Dr Joanna Hickey
General Practictioner
MBBS FRACGP MACNEM

Joanna has practiced as a GP for 25 years, with 15 years in Clifton Hill. She provides quality general practice care and access to complementary therapy where appropriate. She believes in the uniqueness of each individual and knows that people may respond differently to the same treatment.

“A GP is an ideal person to coordinate an individual’s health care and helps with decisions on which medical or complementary therapies may be appropriate. A GP can also provide medical screening and diagnosis for those wishing to use complementary therapies, while monitoring their condition and response to complementary treatment.”

Joanna is strongly aware of the mind-body connection in the process of healing. She has practiced meditation for many years and encourages her patients to learn a meditation or relaxation technique to assist the healing process. She is studying for a Graduate Diploma in Integrative Medicine at Swinburne University.

“I am inspired by the potential of combining the latest of trends and technology in medical practice with complementary therapies. I opened the Queens Parade Integrative Medicine centre in December 2001 because I saw the need for a centre that provided our patients with a truly integrated approach. It has often been confusing for people – what, when and who to use – but we have changed that.”

Dr John Walters
General Practicitioner 
MBBS DPDerm (Dist’n) FASEM FACRRM FRACGP

John graduated in medicine from Melbourne University and worked in general practice locally before moving to country Queensland. He worked there for more than 20 years as a rural GP before returning to Melbourne.

He trained in nutritional medicine and hypnotherapy and studied allergies and later dermatology in the UK. He commenced and ran the Warwick Medical Centre in Queensland specializing in dermatology, skin cancer and allergies.
 
John has used complementary approaches with western medicine for more than 30 years including nutritional and herbal medicine, exercise, relaxation techniques and hypnotherapy. He has a special interest and expertise in dermatology and especially the treatment of skin cancer as well as allergies, hypnotherapy and psychological medicine.

“I value the importance of education where patients discover how to manage their health and support their body, mind and spirit in healing disease.” 

Dr Lisa Barker
Osteopath
BSc(Clin. Sci) MHSc(Osteo) - Registered Osteopath

Dr. Lisa Barker is a registered Osteopath. Lisa completed her osteopathic training at Victoria University in 2001 and furthered her studies by obtaining her masters degree in biomechanics of sporting injuries. Since completion of her training, she has spent over four years working in private practice in Victoria and New South Wales, and lecturing in Osteopathic Clinical studies at the Victoria University, RMIT, and the University of Western Sydney.

Lisa has always maintained a strong interest in sport and hence specializes in the correct management and rehabilitation of patient injuries. She uses the principles of activity, and a positive approach, combined with lifestyles changes such as dietary modification, and a regular stretching and exercise program to manage recovery from injury. She believes that by upgrading activity and having the patient become less reliant on passive therapy, they can aid in their own recovery.

Osteopathy can help:
» Back & Neck Pain
» Postural problems
» Headaches and migraines
» Arthritis & Joint pain
» Muscle strain & sporting injuries
» Pregnancy relates pain
» Asthma/Breathing difficulties
» Sciatica and Menstrual pain

Dr Angela McKenzie
Reverse Therapist
MB BS, Dip Hyp (ASH), FRACP

Angela Mackenzie graduated from Guy’s Hospital Medical School, London, in 1980. She worked for two years at a hospital in the Highlands of Papua New Guinea, then settled in Melbourne where she completed her specialist training in Paediatrics in 1988.

In 1993 she chose to look beyond conventional medicine for her own health and well being and has since developed a broad knowledge and understanding of many complementary and alternative therapies. “I am particularly interested in the impact of emotions on health and the significance of mind-body communication in disease and well being”. She has trained in various mind-body techniques including meditation, hypnotherapy and biofeedback, and more recently reverse therapy. She uses them routinely in the treatment of pain and chronic illness.

“I see my role as a doctor is to assist in the creation of the best possible environment for the body’s natural healing processes to function. This means choosing appropriate conventional Western medicine integrated with complementary and alternative therapies for each context and empowering people to tap into their own inner resources.”

Reverse Therapy Reverse Therapy is a teaching/healing process in which it is understood that Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia are physical conditions caused by a dysfunctional hypothalamus (centred in the mid-brain) that regulates the individual's relationship with the environment. It is part of a new worldwide movement towards therapies that work with "bodymind." Bodymind is the intelligence of the body, working though the brain, the nervous system, the glands, the cells and the immune system. Its primary function is to ensure the safety of the individual and to maximise health and happiness. It communicates through emotions and symptoms.

