Liz Walsh, Complementary Therapist

Liz is originally from Glounthaune Co. Cork but has lived in Mallow for the past 14 years. She graduated with a Masters in Food Science and Technology in 1992 from University College Cork and work in the food industry for 15 years.

In 1999 she became interested in the complementary health area of the medical profession and trained as a Reflexologist initially and then went on to qualify in Massage, Baby Massage, Indian Head Massage and Hopi Ear candles. She also qualified as a Reiki Master in 2001.

Liz has been practising these complementary therapies since 2001, working in Grove Health Spa, Grove house Shanballymore and the Green Rooms in O’Brien Street Mallow. In 2002, she joined forces with the Red House Clinic and became the recommended massage therapist for Dr.Ivan Danne in 2008. She now works from the Blackwater Chiropractic Rooms in Carmichael Lane Mallow on Tuesday and Friday evenings, by appointment only.

Groups and Associations:

Irish Institute of Reflexologists

Irish Massage Association

Holistic Massage

Massage is one of the easiest ways of attaining and maintaining good health and is something we all do naturally. The basis of massage is touch, and there is increasing medical evidence to show the great value of touch. Massage has profound effects on the health of the person being massaged. It improves circulation, relaxes muscles, aids digestion and by stimulating the lymphatic system speeds up the elimination of waste products.

Most of us get the occasional backache: we slouch over our desks, carry heavy loads, hunch up our shoulders and stand badly, all of which may result in tense knotted muscles. Massage can help to relax these muscles and alleviate the aches and pains they so often cause.

Depending on the requirements of the client a full body massage can take approximately an hour or sometimes what the client requires is a back neck and shoulder massage which takes approximately a half an hour.

Reflexology

Reflexology can alleviate or treat a range of conditions – stress, sinus problems, back pain, irritable bowel syndrome, migraine; hormone balancing etc. it is excellent as a preventative healthcare in bringing about deep relaxation and assisting the body in cleansing itself of toxins and impurities.

The Reflexologist does not heal – only the body heals, however reflexology helps to balance all the body systems, stimulating an area which is underactive and producing calm in an overactive one. It is harmless to those areas which are functioning correctly. As all body systems are closely interrelated, anything which affects one part will ultimately affect the whole. Reflexology works particularly well on three specific levels, physiological, psychological and spiritual.

A Reflexology treatment should be an extremely pleasurable experience. Reflexology involves a deep touch technique generally on the foot but can be on the hand also, which finds the tender and nodular areas in the foot or hand and relates these to the relevant anatomical areas of the body.

The length of the treatment and the number of sessions will vary according to the client and the condition which they are presenting. The client’s constitution, history and nature of illness, age, body’s ability to react to treatment, way of life and attitude have profound effect on the healing process.

Liz has also done many additional courses relating to reflexology including reflexology and cancer care, reflexology and the reproductive system and for people who prefer not to have their feet worked on hand reflexology is available also.

Indian Head Massage

Indian Head massage is a tough therapy. It works on both a physical and a mental level. By concentrating on the area’s most vulnerable to stress and tension it provides a de-stressing programme for the whole body. Working on particular areas of the body, especially the neck and the shoulders, where stress affects major muscle groups, can bring immediate relief. Tensions are eased and fibrous knots and nodules melt away. The efficiency of the circulatory and lymphatic systems improves, toxins are dispersed from tense muscles and flexibility and fluidity of movement is restored.

Indian Head Massage can help with headaches, insomnia, eye problems, fatigue, ear problems, blocked sinuses, hair loss.

Treatment takes approximates 40 minutes. Indian Head Massage involves working with a firm and a gentle rhythm to help unknot blockages and relieve this uncomfortable build up of tension.

Reiki

The word ‘Reiki’ is a Japanese term. The first syllable, rei, means spirit aura or subtle energy and the second, ki, means energy or power. Reiki is system for channelling life force or subtle energy. The person giving Reiki channels energy through her body and out of her hands to the patient. This is learned through initiations in which the student is connected up as a channel by a Reiki Master.

Reiki energy is universal and has no limits. When the Reiki goes through the practitioner she is receiving a treatment at the same time as she is giving one. The practitioner’s initiation and the connection to the Reiki lineage protect her from taking on any bad or sick energy from the patient. This connection also protects the patient from any negative energy from the practitioner. The only thing which is channelled is pure healing energy – Reiki.

Reiki is an intelligent force. The practitioner does not need to guide it with her mind and it goes where the person needs it, not just to the area under the practitioner’s hands. There is no need even for the patient to undress, since Reiki goes through clothes, blankets and even plaster casts.

Reiki is normally given as a hands-on treatment. You will be asked to take your shoes off and lie down on your back. The practitioner starts the treatment on the head and then works through the front of the body, and then the client is asked to turn over so that the back of the body can be worked. When the session is over it is a personal choice if the client wants to talk or not. It does not affect the healing process which happens on a much deeper level.

Treatments include, strains, bowel problems, mild depression and for people who have had strokes, amongst other conditions. It is not an instant cure, however, in most cases there is a considerable relief of discomfort and clients have a significant improvement in their quality of lives.

A Reiki treatment usually lasts between an hour and one –and- a- half hours. The energy keeps moving in the body after the treatment for about 24 hours.

Hopi Ear Candles

This pleasant and completely natural treatment has been handed down to us by the Native American Hopi Indians of Northern Arizona. Using traditionally made Hopi ear candles, this is a very pleasant and completely natural therapy carried out with the client fully clothed and lying on the massage couch.

Hopi ear candles have been used for the following:

Excessive wax in ears, irritations in the ear, blocked frontal and para nasal sinuses, pressure regulation in cases of headache, migraine, sinusitis and rhinitis and noises in the ear- tinnitus (ringing), Glue Ear, Cold and flu symptoms.

Treatment takes approximately 40 minutes and entails treatment of both ears with a completely painless method of heat application using a biosun candle. The Hopi candle is inserted into the ear, which the therapist holds in place for the duration of the treatment. About minutes later the candle is removed and the same is performed on the other ear. It also includes a complete facial massage with particular attention being paid to the sinus areas.

Baby Massage

It is a natural reaction for parents to stroke, cuddle and caress their babies, and there is increasing evidence to show that massage is beneficial to a baby’s health and well being. Massage helps to reduce colic, constipation or diarrhoea, coughs, colds and irritability. It is a powerful way of non verbal communication and creates a strong link between mother, father and baby.

Liz will teach how to learn how to carry out baby massage with your child. Ideally this is carried out in a group session as the social aspect of meeting other mothers can be very helpful in learning to cope with different aspects of your child’s development, but one to one classes may also be delivered if requested.