Our Treatment Programmes

The treatment programmes offered at The Holland Clinic have been specifically designed by Dr. Kirstey Holland, founder and principal practitioner at the clinic. With over 20 years of clinical experience, Dr. Holland created programmes that are extremely holistic and reflect her multi-modality approach. Programmes include combinations of acupuncture, herbal medicine, dietary and lifestyle advice, and supplementation. 

Dr. Holland has extensive experience in the treatment of female hormonal issues, weight loss, anxiety, depression, insomnia, autoimmune conditions, skin problems, gut health, pregnancy concerns (pre- and post-natal), perimenopause and menopause. The programmes on offer at the clinic reflect these specific areas. 

Our programmes differ in length depending on the level of care you require and the complexity of the presenting symptoms. Ongoing patient assessment and analysis of test results also allow for individual tailoring of treatment programmes. 

A brief description of each programme is provided below. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us at the clinic.

RESTORING SLEEP TREATMENT PROGRAMME

For patients who have been experiencing chronic insomnia, we offer a programme dedicated to restoring sleep. Your practitioner will examine a range of functions that contribute to sleep, such as your circadian rhythm and adrenal activity, as well as levels of melatonin and cortisol, the stress hormone, in your system. The relationship between these factors is crucial to good sleep patterns.

In addition, we often find our patients need to focus on potential emotional factors that could be causing underlying stress and anxiety, exacerbating the insomnia. It is imperative that your environment is fully supportive of sleep. We discuss and focus on the potential triggers for insomnia, and try to restore peace, balance and harmony to the body. 

Furthermore, perimenopause and menopause can be a very disruptive time for women with regards to sleep and many suffer from phases of insomnia. Examination of female hormonal patterns is invaluable here, and we often use the comprehensive DUTCH test for this purpose. Functional gut testing is also beneficial as building the correct biology within the gastrointestinal tract is extremely important when it comes
to treating insomnia. Inflammation in the gut directly results in inflammation in the mood and mind which can exacerbate insomnia.

WEIGHT LOSS TREATMENT PROGRAMME

One of the main aims of our Weight Loss Treatment Programme is to reduce cortisol levels flooding the brain. Cortisol is the stress hormone and when levels increase, the cells of our body can become resistant to insulin and in turn, this may lead to an increase in blood sugar and therefore weight gain. It is important for women to balance their cortisol levels and support their adrenals to help manage weight.

We also use extensive functional testing to obtain a full gut analysis, revealing the health of the patient’s gastrointestinal tract and their microbiome. Imbalances within this system can result in various conditions, such as estrogen domination, which can lead to fluid retention and weight gain. Our treatment programme will address deficits and surpluses in the intestinal system in order to achieve an optimal balance, assisting weight management and bringing wide reaching improvements to your health and wellbeing.

To further support this balance, it is also important to identify foods that trigger reactions and symptoms in our patients. Triggers could include foods such as wheat, dairy or sugars, and vary from patient to patient. These triggers cause inflammation and damage to our gastrointestinal tract, allowing proteins to escape (known as “leaky gut” syndrome). The proteins can cause reactions that attack our joints, brain and other parts of the body, resulting in chronic inflammation and pain. This inflammation also interferes with weight management. Dr Holland has developed a HEAL SEAL REPAIR plan, designed to identify individual trigger foods via an elimination diet schedule. Common foods that cause sensitivities are removed and gradually reintroduced, with symptoms closely monitored. This schedule aims to heal, seal and repair the intestinal permeability of the gut synapses. 

In addition, we will look at intermittent fasting and time-restricted eating, if deemed appropriate for the patient. To support this practice, we will flood the system with a nutrient-dense blood supply and more than enough food to keep you satiated. We also encourage patients to include our specially developed range of “ketogenic” beverages during their fast to help with feeling full and energised. 

PRECONCEPTION, PREGNANCY, AND POSTNATAL SUPPORT PROGRAMME

Our Preconception, Pregnancy and Postnatal Support Programmes have been designed to help couples throughout the entire fertility and reproduction process. This incorporates preconception care for both men and women, supporting couples with infertility issues including those undertaking IVF, optimising the health of the mother and baby throughout pregnancy, preparing women for labour, and supporting the postnatal health of both the mother and baby in that “fourth trimester”.

Our preconception programme for men involves creating the best possible environment for optimal sperm. Often the man is overlooked during preconception care, however it is important to examine dietary and lifestyle factors that contribute to sperm quality in men, and to provide supplementation if required. 

Preconception care for women is slightly more complex: we have developed a 12-week programme in order to create the best possible environment for fertility and also the future baby. Twelve weeks allows for the examination of at least three menstruation cycles. We aim to identify the most fertile phase, using ovulation test strips, temperature measurements, and an app to track cycles. We help address any chronic issues that may be hindering pregnancy, such as Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome or endometriosis. 

We ensure the woman has sufficient endometrium, the thick lining of the uterus, ready for successful implantation. We help create a nutrient-rich blood supply via a prescriptive food protocol and supplementation, ensuring optimal levels of iron, vitamin D and iodine. We also look ahead and focus on what we know prevents postnatal depression, such as weekly acupuncture. 

Our pregnancy programme supports the mother from the first trimester, and ensures the baby is receiving everything needed for optimal development. Prescriptions for supplementation are based on extensive scientific research such as the recent study into the health of Australian babies which identified common deficiencies in vitamin D, magnesium, zinc, iodine and selenium levels. We support women throughout pregnancy and aim to prevent and treat negative symptoms such as restless leg syndrome, insomnia, and nausea. We focus on the vitality of the pregnant woman, ensuring a balanced microbiome and therefore mood, and a supported thyroid in order to prevent complications such as hypothyroidism which is quite common in pregnancy. We advise on dietary changes thus decreasing the potential for pregnancy-induced diabetes. 

Where necessary, we also test the MTHFR: a gene mutation which can cause a range of symptoms including recurrent miscarriages and pregnancies with neural tube defects such as spina bifida. Treatment can involve supporting the woman with specific supplements such as activated Folinic Acid.

Our postnatal programme supports recovery and healing from the birth. We provide breastfeeding support, ensuring optimal conditions for breast milk production, and aim to prevent and treat mastitis. Women often suffer sleep deprivation with a new baby and stress is commonly experienced. We focus on boosting energy levels, support weight management, monitor iron levels, assist in reducing stress and anxiety, and help with low mood and postnatal depression.