explore. integrate. evolve.
What we do
The objective of integrative medicine is to achieve optimum health and wellbeing. It embraces holistic medicine which views the physical, mental and spiritual aspects of life as equally important to the treatment and wellbeing outcomes of the person. Integrative medicine is informed and supported by scientific evidence and makes use of therapeutic approaches by providing high quality and effective diagnostic and treatment options. It combines the best of modern orthodox medicine and natural therapies to deliver primary care that emphasises both wellness and healing of the whole person. At Health Change Integrative Medicine we use a combination of Functional, Nutritional and Plant Based Medicine, as well as our General Practice to deliver real change to our patients.
Functional Medicine
Based on cutting-edge science, functional medicine offers a whole new way to understand and look at chronic illnesses from diabetes to depression; heart disease to hypertension; autoimmune disease to chronic infections; allergies to anxiety and more. The core concept is that chronic illness is an outcome of imbalances in the key underlying physiological systems in your body. When inflammation, blood sugar imbalance, insulin resistance, oestrogen excess, oxidative stress, hormonal problems, thyroid and adrenal disorders, liver detoxification disturbances and systemic upsets occur, the body spirals out of balance. A combination of a diet that may lack some of the essential nutrients, emotional stress, environmental toxins, lack of exercise and other lifestyle issues can set the stage for chronic disease to develop.
At our clinic, health is being restored. Blood sugar, triglycerides and cholesterol levels are normalising. Hormonal imbalances are corrected. Stubborn weight is coming off. Energy levels are being dramatically improved. Pain and aches are reduced and resolved. Brain fog is lifted, and sleep difficulties are improved. This is all achieved naturally and safely.
benefits of functional medicine include:
Investigative
It treats symptoms by addressing the underlying cause of the problem which leads to more profound and longer lasting results.
Holistic
Treats the body as an interconnected whole and recognises the importance of these connections in health and disease.
Safe
Treatments have mild or no side effects and other unrelated complaints often improve spontaneously.
Patient Centered
Treats the patient, not the disease. Treatments are highly individualised based on patient needs.
Participatory
Patient is respected, empowered, educated and encouraged to play an active role in the healing process.
Interrogative
Combines the best of both modern and traditional medicines and emphasises importance of diet and lifestyle.
Restorative
Tests and treatments are designed to promote optimal function, prevent and reverse disease, and improve quality of life.
Nutritional Medicine
This can be defined as the relationship between food and the wellbeing of the human body. Nutritional medicine encompasses the study and impact of environmental factors on the quality of foods. As an example, grain-fed versus grass-fed beef.
It teaches us about the impact that these nutritional factors have on modern day health and disease. The integrative medicine doctor practices medicine in alignment with the Hippocratic Oath.
Hippocrates 460-370BC
Challenges the ancient Greek wisdom that illness and calamity were somehow the result of metaphysical forces and mystical powers. Hippocrates searched for rational evidence to explain illness and disease.
Hippocratic Oath – Modern Version
I swear to fulfil, to the best of my ability and judgment, this covenant: “I will respect the hard-won scientific gains of those physicians in whose steps I walk, and gladly share such knowledge as is mine with those who are to follow …” Written in 1964 by Louis Lasagna, Academic Dean of the School of Medicine at Tufts University.
Plant Based Medicine
General Practice
General practice is a unique discipline. Rigorous scientific medical training, with the ability to apply the evidence appropriately in community settings, places general practice at the centre of an effective primary health care system. Through diagnosis and treatment of all primary health conditions, our general practice provides a person-centered, continuing, comprehensive and coordinated health care to individuals and families.
Coordination and Clinical Teamwork
General practitioners work in close and respectful relationships to deliver accessible and integrated patient care. Appropriate external referrals to specialist health care providers both medical and allied health providers, allows a multidisciplinary team approach to your health care. Clinical skill is required to manage the uncertainty and complexity of whole-person care, with the scope of clinical practice varied; spanning prevention, health promotion and early intervention for those at risk.
Health Change General Practice Services:
- Minor surgical general practice procedures
- Specialist referrals
- Driving medicals
- Family planning
- Weight loss management
- Diabetic and pre-diabetic management and diagnosis
- Diagnostic testing both Medicare and non-Medicare (see Functional Medicine Testing)
- Cervical Screening Tests
- Cancer screening
- Mental Health Care Plans
- General Practice Management Plans
- Primary health care of all ages
- Integrated General Practice (see Integrated General Practice)
- Insurance medicals