Charlotte Ingram: Naturopath and Remedial Massage Therapist

06/07/2025

Winter wellness tip- and it's probably not what you think!

On warmer days- open up your doors and windows! Fresh air is the natural enemy of bugs.
Improving ventilation can help to prevent household members passing on respiratory tract infections to each other.
We also have 3 air purifiers running here.

Our family has had a shocking start to winter- between us we've had influenza and RSV over a period of the last 4 weeks.
I'm determined to stop the spread!
Hopefully with school holidays upon us we can break the cycle 🙄

05/07/2025

I had one of my lovely neurodivergent clients visit for a massage.
As we were planning our session she mentioned experiencing a sensation of tightness in the neck, as well as jaw clenching.
As I outlined what I thought would help, I suggested a scalp massage as part of this. Usually she declines.
Today I probed as to why- she said she 'hates the scrunching noise- it gets right into my brain'.
Well, I said- that's very fixable! We can do finger circles and pressure without scrunching so there's no noise.
At the end of our session I asked if the scalp massage was enjoyable and she said 'yes- that was the un-scrunchiest scalp massage I've ever had!'. Which to me is a wonderful compliment!

Anyway- if there's something that you usually don't enjoy as part of a massage session, it might be worth exploring. We never *have* to do anything you don't want to- but, for example- people often decline a foot massage because they find it ticklish. I've found this can be overcome with a firmer pressure and can actually be enjoyable!

I enjoy building your sensory massage profile and keep notes on what you do and don't like, so I can craft your session for your maximum benefit. Busy brains can enjoy lots of different sensory input to help be more present in the space, and also in your body- so I'll often incorporate firm pressure, rocking, light stroking, hot towels and more.

Is your body craving a massage? Bookings available via the website: https://charlotteingram.com.au/book-appointment/

03/07/2025

It's quite easy to accidentally end up taking excessive amounts of B6 as it is added to SO many over the counter supplements.
This is why I ask for all supplements and medications to be listed on your initial consultation intake form, as I take the time to add this up before I see you (and also zinc and iodine)

My record so far was someone taking slightly over 200mg of B6 daily- my aim is for no more than 50mg of B6 daily at maximum.

Australia's medicines regulator says its laws have failed to slow a growing number of people with blood toxicity attributed to a common over-the-counter vitamin.

25/06/2025

We’re told:
Attendance first.
Endure school.
Be there every day.
Push through—and one day, one day—you’ll see the benefits.

But what if school is the thing hurting you?
What if a child is not thriving but surviving?
Masking. Freezing. Panicking.
Sitting in silence while their heart races.
Coming home and falling apart.

What if they’re scared?
Or sad.
Or lonely.
Or bored.
Or overwhelmed to the point their body says: enough.

Is that really something we want them to endure?
Day after day. Year after year.
All the way to graduation?
Will that deliver the outcomes we’ve been promised?
Or will it leave them broken?

Attendance doesn’t equal thriving.
And distress is not a foundation for learning.

When students can’t attend school, there is always a reason.

They are not choosing to stay home.
Their nervous system has already chosen for them.
The way back is not through pressure or punishment.
The way back is through safety.
We must put the student experience at the centre.

If we want students to learn, we must ask:
What does school feel like, in their body?
Not in the lesson plan.
Not in the attendance record.
But in their lived experience.

Let us create school environments where the student experience is one of:
- Relational and physical safety
- Belonging and inclusion
- Agency and voice
- Purpose and engagement
- Care, trust, and success

This is how we support recovery.
This is how we rebuild capacity.
This is the foundation on which students learn.

Because until a child feels safe, learning can’t begin.
And if we care about children, we cannot keep pretending it can.

14/06/2025

Exposure to wood heater smoke has real health consequences - for everyone, not just those with asthma. The tiny particles it contains can damage our lungs and lead to serious health issues 🫁

If you can, consider a healthier, more efficient way to heat your home. Reverse-cycle air conditioners are less polluting and better for your family’s health – and your neighbours!

So this winter, pick up the remote, not the stoke.

Read more about the damage these tiny particles can do to your lungs: https://buff.ly/q0GgSXg

29/04/2025

Wednesday in-clinic appointments available!

It has been pointed out to me a few times over the last couple of weeks that I neglected to actually let anyone know that Wednesday bookings are now available (since January would you believe!) both online and in the clinic (Belgrave Heights) during school hours, 9.30am-2.30pm.
Many of you have taken advantage of the expanded hours and it has been wonderful connecting with you all.

This weekend I'm away at the Naturopaths and Herbalists Association of Australia (NHAA) Symposium in Sydney, so if you need any refills I can help you out tomorrow, otherwise collections and appointments are available as usual the following week on Wednesday/Friday/Saturday.

📸- picture is of white plum blossoms at the beautiful Shukkeien Garden in Hiroshima, Japan

26/03/2025

Food Recall Alert- Woolworths Various Fresh Cut Salad Products

Woolworths are conducting a recall of the above product(s). The product(s) have been available for sale online (QLD only) and in store at Woolworths Supermarkets and Woolworths Metro in QLD.

