Canterbury Health Hub

07/10/2025

Sweet tooth? The 10 low-sugar fruits to protect against chronic disease

All fruits are good for you, there’s no disputing that, but some have a lower sugar content than others and can also pack a powerful nutritional punch.

Let's take a look at the fruits with the lowest sugar content:

Most of us eat about half the recommended amount of fruit each day, missing out on essential vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Try these to start the day right.

04/10/2025

🌿 Mental Health Month 🌿 Your mental health matters!

Here are 5 simple steps you can take every day to support your wellbeing:

1. Move your body
Exercise releases feel-good endorphins and boosts your mood. Whether it’s a walk, yoga, or a workout, get moving!

2. Eat mindfully
Fuel your body with nutrient-rich foods that support brain health and energy levels.

3. Practice gratitude
Take a moment each day to reflect on something you’re thankful for... it helps shift your focus to the positive.

4. Stay connected
Reach out to a friend, family member, or colleague. Meaningful social connections are key to emotional health.

5. Take time to relax
Whether it’s a massage, deep breathing, or a hobby, finding time to unwind is essential for managing stress.

Prioritise these small daily actions to nurture both your mind and body. 🌿

03/10/2025

🌿 Mental Health Month 2025 🌿
How to prioritise your wellbeing

Taking care of our mental health is as important as caring for our physical health. Stress, anxiety, and depression can significantly impact our quality of life.

At Canterbury Health Hub, we offer a range of holistic treatments that support mental health:

💚 Osteopathy
Chronic pain and discomfort can significantly impact mood, sleep, and mental health. Osteopaths can help ease musculoskeletal tension, improve mobility, and reduce pain — helping you feel more balanced and less burdened by physical strain.

💚 Myotherapy & Remedial Massage
Massage and Myotherapy not only target sore muscles and injuries but also help reduce stress hormones like cortisol while promoting relaxation. Regular treatment can support better sleep, reduced anxiety, and an overall sense of calm.

💚 Pregnancy Massage
For expectant mothers, pregnancy can be both exciting and overwhelming. Pregnancy massage supports physical comfort, reduces swelling, and promotes emotional wellbeing during this important time.

💚 Dietitian Services
Nutrition plays a powerful role in mental health. Our Dietitian can guide you on how to use food to support energy, mood regulation, and overall vitality.

💚 Lymphatic Drainage
Often overlooked, lymphatic drainage can help reduce bloating, swelling, and fatigue while boosting immune function. By helping the body feel lighter and more energised, it can also improve mood and mental clarity.

Our dedicated practitioners are here to help you achieve balance, reduce stress, and enhance your overall wellbeing.

Visit Canterbury Health Hub to book your appointment and learn more about our holistic services 💚

01/10/2025

💚 Mental Health Awareness Month 2025 💚

October is Mental Health Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness, reducing stigma, and fostering understanding about mental health issues.

In any given year, it is estimated that one in five Australians will experience mental health concerns.

Young Australians face unique mental health challenges. Su***de is the leading cause of death for people aged 15-44, highlighting the urgent need for youth mental health support.

While there have been improvements in mental health care access, many Australians, especially in rural and remote areas, still struggle to access adequate services.

➡️ Ending Stigma
Open conversations about mental health help break down the stigma that often deters individuals from seeking help. Lets normalise discussions around mental well-being.

➡️ Early Intervention
Early intervention and prevention programs can equip young people with essential tools for managing mental health challenges.

➡️ Accessible Services
Advocate for improved access to mental health services, ensuring no Australian is left behind in their journey to recovery.

➡️ Supportive Communities
Communities should prioritise mental health, fostering supportive environments where individuals feel safe to seek help and express their emotions.

➡️ Self-Care
On a personal level, self-care plays a pivotal role. Prioritise your mental health by practicing mindfulness, seeking support when needed, and understanding that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

29/09/2025

What’s the Difference Between Dizziness and Vertigo?

While the terms dizziness and vertigo are often used interchangeably, they’re actually two different sensations and understanding the difference can help you get the right care.

🌀 Dizziness
Dizziness is a feeling of light-headedness, unsteadiness, or faintness. You might feel like you’re about to lose your balance or pass out, but the world around you doesn’t appear to move.

Common causes include:
🌀 Low blood pressure
🌀 Dehydration
🌀 Low blood sugar
🌀 Anxiety
🌀 Certain medications

🌊 Vertigo
Vertigo, on the other hand, is the sensation that you or your surroundings are spinning or moving, even when you’re still. It’s often linked to problems in the inner ear or vestibular system (which controls balance) or sometimes the brain.

Common causes include:
🌊 Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)
🌊 Inner ear infections
🌊 Ménière’s disease
🌊 Vestibular migraine

Our Osteopaths at CHH can assess whether your dizziness or vertigo may be related to musculoskeletal, postural, or vestibular issues, and provide safe, targeted treatment to help improve balance, reduce symptoms, and enhance overall wellbeing.

If your symptoms need further investigation, we can also refer you to the right healthcare professional for diagnosis and management.

📞 Call us on (03) 9836 3688 or book online at canterburyhealthhub.com.au.

27/09/2025

Have you had a hectic week?
Looking forward to the weekend?
Time to reset, reflect and relax?
What will you do this weekend to take time out?

Most of us turn to screens. However when you want to recharge, but don’t want to up your screen time, try these restorative activities.

Screentime is something that many of us are conscious about these days, and for good reason, with several studies finding a correlation between high amounts of screen time and poorer mental and physical health.

🔗 https://buff.ly/3PcVBtA

25/09/2025

FAQ - Do I need a referral to see an Osteopath?

No. Osteopaths are government registered primary healthcare providers, so a medical referral is not required for osteopathic consultation and/or treatment. However, you will require a medical referral if you qualify for a Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) claim or a Medicare Chronic Disease Management (CDM) plan.

