Live Well Holistic Wellness Centre

13/02/2026

Read our blog by acupuncturist Sally Nourse 👦💪💑👶

Male IVF Preparation

Did you know that it is just as important for a man to prepare for IVF as it is for a woman?

Keep in mind that it is of the utmost importance to have healthy s***m, as this will be half of the genetic makeup of your child. To some, this may seem obvious; of course half of the genetic makeup of a child comes from the male partner. Why then, do we as natural healthcare practitioners see many more women for preparation for IVF than men?

Let’s consider fertility assessments, semen analysis in particular.

What does a semen analysis tell you? And what does a ‘normal’ s***m result mean?

The World Health Organisation (WHO, 2010) published reference values, to work out how an individual semen analysis compares to a population of fertile men.

Amount and thickness of semen. The typical ej*****te is 2-6 mL of semen (about ½ to 1 teaspoon). An ej*****te that is greater than 1.5 mL falls within the normal reference range* as defined by the WHO. Semen should be thick to start with, and become thinner 10-15 minutes after ej*******on.

S***m concentration. Also known as s***m count. This is the number of s***m in millions per millilitre of semen. Fifteen million or more s***m per mL is considered normal.

S***m motility. This is the percentage of s***m that are moving well as an assessment of movement. One hour after ej*******on, at least 40% of s***m should be moving forward in a straight line.

Morphology. This is an analysis of the s***m shape and appearance. The number of ideally shaped s***m (referred to as “normal”) compared to the number of imperfectly shaped s***m (abnormal) should be greater than 4%.

So, if you fall within the “normal” reference range there’s no need to do anything right? Wrong! A semen analysis that falls within the normal reference range does not guarantee that an individual man is fertile, but gives a guide as to whether he is likely to be fertile.

It is also worth noting that the “normal” reference range for s***m morphology allows for 96% of s***m to be abnormally shaped! And “normal” s***m motility allows for 60% of s***m to not be forward moving, definitely room for improvement.

*Reference ranges (modified) from WHO Laboratory Manual of the Examination and Processing of Human Semen (5th Ed. WHO, 2010)

When and how to improve the quality of your s***m.

The s***m regeneration cycle takes about 74 days. Most men produce millions of new s***m everyday, but it takes 2.5 – 3 months for them to fully mature (immature s***m lack the ability to swim forward and fertilise an egg).

S***m are living cells within the body and are subject to whatever conditions the rest of the body is exposed to throughout their maturation cycle. Extreme temperatures, chemical exposure, smoking, drug and alcohol use and poor diet can all impact the quality of s***m.

It is important to remember that healthy s***m will not be not be ready to fertilise an egg until the new batch of s***m, that has developed under healthier conditions, is mature. This means that after making lifestyle changes it is recommended to wait about 3 months before trying to conceive or undergoing IVF.

Read more here: https://www.livewellnaturally.com.au/blog/2015/4/22/male-ivf-preparation

12/02/2026

When talking about it doesn’t quite cut it…
Somatic psychotherapy brings the body into the healing process.
Book online with our qualified therapist Ramone: https://www.livewellnaturally.com.au/bookings

05/02/2026

Reiki is gentle, calming and deeply restorative — perfect when you’re feeling a little (or a lot) depleted. For stress relief and deep relaxation, book online with one of our qualified reiki therapists - Daniella, Kellie or Tracy: https://www.livewellnaturally.com.au/bookings

29/01/2026

Your body’s always talking…naturopathy helps translate. It looks beyond symptoms to understand why they’re happening. No one-size-fits-all — just care that’s tailored to you.
Book a naturopathy appointment with our experienced practitioner Cassandra here: https://www.livewellnaturally.com.au/bookings

28/01/2026

Our large front room has a lovely outlook onto the front garden. With plenty of space, it works really well for our Integrative GP Dr Orla Teahan, our Osteopath Dr John Carr, our Naturopath Cassandra, our Trauma and Chronic Pain Therapist Carole Young and our Acupuncturist Tanya Graham. Check out all the useful props Dr Orla likes to use during her consults with kids and adults alike 🐸🛑🌟☑️❌🦉

27/01/2026

Read our latest blog, written by Carole Young 🤗🫶👯‍♀️👩‍❤️‍👨

Our Quest for Meaning

It’s a big question — the kind that sneaks up on you in the shower, at 2am, or somewhere between your third coffee and your fifteenth email of the day:

What is the meaning of life?

