Take time out for a 'wellness check'

Northern Rivers residents will be able to have a free ‘wellness check’ as part of the Health and Herb Festival in Lismore on August 19 and 20.

Southern Cross University, which has played a key role in the festival since it began in 2001, will be offering the wellness checks, massage and other health-related information throughout the two-day event.

Clinic co-ordinator and associate lecturer in Natural and Complementary Medicine, Ms Annette Morgan, said students and staff who work in the University’s Natural Medicine Clinic would be providing the free health screens from the Southern Cross University marquee.

“We will do a brief review of the person’s health history, including checking their vital signs, and a brief dietary assessment to provide information about the person’s nutritional intake,” Ms Morgan said.

“We will give them a record of the findings and provide advice on further action if necessary. This is really a first step in a proactive approach to healthcare.”

The wellness checks and free 10-minute massages will be conducted by fourth-year students in the Bachelor of Natural and Complementary Medicine course, under the supervision of qualified staff.

Ms Morgan said the Northern Rivers region was a major centre for complementary medicine and the festival provided a great opportunity to showcase the local industry.

“It also gives us the opportunity to highlight the wide variety of research projects under way at the University and for staff and students to share their knowledge and experience,” she said.

Southern Cross University will also have information available about two new courses being offered from 2007 – the Bachelor of Clinical Sciences and the Master of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

The Health and Herb Festival combines information on healthy lifestyles, gourmet food, natural environments, health and wellbeing, sport and fitness with a taste of the region’s talented multi arts community.

It will include a Volkswagen parade from Magellan Street, kicking of at 10am on Saturday, to Riverside Park followed by stalls, speakers and a range of other activities over the two days.

For information about the festival visit the website www.healthandherbfestival.net