Gut Health

As a Master NLP Practitioner, Advanced Clinical Hypnotherapist, and Naturopath I am passionate about the mind, body, and gut connection.

Getting an upset stomach during times of stress is an example of the mind-gut connection. Being on high-alert and having a gut imbalance significantly impacts our wellbeing. A gut imbalance has been linked to depression, eating disorders and disordered eating, neurodevelopmental, and autoimmune conditions. 

I offer a range of Kinesiology techniques to support gut health. I am a HypnoIBS® Practitioner, Certified GAPS Practitioner, and SIBO Doctor approved. I have specialist training in IBD, eating disorders, and neurodiversity. I am also trained in Adaptive Therapy for Autistic Adults®.

SIBO is when an abnormal number of bacteria are present in the small intestine. These are normal bacteria, usually found in the large intestine (pathobionts not pathogens). These bacteria ferment starches and fibres into gases that damage the small intestine and cause a lot of symptoms.

Symptoms of SIBO include:

• Bloating and wind
• Constipation or diarrhoea 
• Abdominal pain
• Burping
• Nausea
• Reflux
• Leaky gut symptoms: rashes and allergies
• Steatorrhoea (excretion of abnormal quantities of fat with faeces)

As an approved SIBO Doctor practitioner I have access to the full suite of SIBO Doctor lab tests, including the breath test which is the most effective way of confirming SIBO. I also use Kinesiology to test. I then guide you through a comprehensive healing protocol which may include:

• The SIBO diet
• Herbal antimicrobials
• Pre and probiotics
• The elemental diet

The aim of the diet is to reduce fermentable carbohydrates and manage symptoms. There are various diets and following an extensive consultation you will be recommended the one that is most suitable for you. The Bi-Phasic diet includes two phases: phase 1 - reduce and repairs (4-6 weeks) and phase 2 - remove and restore (4-6 weeks).

Dr Natasha the creator of the Gut & Psychology Syndrome and Gut & Physiology Syndrome (GAPS) nutritional protocol has a degree in medicine and post-graduate degrees in neurology and human nutrition.

When her son was diagnosed with autism, she looked at ways to support him. She discovered the vital connection between the health of a person's gut and the health of their brain, as well as the rest of their body. As a result, Dr Natasha has designed a highly successful protocol to support neurodevelopmental and autoimmune conditions. 

My GAPS story pretty much started from the moment I was born; however, I didn’t appreciate it until many years later. 

I was a caesarean birth, and whilst breastfed for a good period I displayed many GAPS symptoms from a young age. Colic and temperamental bowels, followed by eczema and hyperactivity. My mum quickly identified dairy was a trigger. My parents bought and bred goats so I could drink raw milk. 

I then ‘grew out’ of eczema (how many times have we heard that?) only to develop asthma as a teenager and then probably no surprise depression in my 20s.

When conventional medicine couldn’t get to the root cause of my other health issues I started working with a naturopath. I realise now she used many GAPS principles. Working with her radically changed my health, which led to a complete career change.

I slowly started to retrain in Coaching, Hypnotherapy, Kinesiology, and Naturopathy. Since retraining I’ve worked extensively with clients presenting GAPS symptoms – anxiety, depression, and / or an autoimmune condition. Also, autism and ADHD clients. The more I read about GAPS the more I knew it was a missing tool in my toolbox. I qualified as a Certified GAPS Practitioner fresh out of lockdown.

Due to the robustness of the training, I discovered what was causing my partner discomfort and could trace it back to a double malaria infestation he had in his 20s. With the training you very much live and breathe the protocol. My partner fully embraced this with me, and he was amazed by the transformation he experienced.

As a Certified GAPS Practitioner (CGP) we work in partnership to design the protocol that is right for you. It involves:

1. The GAPS diet - GAPS conditions originate in the digestive system. What we eat has a direct impact on our mental and physical wellbeing. Ultimately, we are looking at healing and sealing the gut by eating nutritious foods. As well as removing ones that damage our gut and increase toxicity in our body.
2. A tailored supplementation programme. Although, the aim of the GAPS nutritional protocol is to get the vitamins, minerals and probiotics you need via traditional ways of preparing food.
3. Detoxification and lifestyle changes.

“After putting off sorting my gut out for what must be 30-years I was motivated to start working with Laura. She has been with me every step of the way to explain when to introduce new foods and supplements. She even gave me detailed advice on how to use an enema (above and beyond in my opinion). GAPS isn’t for the fainthearted and undetermined, it is worth it though. I no longer get stomach pain and am pleased with the size and shape of my waist now. I have lost almost 3 stone and 7 inches from around my belly button. I’m so happy I can eat foods that previously caused me pain.”

Landlord, London

A poorly functioning ileocecal valve (ICV) is very common. It is frequently the cause of “I just don't feel right” together with many types of pain (back, neck etc), inflamed joints, brain fog, low energy, loose bowels, constipation or unexplained digestive complaints.

The proper movement of food through our digestive system is controlled by several valves. The ICV is located between the end of the small intestine and the beginning of the large intestine. It controls the flow of digested food when it leaves the small intestine and goes into the large intestine. It should open and close at appropriate times. If it stays open too long or not long enough, problems occur.

I offer a specialised Kinesiology ICV correction technique. Aftercare advice will be sent to follow for a minimum of two-weeks.