Gold Coasters are savvier than ever before in regards to their health and wellbeing needs, with many embracing the holistic approach to medicine now prevalent across the globe.
But is the city’s medical fraternity keen to evolve and deliver a whole body approach to health?
If you ask Dr Sonu Haikerwal from Haan Health Medical Centre in Broadbeach she’ll say there’s been an explosion of health providers of all types on the Gold Coast. She estimates in the past few years the city’s 400 service providers have almost doubled to sit at 700.
And while there hasn’t just been an increase in natural or complementary medicine practitioners, Dr Haikerwal says there are more people seeking those services. In fact more patients are seeking a holistic approach to their often complex and chronic health conditions.
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But holistic medicine is not the new kid on the block; it’s been around for centuries. It’s thought to go back about 5000 years, with this ancient science apparently originating in India and China. The great philosopher Socrates alluded to its use in the 4th century BC when he famously said ‘the part can never be well unless the whole is well’.
How holistic medicine differs from traditional medicine is not always in how it treats patients, but how it views health as more than just the absence of disease. This approach to healing does not focus on symptoms, but goes beyond this and considers the symptom as the body’s message of an ongoing problem.
Holistic health puts great emphasis on prevention of ailments; however it also focuses more on reaching higher levels of physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wellness.
And despite what some people might believe, an increasing amount of practitioners who take a holistic approach to medicine are fully trained medical doctors with degrees and post graduate qualifications. It’s just they are taking a different approach to how they see sickness.
Ayurveda Wellness Centre Gold Coast
Ayurveda Wellness Centre Gold Coast
Ayurveda Wellness Centre Gold Coast
Dr Haikerwal explains “we are patient-centred, not disease centred. Each and every patient is a unique individual with a unique individual journey and we tailor-make personalised health solutions”.
“The traditional art of medicine revolves around empathy, care and listening skills. A patient’s story has the most important clues to correct diagnosis, and that needs time and attention. Only once I’ve heard their entire story can I start to connect the dots,” she says.
As such patient appointments are a full 30 minutes and in that time doctors at Haan Health listen to their patient’s story in their own words and in their own time. In addition, Dr Haikerwal says her clinic looks more like a day spa than a traditional medical centre; in that it’s not littered with ‘scaremongering posters’ warning about the signs of cancer.
For the past seven years she has nurtured her client base and in the past year alone has had 1800 new patients from across the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Mt Tamborine and Tweed. Dr Haikerwal comes from a long line of academics and doctors and she studied medicine at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Delhi, considered the Harvard of India.
She’s travelled the world, had a year in Holland and spent a few years in Melbourne before heading to the London. It was a conscious decision on her part to become a general practitioner because she wanted to work within the community. When she found a job on the Gold Coast she jumped at the chance.
Dr Haikerwal also teaches GP registrar students from Bond and Griffith universities. Such is her reputation in holistic medicine; she recently had 50 students apply for one of three registrar positions at Haan Health.
“I’m passionate about showcasing how medicine in a truly holistic way can be achieved within the reality of everyday life. You can’t learn the art of medicine from text books; you have to learn from peers and colleagues,” she says.
Dr Haikerwal says holistic medicine IS medicine ‘there is no other way to do medicine’. As far as her beliefs go, her approach is about helping someone be them again, and not just treat a condition but address the root cause of it.
Ayurveda Wellness Centre Gold Coast
For the past few decades Matthew Butel from Currumbin Beach Chiropractic has been taking a similar approach. Not content to sit at a desk, wear a tie and be restricted by a chain of command or reliant on the work ethics of others to prosper, Matt says he chose ‘health care as opposed to sickness care’.
It’s his belief that many people are becoming more confident to take ownership of their health and he’s noticed a demand for complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) on the Gold Coast. As such there is an ‘oversupply of practitioners just like there is in other industries due to the popularity of university courses’.
“There’ll always be smaller scale and home clinics but the scale of economy in business will likely see more and more group and multidisciplinary practices,” he says.
Interestingly, Dr Butel notes that mainstream medicine is also trending towards more holistic practice and many Gold Coast medical professionals are adopting a holistic and multidisciplinary approach.
“And as some of the old guard are phased out, the status quo is more of a mindset that as long as it’s safe and can achieve outcomes then it’s worthwhile for that individual,” he says.
“These days we’re more aware of the effects that smoking and drug and alcohol abuse has had on previous generations. Knowledge of the benefits of healthy diet and lifestyle is increasing.”
Dr Butel says it’s important to note that a holistic approach does not mean only complementary and alternative medicine is offered.
“There’s a confusion of awareness in the community that complementary and alternative is holistic medicine, but it isn’t just this. Holistic medicine can also be in general medical practice, for example treating the individual as a whole. A team approach can help achieve this,” he says.
