Health & Wellness

Finding the Balance

by Heather Miller

Holistic health services in Acadiana offer natural alternatives to relieve countless ailments with little to no side effects.

Holistic health services in Acadiana offer natural alternatives to relieve countless ailments with little to no side effects.

A few years ago, when Pamela Dagen was taking a daily combination of prescribed pain medication, sleeping pills and antidepressants, she knew there had to be a better option. So she began exploring the benefits of hands-on energy healing through Reiki treatments.

The Japanese technique that‘s used to combat stress, depression and other ailments was such an effective treatment for Dagen that she‘s been off of all medications since she discovered Reiki therapy in 2008, she says.

Now the Reiki master at Bindu Yoga, Dagen uses her hands to spread energy to the bodies of her clients, many of whom suffer from chronic stress, depression and other ailments such as fibromyalgia.

The healing energy, she says, flows from her hands, bringing relaxation "so the body has time to replenish and restore itself."

"I guess it was my own personal experience that made me want to offer it to other people," she says.

Reiki treatment is one of countless services offered in Acadiana for people seeking relief through holistic health and alternatives to traditional medicine.

Though the level of relief may vary for each person and each ailment they face, holistic health professionals who spoke to IND Monthly agree that the holistic and alternative treatments typically come with little-to-no side effects and can often complement other treatment methods through traditional medicine.

For Marie Pace, a traditional naturopath and owner of Optimum Solutions Holistic Health Consultants, it was also her own personal

Photos by Robin May

Marie Pace

health issues that led her to both a holistic health approach to life and a business venture helping others to do the same.

When Pace went through menopause in the late ‘90s, her doctor said she knew that Pace wasn‘t one for synthetic hormones as a treatment for her condition.

That‘s when Pace began researching hormones and their effect on people of all ages, she says, and decided to pursue a career in holistic health.

As a traditional naturopath, Pace says she doesn‘t diagnose ailments, nor does she prescribe medications or treatments for her clients.

"We educate, consult and coach to help manage someone‘s health," she says.

The most common ailments Pace helps her clients manage are hormone imbalances, adrenal fatigue and weight gain, she says.

"Everyone‘s tired, gaining weight and having aches and pains," she says. "Instead of automatically telling someone they should take this herb or do the latest Dr. Oz promotion for a fast fix, I like to see what‘s causing the fatigue and aches and pains. It‘s almost always coming from adrenal glands, ovaries and thyroids.

"Nine times out of 10 when it‘s chronic, taking medication to handle a symptom is not going to cure or fix it," she continues. "You better find out what‘s causing that acid reflux problem because taking Nexium for the rest of your life has an untold number of side effects, including osteoporosis in women. What if there was a way to be healthy, happy, pain-free and sleeping well without having to take 15 different medications?"

Pace is a big believer in medical testing, she says, and often works in conjunction with medical doctors to ensure her clients are receiving the wide variety of tests that sometimes traditional medical doctors pass over when diagnosing patients.

"When we‘re looking at function, we want to know what‘s reaching the target cells," she explains. "We tell them how to change their diet, then shoot them back to the regular doctor to make sure they‘re doing what they need to do on that end. I am a firm believer in both."

And though Pace agrees that natural approaches are often associated with fewer side effects, she warns that "just because it‘s natural doesn‘t mean it‘s safe."

"You can misuse anything," she says. "As a naturopath we‘ve got to work with spirit, mind and body, like diet and removing stress from that individual‘s life."

Healing touch practitioner Sue Heldenbrand, owner of Synergistic Center in Lafayette, says her therapy for migraines, depression, trauma and other illnesses is centered on returning balance to the bodies of her clients.

Sue Heldenbrand

For Heldenbrand, the process is "like peeling an onion."

"I‘m helping to clear the energy field so they can cope with whatever‘s going on in their bodies," she says.
Heldenbrand uses a series of techniques and hand positions to find and release emotions and toxins her clients are holding in their cells, she says.

"If someone‘s holding on to a particular emotion like fear, anger or resentment, it causes problems in your body," she says.

Heldenbrand recalls one client who came to her after suffering from migraines for several years and trying numerous avenues of treatment, all to no avail. What Heldenbrand found was an abundance of emotional trauma that the client had not addressed. The emotional healing treatments Heldenbrand gave brought drastic relief, she says.

