Naturopathy is based on the belief that the body is self-healing. The body will repair itself and recover from illness spontaneously if it is in a healthy environment. Naturopaths have many remedies and recommendations for creating a healthy environment so the body can heal itself.  This will mean a naturopath will look at your diet, family history, medical history, pathology tests as well as your own exercise and work habits.

Naturopathic Medicine, or Naturopathy, is a system of medicine that uses natural substances to treat patients, and recognises that the patient's mental, emotional, and physical states must all be treated for a lasting effect. Our naturopaths seek to work with you rDoctors and primary health care practitioners to make sure that you have no negative reactions between necessary medications and herbal treatments.

 At the Pilates and Healing Centre, we have three naturopaths:

- Janet Schloss; 

- Alex Beck-Brandl

- Lisa Freebury. 

Janet Schloss and Dwan Vilcens work from our Annerley Centre , whilst Lisa Freebury is based at our Chelmer Centre.

Janet Schloss       Naturopath

Our Naturopath is Janet Schloss, who has been practicing for over 8 years. These days she also lectures in Nutrition at the Australian College of Natural Medicine. Janet is currently undertaking a Masters in Nutritional Medicine through RMIT.

Janet has extensive experience in working with people dealing with stress and anxiety related problems such as insomnia, tiredness and digestive disorders.

Cancer and autoimmune disorders

Janet also works with four Oncologists as the Nutritionist for their cancer patients. Janet has long been involved in research about cancer and nutrition particularly for individuals going through chemotherapy and radiation. Janet has also worked extensively with clients during and after their cancer treatment to help with means of reducing the likelihood of metastasis and tumour growth.

Janet assisted Henry Osieki in the writing of the book "Cancer a biochemical and nutritional approach"- Edition 1 & 2 (2002 and 2003). Janet also works with such organisations as the Queensland Cancer Association and the Kim Walter's Choices program to give nutritional seminars and advice.

Fertility, Pregnancy and Menopause

Janet has had extensive experience working with women wanting to try to become pregnant and women who are going through the IVF process. Janet also works with women facing problems during and after their pregnancy become of hormonal imbalances nutritional deficiencies or digestive disorders.

Janet also works with women experiencing menopause and associated symptoms.

The foundation of Naturopathic medicine is a philosophy of the "healing power of nature." This foundation maintains several premises, that

1. Within every human organism there is a healing energy, which includes our immune system in the fuller sense of both the physical and the psyche, which is responsible for our wellness and our ability to heal and maintain health.
2. The therapies used to support and stimulate this healing power of nature must be in the gentlest, least invasive, most efficient manner possible.
3. To diagnose and treat the cause. Naturopaths do not simply treat the manifestation of the disease but rather search for the cause and treat it.

To accomplish these goals, Naturopathic medicine incorporates many therapeutic modalities: herbal medicine, homeopathy, nutrition, hydrotherapy, food, exercise therapy, physical therapy, therapeutic massage, lifestyle and counselling.

What should I do after I make an appointment?

When you have made your appointment, it is suggested that you:

• Collect together any blood tests or medical test results that you have undertaken in the last six months, and bring them to your appointment.
• Keep a food diary for about a week before you come to your appointment.  In that diary you should keep a list of what you are eating and any symptoms that you may experience throughout the day e.g. dizziness, fatigue etc.
• Bring details of any medicines your Dr may have prescribed e.g. a blood thinning medication, as well as any herbs or vitamin supplements that you may be taking.
• Bring the contact details of any Drs or Specialists that you may be seeing, as this allows your naturopath to provide them with details of any medications she may suggest. These helps minimize any problems that can arise from drug interactions.

Alex Beck Brandl   Naturopath

The fully qualified Naturopath Alex Beck-Brandl was born in Switzerland. He has lived in New Zealand since 1995 and has made Brisbane his new home in 2011. He has always had a passion for natural health and believes that too many people put up with ailments and conditions which can be healed through naturopathy. Alex says “I don't think that suppressing symptoms or focusing on a disease is the right solution. I believe in a holistic approach, looking at physical, environmental, emotional, spiritual and nutritional aspects of your life, support the body systems and thus promote health. Most people can live a much more comfortable life after they have had a full consultation and assessment with a naturopath. Many people wrongly believe that with a certain age it is “normal” to suffer from health conditions such as arthritis, neuralgia, insomnia, skin problems, varicose veins, heart conditions, high cholesterol, diabetes, aches and pains, etc. and they battle on with chemical drugs and their side effects and sadly just accept their fate.”

Alex has successfully completed his university studies at Charles Sturt University (NSW) with a Bachelor of Health Science in complementary medicine and was awarded diplomas in Naturopathy and Medical Herbalism, both with Honours, by the South Pacific College of Natural Therapies in Auckland, New Zealand. He is also a Registered Nurse (diploma from Swiss Red Cross 1986) and has worked in acute patient care (A&E, operating theatre and ambulance) as a specialised anaesthetic nurse and advanced paramedic for over 10 years. Profound knowledge in both modern medicine and naturopathy give Alex the advantage of a wider view on health problems and he can draw on many years of clinical experience.

Alex offers a range of services, including relaxation massages, an important part of your journey to health and wellbeing. Naturopathic treatments are herbal medicine and bio-regulatory medicine, a special form of homeopathy, originating from Germany. Treating the digestive system first and supporting liver and kidney function are important and lead to excellent long term results. Another of his specialties is working with Bach Flower Essences, a system of Flower Remedies used to gently restore the balance between mind and body by casting out negative emotions.

Alex speaks English and German. 

Lisa Freebury  Naturopath 

A strong family history of using Herbal and Nutritional Medicine, along with experiencing and witnessing the benefits of these, lead to Lisa becoming a Naturopath.

Lisa believes in the importance of an integrative approach to treatment and combines the use of traditional naturopathic diagnostic tools with pathology testing, whilst incorporating the latest research findings. An holistic approach using herbal medicine, both traditional and evidence based, nutritional supplements and flower essences, along with dietary and lifestyle advice will be used to tailor your individual treatment plan.  

Whilst Lisa treats a wide range of health conditions including gastrointestinal problems, endocrine disorders, male and female reproductive issues, immune problems and cardiovascular conditions she has a keen interest in helping clients to manage stress, anxiety and insomnia, along with resultant health problems which can stem from these conditions.

Lisa is committed to providing an empathetic and supportive consultative environment, where you feel your health concerns have been heard and addressed and she will work with you on your journey to reach maximum optimum health.

Lisa holds a Bachelor of Health Science (Naturopathy) from the Endeavour College of Natural Health.