellness innovation.
Equally important is the festival’s acknowledgment of the Bundjalung People, the traditional Custodians of the land on which the event takes place. The inclusion of cultural respect and connection to Country reflects a growing awareness that wellness must include deeper conversations around community, heritage, healing and sustainability.
For many attendees, the Byron Wellness Festival will be more than a weekend escape. It will be an opportunity to reset emotionally,
physically, and spiritually. In a world that often feels overstimulated and disconnected, spaces that encourage genuine human interaction and selfreflection are becoming increasingly valuable.
These are the kinds of experiences people remember long after the festival ends.
The Byron Wellness Festival is not just about entertainment or escapism. It is about creating space for transformation, inspiration and connection in one of the most energetically unique locations in Australia.
The festival has also been intentionally designed to remain accessible. While wellness retreats of this depth often range from $2,000 to $4,000, the Byron Wellness Festival offers a comparable level of healing, inspiration, connection, and transformation at a far more attainable investment.
A special three-day presale release will run from 28 June to 1 July 2026, with full weekend experience passes available for $333. From 1 July onwards, tickets will increase to $444 for the complete weekend experience.
Over three immersive days, guests will experience more than 35 hours of carefully curated programming, including live music performances, yoga, meditation, breathwork, inspirational workshops, healing spaces, wellness markets, and opportunities for genuine community connection.
▶ For more information and tickets go to www.byronwellnessfestival.com.
Medical & Allied Health
Billinudgel Psychology: A Nurturing Practice
Whether therapy hasn’t worked for you, or you’ve never believed it would, EMDR works differently. Billinudgel Psychology offers Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, an evidence-based approach that targets how trauma, anxiety and depression are held in the brain and body – going beyond insight toward genuine resolution. The practice also offers EMDR Intensives for accelerated, deep healing. All clinicians are fully EMDR-trained and bring genuine care to supporting clients toward lasting, meaningful change. 2/6 Wilfred Street, Billinudgel • 0493 579 052 hello@billipsychology.com • www.billipsychology.com healing.echo.net.au/listing/billinudgel-psychology
Dr Sam Gartland
– Life Medical Mullumbimby
Dr Sam Gartland is a UK-trained GP, whose practice of medicine has been profoundly influenced by his own recovery from multiple sclerosis (MS). His area of interest is Lifestyle Medicine, an evidencebased approach for the prevention and reversal of chronic and lifestyle related conditions. Dr Sam’s approach is to address the root cause and empower patients to be active partners in their own healthcare.
Life Medical, 113 Stuart Street, Mullumbimby 02 6680 2486
www.lifemedicalmullumbimby.com.au
healing.echo.net.au/listing/dr-sam-gartland-life-medical
Matthew Cooper – Relationship Coach
“I’m Matthew Cooper, a helicopter pilot and Relationship Coach. I support couples and individuals who are stuck in the same old arguments, feeling like they can’t get through to each other and like nothing they do is ever good enough.
I help my clients slow things down to understand what’s really happening underneath the conflict so they can build a relationship where they both feel heard, understood and respected.”
Online sessions matthew@pilotyourjourney.com pilotyourjourney.com healing.echo.net.au/listing/matthew-cooper-relationship-coach
Dr Sarah Cunningham – Life Medical Mullumbimby
With over 30 years of medical experience in women’s health, Dr Sarah provides evidence-based, personalised care for women navigating perimenopause, menopause, and healthy ageing.
Her approach combines mainstream medicine with the principles of Lifestyle Medicine, addressing hormones, nutrition, movement, sleep, stress, metabolic health, and the broader life pressures that often converge in midlife.
Life Medical – 113 Stuart Street, Mullumbimby 02 6680 2486
www.lifemedicalmullumbimby.com.au
healing.echo.net.au/listing/dr-sarah-cunningham-life-medical
Exercise & Movement
Bodyworkz Fitness & Wellness Centre
Bodyworkz is here to help you excel with your individual fitness goals in one great location. They provide you with the best environment, state-of-the-art equipment, and a wide variety of workout options in their gym, as well as a range of recovery options in their purposebuilt recovery and wellness studio. Bodyworkz offers 30+ weekly group classes of 10+ types, across four studios, under the guidance of their friendly, expert team. They have Pilates and Reformer Pilates, yoga, an infrared sauna, and hydroxy sessions to support your optimal health and wellbeing.
46–48 Centennial Circuit, Byron Bay • 0466 433 161 www.byronbodyworkz.com.au healing.echo.net.au/listing/bodyworkz
Flo Fenton’s Intouch Yoga Byron Bay
Flo Fenton is one of Australia’s best known senior yoga teachers and yoga therapists, having been offering community classes, private classes and yoga therapy sessions, workshops and residential retreats for nearly 30 years. As a yoga therapist, Flo’s focus is on working without strain and making the practice fit the student – and not the other way around! Safe, beneficial and authentic yoga that gives the pranic benefits intended without creating injuries. 0418 441 437
flo@intouchyogabyronbay.com www.intouchyogabyronbay.com
healing.echo.net.au/listing/flo-fentons-intouch-yoga
Shirsha Marie – Tai Chi, Qigong, Insight Meditation & Somatic Psychotherapy
Embodied wisdom practices which cultivate vital life energy, internal strength, clarity and inner peace – both in movement and in stillness. Shirsha offers classes, workshops, individual sessions and residential retreats in the Byron Shire, as well as a range of qigong instructional videos.
shirsha@heartmindcentre.com.au www.heartmindcentre.com.au healing.echo.net.au/listing/shirsha-marie-tai-chi-qigong
Evolve Physio And Pilates, Byron Bay
Evolve is a modern and progressive physiotherapy clinic with a simple agenda: helping clients achieve the best results possible. The team understands that all body systems are connected and takes a comprehensive and holistic approach to injury management and rehabilitation, seeking to identify the cause of injury rather than simply treating symptoms. The Evolve team have over 40 years of industry experience, ranging from professional sporting teams to community-based care.