I’m fond of the theologian and philosopher Thomas Moore’s take on this. He suggests that our fundamental anxiety isn’t relieved by finding the meaning of life, but by living a meaningful one. In other words, it’s less a treasure hunt (no map, no X, no satisfying final reveal) and more a way of inhabiting your life.

A meaningful life begins, quite simply, when we feel safe and connected — to ourselves, to others, and to the world around us. When those conditions are present, life reveals its integrity, its soul… and its surprising capacity to enchant. (Yes, enchantment is still allowed in adulthood. It didn’t expire at age ten.)

Long before therapy rooms existed, Socrates famously declared:

“The unexamined life is not worth living.”

He wasn’t suggesting we endlessly analyse ourselves or spiral into self-criticism (thankfully — the world does not need more people overthinking their personality flaws at 3am). He was pointing to something far more alive: ongoing inquiry. Questioning assumptions. Testing what we believe to be true. Living in alignment with our deeper values — and our truer self.

Here’s the honest part, from the therapy chair.

Most people have never undertaken deep self-inquiry. Not really. And yet it is one of the most powerful ways to rediscover meaning. Neuroscience tells us that we are driven up to 95% of the time by subconscious programming — which means many of our decisions, reactions, relationships, and even our sense of what’s possible are being shaped by beliefs we didn’t consciously choose… and may not even know we have.

Read more here: https://www.livewellnaturally.com.au/blog/our-quest-for-meaning

22/01/2026

Massage isn’t a luxury — it’s maintenance.
Whether you need deep remedial work or gentle relaxation, massage supports your muscles, nervous system and overall wellbeing💆‍♀️
Book a time with our expert therapists Cuong or Tantawan to rest, reset and restore: https://www.livewellnaturally.com.au/bookings

22/01/2026

We have recently had added a few new Japanese inspired art pieces. These ones are in our large back room which we use for acupuncture, osteopathy, massage and reiki. Aren't they beautiful?? So serene 😌💆🐦🕊⛰

15/01/2026

By gently supporting your body's innate healing capacity, acupuncture can help with stress, pain, sleep, digestion, hormonal health and so much more.
Curious to try it out? Book an appointment with Wes, Tanya or Sally today: https://www.livewellnaturally.com.au/bookings

13/01/2026

Read our latest blog, written by Kellie Hermes 🙌💆🏽‍♀️✨😌💗

🌸 Stress Relief Through Massage & Reiki: Self-Care That Loves You Back

The holidays are wonderful… and exhausting. Between busy schedules, socialising, travel, and trying to make everything perfect, it’s no surprise that once it’s all over, your body and mind might be quietly asking for a little TLC. If you’re feeling tired, tense, or a bit “off,” this is your sign to slow down and focus on you.

🧠 When Stress Sneaks In (and Refuses to Leave)
Stress has a sneaky way of hanging around longer than the holidays themselves. It can show up as tight shoulders, restless sleep, low energy, or that constant feeling of being “on edge.” Mentally, you might feel foggy, overwhelmed, or simply in need of a deep exhale. The good news? Your body knows how to relax—it just needs a little support.

💆‍♀️ Massage: Because Your Muscles Deserve a Break
Massage isn’t just a treat—it’s a reset button for your body. By easing muscle tension and improving circulation, massage helps calm your nervous system and encourages your body to relax properly (not just collapse on the sofa).

Regular massage can help:

Melt away tight muscles

Improve sleep (yes please!)

Lower stress hormone levels

Leave you feeling lighter and more relaxed

Perfect for shaking off post-holiday tension and starting the year feeling refreshed rather than frazzled.

