The Medical Sanctuary

Welcome to The Medical Sanctuary. Our clinic integrates conventional and natural therapies to address your specific health, but more importantly to promote your optimal health. ­

Our Naturopath

Cassi Cowlam – Naturopath

Cassi is a graduate of the Australian College of Natural Medicine, and has also studied in London at The College of Nutritional Medicine.  A caring practitioner who addresses your health issues based on a holistic philosophy and encourages a preventative approach to empower individuals to achieve and maintain wellness.

Although Cassi has a special interest in women’s health, including hormonal imbalances, preconception care, digestive disturbances, stress and fatigue, she can help treat all issues relating to family health.  This includes childhood allergies, skin problems and infections, as well as male health issues such as prostate problems and infertility.

Providing practical nutritional and lifestyle advice combined with herbal medicine, Cassi creates individual wellness programs for each patient. Cassi is trained in Live Blood Analysis and provides this service from the practitce.

 

Our Holistic Aromatherapist

Kyah Aulders – Holistic Therapist

Kyah Aulders brings fifteen years clinical experience in natural therapies to our clinic. Kyah’s qualifications include a diploma in Clinical Aromatherapy and certifications in Bowen Therapy, Bach Flower Essences and Bates Therapy.

As a qualified aromatherapist Kyah looks beyond application of essential oils and formulates an individual treatment to rejuvenate and restore mental, physical and spiritual wellbeing. Kyah’s experience provides her with the knowledge to create and blend essential oils to assist remedy of many common aliments and conditions. Relief from stress and anxiety, flu remedies, treatments for skin complaints and the easing of aches and pains to name just a few complaints which can be treated by aromatherapy. Kyah’s knowledge is extensive.

Kyah became concerned with the amount of chemical constituents that were being used in commercial based skincare. Consequently she decided to help by overseeing the creation and production of the Sanctuary Skincare Range. This luxurious range is made from only certified organic ingredients and contains no nasties what-so-ever.

After a short complimentary personal consultation, Kyah can individually customise any product in the Sanctuary Skincare range with an individual blend of essential oils and extracts to met each patient’s particular circumstances and needs.

Kyah is a versatile holistic Practitioner treating the body from head to toe. Kyah is a qualified Bowen Therapist. This is a dynamic system of muscle and connective tissue therapy that is both gentle and relaxing. It helps the body’s own healing resources to achieve balance and harmony, which can result in lasting relief from pain and discomfort.

In the late 1980’s Kyah met a Hopi Indian grandmother who enlightened her to the uses of ear candles to cleanse the ears of excess wax and debris. This treatment provides temporary relief of the symptoms of sinus problems, glue ear, swimmers ear and hearing difficulties.

Kyah is a specialist in Bates Therapy, a unique ligament and tendon technique that speeds up recovery from common sports injuries. This can assist active people and athletes, to relax tense and tight muscles.

Kyah Aulders is a graduate of the Australasian College of Natural Therapies, Sydney (1995) and is registered with the Australian Traditional Medicine Society (ATMS).

 

Our Holistic Doctors

Dr Elen ApThomas - Holistic Doctor

Dr ApThomas is a leading General Practitioner with over fifteen years of private clinical experience. Dr ApThomas combines conventional medicine with a complementary approach to meet your individual health needs. Her treatment plans focus on achieving the correct diagnosis, controlling symptoms and correcting the imbalances that actually cause disease.

Dr ApThomas has special clinical interests in environmental medicine, preconception and pregnancy health care, women’s health, natural hormone balance and weight management.

Dr ApThomas is a graduate of the University of Adelaide and holds Bachelors in both Medicine and Surgery, along with a Diploma of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. (1994) Dr ApThomas continues to dedicate herself to a way of practicing medicine that recognises the benefits of a truly integrative approach. Dr ApThomas is currently completing her Fellowship with the Australasian College of
Nutritional and Environmental Medicine, Australia.

Dr Ruth Quinney – Holistic Doctor

Dr Quinney is a General Practitioner with over seventeen years clinical experience in general medical practice. Dr Quinney’s interest in holistic medicine has gradually evolved from her increasing frustration with the limitations of conventional medicine and the desperate need for preventative health awareness. She has found that too many patients' problems are just "managed" without producing overall good health for the patient.

