Clinical Services

No. Anyone can have an iridology assessment, it is non-invasive and is suitable for all ages.

You will be presented with a copy of your iris images and the report explaining the findings in your consultation.

The image is taken using a custom-designed lens attached to a camera and printer so that the images are available immediately during your consultation.

The only discomfort that may exist is from the flash used – but the light is less than the average camera flash.

Each eye image is taken separately.

We find the people who would like these tests done as a ‘stand-alone’ will always ask for an interpretation.  Consequently, we have made these tests available as part of an Acute Consultation.

Yes. Appointments are necessary for all tests and treatments at Nurtura Health

No. anyone can have a QuadScan. Simply call Nurtura Health and make an appointment.

Yes. The QuadScan is conducted by a trained and certified Naturopath in the privacy of a consultation room.

A QuadScan report gives a snapshot of your body composition e.g. fluids in the cells, fluids in the tissues, fat mass, bone & muscle mass, a measurement of cellular vitality, and an inflammatory indicator.  If you are embarking on a weight loss or a body-building program, having a baseline allows you to measure your progress.  Our Naturopaths, also take the information from a QuadScan and can use this test as a monitoring tool to ensure your naturopathic treatment is working and achieving a positive change to your health, wellness and vitality.

Your Naturopath will discuss this with you.  Some patients have one once a month to monitor their progress with a health, fitness or weight loss program.  Others choose to have one every 6 to 12 months.  A QuadScan report is a great way to monitor your progress whatever your health goals.  It can also alert your Naturopath to areas of your health where you may have specific challenges interrupting your progress.

No!  QuadScan is contraindicated during pregnancy.

We observe that ill health often begins with a change in energy before the dis-ease state manifests.

The Naturopaths at Nurtura Health have had almost three decades of experience.  They use a variety of reviewing methods including the VegaTest Review.  They take all their observations, consider the presenting symptoms and health history, and use their extensive experience and training to support you in your quest for better health, more energy, weight loss, or your specific health goals. A VegaTest Review is included in your Initial Comprehensive or Review Consultations.

A Zinc Taste Test provides a quick and reliable clinical test for the assessment of zinc status.  10mls of the solution is held on the tongue for 20 seconds and the taste is evaluated. 

Numerous research studies have found that sub-optimal levels of zinc are very common at all ages, especially in the elderly.  An Australian study found that 85% of women and 65% of men do not receive the RDA for zinc in their diets. 

Assessing zinc status can be difficult, as most of the body’s zinc stores are in the bones.  Hair analysis, levels in sweat, blood serum or white blood cells all require considerable (and costly) laboratory work. 

Some of the signs of a zinc deficiency are:

• Disrupted sleep patterns             
• Poor concentration        
• Memory Impairment     
• Mental
• Eczema, asthma, allergies            
• Hair loss                              
• Acne, skin lesions            
• Poor nail growth
• Frequent colds, sore throats       
• Issues of taste, smell      
• Prostatic hyperplasia     
• Low immunity  

Your gut microbiome is a community of microorganisms. At Nurtura Health, we like to call it a little ‘gut bug farm’. These little bugs in your gut are active. There are more genes in these bacteria than genes in our body! So what types do we have? How many? What aspects of our health do they affect?

The gut is a microbiome which is made up of good and bad bacteria and other microbes. To know what your microbiome is made of and if it’s operating at its optimal functionality – Nurtura Health offers a Microbiome test kit.

• IBS, IBD, SIBO, constipation
• Food sensitivities, allergies
• Metabolic syndrome, obesity
• Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular risk
• Stress & mood disorders
• Neurodegenerative dis-eases
• Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis
• Auto-immune conditions
• Pain & inflammation
• Exposure to heavy metals, chemicals
• Hormone imbalances

No. the test is done in the privacy of your own home. We provide you with all instructions and the postal kit to send off the sample.

The results of the test are sent away for analysis and the results and report are sent to your Naturopath who will make an appointment with you to review the results and interpret the findings.

If necessary, the Naturopath will work out a suitable treatment plan to address any issues identified in the results.

No. anyone can purchase the Microbiome test kits.

Because the cost of the kit includes a consultation to interpret the report and results, we ask that you complete one of our new patient forms for our record keeping purposes. There is no obligation to purchase products or undergo further treatments.

No. anyone can purchase the Microbiome test kits.

No. an appointment is not necessary to purchase the kit.

When the results report is received, the Nurtura Health team will call you to book an appointment convenient to you to discuss the results and interpret the findings with a Naturopath

Omega-3s are important components of the membranes that surround each cell in your body.  DHA levels are especially high in retina (eye), brain, and sperm cells.  Omega-3s also provide calories to give your body energy and have many functions in your heart, blood vessels, lungs, immune system and endocrine system (the network of hormone-producing glands).  

The Omega-3 Index Test is simply a measure of the amount of EPA and DHA in the blood, specifically the red blood cell membranes.  Low omega-3 levels are associated with a multitude of health issues such as heart dis-ease, Alzheimer’s, eye dis-ease and many chronic inflammatory dis-eases.

As a percentage of Omega-3 Index in your blood a High Risk = <4%; Intermediate risk = 4-8%; and Low risk = >8%.

Most consumers hover around 6% or below.  In the USA most people are at 4% or below – the highest risk zone which translates to a 90% higher risk of sudden cardiac death.

No matter how healthy you think you are, it is always good to know your number.  Don’t guess what you can test!

