I have a particular interest in helping people who are dealing with chronic stress and problems associated with stress. Being an active person I also like helping people with muscle/tendon issues such as repetitive strain, recovering from a “weekend warrior” activity or anything in between. I believe in educating my clients so they can take an active role in their recovery and know how to stay injury free in the future.
History
I was lucky to have parents who encouraged me to play outside and keep active. In high school dancing, skiing and competitive swimming kept me busy. I was also a member of the school’s “Outdoors Club” and got to go hiking and canoeing. In university I followed my love of science and studied the body and human movement. I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Human Kinetics from the University of Guelph.
After university, I got sidetracked into a fabulous career leading sea kayaking tours. One winter I was in a serious car accident that fractured a vertebra in my spine. I was in a lot of pain. I couldn’t sit, stand or lay down for more than a few minutes before becoming uncomfortable again. Rehab was a long, slow process. I began to worry that I wouldn’t be able to sit in a kayak for hours at a time. A friend referred me to a massage therapist. I discovered the healing powers of massage and its ability to keep me pain-free during long hours of paddling. Kayaking is a seasonal career so I pursued training in massage therapy as a potential winter job. I graduated from Calgary’s Foothills College of Massage Therapy in 2003. I loved helping people so much that I ended up becoming a full-time therapist.
Massage therapy has many health benefits, but I eventually felt like I wanted to do more for my clients. I was introduced to acupuncture during my massage training and decided to learn more about it. Traditional Chinese Medicine is a complete medical system that was begun millennia ago and continues to evolve with modern information. The more I learn the more fascinating it becomes. I graduated from the Canadian Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine as a Doctor of Acupuncture in 2014. Sticking to my roots in kinesiology and massage I focus on treating muscle and joint pain and helping people recover from car accidents and injuries.
Why I’m Passionate About Helping Women Thrive in Menopause
Be careful what you wish for. Like many women, I was frustrated with an irregular period. I used to hope for an early menopause to be free of “the curse”. I got my wish; my last period was when I was 48. Now I would never wish for that…
A few years ago I fractured my wrist. A large, exuberant puppy and an icy pathway played a roll in my fall. Alberta Health Services (AHS) recommends a bone scan for all people over the age of 50 who break a bone. Around the time I received my letter from AHS I was invited to participate in a follow-up bone study at the University of Calgary. Five years earlier I had been in a study researching a new type of machine for scanning bones. Being able to go back to the same machine for a repeat Dexxa scan was quite helpful. Comparing the two scans I was diagnosed with osteoporosis.
With my diagnosis of osteoporosis I began doing some research about bones. Estrogen plays a huge role in bone health. My early menopause meant that I lost this crucial hormone early which played a role in my low bone density. As I continued my research I discovered that every tissue in the body has estrogen receptors. This is why menopause symptoms affect the whole body – it’s not just hot flashes and mood swings.
Western Medicine doesn’t offer a lot of help to women dealing with the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause. Many just say “live with it”. My doctor wanted to put me on Fosamax and told me not to paddle. The bend & twist stresses of paddling can lead to a fracture in the lumbar vertebrae. I don’t want to take drugs that have long lists of side effects. I don’t want to give up paddling!
I want to do more! The more I learn the more I want to help other women flourish in this time of change. Chinese culture used to call menopause “Second Spring”. Spring is a time of energy and growth and women should enjoy this time of their life. Traditional Chinese Medicine can provide tools to help a woman find balance, resolve symptoms and truly feel more like herself.
Schedule Your Appointment
Ready to explore how acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine can support your health and well-being? Make an appointment for a consultation or intake appointment at one of our locations today.
“I’ve been seeing Laureen for acupuncture treatments for a few months now and it’s been such a wonderful experience.”
– Kelly P