4/59 Centennial Circuit, Byron Bay Arts & Industry Estate Moving to Habitat August 2026 0416 749 746 • admin@evolvebyronbay.com.au www.evolvebyronbay.com.au healing.echo.net.au/listing/evolve-physio-and-pilates
Retreats, Spas & Massage
Byron Bay Detox Retreats
Byron Bay Detox Retreats is a leader in wellness and a beachfront sanctuary to purify, reconnect and rejuvenate. Experience a lifechanging transformation on one of their exclusive group retreats, rejuvenate during a personalised one-on-one retreat, escape for a weekend reset, or book into the beachside clinic for a range of wellness treatments such as colonic hydrotherapy, infrared sauna, naturopathic consultations and massage.
Suffolk Park, Byron Bay 0458 633 869 • info@byronbaydetoxretreats.com.au www.byronbaydetoxgreens.com.au www.byronbaydetoxretreats.com.au healing.echo.net.au/listing/byron-bay-detox-retreats
Eléme Day Spa at Crystalbrook Byron
Tucked within 45 acres of subtropical rainforest at Crystalbrook Byron, Eléme Day Spa is a tranquil escape designed for personalised wellness. Treatments flex to your mood, whether you’re after a deeptissue massage, a nature-inspired facial or a moment of stillness in the infrared sauna. Using high-performance, natural products by Sodashi, Eléme blends modern comfort with holistic care. It is a restorative experience grounded in the rhythms of Byron Bay. 77-97 Broken Head Road, Suffolk Park, Byron Bay eleme.byron@crystalbrookcollection.com www.crystalbrookcollection.com/eleme-spa/byron healing.echo.net.au/listing/eleme-day-spa-at-crystalbrook-byron
Osprey Spa at Elements of Byron
Osprey Spa at Elements of Byron offers a holistic wellness experience with a newly revitalised treatment menu. Enjoy signature treatments like Fire & Frost and Sublime Bliss, personalised by expert therapists. Set in a serene indoor–outdoor space, the spa combines luxurious natural skincare with the calming beauty of Byron Bay, creating a restorative escape for all visitors (including locals).
Locals receive 10% off treatments Monday to Thursday. Talk to the Osprey Spa team today.
Elements of Byron, 144 Bayshore Drive, Byron Bay 02 6639 1500 • spa@elementsofbyron.com.au www.elementsofbyron.com.au/spa healing.echo.net.au/listing/osprey-spa-at-elements-of-byron
Thai Sabai Traditional Massage
Byron Bay’s Jonson Street has been the home of Thai Sabai Massage for the past 15 years. Here ancient Eastern techniques are practised daily. Take time out to de-stress, relax, rejuvenate and re-align your life force, maintaining your health and vitality through massage and therapeutic manipulation. A quality experience!
Byron’s best massage. Open 7 days 9.30am – 7pm.
71 Jonson Street, Byron Bay relax@thaisabai.com.au • 02 6680 7373 • 0401 340 567 www.thaisabai.com.au healing.echo.net.au/listing/thai-sabai
byronhealing.com.au
KV Wellness at Krishna Village Yoga Retreat
Nestled in the lush hinterland of the Tweed Valley in the foothills of sacred Wollumbin, KV Wellness offers a deeply nourishing escape. Experience personalised wellness sessions including Ayurvedic consultations and treatments, Vedic astrology, massage, energy healing and holistic counselling, paired with modern therapies like whole-bed LED light therapy and pressotherapy. Whether you are seeking clarity, balance or rejuvenation, your journey begins here.
Byron and Tweed Shire locals enjoy a complimentary meal or yoga class with any booking.
Krishna Village, 525 Tyalgum Road • 02 8011 1033 wellness@krishnavillage.au • kvwellness.com.au healing.echo.net.au/listing/kv-wellness-at-krishna-village
Lionsgate Events – Private Wellness Retreats & Healing Workshops, Byron hinterland
Lionsgate Events creates transformative wellness experiences on the ancient healing lands of Heartwood Farm in the Byron Bay hinterland. Specialising in bespoke private wellness retreats for individuals, couples and small groups, each experience is thoughtfully curated to support healing, clarity, self-worth and personal transformation. Guests can choose from breathwork, sound healing, yoga, meditation, equineassisted healing, energy work, private chefs and nature immersion experiences, all held within a luxury, deeply nurturing environment. Heartwood Farm, Federal, Byron Bay hinterland info@lionsgate.events • www.lionsgate.events healing.echo.net.au/listing/lionsgate-events
Healing & Wellness Centres
The Rainbow Health Centre, Lismore – Naturopathic Health Clinic
A naturopathic health clinic offering comprehensive naturopathic consultations utilising homeopathy, herbal medicine, nutritional supplements, Bach flower remedies as well as nutritional and lifestyle advice. Electrodermal screening is a feature of all consultations and microbiome testing, SIBO testing and other functional assessments are utilised as required. Lee Vassella, Anna Lusty and Claire Patterson, who all hold a Bachelor of Naturopathy from SCU, are on hand to support you on your health journey. 02 6621 5121 • info@rainbowhealthcentre.com www.rainbowhealthcentre.com healing.echo.net.au/listing/the-rainbow-health-centre
Nuha Collective, Byron Bay
Nuha Collective is a boutique allied health clinic in Byron Bay offering acupuncture, remedial massage, and holistic skin therapies. Blending clinical expertise with intuitive care, Nuha Collective supports nervous system balance, natural radiance, and long-term wellbeing through personalised, evidence-informed treatments.
