Welcome to Next Practice care of Western Sydney Integrative Health

Our Care team at Next Practice WSIH have expertise in supportive cancer care and provide a range of services to support you throughout your journey in order to complement your medical treatment. Our whole person approach is based on the latest scientific evidence.

What is supportive cancer care?

The Cancer Council defines supportive care as “all forms of care and support that aim to improve the quality of life of people living with cancer, cancer survivors and their loved ones, particular forms of care that supplement clinical treatment modalities”.

What is integrative oncology?

The Society for Integrative Oncology defines integrative oncology as “a patient-centered, evidence-informed field of cancer care that utilizes mind and body practices, natural products, and/or lifestyle modifications from different traditions alongside conventional cancer treatments. Integrative oncology aims to optimize health, quality of life, and clinical outcomes across the cancer care continuum and to empower people to prevent cancer and become active participants before, during, and beyond cancer treatment.”

For more information on complementary and integrative therapies and cancer, please visit the below links:

• https://www.cancer.org.au/canc...
• https://integrativeonc.org/kno...

How can we help?

Our Care team is here to provide relaxation and relief from cancer or treatment-related symptoms. People with cancer are eligible for a limited number of free treatments through the Dry July Foundation. This foundation provides funding to reduce the costs of these services. This includes Acupuncture, Private Yoga Therapy and Oncology Massage Therapy. We also provide Group Yoga Classes at an unlimited amount.

Dry July Foundation – What is it? How does it work?

• At Next Practice WSIH, cancer care appointments are covered all year round by philanthropic funding from the Dry July Foundation. This funding is used to fully cover the costs of 3 Consultations of supportive cancer care per patient. This is for our services of Acupuncture, Private Yoga Therapy and Oncology Massage Therapy.
• You can book these Dry July cancer care appointments all year round.
• For us to provide the best possible care, we may need to communicate with your doctor. You must bring a referral to your initial appointment in order to access these appointments. The referral should be addressed to Next Practice WSIH and must have listed your full medical history, any allergies, current medications, along with your most recent scans or blood tests.
• Dry July cancer care services do not cover prescriptions of herbal medicines or supplements. In addition, our general policy is that we do not prescribe any herbs, vitamins, minerals or other supplements if you are currently having active cancer treatment (e.g. radiotherapy or chemotherapy) unless we get permission from your doctor first.
• To book an appointment, please contact us via phone on (02) 9145 1290 or you may book on our website by selecting appointments that include Dry July funded for cancer care.

What is Next Practice WSIH?

Next Practice WSIH is Australia's first University-based integrative medical centre, an initiative of Western Sydney University's NICM Health Research Institute and run by Next Practice. Our services currently include Yoga Therapy, Oncology Massage, and Acupuncture all onsite at our clinic in Westmead, NSW. In future, we will also have General Practitioners, Integrative Medical Practitioners, Psychologists and Pathology.

Services available:

• Yoga Therapy for cancer
  • Classes available:
    • Private Yoga Therapy (in person or online)
    • Group Yoga Therapy (in person or online)
  • Details:
    • These classes are suitable for anyone wanting to try yoga for the first time or for those with some experience wanting to continue their yoga journey. Yoga has so much to offer and is an evidence-based therapy that can improve energy, mood, strength, sleep, feelings of wellbeing and for self care during and after cancer treatment. Please ask your doctor for a referral so that our practitioners can treat you safely. The Yoga Therapy at Next Practice WSIH is accessible, gentle and adapted for your needs.
  • Book now
    • Private Yoga Therapy
    • Group Yoga Therapy
      

• Oncology Massage
  • Details:
    • Oncology Massage is modified to support the body from diagnosis, through treatment, into survivorship or palliation. It helps patients with cancer achieve a state of relaxation with their bodies and, as a result, calm the nervous system. This form of massage takes into consideration changes in your body such as bone density loss or lymphedema and modifies the treatment for how you feel in the present moment.
    • Please note, if you are currently undergoing radio therapy we must avoid massaging around the affected area. If you would like a massage in this area you must wait a certain number of weeks after treatment has finished for this to be suitable. The number of weeks after treatment is conditional and depends on how many weeks you were undergoing treatment. For more information please call our clinic.
      
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• Acupuncture
  • Details:
    • Acupuncture involves fine needles being inserted into the skin at specific points on the body, and may be used to help with symptoms of cancer and cancer treatment. It is commonly used for women's health conditions, painful conditions, digestive problems, psychological well being, insomnia, allergies, autoimmune disorders, and persistent fatigue. Acupuncture treatment can support chemotherapy related fatigue, chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy, nausea, low appetite, hot flashes and pain.
    • Please note, we do not prescribe Chinese herbal medicine to people having active cancer treatment.
  • Book now

Our Care team:

• Margery Hellman - Yoga Therapist and Occupational Therapist
  • Meet Margery, our qualified Yoga Therapist with 8 years of experience teaching yoga in cancer care at Chris O'Brien Lifehouse. Margery uses gentle movement, breathing and relaxation techniques as well as meditation to empower people to move toward improved health of body and mind. Visit Margery’s profile to learn more.
  • Book a private session with Margery
  • Book a group class with Margery

• Jo Curtin - Oncology and Remedial Massage Therapist
  • Meet Jo Curtin, our dedicated remedial and oncology massage therapist with a range of experience across private practice and hospital-based care. In 2015, Jo established the oncology massage service at Westmead Private Hospital's Oncology and Infusion Centre. She is passionate about the benefits that massage can offer people living with cancer, and the integration of massage into health management and wellbeing as a whole. Visit Jo’s profile to learn more.
  • Click to book with Jo

• Emma Wong - Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner (TCM)
  • Meet Emma, our Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner with over 16 years experience in TCM. In 2020, Emma was awarded the NICM HRI Blackmores scholarship for integrative medicine to pursue her PhD research at Western Sydney University, investigating electro acupuncture for nerve regeneration for men after prostate cancer surgery. Emma is also an Acupuncturist at the Chris O’Brien Lifehouse hospital in Sydney. Visit Emma's profile to learn more.
  • Click to book with Emma

To view all practitioners at Next Practice WSIH, please visit our Care team page.

Where to find us:

• Email: wsih@nextpracticehealth.com
• Phone number: 02 9145 1290
• Fax number: 02 8287 2529
• Address: 158 Hawkesbury Rd, Westmead NSW 2145

Opening hours:

Closed on weekends and public holidays.

Best way to visit the clinic:

It is easiest to take public transportation to access our clinic, however we understand that this is not always an option and for our cancer care patients so we can provide parking on site. To register for parking and to receive further details, please contact our clinic at (02) 9145 1290.

For additional directions please click here.