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AUGUST 2021
President's Report
Dear <<First Name>>,
 
August finds us deep in Covid worries with debate raging on the efficacy of lockdowns, how and if they should be implemented, concern around immunisation rates, programs and safety and the questions around our quarantine programs.
 
As integrative doctors and practitioners we are all motivated by providing the best possible healthcare.  We are the people who treat the complex cases who might baffle other doctors and practitioners.  We work to return our patients to health by partnering with them in the co-design of their care.  We have all made conscious decisions to build on our post-qualification knowledge and experience through education, self-guided study and by learning from our colleagues.
 
In these uncertain times some of us may find that our knowledge and beliefs differ from those of our patients, our colleagues and the advice of government health authorities.  In less heated/urgent times we would study, discuss and more openly interrogate our position, opening our minds to the possibility of learning and growth.  Curiosity, discourse and discussion are the foundations on which (safe) medical progress is made.
 
In the current climate we know that many of you feel that there is no safe opportunity for you to have these types of discussions. 
 
This polarisation of debate into a binary has been happening in many areas of our society, not just in medicine.  Expressing an ‘incorrect’ view, or even questioning an ‘accepted’ view can place you in harm’s way, it can bring down the wrath of social media, the media and even the weight of regulatory authorities.  This essentially stifles debate, discussion and growth for it is in the grey areas where we learn and progress.  It is important that we be able to disagree respectfully, to listen openly and to treat all with kindness.
 
Here at AIMA we certainly don’t have the answers to these weighty problems.  However, we do know that there are members of our community who are raising their voices questioning the accepted norm.  Two groups that have come to our attention are Covid Plan B in NZ and Covid Medical network in Australia.  We mention these groups, not because we necessarily agree with them and what they are saying, but because they are led by respected members of our community who are trying to encourage discussion. 
 
Resources to support doctors and practitioners
 
In September last year Integrative Psychologist Dr Wai Mun Tang recorded a webinar for us on Mental Health in COVID Times: An Integrative Psychiatrist’s Insights.  In this wonderful and uplifiting webinar Wai Mun shared her unique knowledge, experience and insights on the impact that COVID-19 on mental health and gave us some tools and strategies on ways in which we can look after ourselves and each other during these turbulent times.  We have made this webinar available for your viewing here. There are other resources listed here.
 


Warmly


Dr Penny Caldicott
AIMA President

 
MENTAL HEALTH IN COVID TIMES

As many Australians are forced back into lockdown in recent weeks, we thought we'd share a video from a webinar we held back in September 2020 with Integrative Psychiatrist Dr. Wai Mun Tang.

In this 1-hr webinar, Wai Mun shared her unique knowledge, experience, and insights exploring the impact that COVID-19 has had on health practitioners, individuals, and the community at large and discussing ways in which we can look after ourselves and each other during these turbulent times.

To view the recording, please click here.

INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE AND
RURAL & REMOTE HEALTH

The National Rural Health Alliance is calling for abstracts for their 16th National Rural Health Conference, which is taking place in Perth, WA from 30 May to 1 June 2022. 

This is a great opportunity to talk about how integrative medicine, with its focus on prevention, understanding of health as intimately linked to social and environmental wellbeing and patient-centered care can help lift the health of regional and remote communities in Australia. The conference theme is "bridging social distance; rural health innovating and collaborating" and will focus on the achievements of the past and the very bright future for rural and remote health in Australia.
 
We encourage AIMA members and supporters to submit abstracts to this conference to help spread the word about integrative medicine.

For more information and to submit an abstract, click here

AUCKLAND MONTHLY MEETING
Aucklanders were treated to an enlightening evening last night at our AIMA Auckland Monthly Meeting.  Attendees were given a guided tour of the newly-opened Life Centre in Ponsonby with Centre Director, Adonia Wylie.

The Centre, established by long-time AIMA supporters, The Ashton Wylie Trust, has been created as a sanctuary for multidimensional approaches to well-being - a haven for Soul, Mind and Body within the city centre. It provides a new resource for patients and integrative practitioners in Auckland hosting a wide array of complementary, herbal and energy healing practitioners, including kinesiology, massage, fascial release therapy, naturopathy and holistic life coaching. 

 It was a great opportunity to explore a refreshing and unique approach to well-being and catch up with fellow like-minded practitioners in this truly beautiful and welcoming setting.

Many thanks to the staff at The Life Centre for hosting us all!
EVENTS

Building Resilience with Yoga and Yoga Nidra presented by Swami Karma Karuna

Friday 20th August 2021
12pm NZST/ 10am AEST

This webinar offers support for the body, mind and nervous system during this time of uncertainty. Our ability to adapt, adjust, accommodate and find a new way forward requires us to step into our inner source of resilience. Yoga builds resilience in the body and mind by introducing small amounts of stress in a controlled scenario. This can then be mirrored off of the yoga mat, in our everyday lives.
Learning Objectives

  • Train the body and mind to respond rather than react
  • Calm the nervous system through yogic practices like conscious breathing, yoga nidra & restorative yoga
  • Create new neural pathways that favour equanimity and resilience

To register, click here

Effective Protocols for GI Function presented by Daniel Kalish

Friday 3rd September, 2021
12-1pm NZST/ 10-11am AEST

We will discuss how microbiome testing can be an integral part of your telehealth practice, and review a three-step system that shows how to read complex stool tests, and apply the results to your most complex patient cases. Through case-based learning, we’ll review how to look at microbiome results, properly care for GI function and understand effective protocols for different stages of GI function.
Learning Objectives

  • Review three stages of GI function
  • Review markers, care and protocols for each stage of GI function
  • Learn how to support GI cases with a proven system of lab analysis

To register, click here.