A space where traditional healing meets modern therapeutic care. 0423 714 875 • info@nuhacollective.com.au www.nuhacollective.com.au healing.echo.net.au/listing/nuha-collective-byron-bay
I think I’m going dental
Mandy Nolan
Looking after your teeth is something we were taught as small children. We learnt from an early age to brush our teeth. We know that sugar and acidic food can be damaging. We know about the evils of plaque. We all want healthy teeth, but why, is it so important? Generations before us accepted that they would lose their teeth by 25, but now, the norm is for most adults to work towards maintaining oral health and their own teeth for their lifetime. (Although there are much more advanced teeth implants and dentures available now if original teeth fail.)
‘Dental health is about much more than having a nice smile. Your mouth is the gateway to the rest of your body, and problems such as tooth decay, gum disease, infections, or inflammation can affect how you eat, speak, sleep, smile, and feel day to day.’ That is the key message that Dr Andrew Firgaira, founder of Oasis Dental Studio, likes to share about his practice.
‘Good oral health helps you keep your natural teeth for longer, prevents pain and infection, and can also support your overall wellbeing. Poor oral health has been associated with conditions such as heart disease, stroke and diabetes, and regular dental check-ups help reduce the chance of problems progressing unnoticed,’ says Dr Firgaira. Adding: ‘At Oasis, we see dental care as part of whole-person health. A healthy mouth supports confidence, comfort, nutrition, and quality of life.’
Dr Marcus O’Meara from O’Meara Dental agrees and adds an extra dimension to maintaining overall wellbeing. Without teeth you can’t eat! Oral health is one of the drivers of human longevity. Historically, people lost their teeth and then died shortly after.
‘Teeth are crucial for good nutrition,’ says Dr O’Meara, ‘allowing you to chew your food properly to absorb all the goodies from it!’
Dental health is about much more than having a nice smile. Your mouth is the gateway to the rest of your body...
So how often should we be going to the dentist?
‘The general consensus is every six months’ says Marcus who admits: ‘The six-month recall was an American marketeer’s brainchild, but it turns out to be a good frequency for most of the population.’
It’s another point that both dentists agree on, with Andrew adding: ‘Some patients need to come more regularly, especially if they have gum disease, a history of decay, diabetes, dry mouth, orthodontic appliances, implants, or other risk factors. Your dentist can recommend a schedule based on your oral health, lifestyle, and medical history. The Australian Dental Association notes that for most people, regular dental checks are usually every six or 12 months, depending on professional advice.’
There are many medical conditions that can influence oral health. Diabetes is one of the most important examples.
‘People with diabetes can be more prone to gum disease, tooth decay, dry mouth, oral thrush, delayed healing, and changes in taste,’ shared Andrew.
Diabetes Australia identifies periodontitis, or advanced gum disease, as one of the most recognised oral complications of diabetes.
‘Other health issues and factors that may affect dental health include heart disease, stroke risk, pregnancy, immune conditions, reflux, eating disorders, stress, sleep apnoea, smoking or vaping, and some medications. Certain medications can
reduce saliva, and saliva is one of the mouth’s natural defences against decay and infection.
‘That is why we always encourage patients to share their medical history with us. It helps us provide safer, more personalised care,’ he explained.
Marcus reinforced the importance of oral health in maintaining overall vitality and avoiding more serious conditions. ‘There are many studies linking infections and inflammations in the mouth to heart disease, stroke and more recently dementia,’ he said.
‘Your mouth can be an early indicator of diseases such as diabetes, osteoporosis, HIV/AIDS. Imbalances in your occlusion (bite) left uncorrected can lead to physical imbalances, headaches/migraines, and neuromuscular problems in the rest of your body.’
While many people are aware of the importance of regular dental care, very often dentists are dealing with dental emergencies. Conditions that started off relatively simple, but without treatment and intervention, progress into more serious and more expensive dental work.
‘There are a few common reasons for this,’ says Andrew, ‘fear, cost, embarrassment, busy schedules, past negative experiences, or the belief that “it will go away.” Dental problems can also be sneaky. A small cavity or gum issue may not hurt at first, so it is easy to delay care until pain, swelling, or infection appears.’
‘We also understand that dental anxiety is very real. At Oasis, we support nervous patients with gentle, compassionate care and options such as sleep dentistry to help make treatment feel calmer and more manageable. This can be especially helpful for patients who have avoided the dentist due to fear, need more complex treatment, or simply want extra support to feel relaxed during their visit.’
Marcus believes ‘dental anxiety is often inherited and like all phobias, it is an irrational fear. Dental procedures have improved over the years and should be pain free. A good rapport with your dentist and clear communication builds trust and helps resolve preexisting fears.’
For those who have lost their teeth, or are in need of dentures, new tech is assisting more accurate and comfortable fitting prosthesis.
Jasmin Freak from Bromley Denture Clinic said, ‘we create digital dentures, we are stepping away from analogue approach and now instead of taking impressions, we do an intra oral scan and print a 3D denture. The patient tries it on, then we mill it out of two little blocks. It’s definitely a skill and the way we make our dentures now is a lot more precise. It takes between two to six weeks. If you are needing dentures, it’s recommended you see your dentist first.’
And the take-home message from our dentists?