22/09/2025

Are you an early riser?

Waking up early comes with a treasure trove of health benefits!

Here's how embracing those early mornings can boost your wellbeing:

1️⃣ Enhanced Sleep Quality: Early risers tend to establish better sleep routines, leading to improved sleep quality. Getting enough restful sleep ensures your body and mind are ready to conquer the day ahead!

2️⃣ Increased Productivity: Early mornings provide a peaceful environment, allowing you to focus and prioritise tasks with razor-sharp concentration. Boost your productivity and accomplish more!

3️⃣ Reduced Stress Levels: Starting your day in a relaxed manner helps lower stress hormones, setting a positive tone for the entire day.

4️⃣ Regular Exercise Routine: Waking up early gives you extra time to indulge in a morning workout. Exercise not only keeps you fit but also boosts mood and energises your day!

5️⃣ Balanced Diet Choices: Early risers tend to make healthier food choices throughout the day. With more time in the morning, you can savour a nutritious breakfast and plan healthier meals.

6️⃣ Soak in Vitamin D: Early morning sunlight is a natural source of Vitamin D, promoting bone health and a stronger immune system.

7️⃣ Optimised Mental Health: Waking up early is associated with lower rates of depression and anxiety. Start your day positively and nurture your mental wellbeing.

8️⃣ Increased Positivity: Early risers often report feeling more optimistic and satisfied with life. Embrace the early hours and kickstart your day with positivity!

Go out there and grab the day early risers!

20/09/2025

Why Stress Management Is Important for Your Health

In today’s fast-paced world, stress has almost become part of daily life. While a little stress can sometimes help us stay focused and motivated, chronic stress can take a serious toll on both your mind and body. That’s why learning to manage stress effectively is essential for long-term health and wellbeing.

How Can Stress Affect Your Health?
When you’re stressed, your body releases hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. In small bursts, this is normal but when stress becomes ongoing, it can lead to:

⚡ Physical symptoms: headaches, muscle tension, fatigue, digestive issues
⚡ Mental effects: anxiety, irritability, difficulty concentrating, low mood
⚡ Long-term health risks: high blood pressure, heart disease, weakened immunity, sleep disturbances

So How Canterbury Health Hub Can Help?

At CHH, we take a whole-body approach to stress management. Our services such as Osteopathy, Myotherapy, and Massage can help by:

💚 Relieving muscle tension caused by stress
💚 Supporting better posture and mobility
💚 Providing relaxation techniques to calm the nervous system
💚 Offering nutrition advice to support mood and energy levels

Take a proactive step towards better health.

📞 Call (03) 9836 3688 or book online at canterburyhealthhub.com.au to discover how we can help you manage stress and improve your wellbeing.

19/09/2025

Meet the Team ✨ Sophie Gysberts
Remedial Massage Therapist

From a young age, Sophie spent hours giving family members massages for some pocket money and, looking back, that was the first sign of a profound interest in massage and the benefits of the profession. Her journey continued through her love for sport, where she grew up playing netball, basketball, and football.

Her experiences through sport sparked a natural interest in injury prevention and recovery, which led her towards studying Remedial Massage Therapy.

Sophie is a compassionate and dedicated therapist. She aims to provide a personalised treatment plan for each patient, and firmly believes that understanding a patient’s underlying condition is essential in assisting them with their recovery. Her passion lies in empowering individuals to take control of their musculoskeletal pain or dysfunction, ultimately enhancing their overall health and well-being.

Sophie has recently moved to Melbourne, embracing and absolutely loving the new experience. She enjoys an active lifestyle, including Pilates, the gym, as well as travelling, spending time with family and friends, and cheering on the mighty Hawks!

Book your session with Sophie on Mondays and Wednesdays to start your journey to better health.
🔗 https://canterburyhealthhub.com.au/meet-the-team/sophie-gysberts

17/09/2025

🌸 Menopause & Your Metabolism

Menopause is a natural stage of life, but many women are surprised by how much it can affect their metabolism.

With hormonal changes, particularly a drop in oestrogen, your body’s ability to burn energy efficiently can slow down. This can lead to weight gain, muscle loss, and changes in how your body stores fat, especially around the abdomen.

These changes aren’t just about appearance, they can also impact your energy levels, bone health, and overall wellbeing.

The good news?

With the right nutrition and lifestyle strategies, you can support your metabolism and feel your best during and after menopause.

Here's how Dietetics Can Help During Menopause:

✨ Optimise nutrient intake to support bone density, heart health, and hormonal balance.
✨ Balance macronutrients to maintain lean muscle and boost metabolic rate.
✨ Manage weight changes with realistic, sustainable eating strategies.
✨ Support energy levels through blood sugar regulation and nutrient timing.
✨ Incorporate phytoestrogen-rich foods (like soy, flaxseeds, and legumes) which may help ease symptoms.

At Canterbury Health Hub, our Dietitian, Will Jenkins, works with you to create a personalised, evidence-based plan tailored to your unique body, lifestyle, and goals, helping you navigate menopause with confidence and vitality.

📞 Call CHH on (03) 9836 3688 or book online at canterburyhealthhub.com.au to start your personalised nutrition journey today.

15/09/2025

If you live with chronic pain, you've likely heard it all before: “Push through it,” “Mind over matter,” or the old favourite, “No pain, no gain.”

While these slogans might work in a gym setting or a motivational poster, they’re not helpful, and are often harmful, when it comes to long-term pain conditions.

Read our new blog written by Amber Garrett - Osteopath ⬇️
🔗 https://canterburyhealthhub.com.au/2025/09/why-no-pain-no-gain-is-old-hat-especially-for-chronic-pain