PRACTITIONER OF THE MONTH
Home » Practitioner of The Month – September 2018
Cody Kennedy
Principal Naturopath at CK Health
Cody Kennedy is the principal naturopath at CK Health, and has been working in the natural health industry for over 18 years.
Cody is currently completing an Honours Degree in Complementary Medicines Management and her keen interest in research has awarded her a Graduate Diploma in Evidence Based Medicine.
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ATMS spoke to Cody Kennedy, finalist for Clinic of the Year in the 2018 ATMS + Nature & Health Awards.
Q: How did you get started in natural medicine?
I started out as a Massage Therapist in 1999 with a Diploma in Remedial Massage. I had a background in dance and was interested in movement and the body.
I started offering massage at my local gym, and after gaining a client base, I was able to open a clinic in Double Bay, Sydney.
It was the most fabulous business and I truly enjoyed it, but I thought it was time to change – that’s when I decided to study Naturopathy.
Q: What kind of work do you do?
I am a qualified Naturopath, Homeopath, Nutritionist, Herbalist and Massage Therapist; my passion is treating auto-immune diseases.
I commonly treat Lupus, MS, and Crohn’s disease. I have recently seen a surge in clients with Lyme-like illnesses and have become proficient assisting with their symptoms.
Q: What are you passionate about?
My husband suffers from five auto-immune diseases and went through a life-threatening episode five years ago. He was put on a ton of medication and the bills kept getting bigger and bigger.
At first my husband needed the medications, but long term, that wasn’t the answer. I investigated what herbs and dietary adjustments could assist his symptoms, and that’s where my passion for helping people with auto-immune diseases came from.
Q: Do you have a remarkable success story?
I have two clients that have gone into remission, who suffered from Lupus.
Lupus has become an area of focus. I wrote a program with people who have Lupus, have created a Facebook page called Natural Lupus Solutions. It’s been hugely successful; I handed the administration of the page over to one of my clients who has gone into remission.
A couple of my clients suffering with Lyme-like illnesses within the past six months have started to show signs of reduced symptoms. They have a lot more energy and aren’t feeling fatigued. They also have less tingling in their hands and feet.
Immune diseases are very complex, and it does take a long time to get these things under control, but it can be done!
Q: Do you have any advice for young practitioners starting out in the industry?
I think there’s a big push for young practitioners to find a niche area they want to become experts in. However, I think young practitioners must give themselves sometime to practice before choosing a speciality.
Don’t be afraid to get in touch with GP’s and other modalities of health. I really do believe that collaboration is the key to building a successful business.
Q: What challenges have you experienced within the industry?
You have to work hard when you start out, but it’s great once you reach that tipping point and things start moving.
Q. So what’s next for you?
In two months, I’m set to move to a new location and expand my business.
I am also finishing a research degree with the University of Tasmania in Complementary Medicine. I am very much a research-based Naturopath.