Dr. Laura Gauthier

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Driven by passion for scientific knowledge, Dr. Laura spent 10 years in medical lab research on projects investigating cancer and cellular regulation. Throughout her research, she also worked towards and completed her PhD.

Afterward, guided by her personal beliefs in holistic medicine, she transitioned into the world of Chinese Medicine and obtained her Doctorate in Traditional Chinese Medicine. She is also a Registered Acupuncturist with the College and Association of Acupuncturists of Alberta.

Dr. Laura uses her scientific critical thinking skills with Chinese Medicine to provide the best treatment she can for her patients. She is continually learning new methods in order to expand the breadth of her skill set.

The TCM techniques that I use

In addition to acupuncture, Dr. Laura incorporates a variety of traditional Chinese medicine techniques into her treatment sessions (as needed). These approaches include:

• Acutonics (tuning forks used on the body to illicit changes in tissues)
• Cupping
• Microcurrent
• Auricular Medicine (ear seeds)
• and custom herbal formulations

The styles of acupuncture Dr. Laura practices are gentle. Most new patients are pleasantly surprised to find that they experience little to no discomfort during treatment. Many individuals feel quite relaxed during their acupuncture sessions—some even fall asleep!

Dr. Laura is dedicated to treating a variety of conditions, including:

• Pain (neck, shoulder, back, etc.)
• Menstrual disorders
• Stress
• Anxiety
• Insomnia
• Women’s health
• Urinary and bladder conditions
• Energy support during cancer treatments

Currently she is expanding her knowledge on how acupuncture can assist women before, during, and after pregnancy.

We are very excited to have Dr. Laura at Healthy by Nature!

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An Interview with Dr. Laura Gauthier

Transcript:

We’re here sipping some tea with Dr. Laura, Healthy by Nature’s new acupuncturist and TCM doctor. Dr. Laura not only demonstrates a strong passion for and dedication to her work, she also brings so much kindness, and care to the clinic. We’re so happy to have her on the team!

Tell us a little bit about yourself! How long have you lived in Calgary?

I have lived in Calgary for almost 20 years and during that time I’ve completed my PhD in Biochemistry, then did a career change into Chinese Medicine. I speak French, enjoy learning about all aspects of health, and really enjoy my acupuncture practice where I can help people both physically and emotionally.

It is clear that you have a strong passion for helping and assisting others. What brought you to help people?

I have always had an inherent interest in health and taking care of people who weren’t well. You could say I get in a zone when I am treating people. I am interested in learning about all aspects of medicine, East, West or whichever direction.

Has your knowledge of Traditional Chinese Medicine changed the way you live and approach your day to day life? If so, how?

Absolutely. It’s super handy being an acupuncturist when you come down with a cold, or hurt yourself, to do some acupuncture on yourself and reap the benefits immediately.

It amazes me when reading the Classic Texts of Chinese Medicine, some as old as 2000 years or more, that describe symptoms and treatments of the same conditions we are dealing with today (eg. Diabetes, stress, epidemics, poor diet, arthritis, menopause, anxiety etc.). I marvel at this fact since it appears some things will never change.

To head off these health issues, Chinese Medicine has a long history of health prevention measures – which include diet and lifestyle habits still applicable today. They also encourage people to follow the natural cycles (eg. Avoid cold food and drink in the winter as it weakens your long term reserves, or to sleep longer in the winter since the sun sets earlier) and to keep your mind unburdened. I focus a fair amount on these “boring” principles in my own life but in all honesty, they have the biggest payoffs.

What is the difference between acupuncture and TCM’s approach to healing and other holistic approaches to healing?

I am not familiar with all holistic approaches but I can comment on TCM’s acupuncture approach. In TCM, the body is thought to have an energetic aspect where energy/information termed Qi flows along pathways in the body. These pathways where Qi flows form a network throughout the body. Whenever you have an issue in the body or mind, it is thought that the Qi flowing through that region has been inhibited. So the idea behind TCM acupuncture is to get the energy/information called Qi flowing properly again.

Before attending your Doctorate in Traditional Chinese Medicine, you spent 10 years in medical lab research. What would you describe as the biggest takeaways from your time in the lab? How has that experience shaped your approach to practising today?

During my PhD and Postdoc, I got to do some pretty cool science (fluorescent proteins never get old!). Studying cells is a world not many people get to visit or understand. The precision of science, understanding what real research entails, and the critical thinking skills you hone is something that will never leave me.

In my view, Chinese Medicine is a science but it is equally an art and philosophy. Any scientist wants to control the variables and repeat experiments to prove their theory in every possible permutation so that in the end, there is no doubt about what they are observing. But you can’t do that with a patient with acupuncture so that is a bit of a struggle for me.

I obviously still happily use the critical thinking skills I acquired during my science career but have to be open to learn some of the nuances of the art of Chinese Medicine.

What is the most fulfilling part of your career?

Getting to know my patients and helping them is the most rewarding part. But I also love taking new courses and get really excited about that!

Are there areas of concern that you have a particular passion for?

