Where did it all begin?

From a very young age I have been drawn to working in health and complementary therapies.  I have been exposed to the gaps in western medicine and subsequently to a number of complementary therapies from the age of 9/10.  I first heard the words acupuncture, herbs and Traditional Chinese medicine, while attending a clinic in Dublin with my mum.  It was around this time my mum had become unwell and exhausted all avenues in terms of medicine.  She explored the alternatives.  Once she felt the results in herself, we were slowly all brought and changes where noticed in every family member.  Despite my herbs looking like tar and not tasting very nice, I felt so much better on taking them.  For me this was start of an amazing journey.  I was fascinated by the work, the feeling of the space, relaxed, how the practitioner took time to listen, checked a number of things and focused a lot on diet and herbs.

Throughout my teens, I felt lucky to experience reflexology, yoga, reiki, homeopathy amongst other complementary and alternative therapies.  I completed the first level in reiki training.  I began to read books on traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture, Feng shui, anything that connected to Chinese culture.  I can agree this was quite unusual for a child/teenager growing up in Ireland in the 80’s and 90’s.  So, when it came to choosing a career, it was quite obvious I was moving in a different route than that recommended by the school guidance counsellor.  I began looking at the options for studying acupuncture and really did think it wasn’t a possibility unless I went to China/America.  My guidance counsellor and a number of teachers were quite shocked when I said I was going to study, Bachelor of Science in Traditional Chinese Medicine in London and China.  She did try to encourage me more towards nursing.

I remember going for my interview in Middlesex University and saying to my mum as I got off the train, this is where I am going.  I had an interview for another university the following day but my mind was already made up.  Everyday, I am so thankful for the opportunity to study on the 5 year full-time course in Middlesex University and Beijing University.  I gained a vast amount of knowledge and experience.  Here the focus was very much on teaching both conventional medicine and traditional Chinese medicine, with the key focus on integration of both.  I had the opportunity to work under so many amazing lecturers and Doctors of Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine.  I gained great experience through working in the Asante Clinic along with pain clinics and maternity ward care in Whittington Hospital and North Middlesex Hospital.  It was at the Asante Clinic where my real interest and passion for working within the field of fertility and pregnancy began after observing and chatting with Dr Ke who specialised in fertility.  My interest grew more and I decided to focus my dissertation in this area.  I undertook a critical review of the literature available on the efficacy of acupuncture for treating female infertility, first as a solo treatment and secondly as an adjunct to IVF.  I felt this really encouraged further study and focus in this area.

In China, the experience was amazing and really linked everything together for me as doctors there are trained in both western and traditional Chinese medicine.  I got to see first-hand how they integrate both medicines so well and to such a high standard.  How they looked at gynaecology and obstetrics, incorporating Chinese herbs, acupuncture, nutritional, lifestyle advice with amazing results.  Western medicine was used alongside traditional Chinese medicine as and when needed.  My passion is to offer the same care and guidance to my patients here, integrating both practices.   In Chinese medicine, there is no one prescription for a particular system, instead every patient is treated differently and with such care and attention to their particular needs, it is a mind-body approach, balance with the emotional health being just as important as their physical wellbeing.

On qualifying I was keen to bring all the knowledge I had gained back home with me, moving to Galway.  With moving back from the UK it took me a while to find my feet.  I was privileged to meet Sharon Morris from Galway City Physiotherapy and start working for her.  I gained so much experience there, working alongside a great team of physiotherapists.  I became familiar with the western medical treatments available in Ireland and met with a number of the consultants in Galway who were open to their patients using Chinese medicine.  I also lectured for a while with one of the acupuncture colleges while living there but felt my heart was always my clinical work.

While in London, I feel in love of course with a Donegal man.  After living in Galway for 4 and half years we decided to move here as we were travelling a lot between my home in Co. Louth and Co.  Donegal.  Again, I was extremely lucky to find an amazing space in Letterkenny where I was based for almost 7 years.  I enjoyed adding in baby massage and baby yoga to my practice and will cherish all of the memories and the friends that I have gained.  It has been amazing to see the clinic grow.  From there I have moved the clinic to Ramelton and I can firmly say Donegal is definitely my home.  When I am not working, practising yoga, cooking and baking you will be sure to find me at the beach, walking our two dogs or enjoying a cuppa with friends.  It is as important to be living a balanced life as much as I encourage my patients to.

At the centre of how I practice is the idea of balance, balancing our emotions and mind as well as our body and keeping them in harmony.  For me this is when good health can arise.  It is slowly being recognised by western medicine.  It is my hope that as a generation we learn to let go of the rigidity in the way we think to listen to our bodies and to our emotions.  We need to appreciate our connection with the world around us.  What we do to our environment we do to ourselves, clarity and balance in our emotions will have far reaching effects.  We need to strive to find peace with ourselves and love, truth and harmony in our relationship with others will quickly follow.

Most people who have endured a struggle at some point in their lives will tell you of a new appreciation and empathy that came with it.  Even the most difficult situations in life can have a positive side.  There cannot be dark without light, day without night, joy without sorrow – it is the yin and yang of life.