Emotional healing and energy treatments are not necessarily a substitute for traditional medicines, Heldenbrand says, but "if someone is looking for a natural alternative, they‘ll feel lighter, less burdened and more balanced."

At Hoover Family Acupuncture, Adam Hoover and his wife use acupuncture to treat a wide variety of illnesses and chronic pain. Hoover says his client base includes both people with minor aches and pains who want to avoid a more invasive procedure down the road and patients who have suffered from chronic pain for years and see acupuncture as a last resort.

Hoover says the most common ailments he sees at his clinic are lower back pain, sciatic knee pain, shoulder pain and pain associated with gastrointestinal problems. Hoover‘s wife also offers facial rejuvenation and cosmetic acupuncture, he says.

Adam Hoover and Virginia Hoover

"Acupuncture is probably best as a first intervention, but it‘s useful in both perspectives," Hoover says. "When it comes to any kind of pain, it‘s always worth a try. Let‘s give it three treatments and see if we make a dent in the problem. It‘s hard to predict who‘s a good acupuncture candidate and who‘s not. How the patient responds will determine whether we should continue or whether it‘s not a good option."

Another increasingly popular activity aimed at balancing the mind, body and spirit is yoga. Yoga classes strive to improve stress levels and overall health through breath control, meditation and body posture.

Parents who embrace yoga as a natural approach to health also have options in Acadiana for their children to begin a holistic lifestyle through yoga at an early age. Starting in June, the Lafayette Center for Yoga will offer Yoga Bala, yoga classes designed for children.

Michael Morton, who owns the Lafayette Center for Yoga with his wife, Lydia, says unlike a lot of other yoga classes that adapt adult yoga techniques into "child-sized chunks," Yoga Bala was created specifically for children and "builds each practice from the ground up."

"Children aren‘t little adults," Morton says in a recent email sent to students at the center. "They have different needs, respond to different stimuli and learn in different ways. Yoga Bala gives children the sometimes rare opportunity to just be kids within the context of yoga."

View The IND‘s comprehensive guide to holistic medicine services below. To be added to the online guide, email Leslie Turk at [email protected].

The Ind‘s Guide to Holistic Medicine Services

ACUPUNCTURE:

Acupuncture Center of Acadiana
at The Camelia House
708 Jefferson St., Lafayette
593-9796
www.cameliahouse.com

Hoover Family Acupuncture
& Oriental Medicine
2445 E. Milton Ave., Youngsville
857-3313
www.hooverfamilyacupuncture.com

Five-Element Acupuncture
1116 Coolidge Blvd., Lafayette
354-3651

Nouriche Wellness and Aesthetics
605 Silverstone Road, Lafayette
456-7301

CHIROPRACTIC:

Acadiana Doctors of Chiropractic
318 Guilbeau Road, Lafayette
406-4790

American Back Institute
621 W. Pinhook Road, Lafayette
237-2273

Back to Basic Wellness
409 S. Morgan Ave., Broussard
739-2280
www.b2bmobilechiro.com

Bixenman-Richardson Chiropractic Clinic
107 S. College Road, Lafayette
234-4987

Breaux Bridge Chiropractic
1501 Rees St., Breaux Bridge
332-2225
www.breauxbridgechiropractic.com

Carr Chiropractic Clinic
105 Westmark Blvd., Lafayette
993-2277
www.stayadjusted.com

Cavanaugh Chiropractic Center
105 Independence Blvd. Suite 3,Lafayette
984-5852

Chiropractic Associates
107 S. College Road, Lafayette
234-4987

Clark Chiropractic
854 Kaliste Saloom Road, Lafayette
232-3353
www.clark-chiro.com

Cohn Chiropractic Center
3804 Johnston St., Lafayette
988-2225
www.cohnchiropractic.com

Community Chiropractic
102 Greg St., Carencro
886-9703

Community Chiropractic of Lafayette
2801 Kaliste Saloom Road Suite 200, Lafayette
984-8605
www.lafayetteschiro.com

Cormier Chiropractic
854 Kaliste Saloom Road, Lafayette
237-5306
www.cormierchiropractic.com

Crossroads Chiropractic
1904 W. Pinhook Road Suite 100, Lafayette
235-3720

Daigle Chiropractic Center
245 Doucet Road Suite 104B, Lafayette
989-0800

Dr. John J. Sullivan
109 Independence Blvd., Lafayette
205-8848
www.drjohn1.com

Fournier Chiropractic
and Rehab Center
2201 Kaliste Saloom Road Suite 202, Lafayette
504-5458
www.fournierchiropractic.com

