As Paul Zane Pilzer, US economist-turned-wellness guru was quoted in a recent article in The Australian newspaper's weekend magazine, "People are tired of being manipulated by the 'sickness' industries. We are ready for prevention and longevity." and Desana's recent patient survey confirmed he was right - 

From Desana's experience and from what research statistics tell us, the trend is real and happening at a grassroots level. 

National Complementary Healthcare Council president Christopher Dean claims that the number of Australians now using the complementary approach to medicine (including nutritional supplements, acupuncture and naturopathy) at least once a year has doubled in the past decade to about 60 per cent of the population. 

Australian Bureau of Statistics figures also show that, in 2001, 43 per cent of people who took medication for mental wellbeing during a national health survey had used vitamin and mineral supplements - almost double the figure in a 1995 survey.

With 60 per cent of the Australian population overweight and 50 per cent of our children suffering from obesity, all due to bad diets, poor nutrition and lifestyle, is it any wonder we're heading back to the basics of healthy living and preventative medicine?

American physician and author of "Dead Doctors don't Lie" Dr Joel Wallach had this to say in HLF magazine, "There's two things you have to do to bring longevity to your life. The first is get rid of the bad stuff - animal fats, oils, carbonated drinks - which is a big one because they neutralise stomach acids so you can't absorb meals very efficiently. And you have to get rid of sugar. One hundred years ago the Western person was consuming half a pound (230g) of sugar per year. Today we're eating half a pound a day. And the increase in depression, ADD, tourets and anger and rage are related to mineral deficiency such as lithium and chromium."

Closer to home, former cricket captain Greg Chappell is passionate about preventative health and fitness. Talking about his 1998 book 'Greg Chappell's Health and Fitness Repair Manual (Hodder) in The Australian weekend magazine he said - "Average people are hungry for wellbeing. They want to learn. Anything to do with wellness, including mental wellness - such as anger and guilt management - is going to thrive. I do believe this is going to be one of the biggest trends in the Western world, as the focus moves from the 'sickness industry' and treating sickness via the medical professions and drug companies, to the area of preventative medicine." 

Loyalists of the 'alternative' approach to healthcare could argue that there is really nothing new about the pursuit of health and wellbeing. Many people in Western society have been practising Yoga and meditation since the 1960s. Health food shops have been around since the 1970s and the trend toward vegetarianism and organic products remains on a steady incline. What we are seeing is integration with all the minor subcultures going mainstream and Desana Wholehealth is the first clinic of its kind in Perth to meet this trend head on with a team of GPs specialising in nutritional medicine, Naturopaths, Hands-on therapists such as Acupuncturists, massage and Bowen therapists, and counsellors. 

If you're ready for prevention and longevity and want to join the Wellness Revolution, visit Desana and talk to us about developing a preventative healthcare program that's right for you.