Can gardens help patients heal faster?

According to several studies, patients who have access to a scenic view are likely to require less medication, lower stress levels and may heal faster. Studies conducted in the United States and Sweden over the past three decades have evaluated healing gardens in rehabilitation and children’s hospitals, with positive results for patients. A 1995 study …

Acupuncture – alongside, not instead of

The reason most of us end up in an emergency department (ED) is because we’re in pain. In fact, up to 75% of us present to ED some level of pain. Often, when a patient arrives in pain, he or she is given the most appropriate painkiller. This can vary from paracetamol and anti-inflammatories, to …

When Moving Legs Offers No Relief

Ever been in a movie or on a flight and your legs become itchy, uncomfortable or even painful? For most of us, getting up and moving your legs usually gets rid of these sensations. But for some people, these sensations can begin to affect both their waking lives and the quality of their sleep. Restless …

Train Your Tastebuds to Enjoy Less Salt

We seem to be in the midst of a war against sugar, with so many dietitians, writers, celebrities and politicians joining the fight. But what about salt? Is it still bad for us? Even if it’s fancy now? And are they all the same? (think Himalayan pink salt, flavoured salt, truffled salt, herbed salt, all …

Striking a Chord to Deep Relaxation

The pressures of contemporary life can be overwhelming and many of us are searching for something to help us find some peace and calm. Sound massage, although a relatively new relaxation technique in Australia, is becoming a recognised form of complementary therapy with positive, relaxing effects for many all over the world. The practitioner uses …

Make Your Wishes Known

We know that death is a certainty but how many of us are prepared for this eventuality? What would happen if you had an accident or you suddenly became ill? Would your family know what kind of treatment you would want or how you would like to be cared for? Director Palliative Care Services Alison …

Catholic Health Care – Walking the Extra Yard

When you come to a Catholic hospital, in what ways do you expect the care you receive to be different from the care provided at a non-Catholic hospital? Director of Mission at St John of God Murdoch Hospital Colin Keogh says that it is not with the clinical delivery of health care that the difference …

Ancient practice alleviates pain and brings relaxation

Reflexology is a form of alternative medicine in which the practitioner applies pressure to specific points and areas on the feet, hands or ears, in order to improve general health and wellbeing. Reflexologists believe that certain zones correspond to different organs and providing pressure to these areas has a positive effect on the organs and ultimately, overall health. Although reflexology is …

Preventing painful pressure injuries

Pressure injuries, also known as pressure sores or bed sores, are something most of us never think about, but they can occur and when they do, they are very painful and can lengthen your stay in hospital. Pressure injuries are localised areas of damage to the skin or underlying tissue, caused by unrelieved pressure or …

Could I develop type 2 diabetes?

The cause of type 2 diabetes is currently unknown, but research indicates there are a range of associated risk factors. Risk factors which cannot be changed include: having a family history of diabetes being over 40 years of age being of Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, Melanesian, Polynesian, Chinese or Indian subcontinent descent being a woman …