Reverse therapy resolves the symptoms by assisting the client to understand why bodymind needs to create them in the first place and what needs to happen to abolish them. The principles and techniques of reverse therapy were developed by John Eaton in UK between 1996 and 2002 and continue to improve and evolve, particular in relation to conditions other than CFS and FM. They are based on the latest discoveries in neuroscience over the past 20-30 years.

Check out the new website and free e-book. reversetherapy.com

Jenny Adams
Naturopath & Herbalist
Dip App Sci (nat), Grad Dip Health Couns., MPH, MANTA, MNHAA

Jenny has practised as a naturopath in Melbourne for the past 17 years. Prior to joining Wellness Medicine she worked in a multidisciplinary practice and a specialised women’s health clinic.

Jenny uses herbal medicine, nutritional medicine, therapeutic diets and lifestyle advice as part of a holistic treatment plan tailored to each individual. Her practice is family-based and she has a special interest in women’s health, infertility, pregnancy and children’s health.

Naturopathy treats many common conditions ranging from infantile colic and eczema to menstrual problems and menopausal symptoms. It is also ideally designed to prevent health problems by supporting people to participate in their own health care.

As well as working as a naturopath, Jenny is a qualified yoga teacher and teaches weekly prenatal yoga classes. She has a post-graduate qualification in health counselling and a Master’s degree in Public Health.

Natalie Cook
Naturopath & Herbalist
Bsc MNHAA B Com

Natalie is a qualified and registered naturopath who completed her studies at the Southern School of Natural Therapies here in Melbourne.

Natalie’s degree in Health Science has equipped her with thorough training in natural medicine including clinical nutrition and herbal medicine while incorporating a solid grounding in contemporary medical science and clinical diagnosis. She believes the effectiveness of naturopathic treatment stems from a holistic approach that capitalises on the body’s innate capacity for healing and is tailored to your own unique situation and requirements.

“My philosophy is one of setting realistic goals and education is always an important part of my treatment. Your treatment plan may include use of herbal tonics, nutritional supplements, a detox and/or diet changes combined with practical lifestyle advice”.

With a background in corporate sales and marketing, Natalie understands the pressures of urban living and the practicalities of addressing the health issues that arise from this.

Natalie also holds a commerce degree with a marketing major and is in the process of completing a certificate course in Natural Fertility Education.

Mattie Sempert
Registered Acupuncturist
Reg. CMRB Vic. Bsc NCCAOM (USA)

Mattie Sempert graduated from the New England School of Acupuncture (Boston, USA) in 1991, and is a Registered Acupuncturist with the Chinese medicine Registration Board (Victoria)

Her style of acupuncture combines classical Chinese with the more dynamic, hands-on Japanese approaches, where it is crucial to find the live spots to treat. The numerous ‘tools’ that she uses include not only needles (very fine Japanese gauge) but also different moxibustion techniques (especially direct moxa and a soothing gadget called a Tiger Warmer) and Gua Sha or ‘spooning’, which is a very effective way to free-up stubborn muscle tension.

Mattie enjoys explaining this ancient medical art in contemporary terms that are more accessible and understandable to her predominantly Western, urban-based clientele. She frequently and effectively treats a wide range of problems related to stress, weak immunity and all sorts of painful conditions.

As well as her extensive clinical experience Mattie regularly holds seminars and teaching Japanese methods.

Daisy Chai
Doctor of Chinese Medicine
B.HSc., B.Bus., Cert TCM Remedial Massage, MAACMA MAESO

Daisy is a Doctor of Chinese Medicine and where appropriate uses techniques such as:
» acupuncture,
» acupressure,
» moxibustion,
» tui na (Chinese remedial massage),
» cupping,
» food therapy,
» lifestyle advice and
» counselling.

She is registered with the Chinese Medicine Registration Board and is also an accredited member of the Australian Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine Association (AACMA) and Acupuncture Ethics & Standards Organisation (AESO).

Before joining Wellness Medicine, Daisy worked in hospitals, community health, leisure and healing centres which has increased her awareness and understanding of the benefits of an integrated approach to health.

“I strongly believe that the integrative approach, taking into account the Mind, Body and Spirit, working with the individual as well as other medical and health professionals if and when appropriate, provides a more holistic way of promoting balance, wellbeing and vitality.”.

Daisy’s special interests include women’s health, stress management, musculo-skeletal conditions (eg neck and shoulder pain, low back pain), treatment of post-operative scars (for medical and/or aesthetic reasons), preventative medicine and community health and education.

Daisy is a teacher at the Australian College of Natural Medicine (Melbourne campus) and is currently completing an Advanced Diploma in Transpersonal Art Therapy. She is also in the process of forming a Women’s Circle.