Dr Quinney's area of special interest is the alternative management of all the chronic degenerative and autoimmune diseases of the western world, most of which are entirely preventable. Having a positive family history for the disease doesn't have to mean that it is inevitable. Dr Quinney feels that she is now in a privileged position where she retains her usual conscientious and academic approach to conventional medical diagnosis but is now able to offer her patients an alternative nutritional, preventative and holistic approach to treatment.

Dr Ruth Quinney is a graduate of the University of Otago, New Zealand (1981) and holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Musculoskeletal Medicine (1994). Dr Quinney has also completed the Primary Course with the Australasian College of Nutritional and Environmental Medicine, Australia. (1996). Dr Quinney regularly attends ongoing educational seminars on nutritional medicine. She is a member of the Australian Academy of Anti-aging Medicine.

Dr Paul Payton – Holistic Doctor

Dr Paul Payton is a specialist General Practitioner with over 14 years clinical experience. Dr Payton integrates the conventional and complementary medical pathways with a thorough and caring approach, aiming to restore health rather than simply treat symptoms.

Dr Payton's training includes having worked for nine months in the Melbourne Chelation Clinic in 1998 where he was involved in managing chronic fatigue, cardiovascular disease and rheumatoid arthritis. He  has also been successful in managing hormone imbalance and weight loss in both men and women. He believes that disease is often not well treated simply relying on blood tests rather than looking at what is happening in the body tissues.

Dr Payton is a graduate from the University of Queensland (1990) with a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery.

  

Our Osteopaths

Deborah Calleja - Osteopath

Deborah Calleja has over fifteen years experience in Osteopathic care. Deborah utilises a variety of osteopathic techniques to treat structural problems, with her approach varying according to your individual needs. Deborah places a strong emphasis on patient education as she finds this improves her treatment results.

Deborah Calleja has special clinical interests in corrective exercise rehabilitation, sports injury management and the treatment of children, pregnant women & post partum mothers.

Deborah Calleja is a graduate of RMIT University, Melbourne (1992) and is registered with the Australian Osteopathic Association.

Peter Carter - Osteopath

Peter Carter has been successfully treating patients for over twenty five years and has gained extensive hands on clinical experience. His Osteopathic approach is centered on promoting a strong structural base and restoring normal mobility and function to all areas of the body.

Peter Carter has special clinical interests in pelvic realignment, feet and wrist health, women’s reproductive disorders, sports injuries and sports rehabilitation. Peter believes in working with the mind-body connection to facilitate your optimal well being. Peter'extensive s experience extends to the treatment of children. Osteopathy provides a safe, gentle, effective treatment for children's developing musclo-skeletal systems.

Peter Carter is a graduate of the International College of Osteopathy, Sydney (1981) and is registered with the Australian Osteopathic Association. Peter has published various articles for a variety of Osteopathic journals.

Terese Thomas- Osteopath

Terese Thomas has a special clinical interest in Visceral Osteopathy, the treatment of the internal organs and their soft membranes. Visceral osteopathic techniques can assist digestive upsets and women’s menstrual issues, migraines, concentration problems and even postural misalignments can be alleviated as visceral restrictions are reflected in your posture.

Terese enjoys treating children and finds Osteopathy a safe, gentle and effective musculo-skeletal treatment to help with complaints concerning posture, growing pains, tummy upsets, asthma symptoms and persistent cold and flu.

Children's bodies are resilient when it comes to recovering from falls, breaks and bruises. Treatment for a broken arm just out of plaster, for example, can ensure the arm, shoulder and spine have not been adversely affected by the injury and will be less likely to lead to postural and pain problems as a teenager and adult. 

Terese particular enjoys treating amateur and elite athletes. Terese is trained in classical ballet and is herself an active sportswoman. She has a solid understanding of the body’s biomechanics to restore your body's natural movement and alignment.

As a highly regarded member of the Osteopathic community, Terese now lectures in Anatomy & Physiology within the School of Medicine, Griffith University.

Terese Thomas is a graduate of the University of Western Sydney (2004) and attained her Masters in Osteopathy in 2005. Terese is registered with the Australian Osteopathic Association.

