Healing and teaching natural direction for therapist

JULIA WADE

People seeking natural health solutions now have the opportunity to receive treatment from a professional with two decades of health experience under her belt, situated in the peaceful surroundings of a freshly launched clinic.

Located in the small villa, Donegal Cottage, in the country quiet of Tara Road, ‘Rana Health’ owner Rebecca Wood, who has been operating successfully in Orewa for over 16 years, has now opened her practice in Mangawhai.

Splitting her week between the two clinics to offer locals a range of therapies from acupuncture, naturopathy, herbal medicine and massage to reiki, reflexology and aromatherapy, the mother of four and grandmother to one, says her ultimate objective is to share with others the knowledge and experience gained from her 20 years of study and practise in the natural health industry.

“I’ve had a lot of life experiences and worked with people from all walks of life,” she says. “My end goal has always been to bring all that experience together and to share it, teaching in small groups and workshops, as well as giving practical advice and treatment to individual clients, showing them things they can do to support their health and wellbeing.”

The hardworking, multi-tasked therapist already has her first Mangawhai teaching appointment set out – a fun workshop showing participants how to give a one hour massage to friends and family planned for August 8-9.

“It’s a hands-on practical weekend, teaching a safe and easy massage sequence, plus I’ll throw in whatever else I can think of, such as acupressure points,” she says. “My plan is to run workshops once a month focusing on massage as well as practical solutions for common things I come across in clinic, such as pain, inflammation, gut health or anxiety, so people can also treat themselves.”

Woods began her natural health journey after she had her first child, and juggled raising her family with study at numerous colleges. The 46-year-old now holds multiple diplomas in naturopathy, massage therapy, acupuncture and aromatherapy as well as certificate two in reiki.

“Last year I upgraded my naturopathy diploma to include herbal medicine which I absolutely love,” she says. “I have a herbal dispensary at the clinic and I’m having some fun at the moment creating my own soaps, and making my own massage waxes and herbal blends.”

As laughter is the best medicine, Wood’s herbal remedies are named with a touch of humour including ‘U bladder believe it’, ‘I kidney u not’, ‘Mind over mutter’ (for calm/relaxation) and for detoxification ‘Live and let liver’.

As the Rana Health clinic is situated on an organic site, part of Woods teachings will also include showing clients the health benefits of common plants and weeds growing wildly around the property, such as ‘cleavers’ ‘which makes a great tea for congested lymph and grows everywhere’.

“I like to blend everything, working out what is the best thing for each person and design the treatment for the individual, such as mixing acupuncture with some massage, depending on what is going on for the client,” she says. “My training and clinical work years have been a fantastic journey, I feel lucky because I know my purpose, although I had no choice really, as healing and teaching has always been my direction.”

n For more information on workshops and therapies, visit ranahealth.co.nz

Long-time natural health professional Rebecca Woods is now available in Mangawhai to give locals the benefit of her 20 years of knowledge and experience.

“My end goal has always been to bring all that experience together and to share it…”