“CityNews” spoke with some businesses and organisations who are passionate about improving the health and wellbeing of locals.

MAINTAINING health or going on a journey towards good health and wellbeing means different things to different people.

Whether it’s rewarding exercise or effective treatment of conditions such as arthritis and chronic pain, Canberra is home to many experts passionate about improving health in all sorts of ways.

This week “CityNews” spoke with some businesses and organisations who are passionate about improving the health and wellbeing of locals.

A culturally safe service for indigenous people

WINNUNGA Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health and Community Services is a culturally safe service that provides holistic care to indigenous people throughout Canberra and the surrounding region, says CEO Julie Tongs.

“It is well documented that Aboriginal women die eight to 10 years younger than non-Aboriginal women and carry a higher burden of chronic disease at very young ages,” says Julie.

“It is important for people who are struggling to reach out to the Winnunga social health team or a Winnunga staff member to seek assistance. They should never feel ashamed as there is assistance available.”

Poverty, racism, trauma, addiction, mental health issues, domestic violence, homelessness and incarceration are just some of the issues that Julie says are affecting indigenous people every day.

On top of providing assistance with all of those issues, she says Winnunga can help secure access to covid testing and vaccination, child protection, court and Centrelink support and assist with the filling out of paperwork.

“Winnunga provides GPs, nurses, midwives, a drug and alcohol nurse, and a mental health nurse who are also able to be accessed in the Alexander Maconochie Centre,” she says. 

“We also have allied health professionals in our clinic who the GPs can do internal referrals to. They include the social health team psychiatrist, psychologists, sessional dietitians, an audiologist, optometrist, physiotherapist and a podiatrist.”

Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health and Community Services, 63 Boolimba Crescent, Narrabundah. Call 6284 6222 or visit winnunga.org.au

Gym takes a ‘different approach’ to fitness

DIRECTOR of Evo Health Club Jason Barry says their small, but expert team of trainers and coaches take a different approach to fitness. 

“We use sound methods and the latest technology to help you reach your goals,” says Jason.

“Focusing on your abilities and taking account of where you need development, we want to train your body so you have the strength to sustain your busy life.”

Featuring an extensive variety of exercise facilities, including a 25-metre lap pool, Jason says Evo is a gym that brings people “life satisfaction beyond their fitness goals.”

“Coming into winter and those colder months, it’s nice to come inside to exercise in an indoor, heated pool,” says Jason.

“We also have a sauna, steam room and hydrotherapy spa as part of that offering.”

Jason says members can book the pool at a time suited to them through a mobile app that makes the process much more convenient, and that there are many membership options that people can choose from to suit their goals.

“Some members do one on one personal training sessions once a month, other members do up to two or three a week, it’s really up to them,” he says.

“Our yoga classes are very popular and a great way to calm the mind and body.

“Our group fitness classes are small and intimate, which is great because it means the trainers get to spend most of their time with the members, give them cues on form and really focus on each individual.”

Evo Health Club, Hotel Realm, 18 National Circuit, Barton. Call 6162 0808 or visit evohealthclub.com.au

Exercise options to suit all abilities

ARTHRITIS ACT can support people no matter what type of chronic pain condition they have, says CEO, Rebecca Davey.

“It’s important to remain active at all ages, to condition muscles that protect against injury”, and Arthritis ACT has solutions for people of varying abilities.

“We have Nordic Walking classes. We’re teaching people how to walk with poles, which is a great, low-impact aerobic activity for everyone.”

Rebecca says it’s also important to build strength in different areas of the body.

“We now run Pilates from both locations, Pearce and Bruce,” and, as an added benefit for Arthritis ACT members, “we have free, online exercise classes every week from Tuesday to Thursday.”

That’s only the start, Rebecca says, with Arthritis ACT also offering services such as exercise physiology, disability support and meal planning to help people in managing their pain.

“People come to us because we know the condition. About 50 per cent of our staff live with chronic pain, so we understand how chronic pain can affect all parts of a person’s life,” she says.

“No task or question is too big or small for us.”

Arthritis ACT, Pain Support & ME/CFS ACT, 170 Haydon Drive, Bruce. Call 1800 011041 or visit arthritisact.org.au

The many benefits of moving

AN active lifestyle has many physical and mental benefits and is particularly important for seniors, according to Orthopaedics ACT’s orthopaedic surgeon Dr Nicholas Tsai, who specialises in the areas of spine, hip, knee and trauma. 

“Activity promotes cardiovascular fitness and social interactions; it elevates the mood and also helps to prevent osteoporosis due to inactivity and lack of sun exposure,” he says. 

“All joints benefit from moderate daily movements, whether the exercises are land-based or in water. Walking aids are also important for pain relief if you have arthritis in the lower limbs.” 

Orthopaedics ACT strives to provide the best advice to all members of the senior community, says Dr Tsai. 

“Patients will be assessed by experienced orthopaedic surgeons, and in most cases a conservative management plan will be provided,” he says. 

“The goal is always to improve the condition and to return to an active lifestyle as soon as possible.” 

Dr Tsai says patients with mild symptoms will be referred to a physiotherapist participating in the GLA:D exercise program, which helps people with hip and knee osteoarthritis manage their symptoms.

Patients undergoing private joint replacements are now provided with digital information videos to assist them with their surgery and rehabilitation planning.

“Surgical intervention is offered as the last resort, usually after conservative management has not been successful or if the condition is deemed so severe that conservative treatment is unlikely to improve it,” he says.

Orthopaedics ACT, Woden Specialist Medical Centre, Level 2, 90 Corinna Street, Phillip. Call 6221 9320 or visit orthoact.com.au 

Medical practice expands team with experience

SIAN Medical Centre, which opened in October, provides a wide range of general practice services including, but not limited to, vaccinations (including for COVID-19), help with managing chronic disease, skin cancer excision and skin checks, men’s health and women’s health issues and mental-health issues, says Dr Sharin De Silva.

“We mainly focus on preventing chronic disease and improving community health to minimise unexpected presentations to emergency departments,” he says.

“I have worked in different areas of medicine including anaesthesia, emergency medicine and IUC, and I’ve also worked as a rural general practitioner.

“I decided to provide these services, with my experience, to the local community through Sian Medical Centre.”

Sian Medical has just gained a new female practitioner, Dr Iranthi De Silva.

“She joined the practice on April 1,” says Sharin.

“She is a practitioner with 20 years’ experience and she has a special interest in women’s health and contraception.

“She is also an accredited contraceptive devices – intra-uterine and subcutaneous – insertion and removal provider.

“She also speaks fluent Mandarin and Sinhalese, and has a basic knowledge of Tamil.”

Sharin says the practice is a private billing practice, but they bulk bill children under 16-years-old, and people older than 65 with a pension card, on most occasions.

Sian Medical Centre, 89/275 Flemington Road, Franklin. Call 6106 9166 or visit sianmedical.com.au