- Woolworths Mixed Leaf 120g- Use By: 26 MAR 25
- Woolworths Cook Stir Fry Kit with Teriyaki Sauce 400g- Use By: 26 MAR 25
- Woolworths Cook Stir Fry Mix Rainbow Vegetables 400g- Use By: 26 MAR 25
- Woolworths Kale & Spinach 300g- Use By: 26 MAR 25
- Woolworths Spinach and Rocket 120g- Use By: 26 MAR 25
- Woolworths Spinach and Rocket 60g- Use By: 26 MAR 25
- Woolworths Spinach 60g- Use By: 26 MAR 25

The recall is due to potential microbiological (E. coli -STEC) contamination.

For more information: https://www.foodstandards.gov.au/food-recalls

27/02/2025

Final reminder!

I’ll be heading off with my family to Japan and taking 2.5 weeks leave. My laptop lid will be closed from Saturday 1st March, and I’ll be back in the clinic on Wednesday 19th March.

Naturopathy and supplement refills

If you are running low on anything and need a refill, please let me know ASAP so that I can make sure you don’t run out while I’m away.

The last clinic collection days before my leave are Friday 28th February/Saturday 1st March.
Contactless collections are available from the front of the clinic in Belgrave Heights.

For online patients, your prescriptions are able to continue to be filled online through either vital.ly or Oborne if you've had an appointment within the last 6 months.

Pic is from our last trip- my mini numismatist's wish list request to visit The Royal Mint in Wales. How cool is this Penny Lane Mini covered in pennies!
This time he's trying to wrangle a trip to the Japan Mint, as well as another side quest journey to the Hamamatsu Air Park (which I don't think is on many people's 'must visit' lists!)

18/02/2025

Come along! Free breastfeeding drop-in starting next Thursday 27th February at the MOTHS Hub in Belgrave from 10-11am.
No need to book, just pop in.

🌸FREE Breastfeeding Support Drop-In Sessions – Mums of the Hills Hub 🌸

Need breastfeeding support or just a friendly chat with other mums? The Australian Breastfeeding Association Dandenong Ranges Group is here to help! 💕

🗓 When? Every 2nd & 4th Thursday of the month

⏰️10am to 11am

📍 Where? Mums of the Hills Hub, 6 Hayes St Belgrave

Drop in for guidance, connection, and a welcoming space to share your journey. Whether you have questions, challenges, or just want to meet other breastfeeding mums, our trained breastfeeding counsellors are here for you!

No bookings needed—just come along! 💙

If you have any questions, please send an email to dandenong.ranges@gmail.com

28/01/2025

For most of us in Victoria, today is the first day back at school.
Our feeds (well mine anyway!) are full of happy, smiling faces in school uniform celebrating this milestone.

I just want to take a moment to acknowledge those of you who may have kids whose education journey looks a little different than what you might have imagined.
If you chose to home educate- great. I hope you're looking forward to an awesome year, and maybe at one of the 'not back to school' events that I see happening each year!

If you landed here accidentally- and there's often a multitude of reasons for this- 'school can't/phobia', disability accommodations not being provided, mental health, or any of the other reasons- seeing everyone else move through these milestones can bring up feelings.
As someone who was an accidental home educator for 5 years out of necessity, not want- please know that I see you.

Wishing you the very best year and sending buckets of love to you as you meet your child where they're at.

27/01/2025

This weekend I'll be away at the Australian Breastfeeding Association annual Victorian Branch conference in Ballarat- looking forward to upskilling on all things related to breastfeeding!
That means I won't be at the clinic as usual on Friday/Saturday- however I'm in tomorrow (Wednesday) and still have spaces available at 12.30pm/2.30pm.

You can see my availability and book online here: https://charlotteingram.com.au/book-appointment/

If you need refills please get in touch ASAP, otherwise your next available collection window will be on Wednesday 5th February.

Vintage pic of me breastfeeding at Torquay 7 years ago.

31/12/2024

Happy New Year!

Clinic update- I'll be back for appointments this Friday 3rd/Saturday 4th, with prescription refills available if needed.
Due to last minute cancellations/reschedules, there are still a few spots on Saturday afternoon which is quite rare, so snap those up if you were keen to come in!
In order to expand my availability so you can get a timely appointment with me when you need it, I'll be open on Wednesdays in January.
Appointments are available on Tuesday (online only), Wednesday/Friday/Saturday (online and in Belgrave Heights)

I've got a busy year lined up with lots of conferences already in the calendar (Australian Breastfeeding Association, NHAA Symposium, Integria Symposium including Mediherb facility tour, Activated Probiotics) as well as finishing off my Graduate Certificate in Child and Adolescent Mental Health.
I've also decided to learn basic Japanese with over the next couple of months because, well, YOLO :)

Looking forward to seeing you all throughout 2025 and beyond.