The 2021 BioCeuticals Symposium Enhancing Mental Wellbeing: Navigating Modern Day Life from 1-3 October focuses on the role complementary and integrative medicine plays in supporting mental health and wellbeing. 
  
The 3-day event features world-class speakers including Dr Ron Ehrlich, Prof Kerry Phelps, Dr Austin Perlmutter, Prof Julia Rucklidge, Dr Jermone Sarris and many more.  This incredible line-up will not come around again - don't miss out! 
 
Join us as we discuss practical treatment options for:  

  • depression and anxiety 
  • burnout and common stress 
  • peak mental performance

Get ready for a great virtual event that will include: 

  •  Interactive plenary presentations, panel discussions, interviews, and Masterclasses all delivered on a state-of-the-art platform to ensure you can still participate live in all the action 
  • Plenty of time to chat, catch up, and share ideas with your peers and speakers via virtual networking 
  • Product tastings, samples and goodies are a must… exclusive delegate gift bags will be delivered to your door* 
  • CPE accredited for naturopaths, nutritionists, and other members of associations such as ATMS, ANTA, CMA, NHAA and ANPA 

 All from the comfort of your own home! 
 
Screen fatigue, it’s a thing. With this in mind, the program is loaded with short engaging sessions and mindful moments to help you re-energise, refocus and keep engaged. Need a break? Dip in and out of the live event as needed and watch the recordings later. 
  
Exclusive access to recorded sessions. Part of your virtual ticket gives you access to recorded sessions for 3 months on the event platform.** 
 
Click here to register today. 
 
Western Australia Satellite Event 
As Western Australia hasn’t been impacted by the latest lockdowns, event partner Rener are hosting a satellite event. They will beam in the virtual event, with some speakers and Masterclasses live on the ground. 
*Must have signed up by 15th September for the exclusive delegate gift bag to be received prior to the event. Available to the first 450 registrations within Australia. 

Advertisement

AIMA is a partner for Mind Medicine Australia’s International Summit on Psychedelic Therapies for Mental Illness, taking place in Melbourne from 19-20 November 2021 at the Sofitel Melbourne On Collins.
 
The two-day Summit on Psychedelic Therapies for Mental Illness will bring together clinicians, scientists, academics, mental and public health professionals, philanthropists, Government, law and policy makers, business, industry, investors, consumers and other interested stakeholders. The event will be preceded by a two-day workshop program for therapists, health professionals and members of the public with leading international facilitators.
 
The Summit will feature a rich program of international and national keynotes, master classes, hot spots, panel conversations, and a gala dinner Q & A.
 
Together we can change the paradigm for mental health. Please join us – we hope to see you there!

For more details and to register for tickets, please visit: https://summit.mindmedicineaustralia.org/
 
AIMA DISCOUNT!
As a partner for this event, we are delighted to extend an invitation to you and your colleagues and networks to gather in Melbourne in November 2021.

Please use and share the password MMA2021 to redeem a 10% discount on ticket bookings.

RESEARCH SNIPPETS
Midlife changes in wealth may affect a patient's risk of cardiovascular disease

The association of socioeconomic status and cardiovascular outcomes has been well described, but little is known about whether longitudinal changes in wealth are associated with cardiovascular health status. A recent study set out to evaluate the association between midlife wealth mobility and risk of cardiovascular events.

The cohort study of 5579 adults found that a relative decline in wealth during midlife increases the likelihood of a cardiac event or heart disease after age 65 while an increase in wealth between ages 50 and 64 is associated with lower cardiovascular risk, according to a new study in JAMA Cardiology.

To read the full article by Anna Goshua in Medscape, click here. To read the study, published online in JAMA Cardiology click here.
High coffee consumption can adversely affect brain health

Drinking more than six cups of coffee a day was associated with a 53% increased risk of dementia and a smaller brain volume, a large study found.

"With coffee intake, moderation is the key, and especially high levels of consumption may have adverse long-term effects on the brain," study investigator Elina Hypponen, PhD, professor of nutritional and genetic epidemiology and director of the Australian Center for Precision Health at the University of South Australia, told Medscape Medical News.

"These new data are concerning, and there is a need to conduct further carefully controlled studies to clarify the effects of coffee on the brain."

Click here to read the full article by Pauline Anderson in Medscape or here to view the study published online in Nutritional Neuroscience.

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Disclaimer: The information contained in this newsletter is intended to provide accurate and helpful health information for the general public. The information should not be considered complete and does not cover all diseases, ailments, physical conditions and/or their treatment. It should not be used in place of a call or visit to a medical, health or other competent professional, who should be consulted before adopting any of the suggestions in this newsletter or drawing inferences from it. Please note that the views expressed within are the presenters own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Australasian Integrative Medicine Association.

 
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