‘The basics still matter most. Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, floss or clean between the teeth daily, limit frequent sugary foods and drinks, drink plenty of water, and attend regular dental check-ups’ says Andrew.
‘Best practice also includes not ignoring symptoms. Bleeding gums, tooth sensitivity, persistent bad breath, toothache, swelling, cracked teeth, jaw pain or changes in your bite are all worth checking early.’
Prevention is key!
Photo Rachel McDermott / Unsplash
Healing Practitioners
Billie-Jo McDean – Naturopath and TRTP Practitioner
Billie-Jo McDean is a naturopath with 25 years experience who offers functional medicine testing, herbal and nutritional medicines, nutrition, lifestyle coaching and counselling. She has a special interest in helping people overcome stress, anxiety, depression and PTSD. Billie-Jo is a qualified TRTP practitioner and considers it one of the most effective modalities for healing the nervous system and subconscious mind to improve quality of life on all levels. Energy healing and intuitive massage are also part of her holistic approach to restoring wellbeing.
0403 847 814 • info@tweedcoastnaturopathic.com.au 60 Sutherland Street, Kingscliff • Telehealth/Zoom healing.echo.net.au/listing/billie-jo-mcdean-naturopath
Artemis – Unique & Unusual Bodywork & Massage Infused with Essential Oils
Experience ancient healing traditions combined with massage and essential oils, as a unique and powerful way to reconnect, indulge, pamper and ignite your senses. Offerings include: aroma stone massage, hot stone massage, Ayurvedic massage, Bowen technique, Raindrop Technique massage, sound healing, psychic/tarot readings and spiritual guidance, ancient Egyptian rituals (Egyptian Emotional Clearing Technique, AromaBliss, ParaSET Technique), ancient Tibetan reflexology, and essential oil classes. Ewingsdale, Byron Bay • 0432 788 843 (text preferred) aromatica.au • inspiredbyartemis.com • theoiltemple.com.au/blog healing.echo.net.au/listing/artemis
Elizabeth Huxtable, Sound Therapist, Biofield Tuner
From her healing studio, The Sanctuary, in Mullumbimby Creek, Elizabeth offers a range of sound therapy services including 1-2-1 sound balancing, emotional release, and sessions for children on the autism spectrum. She also offers workshops and group sound journeys, as well as training in the use of tuning forks for personal use. A certified Biofield Tuner, addressing deep trauma, she offers online and in-person sessions. Elizabeth is also trained in Medical Intuition and offers distance healing sessions.
0477 526 955 www.elizabethhuxtable.com healing.echo.net.au/listing/elizabeth-huxtable
Cape Byron Kinesiology – Georgie Claire
Your body is incredibly intelligent.
It knows how to heal – and thrive, when given the right conditions. Using a blend of kinesiology, Reiki, traditional Chinese medicine, sound frequencies and intuitive channelling, Georgie works with both the subconscious and conscious mind to support meaningful and lasting shifts. At the heart of her work is nervous system regulation – creating space not just to survive, but to thrive. Whether you’re seeking better sleep, relief from pain, emotional support, or greater clarity and direction, Georgie offers a space to feel truly heard, witnessed, and supported.
Clinic at Station Street, Mullumbimby • 0422 292 800 healing.echo.net.au/listing/cape-byron-kinesiology-georgie-claire
byronhealing.com.au
The Meditation People
Most people know meditation is good for their health, yet few actually do it. Vedic Meditation fixes that. It’s a mantra-based technique that works even if you think you can’t meditate. No concentration. No focus. Just a simple, effortless practice you can learn in four lessons with Brett Jarman, a trained Vedic Meditation teacher with 35 years of daily practice. It’s the perfect user-friendly practice for anyone with stress, anxiety, poor sleep, and a mind that won’t slow down. 0404 884 490 • info@themeditationpeople.com www.themeditationpeople.com healing.echo.net.au/listing/the-meditation-people
Natwah Petruszka, Holographic Kinetics
Holographic Kinetics is an advanced healing modality based in Aboriginal Lore. Uncle Steve Richards teaches that most people are stuck in moments of time with the patterns, thoughts and cycles of similarity repeating over and over. Dreamtime Healing using Holographic Kinetics assists you to integrate with your Spirit to find the cause of those repeating cycles and make changes so you are no longer stuck. ‘You are the key to your own healing – your Spirit is your freedom’ – Steve Richards. Natwah has been practising Holographic Kinetics in the Byron area for seven years. Call for a yarn about Holographic Kinetics or to book a session. 0434 223 756 beautifulspiritsong@gmail.com www.holographickinetics.com healing.echo.net.au/listing/natwah-petruszka-holographic-kinetics
Kate Messenger Kinesiology & Crystal Healing
Kate Messenger supports humans of all ages through kinesiology, energy psychology and crystal healing sessions, tending to all aspects of your health and wellbeing with loving presence. At the heart of these gentle, holistic modalities is the understanding that your body’s innate intelligence is always communicating, trying to guide you toward balance. Kate uses gentle muscle monitoring to identify where stress is held in the body, and targeted techniques help your system release that stress at its root, and recalibrate itself so you can thrive.