The colon, or large intestine, comprises the last 1.5-1.8 metres of the digestive tract.  Although some nutrients and water are absorbed through the colon wall, its primary function is the removal of digestive and cellular wastes from the body.  The bowel transit time, from the moment a person eats until the waste matter is excreted from the colon, can be anywhere from 12-28 hours in a healthy person, depending on water intake, exercise, and the type of foods eaten.

The colon is the body’s waste disposal unit and is designed to completely and naturally remove digestive and cellular waste from the body.  Unfortunately, the modern diet of cooked, processed and devitalized foods combined with low water intake, sedentary lifestyles and stress, our digestive systems do not always function or eliminate as well as they should.

There is almost an epidemic of digestive disorders including constipation, diarrhea, gas and bloating, diverticulitis, Crohn’s dis-ease, spastic colon, and irritable bowel syndrome, to name a few. It is not unusual to hear of bowel transit times of anywhere from three days to two weeks!

The build-up of waste matter within the colon can lead to auto-intoxication and overgrowth of yeast (candida albicans), prevent proper absorption of nutrients through the intestinal wall, and hinder the muscular movement of the colon, leading to sluggish peristalsis (the muscle contractions that move matter through your colon) and chronic constipation.

A Colonic can help to loosen up and remove impacted waste matter from the colon, as well as improve and even restore the healthy muscular action of the colon.

Even clients with no reported digestive issues have been amazed at what has been removed from their colon, such as mucus, parasites and undigested food.  Clients have reported benefits such as “the cloud has lifted”, “I can think clearer”, better sleep, clearer skin, less gas and bloating and more regular bowel movements following their treatments.  As there is two-way talk between the biochemistry of the colon, the nervous system, the hormones, the psyche and the immune system, having a healthy environment in the colon may have far-reaching benefits to our general health and wellness, vitality and feelings of wellbeing.   

Laxatives, even natural ones, usually wok by irritating the colon to get it to contract.  In the short term, this may be fine, but long-term use and abuse of laxatives can lead to dependency and intestinal disorders.  Enemas will assist the body in emptying only the last 12.5-25 centimeters of the colon, whereas a colonic will gently remove matter from the entire length of the colon.  Nothing is quite as immediate or complete for cleaning our and toning the colon as a Colonic. 

A colonic can sometimes feel a bit like diarrhea as the colon muscles contract to expel the loosened waste matter.  While the filtered water is gently flowing into the colon, it is common to have some sensations of pressure, or feeling the “need to go”, but these are quickly alleviated as the water and waste are released. 

If there are moments of discomfort during a Colonic, they are usually of a short duration and are well-tolerated.  The more relaxed the client is, the more effective the treatment, and the less discomfort.  At Nurtura Health, there will always be a Naturopath or a trained Therapist with you to ensure your comfort, and the effectiveness of the treatment.  In our experience, using heat packs and a specific abdominal massage technique helps relaxation and comfort. 

It is ideal to have a small meal around an hour before your treatment and limit the fluids you drink in the half hour before your treatment.

If you are not an existing client of Nurtura Health, you will be asked to complete an intake form, and a medical and surgical history before your appointment.  This is necessary to ensure there are no contraindications to having the procedure. 

You will change into a treatment gown and will be draped with sheets for privacy and modesty.   While you are lying on your left side, your Naturopath or Therapist gently inserts a lubricated disposable speculum which has a small water inlet hose, and a larger waste hose leading into the machine attached.  As you comfortably recline on your back with a heat pad on your abdomen, warm filtered water slowly enters the colon to your comfort level.  As this is released water and waste from the colon pass out through the enclosed waste hose and then fresh filtered water is re-introduced into the colon.

The gentle water flow is always under the direct control of the Naturopath or Therapist, who repeats the process, filling and releasing for the duration of the treatment.  Abdominal massage is done through the treatment to support relaxation and release.

Nurtura Health has installed modern and hygienic ‘closed system’ colonic equipment into two custom-built, medical grade treatment rooms.  These are within a private treatment area with adjoining bathrooms and a shower.  

The single-use disposable speculums and tubes are imported from the USA and medical grade.  They are in sealed individual packs which are not opened until the start of the treatment. 

The number and frequency of Colonics a person should get will depend on the individual, why Colonics are recommended or needed, and each person’s health issues or health goals.

For a healthy person with normal bowel function (which can be between one and three bowel movements a day), an initial series of three to four colonics spaced from two to seven days apart, followed by a maintenance schedule of one session every one to three months may be beneficial.

If there are chronic digestive issues, such as constipation, the Naturopath will recommend the best frequency depending on the indications and outcome of the first treatment.  In our experience, we have found the release of matter can increase over the first three to four Colonics as the matter is softened and released.  Once that is complete, many of our clients incorporate one session per month into their wellness program.  For females having a menstrual cycle, having a Colonic a week before period, may relieve some of the PMT pelvic congestion and discomfort, and our clients comment that their ability to cope and their moods are much better.

A colon with retained matter, fermentation, gas and bloating will rarely have the environment for a healthy gut microbiome. By cleansing impacted waste matter and putrefying material from the colon, there may be an improved environment in which healthy intestinal microbes can flourish and multiply, as well as an improved ability for the body to absorb nutrients through the colon wall. 

Our Naturopaths are happy to discuss ways to improve your gut health (which impacts your overall health) and suggest enzymes, digestive support or pre or probiotics as appropriate. 

Absolutely!  There is an increasing awareness among males of the benefits of both gut health and general health.  Nurtura Health has an ever-increasing male clientele who appreciate the benefits of Colonics in their treatment programs and comment on their increased feeling of wellbeing and energy in addition to the relief from uncomfortable symptoms of pain, bloating and gas among other health issues.