Natural Therapies - Kinesiology
Yvonne Mc Laughlin, BSc. (Hons) Dip Kin, is a specialised kinesiologist and nutritionist. She is based in Nutri Ki Health Studio in Buncrana, Co Donegal
Kinesiology was first developed by D. George Goodheart and fellow chiropractors in the USA in the 1960s. Pronounced kin-easy-ology, it is a holistic approach to balancing a person’s energy system.
Kinesiology works on a ‘body priority’ basis to get to the root of a symptom through the gentle and non-invasive testing of muscles in the body. These muscles provide the kinesiologist with feedback, detecting imbalances in the mind and body’s structural, electrical, emotional or nutritional systems. Kinesiology then works to balance these systems with a combination of stress release, neurolymphatic massage, personalised nutrition and diet, supplements and remedies and doesn’t just focus on treating one particular symptom. It is a non-invasive treatment in which you will feel light pressure on the muscles and is not painful in any way.
Your first session usually lasts one hour and begins with a brief history. Muscle testing is done by applying light pressure to the arms and legs in different positions. Each muscle positioning links to a different organ and reflex in the body, so if a muscle is weak it indicates an imbalance in that area. When we test for foods, for example, we are checking to see if the energy of the muscle changes from strong to weak when the food is placed on the system. You can muscle test using any muscle in the body but we usually work from the arms. The client will hold their arm up and I test resistance, this will change depending on what agrees or disagrees with the system. Corrections will be made and recommendations will be made on self-help techniques, diet, lifestyle and nutrition as required.
Kinesiology is suitable for all age groups from birth onwards and ensures the body is treated as a whole in order to get to the bottom of why the symptom presents itself in the first place. It gives the body the ‘push’ it needs to activate its self-healing mechanisms. It works on a phenomenal range of illnesses, symptoms and issues including nutritional deficiencies/toxicities, food intolerances, environmental sensitivities, skin conditions, digestive complaints, Candida, parasites, fatigue, lethargy, emotional stress, anxiety, depression, learning difficulties, dyslexia, sciatica, aches, pains, fears, phobias, addictions, hyperactivity, weight control, cholesterol, blood pressure, dehydration, energy, sport performance, concentration, confidence, colic and much more.
I was always interested in complementary medicines, and happened to come across Kinesiology in North Carolina during my BSc. Hons Human Nutrition placement. Firstly I completed a Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Nutrition at the University of Ulster, Coleraine and then completed a Diploma in Kinesiology at the Kinesiology College of Ireland, Co. Cork during which time I also worked with kinesiologist Ger Casey in the Freedom Holistic Centre.
CASE CONFIDENTIAL: ‘Kinesiology helped my daughter’s digestive problems’
Sarah* from Limerick
My daughter was a refluxy baby with a bad stomach. She was always bringing up milk and had slow bowels. When she was four she started regurgitating food back into her mouth and I noticed undigested food when she went to the toilet. I was really worried and we were always at the doctor’s. She had blood tests but they didn’t reveal anything like coeliac disease or other problems.
When she was 11 she started to complain of heartburn and was constipated a lot. The GP gave her strong laxatives and a heartburn drug. Next she had a procedure done because she was badly impacted and was on 8-11 pills a day and suffering from bloating and gas. She had camera tests and numerous blood tests with no breakthrough.
A few years later a friend who is a coeliac recommended kinesiology. My daughter was 14 at this stage. I contacted Yvonne McLoughlin and she did very relaxing tests to measure muscle reactions and said she was intolerant to gluten and wheat, lacking in fatty acids and a digestive enzyme. She said to eliminate gluten from her diet.
Two weeks later my daughter said she had never felt better in her whole life. She was able to do sports and it changed her life completely. We had one appointment for diagnosis and advice and then went back to see Yvonne six weeks later. It cost around €60 and was money well spent.
I was so impressed I went to see Yvonne about PMT and period pains and she said to eliminate dairy products and recommended a vitamin B complex – it made a huge difference.
Yvonne McLaughlin can be contacted at [email protected] or 086 238 5564 www.nutriki.ie
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