Mullumbimby/online • 0413 003 301 www.katemessengerkinesiology.com.au healing.echo.net.au/listing/kate-messenger-kinesiology
Somatic Movement Therapy
Fiona MacLeod is a somatic and yoga therapist, somatic breath work and movement coach and movement practitioner with nearly twenty years of experience working with individuals across a wide range of needs. She creates bespoke somatic and yoga therapy experiences that work directly with your body’s stored patterns and nervous system responses. Fiona offers private sessions in person and online, and accessible resources for anyone ready to come home to their body.
fiona@somatic-movement-therapy.com 0478 690 003 www.somatic-movement-therapy.com healing.echo.net.au/listing/somatic-movement-therapy
Healing Practitioners Wellness Products
Belle Eder, Herbalist, Gut Specialist
Belle has a passion for health. A well-functioning gut fuelled with the right foods means the systems of the body heal, bringing your life back to a gentle calm rhythm. Belle holds her patients with nurturing support, creating a safe space so your story can unfold. With a personalised herbal tincture, guidance and accountability, you will feel empowered to take charge of your health. Belle works with anxiety, digestive disorders, inflammatory conditions, autoimmunity, mental health issues and much more.
21 Main Arm Road, Mullumbimby 0405 337 433 • belle@mygutstore.com www.mygutstore.com healing.echo.net.au/listing/belle-eder-herbalist-gut-specialist
Lin Bell, Kinesiologist, Trauma Counsellor, Somatic Healer, Kinesiology Training
Lin Bell is one of Byron Bay’s most experienced kinesiologists. She specialises in trauma counselling, somatic, spiritual and shamanic healing, and past lives. With over 40 years practising in a wealth of healing modalities, Lin is also a creator of Self Guidance cards. She specialises in working somatically with underlying emotional beliefs. Lin supports you to recognise emotional patterns and abandoned aspects that are causing distress. You are guided into acceptance, understanding comes, and balance is restored.
0404 066 707 • linbell0@gmail.com byronbaykinesiology-healings-readings.com.au healing.echo.net.au/listing/lin-bell-kinesiologist
Nimbus Co – Premium At-Home Flat Pack Saunas & Ice Baths
Nimbus Co is Australia’s leading sauna and contrast therapy brand since 2016, designing and delivering flat pack saunas and ice baths for homes, retreats, and wellness spaces. Their range spans infrared, traditional, hybrid saunas, and bespoke builds – all engineered for straightforward self-assembly without compromising on quality or aesthetic. Built for the Byron lifestyle: natural cedar finishes, considered architectural design, and genuine therapeutic benefit. Available to ship nationally, with expert support from a team that lives and breathes wellness.
www.nimbusco.com.au • 0452 460 933 • @thenimbusco healing.echo.net.au/listing/nimbus-co
Hemp Culture, Mullumbimby
At Hemp Culture, sustainability meets soul. Explore a hemp haven filled with beautiful, eco-friendly clothing and accessories, botanical skincare, and a curated collection of journals, candles, and ritual treasures. Every visit offers something new to inspire your body, mind, and spirit. Come wander in store, or visit them online. Discover and feel the magic of conscious living.
40 Burringbar Street, Mullumbimby 0478 218 031 hello@hempculture.com.au www.hempculture.com.au healing.echo.net.au/listing/hemp-culture-mullumbimby
Wellness
WholeLife Healthfoods Markets, Tweed Heads
This is your one-stop-shop health food department store. Discover a wide range of organic produce, health foods, wholefoods, vitamins, superfoods, sports nutrition, natural beauty, skincare, and baby care products. Their range also includes products to support an eco-friendly, sustainable lifestyle.
Visit their natural health dispensary for personalised liquid herb solutions. Their resident herbalist or naturopath are available for one-on-one consultations to support your health journey.
Shop 3/3 Machinery Drive, Tweed Heads South 07 5523 0307 • www.wholelife.com.au @wholelifemarketstweedheads healing.echo.net.au/listing/wholelife-healthfoods-markets
Food Culture Bulk & Wholefoods, Ocean Shores
Food Culture is a community-rooted bulk wholefoods store in Ocean Shores, dedicated to making quality nourishment accessible, sustainable, and deeply connected to place. We offer organic pantry staples, herbs, spices, teas, refillable household goods, and everyday essentials, with a focus on reducing waste and supporting conscious food choices. More than a store, Food Culture is a gathering place where food, health, wisdom, and community come together.
Ocean Village Shopping Centre, 82 Rajah Road 02 6680 1122 • shop@foodculturebulkfoods.com.au www.foodculturebulkfoods.com.au healing.echo.net.au/listing/food-culture
Flannerys Organic Wholefood Wellness Market, Murwillumbah
Real people with a real commitment to better health and wellbeing. Flannerys offer certified organic produce, wholefoods, chemical-free household products and skin care, local organic meats, fresh eggs, milk and bread – with gluten-free and plant-based options. They have free in-store naturopathic advice, quality supplements and herbal tonics. Flannerys members receive 20% off vitamins and supplements on the first Friday and Saturday of each month!
66 Murwillumbah Street, Murwillumbah • 02 6678 2284 www.flannerys.com.au healing.echo.net.au/listing/flannerys-organic-wholefood
Move your way to a healthy life
Eve Jeffery
It’s not always fun, it’s not always exciting, you often can’t see same day results, but regular exercise is important for your health for a myriad of reasons – physical activity helps your body function optimally and has a positive effect on musculoskeletal health, weight management, cardiovascular health, the immune system, and not least, on mental health.
Gym work outs
Often, for those who want to get fit, the first stop is the gym – Gavin Butler from Bodyworkz says the key points about going to the gym are that consistency beats intensity.
‘Regular exercise is far better for you than inconsistent intensive exercise and proper warm-ups are the key to success,’ he explained.
‘You need to tailor the warm-up to the training goal you are trying to achieve as doing the wrong warm-up for that goal will leave you with fewer results.’
And as for the not fun, not exciting part about exercise? Gavin says try to concentrate on what you do like at the gym.
