The fabric of our community wellbeing

The fabric of our community wellness

Story by Lorielle Shiell.

I first visited the Fleurieu eight years ago. It was a November day, the temperature was in the thirties and I was absolutely wowed by the place. I was completely in love and returned to my old home to pack. And what a beauty to find this magazine! I took copies home to show friends and family where I was moving to.

I had always thought I would need to live in a big city to practise Chinese medicine, yet here I was leaving that all behind and moving towards a new community, one that has welcomed me, and many like me, into its fold.

Over the last decade, a groundswell of practitioners and proactive people taking an expansive view of health and wellness has led to a flourishing of options here on the Fleurieu. A survey of local practitioners in the region revealed a diversity of offerings and highlighted their successful co-existence with more traditional approaches to health management.

Ten years ago, what was considered alternate, or fringe, has now become part of mainstream strategies for health and wellbeing. With this change comes the notion of ‘living well’, the day-to-day discipline of looking after oneself including regular appointments in disciplines like Chinese medicine, massage, chiropractic care, naturopathy and/ or attending regular classes.

There’s been an influx of yoga and Pilates studios, tai chi and qi gong groups, water aerobics, meditation and bootcamps to name a few. Among the health practitioners who contributed their reflections on the changing landscape of health in our region, collaboration and community shone through; both elements of connection that bring people together.

Niki Porter, naturopath, nutritionist and herbalist in Port Elliot sees the Fleurieu as having a ‘great outdoors’ feel about it that draws people outside, connecting with nature and focusing on their wellbeing. It’s something Leonie Hick, owner of All About Health in Aldinga, has seen within her practice, with an increasing demand for natural therapies and more cross pollination and acceptance throughout the health profession. Kristin Nelson, owner of Fleurieu Yoga, shared Leonie’s sentiment, describing many choices in health and harmony in collaboration. ‘Science is now backing up what ancient yogis have been offering – intelligent breathing practices to regulate the nervous system,’ she says. What these women report is not merely anecdotal. A 2018 study found that 63% of Australians used complementary medicine and close to half use supplements of some kind. Leonie’s neighbour in Aldinga, Claire Neylon at Fleurieu Exercise Physiology, finds the local residents tend to be open to what are considered alternative therapies. They’re very health conscious and they care about preventative health as well as management. Vikki McLaughlin, a Scottish trained GP at Mount Compass Medical Centre describes the Fleurieu Peninsula as a unique area with breathtaking beauty and an eclectic mix of people. ‘As a GP I needed to find the perfect blend of nature, nourishing medical environment with a complex array of complementary therapists available so I can provide my patients with the best broad-spectrum approach to their care, overall health and general wellbeing.’

It’s an important shift, with population growth, an aging population and longer life expectancies, alongside increased chronic disease and long-term conditions creating a higher demand for health care. Stuart and Chloe Tomson, directors of Fleurieu Physiotherapy & Wellness and Goolwa Occupational Therapy observe that ‘over the past ten years the Fleurieu region seems to have undergone a positive change in the number and variety of different health care services available locally, thus allowing our communities to get the health care they need with less need to travel, as well as more choice of health disciplines and practitioners.’ Lauren Locke, physiotherapist and owner of PhysioAlive, noted an increase in local young families and an increased awareness of the health options available. ‘I think some of this increased awareness comes from social media and a general willingness to share and support each other.’

Over this same timeframe, people’s awareness of anxiety and stressrelated health concerns has seen mental health gain equal footing with physiological health. Mental health advocate Matt Newlands emphasises the importance of the Fleurieu community and the ready connection to nature as fundamental to supporting mental wellbeing. Rebecca Paul, counsellor, finds our area has become more popular in the last ten years, with an influx of people bringing ‘many wonderful practitioners from a variety of health industries,’ saving you that trip ‘down the hill’ to access mental health services.

The Fleurieu offers the perfect environment to slow down and reflect, blended with the connections found in the fabric of our community, expanding health choices and collaboration among practitioners. We are truly fortunate that we can receive a diversity of care in our local region, contributing to our capacity to live well.

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