On Friday, the Health and Wellness Center at RAF Lakenheath will be hosting "A Day of Natural Health and Healing."

The event will highlight holistic medicine and alternative therapies with informational booths, seminars and demonstrations throughout the day. Stripes caught up with Tech. Sgt. Natalie Gatewood, the noncommissioned officer in charge of nutrition programs at the HAWC, to find out more.

Why did the HAWC set this up?

I think because we focus, especially in the military, on diet and exercise, but we know there are other reasons people are unhealthy. ... I think stress is such as big issue. People will be doing everything right, eating healthy and exercising. But they still won’t see results, and it has a lot to do with stress. It’s a huge factor. So that’s something we’re trying to target. ... [The information at the event] will show you ways to internally look at issues to try and heal them non-medically.

To let your body heal itself ... the biggest part of holistic medicine is looking at your problem and finding the deeper issue instead of just treating the symptoms.

Is there science to back up these therapies?

There’s no science to back it up. There’s not a lab test for everything. I think you really have to be in tune with your own body and go in with an open mind to get the most out of these complimentary therapies. ... You have to try different things sometimes to see what works for you because everyone responds to things differently. It’s not a one-size-fits-all thing, and it’s the same thing with mainstream medicine. ... By no means are we saying don’t get medical treatment. These are complimentary therapies not replacement therapies.

What do you say to people who say this is all mumbo-jumbo?

We’ve had some people question the validity of these therapies. All I can do is talk about issues I’ve had and the successes I’ve had with [complimentary therapies]. It’s that type of word of mouth that can convince people to try a holistic approach. ... But there is no science behind it, so there’s not much to say to the naysayers. ... You have to try these things with an open mind. If you go into it saying it’s not going to work, it’s not going to work no matter what. ... It’s like people who take a placebo and feel better. Your attitude has more to do with it than anything else.

For someone new to all this, what would you recommend they check out at the event?

If they’re new to it, there are some things like yoga and massage therapy that are less intimidating and more mainstream that would be good. And for people already familiar with these types of therapies maybe they can learn about something new. ... We’re not pushing anything on anyone, we’re just giving people the opportunity to learn more about them.