Good health naturally
by Geraldine Hinter
UniSA
teaching graduate and qualified naturopath, Karen Martin was
recently appointed to the prestigious Complementary Medicines
Evaluation Committee, which reports to the Therapeutic Goods
Administration in Canberra.
Martin joins industry advisers who work with the Federal Government to provide scientific and policy advice regarding the supply and use of complementary products, in particular their safety and quality, efficacy relating to claims made about products and regulations regarding their use. Committee members include complementary therapists, naturopaths, general practitioners who work with complementary products, and researchers, toxicologists and biochemists.
"Being able to work with other advisers at this level and have input is a wonderful opportunity," Martin said. "With a background as a laboratory technician before turning to naturopathy, I have always had a scientific focus and am keen to see scientific evidence or proof that products work. This committee should give people confidence about the safety of complementary medicines," she said.
As a lecturer in naturopathy, Martin developed the initial courses for the Bachelor of Health Sciences (Naturopathy) at UniSA in 2003 before setting up the Australian Centre for Natural Health and Wellness at Norwood three years ago.
An integration between allied and complementary therapies, the centre comprises seven practitioners who work together to treat a wide variety of conditions using naturopathy, acupuncture, psychology, hypnotherapy, behavioural therapy and traditional Thai massage.
"I am working closely with the acupuncturist on fertility and IVF treatments. Many trials have now demonstrated that combining acupuncture and IVF increases the chances of a successful pregnancy. Using a combination of herbal medicine and diet, I work with people before they start their IVF cycle to get them in the best shape possible. We are getting really good results from that combination," Martin said.
In addition to her practice, Martin is studying to be a Doctor of Philosophy, looking at tacit learning in natural therapies, which is the incidental learning that naturopaths absorb and start incorporating into their practice.
Martin is pushing for statutory registration of naturopaths, which she sees as a major issue and essential for the profession. "Being unregulated, a person who is deregistered from another profession or has no qualifications can set themselves up as a naturopath and we can’t stop them. It can damage the whole profession. Statutory registration will enable greater integration with orthodox medicine, it will give people confidence in our qualifications and practices, and protect the public from unqualified or unethical practices."