Laura Stanley is a Speech-Language Pathologist who provides therapy to individuals with various speech and language difficulties such as receptive and expressive communication difficulties, cognitive skill deficits, articulation impairments, social skill deficits, and stammering difficulties.   Laura often works with children to improve their speech/language skills that have varying disorders such as, autism, dyspraxia, ADD/ADHD, dyslexia, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and specific language impairment (SLI). Laura received her speech and language therapy training in the USA.  She was awarded a Master of Science degree with honours in speech-language therapy at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota in 2009.  In addition, Laura has a Bachelor of Science degree with honours in speech language therapy with an emphasis on early childhood education.  She received this qualification at the University of Wisconsin in 2007.  Laura is a registered member with the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and the Irish Association of Speech & Language Therapists.

While Western medicine often views menopause as a disease, Chinese medicine recognizes this change in a woman's body as a natural transitional process but a time where the body's energy and hormones are in a state of flux. Ideally menopause is relatively uneventful, and in the East it often is, perhaps due to diet and lifestyle. Unfortunately, the fast paced, stressful lifestyle of the contemporary Western woman, together with underlying patterns of disharmony in the body, frequently gives rise to the typical menopausal symptoms of hot flashes, night sweats, headaches, mood swings etc.

In Chinese medicine, the decline of Kidney Yin, the moistening, lubricating, cooling and nourishing aspect of the Kidney energy, is seen as the main cause of many menopausal symptoms. When Kidney Yin is deficient, heat signs will arise, including hot flashes, night sweats, heart palpitations and insomnia.

Stagnation of Liver energy, Liver Qi Stagnation, is also involved in excessive menopausal symptoms. One of the prime functions of the Liver's energetic system is the smooth flow of  Qi (life force), Blood and emotions throughout the body. If Liver Qi becomes constrained, often due to diet and/or inappropriate response to stress, symptoms such as mood swings, depression, headaches and insomnia may arise.

For more information on Acupuncture and TCM  at the Johnstown Therapy Centre click here

 

Having worked for the last 22 years in the field of reflexology, it still fascinates me, the story the feet can tell, how we can bring profound relief to all areas of the body.

When are out of zinc, feeling low, depressed, just out of sorts, no joy in our lives, we need a total release and reflexology is all about releasing that pain, fatigue, and lack of energy.

Reflexology can pinpoint the weakness in different areas of the body and by working on these points, the body recovers.  Reflexology has been with us for 2,500 years and is still more active than ever in the world.  From clearing our busy minds, to getting a good night's sleep, from stomach upsets, to easing menopausal symptoms, to helping with fertility, there are so many ways we can help the body to recover without the use of drugs.  I finish the treatment with a healing at the end of each session, which balances the body and brings in a sense of calmness.