Jefferson Street Spine and Rehab
601 Jefferson Blvd., Lafayette
261-9137

Lafayette Chiropractic
Physicians Group
207 Rue Louis XIV, Lafayette
988-2188
www.treatyourspine.com

Dr. Robert LeJeune
610 Guibeau Rd., Lafayette
989-4424

Morvant Spinal Care and Rehab
401 N. College Road Suite 3, Lafayette
984-0206
www.morvantspinalcareandrehab.com

Optimal Health Chiropractic
2833 Verot School Rd., Lafayette
981-7773
www.drkentsteinert.com

Ortego Chiropractic Clinic
204 N. Union St., Opelousas
942-1600

Perry Chiropractic Clinic
847 Saint John St., Lafayette
234-2067
www.perrychiropracticclinic.com

FITNESS:

24/7 Fit
1515 S. Ambassador Caffery Parkway, Lafayette
408-3222
www.get247fit.com

Body Factory (Formerly known as Pilates Plus Evolution)
1921 Kaliste Saloom Road Suite 208, Lafayette
www.bodyfactorylft.com

City Club at River Ranch
1110 Camellia Blvd., Lafayette
406-2582
www.cityclubatriverranch.com

Fitness and Beyond Health Club
1009 Ambassador Parkway, Broussard
893-2905
www.fitnessandbeyond.biz

Gold‘s Gym
1400 Rees St., Breaux Bridge
442-1732
www.goldsgym.com

Healthe Habits for Living
1130 Coolidge Blvd., Lafayette,
261-9188
www.healthehabitsforliving.com

Ideal Weight Loss
3366 Verot School Road Suite 106, Lafayette
856-4420
www.idealweightacadiana.com

In Balanace Pilates Studio
218 Rue Louis St. XIV Suite A, Lafayette
988-9909
www.pilateslafayette.com

Lafayette Health Club
2905 Kaliste Saloom Road, Lafayette
981-6250

Physique‘s Women Fitness Center
2505 Verot School Road, Lafayette
984-2226
www.physiquesfitness.com

Pilates Bodies
112 Republic Ave. Suite C, Lafayette
216-0190
www.pilatesbodiesla.net

Red Lerille‘s Health
and Racquet Club
301 Doucet Road, Lafayette
984-7738
www.redlerilles.com

Snap Fitness
2425 W. Congress St., Lafayette
456-7983
2800 W. Pinhook Road, Lafayette
232-1955
110 Tucker Drive Suite 104, Lafayette
984-4699

Strength and Endurance Performance Institute
203 B Four Park Road, Lafayette
319-2343

Wise Body Pilates at The Camelia House
708 Jefferson Blvd., Lafayette
593-9292
www.cameliahouse.com

Xtend Barre/Pilates & Dance
110 Rue Promenade Suite 101, Lafayette
706-7462
www.xtendbarrelafayette.com

FITNESS (YOGA):

Acadiana Yoga & Wellness
911 Harding St., Lafayette
236-9000
www.acadianayoga.com

Bindu Yoga
3809 Ambassador Caffery Parkway, Lafayette
258-9597
www.binduyogalafayette.com

The Camelia House
708 Jefferson Blvd., Lafayette
593-9796
www.cameliahouse.com

Heaven on Earth Jewelry, Gifts and Yoga
108 Rena Drive, Lafayette
981-0355
www.heavenonearthonline.com

Lafayette Center for Yoga
315 Jefferson St., Lafayette
654-4067
www.lafayettecenterforyoga.com

HEALTH FOOD / SUPPLEMENT STORES:

Benny‘s Sportshack Supplement Depot
2002 Johnston St., Lafayette

Big Dog Supplements
3524 Kaliste Saloom Road, Lafayette
983-0202
www.bigdogsupps.com

Cili Minerals
600 Guilbeau Road, Lafayette
993-9660
www.ciloz.com

Ethnic Herbs and Ethnic Books
920 W. Pinhook Road, Lafayette
264-1050

Fruitti Smoothie
2865 Ambassador Caffery Parkway, Lafayette
981-5559

Health Enhancements
1211 Coolidge Blvd. Suite 400, Lafayette
234-3784

Oil Center Health Foods and Whole Wheatery Eatery
326 Travis St., Lafayette
232-7774
www.wholewheateryeatery.com