‘If you are enjoying your routine, you are more likely to stick to it. If you don’t enjoy deadlifts, but do enjoy group fitness classes then that is what you should concentrate on.’
Pilates
Pilates has proven invaluable for many in recent years and physiotherapist Scott Thomson, who is the owner and director at Evolve Physio & Pilates Byron Bay, says the practice at Evolve is clinical Pilates as opposed to traditional Pilates.
‘The key difference is that we use the Pilates equipment as a tool to help our clients recover from specific injuries and/or movement/stability dysfunction,’ he said.
‘The Pilates ‘machines’ – Reformer, Trap Table, and Wunda Chair – are essential
because they give the client’s body the necessary feedback to achieve the desired effect. The exercise repertoire is generally narrower and broken down into more simple linear planes of movement.’
Scott says that despite common belief, Pilates is not based solely on strengthening.
‘It is much more than that and includes; forming more efficient muscle recruitment patterns within your daily life; improving balance and proprioception; and improving mobility, dynamic stability, and dynamic flexibility.’
Scott says that with 26 years of experience as a physiotherapist, he can confidently say that it is one of the best ways to recover from chronic spinal issues.
‘You need specificity, though. Attending a general “fitness” Pilates class, despite still having benefits, might only exacerbate your issue. A professional assessment and individual program development is essential.’
Yoga forms
It’s only been a relatively short time that westerners have known what India has known for millennia.
Flo Fenton, senior yoga master, teacher trainer, and yoga therapist at Intouch Yoga, says yoga is primarily intended to gain control of the mind.
‘It is thousands of years old, an in-depth system of living, encompassing personal and social codes as well as mastering breath, understanding how to draw our senses inwards, and training the mind to remain focused and relaxed in all situations,’ said Flo.
‘The physical postures (asana) that most people in the West think of as yoga are just one “limb” of eight. Practicing asana without any of the other limbs cannot give us the full benefits.’
Flo says yoga practice affects the nervous system. ‘The way you practice will create a particular effect. A “Brahmana” practice will have an energising effect. A “Langhana” practice will have a soothing effect. A “Samana” practice will have a
regulating effect. Choose your style of practice carefully – most people nowadays are in a continual state of sympathetic nervous system stimulation and would benefit most from a Langhana practice.’
Flo says yoga and Ayurveda are sister sciences – they evolved together and are intended to be practiced together. Ayurveda is the traditional health system used for thousands of years in India. Practicing yoga without following any of ayurveda’s lifestyle wisdom will not give us the deep benefits that can result from the practice of both together.
Yoga practice traditionally changes and has a different focus depending on the stage of life we are in. Flo says the five Kramas are classical ‘steps’ or stages in yoga.
‘While children – up to 25 – benefit from a strong and mostly physical practice, as we get older and have more responsibilities, the focus of our practice should lean more towards alleviating stress on all levels, refining the breath, and improving mental focus. One of the steps is Cikitsa Krama or yoga therapy, which is for anyone at any stage of life who requires healing at any level, physical, energetic, emotional, mental, or spiritual. Yoga therapy has always been a traditional and essential part of yoga.’
Qigong and tai chi
Travelling from India to China, Senior Teacher at Heart Mind Centre, Shirsha Marie, says qigong and tai chi are great alternative exercise methods.
‘Qigong cultivates vital energy and wellbeing – it is a gentle, restorative exercise system based on traditional Chinese medical theories and naturebased philosophies. Its soft, rhythmic moves, breath awareness and focused attention enhance the smooth circulation of qi – vital life energy throughout the entire body,’ said Shirsha.
‘When life-force is allowed to circulate freely it builds in strength, nourishing every organ and tissue and improving all functions of the body. The body naturally regains its own balance and intelligence for self-healing.’
Shirsha Marie says qigong integrates the body and mind. Through slow flowing movements, natural breathing, and meditative awareness, qigong harmonises the body and mind. This integration helps calm the nervous system, improve concentration, and develop inner steadiness and clarity.
Qigong is valuable for stress reduction, recovery, healthy ageing, and cultivating resilience, inner peace and self-awareness.
‘Qigong is accessible and healing for all ages and while all exercise builds energy, with qigong it’s the sustained practice of relaxation and breath awareness within movement that allows the energy to continue to circulate more fully and freely, both during the exercise session and afterward. This promotes ongoing healing and well-being.’
Shirsha says tai chi is a ‘moving meditation’ for mind and body ‘rooted in ancient Chinese wisdom traditions, tai chi is a softly flowing, internal martial art that works with the flow of vital life energy, or qi. Through slow, circular movements with mindful awareness and relaxed breathing, it cultivates inner calm, balance,
focus, and inner harmony.’
‘Tai chi develops balance, strength, and coordination and regular tai chi practice improves postural alignment, flexibility, stability, and body awareness. Its gentle yet powerful movements help build internal strength and improve coordination and mobility.’
Shirsha says tai chi practice encourages relaxation, emotional balance and resilience, helping people feel more centred, grounded and connected in daily life.
Shirsha also practices body psychotherapy. A body-based psychotherapy that recognises that emotions, stress, and trauma are not only stored in the mind but also held within the body. Physical sensations, posture, breath, and movement can reveal previously unrecognised aspects of a person’s emotional life and patterns of experience.
‘The therapeutic approach of body psychotherapy works with body awareness, breath, movement, and nervous system regulation alongside talking therapy. By including the body in the healing process, it helps safely access and process previously held down feelings
Tai chi is a ‘moving meditation’ for mind and body … a softly flowing, internal martial art that works with the flow of vital life energy, or Qi.
and emotions and supports deeper selfawareness, emotional integration and lasting change,’ she explained.
