Health and Wellbeing

Kaikoura is a truly relaxing place with a gentle pace of life and breathtaking scenery. Whether you live and work here or are simply passing through, why not complement your surroundings with a spot of therapeutic rest and relaxation in the form of one of the many fantastic health and well-being alternatives on offer here.

The latest in light and color therapy is the Bioptron Light, a registered medical device manufactured in Switzerland. The whole spectrum light generated boosts the body’s natural healing mechanisms, and can reduce swelling and bruising, and assist with wound and burn healing. Color screens can help to re-energize your body’s endocrine system and assist with body balancing

At Te Matauranga O Humarie , Symonde Laugesen uses Bioptron Lights and traditional Maori healing techniques in her work, in which she helps to address a number of aspects of both physical and spiritual needs.Offering a holistic alternative to traditional medical treatments.Conditions ranging from sleeping disorders and fertility problems to sporting injuries and diabetes can all be aided by one, or a combination of, Symonde’s treatments.

Kaikoura’s body awareness specialist Ruth Stirnimann offers a unique holistic body treatment. She has trained in body-orientated spiritual, mental and emotional balancing techniques such as craniosacral therapy. This is a gentle, subtle and sensitive hands-on method working on fully clothed people seeking a peaceful, still, healing treatment. Ruth offers treatment at her home or by appointment elsewhere.

 She sees the body as the home and expression of the soul and spirit. Ruth works on the physical body to align it to the soul and spirit, restoring overall balance and  alleviating many forms of ailments. She works with body-orientated techniques to encourage people to connect to their own core, their own special inner rhythms and tune into their own inner healing powers by raising their body-awareness.

 Ruth is dedicated to expanding her own consciousness and to support harmony and balance for individuals.

 She also teaches ‘body awareness and perceptible breath’ at her daughter’s Passione Soul Studio   in town. This is the science of breathing, connecting an individual to its own unique rhythm and learning to listen to one’s own body. Feel free to phone Ruth to make an appointment.

Dutch trained and qualified physiotherapist Maaike van der Wel offers a range of therapeutic massage and relaxation techniques to suit a variety of needs. Her deep tissue therapeutic and relaxation massages are designed to relieve pain and tension, and help the body to relax.

Reiki is another tool which Maaike uses to promote natural self-healing for all aspects of her clients; physically, mentally and spiritually.

Maaike has also been offering Integrated Breath Therapy since 2003, and incorporates this into all of her practices as she feels this is fundamentally important. The breath centred counselling is a gentle, relaxed breathing process which reduces stress at the same time as increasing aliveness and mental focus. 

Henno van Vierzen is an equally firm believer in centering the body and mind through breathing and relaxation. A session with Henno’s Tibetan Singing Bowls will bring a moment of peace to your day to day life. The idea is that cells within the body react to sound waves and listening to and feeling the sound of the bowls will enable positive changes in body, mind and soul. Attention is given firstly to breathing, and then all you have to do is lie back and listen to the sound of the bowls, and let the feeling lift and relax you. No undressing or physical massage is required to experience this Tibetan relaxation method.

Kaikoura Traditional Acupuncture provides an overview of Traditional Chinese Medicine, which is a pain free, drug free solution to health care, requiring many years of formalized training. Brendan Bird , of Kaikoura Traditional Acupuncture, sees the body as a whole complete system that includes your physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing. Your tongue and pulse are also observed to see the inner workings of your entire body system.

Indulge Body and Soul Day Spa was awarded 2009 supreme winner of the Probeauty Best Clinic of the Year, and offers a range of pampering treatments designed to make you feel truly relaxed after a hard day at work or on holiday. From massage and osteopathy to facials and other personal grooming treatments, there is something to suit everyone’s needs and tastes. As well as individual treatments, retreats and packages are also on offer at Indulge, whether it be for yourself or a gift for a loved one. Groups are also welcome.

For an energetic workout whilst in Kaikoura, visit the well equipped Kaikoura Community Gym , open to casuals 5 days a week from 9:00 – 12:30, and 3:00 – 5:00.. Qualified trainers are available for your benefit, and a friendly welcome is assured. The Kaikoura Community Gym is now located at the Harakeke Centre, 134 Beach Rd, Kaikoura.

Kaikoura Physiotherapy has been providing physiotherapy services to the Kaikoura region for over 20 years, working in closely with the local medical centre and supported by specialist services in Christchurch. The  clinic has two highly qualified, experienced physiotherapists, Jane Stone and John Taggart working in a private practice. Registered acupuncturists, both physiotherapists are the local musculoskeletal experts who treat a wide range of conditions from back/spinal conditions, muscular problems, sport injuries to post-operative rehabilitation. A wide range of techniques are utilised, including massage therapy, acupuncture and spinal manipulation which help to speed recovery and assist in the prevention of reoccurrences or further injury. The clinic also offers on site, in the Pilates Studio: Pilates mat classes and Tai Chi classes; Pilates/gym programmes for rehabilitation and fitness; Bicycle set-up assessments to assist rider stability and reduce cycling injuries.

Wahine Acupuncture , registered acupuncturist Heidi Tirikatene-Nash can cure a range of health problems, and believes the proof is in the results. Heidi studied at the Christchurch College of Chinese Medicine to gain a diploma in acupuncture which she now practices from the Radiance Beauty and Day Spa on Beach Road. Both men and women can benefit from this ancient Chinese treatment, although Heidi focuses primarily on women’s health here in Kaikoura. The treatment works through the insertion of fine needles into specific points of the body which works to stimulate the body’s healing process.