A win for natural health

Did you hear the news?

This week marks a significant milestone for natural health in Australia. The government has reinstated the right for private health insurers to offer rebates for a range of natural therapies — based on clear, evidence-backed benefits to health and wellbeing.

This means Naturopathy, Western Herbal Medicine, Pilates, Yoga, Tai Chi, Shiatsu, and the Alexander Technique are once again eligible for rebates - joining Acupuncture, Remedial Massage, Myotherapy and Chinese Herbal Medicine which are already eligible. 

This is a meaningful step toward making evidence-based holistic and preventive care more accessible. 

Curious about how these modalities can support your health and wellbeing?

Here’s a simple guide to help you better understand what they are and how they work:

🌱 What is Naturopathy?

A system of medicine based on the healing power of nature

• Focuses on identifying the root cause of illness, not just treating symptoms
• Uses evidence-based therapies such as nutritional supplementation and lifestyle medicine to support the body’s ability to heal itself
• Empowers people to take an active role in their own health journey

🌱 What is Western Herbal Medicine?

The traditional and evidence-informed use of plants and plant preparations to enhance health and wellbeing

• Can be used to prevent illness, ease symptoms, and assist the body’s natural healing processes
• Common forms include teas, tinctures, capsules, and topical applications

🌱 What is Yoga?

A holistic practice integrating movement, breathwork, and mindfulness

• Builds strength, flexibility, and resilience
• Supports nervous system regulation, emotional wellbeing, and inner calm

🌱 What is Pilates?

A method of body conditioning focused on controlled movement, posture, and breath

• Strengthens the core and improves alignment
• Commonly used to improve physical wellbeing and reduce chronic pain

🌱 What is Tai Chi?

A traditional Chinese practice involving slow, flowing circular movements and focused breathing

• Improves balance, coordination, and body awareness
• Often used to reduce stress, support joint health, and enhance vitality

🌱 What is Shiatsu?

A hands-on therapy rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine principles

• Uses gentle pressure on acupuncture points on the body and stretching to balance energy flow (Qi)
• Aims to release tension, promote relaxation, and restore harmony

🌱 What is The Alexander Technique?

A movement education method that helps people recognise and change unhelpful physical habits

• Uses verbal instruction, gentle hand contact, and feedback to guide participants in making subtle changes to their movement
• Aims to promote or restore beneficial posture, coordination, balance, movement, breathing patterns and function by raising awareness of previously unnoticed habitual patterns
• Encourages mindful awareness and ease in everyday activities

🌱 What is Acupuncture?

An ancient Chinese practice that stimulates specific points on the body

• Involves inserting fine needles to balance the body’s energy (Qi)
• Used to prevent and treat a variety of concerns: musculoskeletal, digestive, emotional, neurological, respiratory and more

🌱 What is Remedial Massage?

A therapeutic hands-on therapy focused on treating muscles, tendons and ligaments

• Targets soft tissue to reduce tension, improve circulation, and enhance mobility
• Uses techniques such as deep tissue massage, trigger point therapy, and stretching
• Often recommended for injury recovery, posture correction, and stress relief

🌱 What is Myotherapy?

A physical therapy that helps prevent, treat, and manage musculoskeletal pain

• Combines massage with dry needling, cupping, joint mobilisation, and exercise prescription
• Focuses on both the symptoms and the underlying cause of pain or dysfunction
• Commonly used for sports injuries, chronic pain, and postural imbalances

🌱 What is Chinese Herbal Medicine?

A branch of Traditional Chinese Medicine using plant-based formulas to restore balance

• Prescribes combinations of herbs tailored to the individual's constitution and condition
• Aims to harmonise the body’s internal systems and support natural healing
• Used for digestive issues, sleep, stress, immune health, hormonal balance and more

To learn more about the findings that led to this decision, read the official Natural Therapies Review 2024 Report & Recommendations here.

 

Photo by Mehrnaz Eskandari on Unsplash