‘Body-based psychotherapy helps people develop greater capacity to manage stress, regulate emotions, and feel safe and grounded in themselves. It can support healing from anxiety, trauma, overwhelm, and relational difficulties while developing resilience, vitality and connection.
‘Healing begins when we start building a sense of safety inside ourselves – in relationship. This is supported by grounding, embodiment, and containment through body psychotherapy. When emotions can be safely processed within – the body can finally let go of what it no longer needs to hold. We can enjoy our natural vibrancy, self-expression, and pleasure in life’s experiences.’
It’s clear that the mind plays a big part in an exercise program whether you are at the gym, in a Pilates or yoga studio, or in a field of flowers doing tai chi. When you are working out what is going to benefit you the most, it’s likely that more than one method will help you create the healthy life you are wanting.
Photo Yakobchuk Viacheslav / Shutterstock
Education & Training
Krishna Village: Courses, Retreats & Yoga Teacher Trainings
As a yoga community set on an eco farm in the beautiful Tweed Valley, Krishna Village aims to provide the blueprint for a simple, mindful, spiritually-based lifestyle. They offer a broad variety of transformative courses, trainings and retreat experiences: from Reiki and massage courses to certified yoga teacher trainings, from vegetarian cooking courses to Ayurveda and Fusion Acupressure trainings and nervous system reset experiences – there is a lot to learn and discover!
525 Tyalgum Road, Eungella NSW, 2484 • 02 8011 1033 www.krishnavillage-retreat.com/courses healing.echo.net.au/listing/krishna-village-courses-retreats
Byron Community College –grow, learn, and create your future
Byron Community College has offered community-focused education for over 30 years, providing nationally recognised training alongside adult education courses in creative arts, practical skills, wellness, and youth programs. With flexible, hands-on learning opportunities, the college supports students to explore their interests, build confidence, and pursue lifelong learning in a welcoming, inclusive environment that fosters personal growth, creativity, and skill development.
02 6684 3374 • info@byroncollege.org.au www.byroncollege.org.au healing.echo.net.au/listing/byron-community-college
Ambassador for the Avatar® Course –Moni Jowsey
Make the world a better place! The Avatar® Course opens a window to the inner workings of your consciousness.
Start today! Excerpted from the Ten Actions booklet, ACTION 9: Deliberately do a good deed for someone without being found out. Time: 30+ minutes. Expected result: increased sense of self-respect. ‘The world needs less super powers and more friendly tribes.’ – Harry Palmer.
Book a personal session to experience Avatar by emailing moniquej@avataroceania.com. Online and Byron Shire. Avatar® is a registered trademark of Star’s Edge Inc, all rights reserved. healing.echo.net.au/listing/the-avatar-course
byronhealing.com.au
Health, Medical & Dental Clinics
Bromley’s Denture Clinic, Tweed Heads
Bromleys Denture Clinic is a dedicated denture practice serving northern NSW. They use digital design and manufacturing technology to plan and produce your dentures on-site, fitted by a registered dental prosthetist. At Bromleys, they believe dentures should be more than just a replacement for missing teeth – they should support your comfort, confidence, wellbeing and quality of life. Every smile is unique, which is why they take a personalised, patient-focused approach to every stage of care.
54 Kirkwood Road, Tweed Heads South NSW 2486 (07) 5523 2555 • reception@jbdc.com.au www.jbdc.com.au
healing.echo.net.au/listing/bromleys-denture-clinic
Releaf – Byron Bay Clinic & Dispensary
Still struggling with chronic pain, sleep issues, or stress?
Releaf can help. A natural wellness clinic for patients who haven’t found relief through conventional treatments. At Releaf Byron Bay you get more than just a prescription, you’ll gain access to a dedicated clinical team who genuinely listen and support you every step of your natural wellness journey. With experienced prescribers, onsite dispensaries, free and ongoing nurse support, and Medicare rebates available, your natural approach to health and wellbeing starts here. Book a free, no-obligation call today.
91 Jonson Street, Byron Bay • 02 5624 5024 www.releaf.com.au/locations/byron-bay healing.echo.net.au/listing/releaf-byron-bay
Byron Hair Clinic, Hair Transplants by Dr Adam Ellerby
Byron Hair Clinic is the Northern Rivers’ premier destination for advanced hair restoration and scalp health. Led by experienced practitioners, we offer personalised, evidence-based treatments including hair transplant, PRP therapy, low-level laser therapy, exosome therapy, and medical-grade hair loss solutions for both men and women. Set against the backdrop of beautiful Byron Bay, we combine clinical excellence with a warm, holistic approach –helping clients restore not just their hair, but their confidence. 0491 168 911 • doctor@byronhairclinic.com www.byronhairclinic.com healing.echo.net.au/listing/byron-hair-clinic
Oasis Dental Studio, Pottsville
Led by Principal Dentist Dr David Ashford, the Oasis Dental team welcomes patients from across the Northern Rivers and Tweed Shire with a $259 new patient special. Whether you are due for a routine check-up, interested in cosmetic dental options, or would like to discuss replacing missing teeth with dental implants, your visit begins with a clinical assessment. From there, their registered dental practitioners will discuss suitable treatment options based on your individual needs and oral health, helping you make informed decisions about your dental care.
