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.
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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."
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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."
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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