The longer I practice, the more fascinated I become with the Mind and its role in health (eg. Anxiety, stress, dementia, traumatic brain injury, PTSD). I am starting to focus some of my studies in this area. My interests are broad but I enjoy treating digestive concerns, pain, women’s health issues, stress and anxiety as well.

What are some unique qualities that you bring to your practise? What would you express as your most notable strengths as a TCM practitioner?

I really try to connect and do the maximum for my patients during a treatment. I am empathetic, open-minded and adaptable. I like working with the feedback patients give me on what they feel they respond to best in terms of the different treatment modalities I use with them. I am always learning new things so my treatments are always evolving – I am always striving to improve my practice.

In addition to acupuncture, do you use other TCM techniques in your practise? What are the benefits of these techniques?

I use a number of different modalities during my treatment depending on the needs of the patients.

• Acutonics is a sound vibration modality developed by American acupuncturists in which Chinese Medicine principles are used in the application of the tuning forks on the body. In this non-invasive treatment modality, weighted tuning forks of varied frequencies are used on acupuncture points to illicit and promote health changes in the body. When receiving an Acutonics treatment, you will feel the comfortable vibration at the sites where the tuning forks are applied and most people find it very relaxing. Acutonics can help with stress, tension, body pain, relaxation, and boost the body’s energy. Sound therapy may sound bizarre but using sound in health care is not a new concept: Ultrasounds are used in diagnostics, and Shock Wave Lithotripsy is used to treat Kidney stones. Acutonics can help with stress, tension, body pain, relaxation, and boost the body’s energy.
• Auricular medicine involves taping seeds on the ear at specific points selected based on Auricular Medicine principles. The auricle of the ear has been mapped to find areas that correspond with various body locations and organs in the body (eg. Spine, shoulder, sensory organs, internal organs). The system I learned was perfected by Dr. Lichun Huang, an MD from China. The idea behind taping the seed on the areas corresponding to a body area needing treatment is that the taped seed creates acupressure on the point where it is stuck. While the seed is stuck on the auricular point this pressure is thought to guide the body to assist/repair the corresponding body structure. These taped seeds can remain in place for a number of days, and squeezed at the location of the ear when symptoms are being experienced.
• Cupping is a technique used in Chinese Medicine whereby glass, plastic, or silicone cups are placed under vacuum over the skin. Cupping can be used to help with tension in body areas, boost circulation in an area, or to strengthen the effect of an acupuncture needle if placed over it.
• Chinese herbal prescriptions are custom made to a patient’s need and can be targeted to specific symptoms.

What does a typical initial acupuncture appointment look like with you? What should patients expect?

For the first appointment, the patient describes to me what their main symptoms and concerns are. This is usually followed with other questions I might have about their overall health.

Part of the diagnostic techniques in Chinese Medicine is feeling the radial pulses and examining the patient’s tongue. These diagnostic aspects might be a surprise for new patients. If the patient has come for treatment for pain on the body, I normally do acupressure first to evaluate what the most effective acupuncture points will be for them prior to putting in any acupuncture needles. Treatments always include acupuncture and if needed, other techniques.

If it is the patient’s first time receiving acupuncture, I usually make sure they are feeling comfortable and confident with the experience by checking in with them for feedback as we go along.

What information would you offer to someone who would like to try acupuncture, but is a little worried about needles?

The needles acupuncturists use are much, much finer than what you get during a typical blood test. And they are typically inserted more shallowly. Most people feel very little. It is not uncomfortable to have the needles in and you totally relax during the treatment.

I do not practice IMS (Intra-Muscular Stimulation) or strong dry needling technique. So anyone who has had a negative experience with that particular style of needling can be assured that I do not practice any aggressive styles.

I am very gentle! If it is someone’s first acupuncture treatment and they are nervous, we go at a pace that is comfortable for them. They are usually surprised to the upside.

Do you have a few notable success stories that you would be willing to share? What makes these stories significant to you?

When I was in acupuncture school, I was fortunate enough to make a bond with a patient who had suffered a stroke many years prior and was suffering with his speech (aphasia). I remember meeting and treating them the first day, and then seeing them a second time the following week and how different they looked and spoke. They just seemed so different but it was hard to put your finger on it and I had to look at other students to make sure it wasn’t just in my head (they were all amazed too, I nonetheless remain a doubting scientist at heart). I treated the patient for nearly a year, usually once a week and their mobility and speech improved. I will never forget that learning experience and friendship as it was clear how much they had been positively affected by acupuncture.

Where would we find you outside the clinic? What passions and hobbies do you pursue in your spare time?

Currently, I am interested in QiGong and like doing that as a daily practice. This is a practice that builds the Qi in your body through various postures and movements. I also enjoy reading, cooking, fine teas, and going for long walks. In the past, I have done martial arts and other high impact sports and might return to them soon.

 
To find out more about what Dr. Laura can do for you, she offers free meet and greets which can be booked online. To book a FREE 15 min Meet and Greet, call 403-452-0029 or book online.