Health sanctuary

By Dion Teasdale
HIGHWOOD Health in Narbethong is the Yarra Valley’s premier health sanctuary.
The not-for-profit health retreat, surrounded by majestic mountains and lofty trees, is a centre conducive to the tranquility necessary for the recovery of health.
With 102 acres of beautiful gardens, lawns, forests, mountain streams and trails, Highwood Health provides an ideal environment for your restoration.
It is situated on the eastern slopes of the Great Dividing Ranges, and the emphasis at Highwood is on rest, relaxation and restoration of sound health.
Highwood Health’s staff doctors, Dr Russell Standish and Dr David Bird, with modern methods of health guest evaluation and protocols, offer optimal health rejuvenation programs customised to meet personal needs.
The resident doctors have a simple philosophy, Highwood Health’s Kok Tho said.
“The cause of diseases should be determined. Unhealthy conditions should be changed, wrong habits corrected,” Kok said.
“Then nature is to be assisted in her effort to expel impurities and to re-establish the conditions in the body to boost the immune system, improve blood circulation, meet nutritional demands, balance its chemistry and de-stress the whole being, to bring restoration and healing.
“Nature is the effectual restorer and possesses curative powers. Men and women, when they understand the principle of health in practical terms, are equipped to take their own responsibility for their personal health.”
Highwood’s staff doctors customise personalised programs for guests after medical consultation incorporating a wide range of therapies including detoxification, hydrotherapy, steam baths, contrast showers, massages and herbs, lifestyle counselling, educational scientific lectures on health and disease prevention, exercise and nutrition. “Qualified, experienced doctors, health educators, and therapists, together with our chefs and nutritional demonstrators at Highwood Health will ensure that you receive the most up-to-date information, care and treatment that maximises your total health,” Kok said.
Highwood Health programs focus on heart disease reversal, hypertension reversal, diabetes control, stress-related disorders, asthma and breathing disorders, arthritis and joint disease, cancer, allergic conditions, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, weight reduction and control, quitting smoking, and the preservation of sound health into middle and late life.
“Our aim is to guide you towards a life of physical, mental and spiritual healing,” Kok said.
Highwood Health’s doctors have excellent qualifications.
Dr Standish has 40 years of international medical experience on three continents, 25 years as a specialist. He has a lot of experience in heart disease prevention and recovery treatments.
Dr Bird has a passion for natural remedies and lifestyle enhancement in the prevention and treatment of disease.
In addition to the in-house programs of Highwood Health, Dr Bird runs an outpatient clinic for sufferers of CFS, fibromyalgia and burnout. Highwood Health’s own master chef, Greg Heywood, has many years of experience in creating delicious vegan alternatives to meat, burgers, butter, cheese and creams.
“A simple vegan diet has wide ranging benefits for health and well-being and is now recommended for its anti-cancer and pro-cardiac health qualities,” Kok said.
Highwood Health offers three program modules to meet your individual needs, a five-day introduction program, a 12-day better health program, and a 19-day new life program.
“Our 19-day health program is designed not only to restore and heal, but to educate you in life-changing and enhancing principles,” Kok said.
“Hence it is a live-in program where you will experience and be able to measure the derived benefits from an extended period of participation in this program.
“You will depart Highwood Health armed with the knowledge and skills necessary to begin and sustain a new life of vibrant health.”
Highwood Health is at 291 Maroondah Highway, Narbethong.
For more information phone 5963 7000, email enquiries@highwoodhealh.org, or check out the website www.highwoodhealth.org