My Health Story

Three pivotal life experiences led me to start practicing Integrative Medicine, which is now getting rebranded as Lifestyle Medicine.

ONE - I encountered traumatic complications during the birth of my beloved daughter almost two decades ago. Looking back, it was nobody's fault. Everyone involved, including myself, did their best within a healthcare system that often requires things to go wrong before they could be set right, even in the case of something as natural as childbirth. This was my initial realization that prevention is not a top priority in our Western medical system.

TWO - I experienced early onset menopause and was taken aback by how unprepared I was to deal with the symptoms, despite having over 20 years of experience in Family Medicine! Even in a major urban centre of Australia, I also had troubles finding another general practitioner who possessed the necessary knowledge and expertise to support me. Fortunately, I crossed paths with a skilled naturopath who listened to my concerns, arranged comprehensive hormone testing, and guided me towards dietary changes and herbal therapies that alleviated my symptoms. This served as my second encounter with a flaw in our medical system — a reluctance to collaborate with alternative health practitioners as part of a multidisciplinary approach.

THREE - I inadvertently discovered a lifestyle "cure" for one of my medical conditions, Raynaud's Syndrome, which involves painful spasms in the tiny blood vessels of my fingers and toes. Typically triggered by cold weather or intense stress, the condition reached its peak severity during a ski holiday, resulting in an emergency room visit where I was diagnosed with frostbite. Despite trying various medications with mixed results over the years, I found that indulging in a hot dry sauna, at least every couple of weeks, effectively managed my Raynaud's symptoms. Intrigued by this personal revelation, I delved into further research by completing a PhD in Complementary Medicine at RMIT University, focusing on the potential health benefits of sauna bathing. Through my doctoral journey, I became aware of the extent to which the power of our lifestyle practices was overlooked or even dismissed in everyday GP consultations.

I now target my clinical work with patients to focus on setting and achieving wellness goals, not merely addressing medical issues and concerns. This involves encouraging curiosity and intuition about one’s mind and body, as well as empowering patients to choose the best team of practitioners (allied, alternative and/or medical specialists) to support them with their health. The key pillars of preventive lifestyle medicine — a whole-food, plant-predominant eating pattern, daily physical activity, restorative sleep and rest, stress management, avoidance of risky substances and positive social connections - provide the essential backdrop to all consultations with me.