 

Our Acupuncturists

Gus MacAnally – Acupuncturist

Gus MacAnally has a B. Health SC (Acupuncture) and over ten years clinical experience in his own practice on the Gold Coast. He completed a three year apprenticeship under a 4th generation physician of Chinese medicine, encompassing all branches of chinese medicine, acupuncture, herbs, moxabustion, massage, feng shui, dietetics, cupping Chinese exercise therapy and Qi Gong.

Gus has treated thousands of patients using these techniques to reduce stress and promote wellbeing, eliminating disease or ailments and enhancing their lives as well as their families’ lives.

He has great success in treating migraine, headache, muscular skeletal conditions, sciatica, neuralgia, stroke sequel, cardio vascular disorders, sinusitis, fatigue, anxiety, stress and insomnia. Gus has had success treating drug and smoking withdrawal symptoms as well as support in weight loss. He also treats gynecological conditions such as painful menstruation, irregular periods, pre menstrual syndrome, hot flushes, as well as pregnancy and labour conditions, such as infertility, morning sickness, labour pain and induction of labour.

Gus also has a strong interest in Drug free sport enhancement performance acupuncture programs. He has many State and National athletes under his care and he uses his experience in Acupuncture to build up their stamina and bring out the winning edge to produce successful outcomes.

Gus is considered a specialist in acupuncture and a highly advanced practitioner in Qi Gong he combines both of these modalities in his own unique way to the benefit of all of his patients. He is a member of AACMA which is an internationally recognised professional body which attract private health insurance rebates.

 

Vanessa Hunt – Acupuncturist

Vanessa Hunt is a reputable qualified Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioner & Acupuncturist registered with the Australian Natural Therapists Association (ANTA). Vanessa is also an inspiring Kundalini Yoga Teacher certified by KRI (Kundalini Research Institute) & registered with IKYTA (International Kundalini Yoga Teachers Association), KYTAANZ & 3HO certified in Women’s Specialty Training: Conscious Pregnancy/Pre Natal Yoga. Vanessa is also a qualified Reiki Master & Chinese Remedial Massage Therapist (Cert. IV) & Crystal Healer.

Vanessa studied intensively for many years at the reputable Australian College of Natural Medicine on the Gold Coast, Australia, to complete her studies in Health Science, Traditional Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture. Since then she worked as a full time Acupuncturist on the prestigious 'Norwegian Star' cruise ship, traveling & treating patients along the Californian & Mexican Riviera coastlines. Vanessa treated conditions such as back pain, fibromyalgia, & arthritis to more serious conditions such as HIV, multiple sclerosis & emphysema. Since returning to Australia, Vanessa has attended the World Acupuncture Conference in 2005 & regular seminars on Acupuncture, Traditional Chinese Medicine & nutrition, Vanessa continually keeps her knowledge & research up to date.

For many years, Vanessa Hunt practiced Ashtanga, Vinyasana & Hatha Yoga before becoming a registered KRI Certified Kundalini Yoga teacher in 2006 after completing her training with Guru Jivan in Sydney. Each year Vanessa attends a Kundalini Yoga retreat in the desert of New Mexico for 10 days with thousands of other Kundalini Yoga teachers worldwide, participating in workshops, International Peace Prayer Day & 3 days of White Tantric Yoga. On her last trip over to the U.S.A. (2007) Vanessa studied directly under Tarn Taran Kaur Khalsa in an intensive course on Conscious Pregnancy/Pre & Post Natal Yoga held in Espanola, New Mexico. 

 

Emotional Healing

Rachelle Carroll

Rachelle has for the past 15 years been treating and supporting guests within Australia’s leading health spas and retreats. Rachelle provides unique emotional, healing treatments through physical movement, spiritual transfer and touch which will support and enliven your mind, body and spirit. Allow yourself to experience the ultimate journey.

Rachelle’s mission is to help set people free from fatigue as well as emotional, physical and mental stress. Rachelle has a great passion for giving, for you to experience the aliveness of the spirit in the now and for you to receive a truly unique and loving experience.

Rachelle is providing two specialty treatments to guests at The Medical Sanctuary exclusively on Sundays commencing 11th May.