“As far as manual therapy goes, evidence-based care can guide a practitioner towards what might be effective and outcome assessments can provide guidance to what’s actually working,” he says.
Currumbin Chiropractic with some of the crew from Coolangatta Masters AFL post game
One natural approach to health that Gold Coasters are embracing more and more is Ayurvedic medicine. Last year the newest branch of Vibrant Ayurveda Wellness Centre opened in Burleigh Heads due to a massive spike demand.
“We feel there is a huge growth of the holistic medicine industry with the growth in public trends. Gold Coast has a good vibe of holistic medicine and there are good and distinct holistic systems of choice for the public according to their, physical, mental, emotional and spiritual needs,” says Dr Ram Mani Bhandari.
While owned by Brisbane-based Dr Pradeep Neupane, the practice is managed by Dr Ram Mani Bhandari, who travelled from Europe to head the service. Born in Nepal to a Hindu priest family, Dr Ram was studying for the medical entrance exam but developed a digestive issue and went to the modern medicine for help.
“Unfortunately, they could not resolve it and started to treat me with powerful psychiatric drugs. This ended my faith in chemical medicine and I got my health back with Ayurvedic treatment,” he says.
As a result he trained in Ayurveda medicine and went on to lead the biggest Panchakarma facilitated Ayurveda hospital in Kathmandu before running a similar centre in Europe. He’s taught Ayurveda courses around the world and it’s his experience that people are showing more of an interest in holistic medicines including Ayurveda.
“Ayurveda, being the ancient medicinal system, is getting popular all around the world. In the modern era, non-communicable and lifestyle disorders are increasing and modern science is failing to address public health need,” he says.
“The use of chemical treatment often ends with the several side effects and health hazards. It is merely looking through the microscope and examination, but holistic medicine like Ayurveda is looking a person as a whole and beyond the microscope.
“Holistic medicine tries to balance the body, mind, senses and soul. I can feel the people are getting home health conscious and starting to differentiate the right treatment for them. People are in search of a system to get permanent cure of disease not only the symptoms.”
“Looking to the origin of human civilisation, holistic medicine was the only system and it seems we lost those values on modernisation. Now again, ancient knowledge is reviving on its own and getting popular,” he says.
Haan Health Medical Centre
Haan Health Medical Centre
Doctors Sonu Haikerwal, Amanda Adams and Cameron Halliday from Haan Health
10 Gold Coast Providers Offering A Holistic Approach To Health
1. The Medical Sanctuary
Brings together a team of health practitioners from different fields of conventional and alternative medicine. These include general practitioners, holistic doctors, naturopaths, nutrition specialists, chiropractors and osteopaths.
Benowa based.Tel: 5564 5013.
2. Gold Coast Holistic Health
Founded in 2002, it provides a complementary and alternative approach and focus naturopathic assessment, functional testing, clinical nutrition, medical herbalism, metabolic typing, osteopathy and cranial osteopathic technique.
Ashmore based. Tel: 5597 0669.
3. Gold Coast Natural Medicine and Wellness Centre
Offers body scan, chronic disease management, natural and functional, naturopath, remedial massage.
Helensvale based. Tel: 5573 7868.
4. Beyond Good Health Gold Coast
Has a range of specialist nutritionists, naturopaths, holistic doctors and chiropractors to serve health and well-being needs.
Robina based. Tel: 5522 8902.
5. Happiness In Health
Focuses holistic approach using conventional and naturopathic treatments and a biomedical approach. Specialises in biomedical approach to mental health and behavioural disorders of children.
West Burleigh based. Tel: 5520 7511
6. Body Brilliant
Encompasses a holistic approach to health and provides natural health care, knowledge to help the body heal itself in right environment with no interference, program teaches wellness lifestyle.
Mermaid Beach, Robina and Varsity Lakes based. Tel: 5522 7422
7. My Naturopath Gold Coast
Provides natural health solutions backed with extensive training in evidence based modern scientific approaches. Consultants have degrees in biochemistry and nutrition as well as degrees in naturopathic practices.
Burleigh Heads based. Tel: 5520 2404.
8. NIIM Gold Coast
Offers range of biologically based, innovative treatments for chronic diseases, including whole body hyperthermia, local and regional hyperthermia , intravenous (IV) nutrient and vitamin therapy and hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
Robina based. Tel: 5562 5333.
9. Self Balance Holistic Health
Provides a range of complementary therapies to support various health issues with a special interest in reflexology, stress, hormone imbalances, fertility issues, pregnancy and post-natal Care.
Varsity Lakes based. Tel: 0408 311 079
10. 360 Degree Holistic Health Studio
Provides holistic combination of evidence-based western medicine, natural therapies and exercise rehabilitation and specialises in musculoskeletal conditions such as acute injuries, pre and post operative care and chronic pain.
Clear Island Waters based. Tel: 5572 6222.
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