Three local holistic medical practitioners offer insight into the growing interest in alternative therapies. By Emily Henagan
Holistic. Naturopathic. Homeopathic. Alternative medicine. These words typically are not synonymous with the local medical scene. However, drive around Acadiana and you will be surprised to discover more area spas, chiropractic clinics and medical offices are offering options that incorporate these medical practices often misconstrued as New Age, voodoo or religious. Three local holistic medicinal trailblazers share how they prevent future illnesses and improve the overall bodily health of their patients with their distinct techniques.
Three local holistic medical practitioners offer insight into the growing interest in alternative therapies. By Emily Henagan
Holistic. Naturopathic. Homeopathic. Alternative medicine. These words typically are not synonymous with the local medical scene. However, drive around Acadiana and you will be surprised to discover more area spas, chiropractic clinics and medical offices are offering options that incorporate these medical practices often misconstrued as New Age, voodoo or religious. Three local holistic medicinal trailblazers share how they prevent future illnesses and improve the overall bodily health of their patients with their distinct techniques.
What is Holism?
The medical professionals - Kent Steinert, Sandy Cambre and Jill Laroussini - reiterate that holistic medicine refers to treating the patient as a whole, not just the symptoms or the illness. Holistic medicine is "preventative medicine" that aims not only to correct an imbalance in the body but to also steer the patient toward making the appropriate lifestyle changes that will nullify future imbalances, the trio adds.
Cambre points out that a naturopathic doctor "does not diagnose" but assesses imbalances in one's body and offers alternative solutions to Western medicine.For example, a holistic practioner might suggest a cancer patient supplement chemotherapy with non-invasive forms of therapy, herbs, supplements and a dietary change.
Kent Steinert, DC
A holistic medical practitioner wunderkind, Steinert dove into the field at age 16 because his parents incorporated it into their lives. Since then, he practiced as a myofascial massage therapist for 20 years, studied acupuncture, spearheaded yoga seminars, practiced martial arts and currently works as a holistic chiropractor and the owner of Optimal Health Chiropractic located on 2833 Verot School Road.
Steinhert says his practice looks at a 360-degree view of one's health and tries to find the root of pains or inflammations.
"Today, in our Western medicine, we tend to treat the symptom and don't look at the cause," says Steinhert, a Minneapolis native. "We treat that patient with drugs and surgeries; we don't try to look at the lifestyle. [However], holistic medicine is very preventative; it also looks toward the causative."
At his current practice, he provides what he dubs "the ultimate relaxation experience." This technique utilizes a five-station area to treat the patient with a plethora of non-invasive procedures, which includes a brain synchronization procedure that changes one's brain waves to relax his/her nervous system.
"I believe in the idea that the body has just more than one thing," says Steinert. "You have to look at the nutrition, the stress, the person's lifestyle."
"Chiropractic looks toward the imbalance in the joint, especially in the spine because we (chiropractors) believe the spine and the nerves control everything," continues Steinert. "I went into chiropractic because I worked for so many chiropractors, and I found that they weren't doing a holistic program."
**
Jill Laroussini, APRN, CNS:**
As an emergency room nurse for about 30 years, Laroussini has seen her share of trauma. It was her own personal experience, however, that led her toward a more holistic approach in medicine and a more holistic lifestyle.
"I knew what was on the menu and I often sought care outside of that menu," says Laroussini, who works for Avalon Acadiana's clinical advisory team and taught a community health nursing class at UL Lafayette. "When I was pregnant with my daughter, I got very sick, dizzy and was unable to hold anything down.
"I was concerned about my unborn child and after being the good patient and seeing my obstetrician, seeing the ENT doctor and taking my pill," she adds, "I still was very sick and still didn't see much progress. The acupuncturist saw me that night, and I had a sense of wellness return."
Currently, Laroussini works with soldiers suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder to help them recoup their sense of wellnewss through a program called "Ready 4 the Return." Laroussini notes that traditional forms of therapy have been proven to reawaken trauma; therefore, alternative therapy approaches are quickly gaining ground in the military.
"I saw that a body-based approach to stress made a lot more sense than talking about it, which in fact can retrigger one's stressors," she says. Laroussini, who also has worked with Vietnam veterans and the homeless, says she uses healing touch therapy, aromatherapy and other forms of complementary healing practices, which include light therapy. She describes it as a "healing art form dating back to ancient Egypt."
Light therapy occurs when a patient is exposed to sunlight, specific wavelengths using lasers, light boxes or light-emitting diodes (LEDs), Laroussini says. According to recent research, light therapy has caused wounds to heal more quickly, reversed peripheral neuropathy, prevented oral mucositis in bone marrow transplant patients and reduced anxiety and stress.
"If they have wounds, shrapnel, pain and had surgeries, then we can add the lights to where they are hurting and they feel better," she says. "They often report sleeping better the next morning."
**
Sandy Cambre, ND, RN, CCT:**
At Nouriche Wellness and Aesthetics at 605 Silverstone Road in River Ranch, Cambre utilizes various homeopathic techniques including the bio-health assessment, a comprehensive bio-interactive system that determines a body's particular needs. After the patient places one hand on the hand cradle, Cambre says a "conversation between the patient's body and the software occurs," which allows her to identify where a patient's emotional and physical imbalances lie.
"Put your hand on there and it's like you're talking to my computer," says Cambre, a wife and mother of seven. "It picks up on heavy metals, pesticides, parasites, fungal viruses, bacteria, what foods are stressing your body."
Not only does Cambre incorporate the bio-health assessment, but she also utilizes thermal imaging. As Thermal Imaging Centers of Louisiana co-founder, Cambre is a certified clinical thermographer. According to Cambre, thermal imaging uses "a scanning-type infrared camera that measures body surface temperature" and later "presents it as a digitized image." This system creates a digital map of one's body that displays heat patterns, which could indicate a condition or abnormality.
"Thermal imaging picks up inflammation in the body," says Cambre, who worked as a registered nurse before moving toward a more holistic healing career. "It's like a skin marker. It can pick up eight to 10 years before a mammogram can pick up anything; it's a good tool.
"Everything I do is preventive," continues Cambre, who has more than 14 years as a holistic practitioner. "We're working with healing the body and trying to let the body heal itself. We're giving it the tools to help itself instead of going to cut something out. We try to detox you. We're going with what God has given us."
As patients become increasingly interested in a broader range of medical alternatives, more services are becoming available locally. The Independent has compiled the following list of companies and their contact information for easy reference.
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
CHIROPRACTIC:
Acadiana Doctors of Chiropractic
318 Guilbeau Road, Lafayette
406-4790
www.stayadjusted.com
American Back Institute
621 W. Pinhook Road, Lafayette
237-2273?
Bixenman-Richardson Chiropractic Clinic
107 S. College Road, Lafayette
234-4987
Body in Motion Chiropractic
and Rehab
1042 Camellia Blvd. Suite 16, Lafayette
456-3299
www.bodyinmotionhealth.com
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:
Big Dog Supplements
3524 Kaliste Saloom Road, Lafayette
983-0202
www.bigdogsupps.com
Body by Vi
Nichole Barras, B.S., C.P.T., C.L.C.
789-1644
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
3522 Kaliste Saloom Road, Lafayette
989-0572
www.mariepace.com
Pierre A. Lanusse, N.D. at The Camelia House
708 Jefferson Blvd., Lafayette
793-3367
www.cameliahouse.com
Synergistic Center
512 Robert Lee Circle, Lafayette
232-4799
www.synergisticcenter.com
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
337-984-6920
**
Ready 4 Return**
230.4520