Organically Yours
2901 Kaliste Saloom Road, Lafayette
989-1500
www.organicallyyoursla.com

Sandra‘s Cafe and Health Food Store
111 Rena Drive Suite C, Lafayette
988-0108

Smoothie King
4307 Ambassador Caffery Parkway, Lafayette
993-9963
3619 Ambassador Caffery Parkway, Lafayette
989-8187
www.smoothieking.com

Smoothie World
2800 W. Pinhook Road Suite 7, Lafayette
267-4440

Tropical Smoothie Cafe
458 Heymann Blvd., Lafayette
456-3933
www.tropicalsmoothie.com

Vitamins Plus
505 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette
261-0033

MASSAGE:

Allure Enhancement Center
1721 W. Pinhook Road, Lafayette
412-6334
www.allureenhancementcenter.com

Carrier Stressaway
117 S. College Road, Lafayette
303-8862
www.carrierstressaway.com

Massage Envy
130 N. College Road, Lafayette
232-7040
www.massageenvy.com

New Age Serenity
1001 W. Pinhook Road Building 3 Suite 213, Lafayette
247-7689
www.newageserenity.com

Paradisus Oasis Wellness Center and Spa
117 E. Gloria Switch Road, Lafayette
(337) 289-9349
www.paradisusoasis.com

The Great Escape Water Massage
2811 Johnston St., Lafayette
237-7200
www.itsthegreatescape.com

MEDITATION / NATUROPATHIC / HOLISTIC MEDICINE:

Acadiana Shambhala Meditation Group
500 E. Farrell Road, Lafayette
407-9530
www.groups.yahoo.com/group/AcadianaShambhala

Dr. Shirley Stelly
1001 W. Pinhook Road, Lafayette
234-1518
www.awarenesscenterla.com

Optimum Solutions Holistic Health Consultants
3522 Kaliste Saloom Road, Lafayette
989-0572
www.lafayettenaturopath.com

Pierre A. Lanusse, N.D., at The Camellia House
708 Jefferson Blvd., Lafayette
793-3367
www.cameliahouse.com

Synergistic Center
512 Robert Lee Circle, Lafayette
232-4799
www.synergisticcenter.com

Bette Vidrine, Certified Music Practitioner
984-6058
255-3622

SPAS:

Ashero Spa
233 Doucet Road B1, Lafayette
984-9972
www.asherospa.com

Coccolare Spa
331 Doucet Road, Lafayette
769-7546
www.coccolarespa.com

Elevations Day Spa & Salon
858 Kaliste Saloom Road Suite B, Lafayette
205-0303

Essentials Salon and Spa
117 S. College Road, Lafayette
269-4000
www.essentialssalon-spa.com

La Vie Med Spa
2967 S. Union St., Opelousas
594-9044
www.laviemedspa.com

O2 Face & Body
909 Harding St., Lafayette
234-1313
www.o2faceandbody.com

Pascale Spa
1118-B Coolidge Blvd., Lafayette
232-6449
www.pascalespa.com

Pure Skin Medi Spa
1309 W. Pinhook Road, Lafayette
268-9719
www.pureskinmedispalafayette.com

River Spa
1100 Camellia Blvd., Lafayette
216-6511
www.riverspariverranch.com

Royal Day Spa & Salon
28005 Kaliste Saloom Road, Lafayette
981-2711
www.royaldayspa.net

Spa Mizan
2319 Kaliste Saloom Road, Lafayette
981-0608
www.spamizan.com

Thai Herbal Spa and Salon
1619 W. Pinhook Road, Lafayette
237-9081

HEALTH & WELLNESS:

Louisiana Thermography | Sandy Cambre, R.N., N.D., C.T.
605 Silverstone, Lafayette

Neurofeedback Clinic | Rhonda Guidry, R.N., B.C.N.
701 Robley Dr. Ste. 137, Lafayette
984-6920

Family Healthcare Clinic Inc. | Dr. Daniel Wiltz
1117 North Main St., St. Martinville
394-7111

Ready 4 the Return (healing art initiative for soldiers)
101 Rue Iberville Ste. 103
230-4520
facebook/ready4thereturn

A Healing Practice
101 Rue Iberville Ste. 103
facebook/balancedbeingwellnesscenter