12 Coronation Avenue, Pottsville 02 5644 0004 • pottsville@oasisdentalstudio.com.au www.oasisdentalstudio.com.au/dentist-pottsville healing.echo.net.au/listing/oasis-dental-studio-pottsville
Allied healthcare and you
David Lowe
Allied health professionals are the hidden backbone of modern Australian health care. While doctors and nurses often take centre stage, it’s the diverse ecosystem of allied health practitioners – including physiotherapists, chiropractors, psychologists, occupational therapists, speech pathologists, dietitians, counsellors, osteopaths, and podiatrists – who are crucial to many healing journeys.
Instead of treating a condition in isolation, or handing over a prescription, allied health practitioners tend to take a more holistic perspective. How does an illness, injury, or disability intersect with an individual’s relationships, work, and sense of self?
Collaboration is also important. Consider a woman recovering from a stroke. A neurologist might stabilise her condition, and nurses and GPs can manage her immediate care, but it’s the speech pathologist who helps her re-learn how to swallow and communicate. It’s the occupational therapist who assesses her home environment and finds solutions so she can dress independently. It’s the physiotherapist who rebuilds her strength and balance, and the social worker who helps her navigate the emotional weight of a changed life.
Gretta Bottomley is a Billinudgelbased psychologist who has patients referred to her by GPs, psychiatrists, and rehabilitation clinics. Gretta specialises in Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, which has been proven to aid recovery from severe trauma and emotional distress. Increasingly, she’s finding that the people coming to her have a complexity of symptoms.
‘That's when allied health can be really
‘Allied health can be really important, because there’s many ways to solve a problem, and many ways to understand a problem.’
– Gretta Bottomley
important, because there's many ways to solve a problem, and many ways to understand a problem,’ she says.
‘Sometimes a client might need several different people’s perspectives on their issue in order to gain that bigger picture’.
Conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, and mental health disorders rarely have a single, or simple, fix but require ongoing management. Like GPs, allied health professionals often work with the same patients over many years, building the kind of trust that allows for complete honesty about what is and isn’t working. A dietitian helping a person with type-2 diabetes isn’t just prescribing a meal plan; it’s about understanding their culture, budget, family dynamics, and habits, then crafting a sustainable path forward within that reality.
Healing relationships
Originally a helicopter pilot, Matthew Cooper is now a Brunswick Headsbased counsellor who specialises in relationship coaching. He sees parallels between his two careers, such as the need to plot a course, deal with difficult or unexpected weather, and safely reach a desired destination. Matthew says he often works with people who feel stuck in old patterns
and arguments, and helps both parties get clear on what’s happening beneath the conflict, as part of a progression towards mutual appreciation and respect.
‘My intention is obviously for people to have thriving relationships with one another, but more so with themselves. That's my key goal. Having a mirror –someone else there – is such a great way to do that.’
While there are clear connections between healthier relationships and improved mental and physical health, dedicated allied health professionals can also play a critical role in preventive health.
For example, podiatrists are wellplaced to catch early signs of peripheral vascular disease. Exercise physiologists are able to design programs that reduce the risk of falls in older people. Audiologists can identify and treat hearing loss, which might lead to cognitive decline if left untreated. All these transformative touch points help keep people out of hospitals and out of crisis – a profound contribution that’s rarely counted in headline health care statistics.
For young children, allied health intervention can be genuinely lifechanging. Early speech therapy, for example, can transform a child's ability to connect with the world. Occupational therapy supports children with sensory processing challenges to thrive in school environments. The ripple effects of these sorts of interventions can extend across lifetimes.
Collaboration
There’s also an intersection between allied health and other forms of medicine. Gretta says she sometimes does an assessment on a new patient and finds symptoms she can’t explain.
‘Then I’ll be making sure they’ve got good medical support or naturopathic support, if that’s what they need. Sometimes people need to see other types of allied health professionals, like chiropractors or osteos, to support them with things like physical nervous system regulation.’
For Matthew, a lot of what he does in his relationship repair work is about breaking negative, repetitive cycles.
‘Normally these cycles are created from people responding to what’s being said, not what’s really going on underneath,’ he says. ‘If we can get clear about what that unmet need is, what that pain is, and get curious about what it’s like for the other person, that’s when we start to get into the committed phase of the relationship, where real growth can occur.’
He says thriving, healthy relationships are all about gaining a better understanding of the self and attuning with the other person.
As the medical industry is beginning to acknowledge, when it comes to healing at a profound level, everything is connected, much like the human body itself.
‘Quite often there’s a misunderstanding, and these things can get really out of hand. The cool thing is that if you’re in a power struggle and you’re fighting, you’re further along a relationship path than you were at the beginning. We’re navigating the process, and turbulence is a normal part of that.’
For Gretta Bottomley, ‘like social workers, psychologists are trained at seeing the whole person. I frequently
get clients that have physical problems, such as difficulties with pain or somatic symptoms, and find that we can actually do a lot of work with EMDR. There are often psychological solutions to what appear at first to be physical problems.’
As the medical industry is beginning to acknowledge, when it comes to healing at a profound level, everything is connected, much like the human body itself.
Allied health professionals are all about meeting people where they are – in the complexity of real life, not just in the sterility of a clinical encounter. At their best, they are advocates, educators, problemsolvers, and companions on what can be extraordinarily difficult journeys. Recognising their contribution isn’t just about crediting a profession; it’s about understanding what truly comprehensive, compassionate health care actually looks like.
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Akademie exists to elevate the standard of Pilates by redefining the quality of practising, teaching and studying the method.
Our method honors the classical roots of Pilates while evolving the way it’s taught, practised and shared. Through discipline, alignment, inclusivity and exploration. You’re invited to take your practice to a deeper level, in a space where we move with precision and achieve long-term results. A