✨ Reiki: A Little Calm for Your Mind and Soul
Reiki is like a gentle pause for your nervous system. It works on an energetic level, helping quiet the mind, soothe emotional overwhelm, and bring you back into balance. Many people leave a reiki session feeling calmer, clearer, and deeply relaxed—like they’ve finally had space to breathe.

Reiki can be especially supportive if you’re feeling:

Emotionally drained

Anxious or mentally busy

Disconnected or scattered

In need of grounding and calm

Sometimes, slowing down is exactly what your body is asking for.

Read more here: https://www.livewellnaturally.com.au/blog/-stress-relief-through-massage-reiki-self-care-that-loves-you-back

24/12/2025

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the Live Well team!
🎅🏼🤶🏼🎄🎁🏖🌴😎☀️🍹
We've loved supporting you all throughout 2025 and look forward to continuing with you on your wellness journeys in 2026.
Book your January and February appointments online here: https://www.livewellnaturally.com.au/bookings

12/12/2025

Read our latest blog, written by Ramone Bisset 😓😕🙄🥴🤐💬😎😄🥹🥰

Why I encourage you NOT to ‘Let them’ this Christmas…

“If you think you’ve reached enlightenment, go and spend a week with your
family” – Ram Dass, Buddhist & Yogic teacher.

Unless you’ve been hiding under a self-help rock since this time last year when the ‘Let Them’ Theory was published, I trust you’ve seen, heard or read about it yourself.
If you haven’t, a quick synopsis is: you should let people be who they are, and correspondingly ask them to accept you for who you are.

Sounds all peace, love and graciousness, right?

Unfortunately, WRONG. (Hint, anything that contains ‘should’ is at least a salmon-coloured flag, if not a red one).
I’ve held my tongue on this for a year as I deeply dislike speaking badly about other women. I hate the implied internalised misogyny in criticising another female creator who’s putting themselves out there because I KNOW how tough it is to overcome the self-censorship and tall poppy syndrome that comes with raising your voice or your head above the pack.
However, what I also cannot stand for as a Trauma-Informed Practitioner is the perpetuation of psychological and emotional harm, dressed up as ‘self-help’ by a lay person with NO TRAINING OR QUALIFICATIONS in Psychology, Psychotherapy, Counselling or Trauma-Informed Care.

You might also be interested to know that the ACTUAL originator of the Let Them Theory is another female creator with a MUCH SMALLER social media following who is actively pursuing a plagiarism claim against Mel Robbins… But with the power of one of the largest publishing houses behind her (Penguin owns Hay House) it’s a David vs Goliath battle which I can only hope gives some power back to the person behind the idea.

Whom should let whom in this scenario?! As you can see, IT’S NOT THAT SIMPLE.

The reason the Let Them Theory has mass appeal is because it’s GENERIC. It is lacking nuance, and provides no safety mechanisms, caveats or buffers for people living in or having a past that includes abuse, complex relational trauma or dysfunctional power dynamics.
There’s an EXCELLENT Buddhist teaching known as ‘NEAR ENEMIES OF THE TRUTH’. One way this can be interpreted is, that with a little bit of information, one can do A LOT of damage. Why? Because a little bit of information SOUNDS like the truth on the surface, but when you dive deeper into the teaching there is often nuance, layers, and deeper meaning that help with how the teaching is applied, and to whom, under specific circumstances.

As an example, a 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training might teach you how to instruct and do a downward dog, but not enough to help you make informed judgement about suitability or modifications for someone with specific physical or psychological needs.
This matters because, just like if you set sail from Sydney to LA with your bearings
just a few degrees off, over the distance you travel this miscalculation will instead
have you landing in Vancouver, Canada or Baja, Mexico… While both better options
for sure, they are still not the INTENDED outcome!
The Let Them Theory is the same. It gives you a very basic, high-level concept for
‘coping’ with challenging interpersonal dynamics. COPING IS NOT HEALING.

Let me say that again: COPING IS NOT HEALING.

Read more here:

“If you think you’ve reached enlightenment, go and spend a week with your family” – Ram Dass, Buddhist & Yogic teacher Unless you’ve been hiding under a self-help rock since this time last year when the ‘Let Them’ Theory was published, I trust you’ve seen, heard or read about