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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1994-9-7, Page 5Alternative health card takes a leap of faith in Exeter From herbs to magnetic therapy, its under one roof for the first time at the Nature's Clinic By Adrian Harte T -A Editor EXETER - The first thing a cus- tomer at the newly -opened Nature's Clinic in Exeter sees upon coming through the door is a large dis- claimer painted on the wall behind the reception desk. Reading "We do not diagnose, prescribe, or cure diseases", it sets the tone for much of what the prospective client can expect from what is being billed as Canada's first under -one -roof al- ternative health care clinic. Gabrielle Sutton, a part owner of Nature's Clinic, said that one of the first things she did before opening the doors of the centre was to write letters to all the local doctors to ex- plain that she and her co-workers are here "to enhance whatever their medicine offers", not to _compete with it. Ev&-ything from weight loss management and massage therapy, to energy balancing is being of- fered at Nature's Clinic, and Sutton said that although all fall outside of standard medical practice, some are being accepted, and even rec- ommended by the medical pro- fession to their patients. Other therapies are viewed with a little more skepticism, and are usually sought out by patients looking for alternatives to medicine. Reflexology, for instance, applies pressure to the reflex points on the feet and hands, and/elaims to re- lieve tension, improve circulation, and to enable the body to better heal itself. "They're coming around," said Sutton of the medical community's view of such treatments as re- flexology. "This has been done for thousands of years. This is an old art that's coming back again." "Just like your chiropractors a few years ago," echoed Sheila Thompson. "People are looking for al- ternative health care," said Sutton, and "are looking at health food stores." Thompson said she thinks the en- tire concept of trying to enjoy healthier lives came out of the fit- ness movement, which brought for- ward the then -novel idea that ex- ercise, not rest, was a treatment for ailments. That has continued on into thc idea that better nutrition, not drugs, is a basis for health. Sutton also offers iridology at the clinic, a rapidly expanding field that she said will soon require a de- gree to practise it. "The eye is the window to the soul, but it's also the window of your own body," she said, pointing to charts that map out discolour- ations in the iris which arc claimed to identify "body malfunctions" such as poor nutrition, stress, or sleep disorders. "A lot of farmers do iridology on their livestock," said Sutton, adding that the practise is becoming more accepted for humans. She also said that people's eyes should either be blue or brown. , Green eyes, she argues, arc a sign of body prob- lems. Also in the room where she con- ducts the iridology exams, Sutton has a shelf of bottled herbal rem- edies. The demand for them in Ex- eter has been so strong, she had to re -order supplies only a couple of days after opening the clinic's doors. She said she can only sug- gest herbal remedies to patients, and makes no claims for cures. "There's not a body function that cannot he helped with herbs," she InvestmnentRP 1 Yr. - 7.625% 3Yr. -8.375% 5 yr. - 8.65% Segregated Funds 1YR. -8.91% 2YR. -9.83% 3YR. -8.08% '4IC Gaiser-Kneale 235-2120,238.8484 • GIC rates subject to change. Shorn. term rates available. Segregated fund rates reflect actual pmt performance. Future returns will vary. said, once again sidestepping the word "cure". However, should a patient fearful of the medical profession seek an alternative cure, Sutton says they will be referred to a doctor. Sutton has moved her Less of Me weight loss program from South Huron Hospital to the clinic. The program still costs one dollar per week, and uses the Canada Food Guide to counsel patients. An esthetics/natural skin care and foot care program will be added to the clinic in October when Dawn Bates moves her practise from Bur- lington to Exeter, and Kathy Schenk -Snell will be offering mas- sage therapy at the clinic also. "There's still going to he people out there who think we're quacks," said Sutton, but said the success stories from people who have come to trust these therapies is leading to greater acceptance. Her partner plans to open another Nature's Clin- ic in Chatham later this year. Until then, "this is unique in Can- ada," said Sutton. "All these who- listic services under one roof." "This has been done for thousands of years. This is an old art that's coming back again." Possible additions to the opera- tion may include Chelation therapy - the use of healing oils - and ac- upuncture. Perhaps the most exotic therapies available at the clinic now are pro- vided by Sheila and Jim Thompson. Without actually touching a pa- tient's body, Jim uses his hands for "energy balancing", and sometimes incorporates Rieke, a spiritual Jap- anese form of "laying on hands". -Jim also uses magnets to "move the bodies energies and improve circulation", and says he has seen remarkable success with both these therapies, even in children suf- fering from learning disorders. "As far as I'm concerned, anyone can learn it," he said. "Most people are very much aware of this." He can even provide "geopathic stress assessments" of homes or workplaces, so that furniture, desks, or beds can be located ac- cording to magnetic stresses from the earth itself. He said he is more aware of these energy patterns be- cause he was nearly electrocuted five years ago. "I just make people aware of them, and they can choose to do whatever they like," said Jim. "I love skeptical people," he ad- mitted, but insists that all the treat- ments, herbs, and therapies being offered by the clinic are only part of a "medical toolbox" that includes traditional medicine and drugs. "If they work for you, use them. If they don't work, try something else," he said. "Once you remove the fear [of the unknown] people just flock to you," said Thompson. Getting people in the Exeter arca to overcome their fears of the un- known, to set their skepticism aside, and try something from "al- ternative" health care, is what thc Nature's Clinic is all about. • OAI 1 IT'S YQURJ3US TNFSS • Times -Advocate, September 7, 1994 Page 5 Cathy Meriam applies pressure to a client's feet in an an- cient art now known as reflexology. Got a News Tip? Call the Times - Advocate 235-1331 "Set" to your Specifications FLYERS RESUMES PROGRAMS BROCHURES BOOKLETS AND MORE! For more information please phone Deb Lord at 424 MAIN ST. EXETER • 235-1331 4 Gabrielle Sutton at the Nature's Clinic says that a huge num- ber of people seek out new and ancient herbal remedies as an alternative way to help their ailments or improve their health. -I, BUSINESS DIRECTORY AUCTIONEERS FILSON & ROBSON The Experienced Auctioneers that Guarantee You More SS Considering A Sale or Need an Appraisal 666-0833 666-1967 Call Collect Supplying you with 38 years Efficient Service • Mobile Office • Immediate Payment 3 Auctioneers 1r is our pleasure to serve you REPAIRS Sewing Machine Repairs to all makes . Free estimates 90 Day Warranty Experienced since 1952 Sew and Save Centre Ltd. 149 Downie St., Stratford Phone 271-9660 Bob Heywood Licensed Auctioneer Specializing in household and estate auctions Reasonable rates Bob 235-0874 Laverne 235-1278 HAIR STYLIST The Cuffing c 10 Wellington St. & Main (Beside Murphy's) 235 -HAIR (4247) Vicki Parsons Kim Scott Terri Farquhar Waxing and ear piercing Seniors discount on Mon., Tues., Wed. 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