Years ago, I worked with a remarkable woman who had spent more than 28 years in a wheelchair. Her story was heart-wrenching; she had been a pedestrian hit by a drunk driver, causing severe damage to the entire left side of her body, including her arm, leg, ribs, intestines, and skull. Enduring numerous surgeries, even having ligaments in her fingers and toes clipped to uncurl them from the trauma. After nine months in a coma, she faced a life confined to a wheelchair and bed. My role was to provide massages to alleviate her pain.
As I massaged her week after week, I could sense her frustration. One day, I asked her, “What do you want?” Her response shattered my heart; she said, “I want to walk.” At that moment, I was 30 years old, and realized that she had spent almost my entire life in a wheelchair. While I, too, desired that for her, I didn’t know if it was possible.
Unexpectedly, I found myself saying, “I’ll help you walk. What do you want to do when you can walk?” She told me about her desire to go to the casino on her birthday, which had just passed. Determined to make her dream a reality, I promised her we would go next year, not in a wheelchair but walking. It was a spontaneous utterance, but I had an unexplained certainty in my heart.
My approach was to take it one step at a time, similar to how a baby learns to move. We started with her on the floor on her stomach, practicing lifting her head. Then, we worked on rolling over and eventually sitting upright. Gradually, her strength improved, little by little.
A year later, on her birthday, we went to the casino as promised. I assisted her as she walked to the car, sat in an actual seat, and stumbled into the casino. She played the slot machines until exhaustion, and that day, I cried in amazement. She showed me the incredible possibilities of the human body and mind. She begged to do the things we often take for granted. Her determination proved that healing is possible when you truly desire it. She taught me to cherish the ability to move, to walk. I hadn’t known if she would walk again, but I witnessed a miracle firsthand.
We’re not meant to stay in a chronic state of pain weakness and disease. If we are patient and consistent, we can heal. Here are three ways you can start to heal your body.
Start a daily 15-minute yoga practice and increase the time and intensity as you go.
Book a massage at least once a month.
Schedule physical therapy sessions twice a week (insurance often covers this).
Be patient and give yourself a year of consistent effort. If you are interested in doing yoga with me, feel free to let me know.
For those who seek more involvement in their healthcare decisions and want to explore alternative perspectives, the mind-body connection offers a worthwhile avenue. It appeals to individuals who desire self-awareness, self-empowerment, and the ability to tap into their innate healing abilities. By addressing the root causes of illness and adopting an active approach to health and well-being, this approach challenges the status quo and traditional medical model. It introduces new paradigms that provide a different understanding of disease and approaches to healing.
The mind-body connection refers to the relationship between a person’s mental and emotional state and their physical well-being. It emphasizes the interplay between emotional conflicts, biological processes, and disease manifestation. It recognizes that our thoughts, emotions, beliefs, and attitudes can influence our physical health, and vice versa.
Dr Bruce Lipton, Phd a cell biologist and author of Biology of Belief states, “Our minds are responsible for taking everything that we perceive in the external world and creating our own unique interpretation of it. This is the mind’s attempt to establish coherence between our internal beliefs and our external reality. Our bodies then respond to these perceptions by releasing chemicals that affect our physical health and well-being for better or for worse. Should our beliefs about the world and about ourselves be negative, the result is inevitably distress, disharmony, and disease in our bodies.”
Dr. Joe Dispenza, a leading authority on the subject of neuroplasticity and author of You Are the Placebo: Making Your Mind Matter breaks down the science behind how your thoughts can not only make you sick, but they can also make you well. A person’s belief can positively impact their physical healing. Research has shown that mindset, positive expectations, and belief systems can influence health outcomes.
Dr. Ryke Geerd Hamer developed testicular cancer in 1978, after the tragic loss of his son. The doctor believed that his cancer was a direct result of severe emotional shock he experienced. Once he resolved the emotional trauma his testicular cancer went into remission. His personal experience led him to develop German New Medicine, an alternative approach to understanding illness and healing, His studies show at the moment an unexpected trauma takes place the shock impacts a specific area in the brain causing a lesion that is clearly visible on a brain scan as a set of sharp concentric rings. With the impact, the affected brain cells communicate the disturbance to the corresponding organ.
Despite countless case studies of healing with the mind body connection there are several challenges individuals may face in their journey. Here are some common problems people may encounter when seeking to use the mind-body connection:
Lack of Awareness: Many people are unaware of the mind-body connection or underestimate its significance. They may not realize the impact that thoughts, emotions, and beliefs can have on their physical health. Raising awareness and understanding about the mind-body connection is an initial challenge.
Skepticism and Stigma: Some individuals may be skeptical about the effectiveness of mind-body practices or view them as “woo-woo” or pseudoscience. Skepticism can create barriers for individuals who want to explore the mind-body connection, as they may face criticism or lack of support from others.
Limited Resources and Access: Access to quality resources, training, and practitioners specializing in mind-body practices can be limited in certain areas. This can make it challenging for individuals to find reliable guidance or support in incorporating mind-body techniques into their healing journey.
Time and Commitment: Integrating mind-body practices into one’s lifestyle requires time, commitment, and consistency. Establishing new habits and dedicating time for practices such as meditation or engaging in therapeutic modalities can be challenging in our fast-paced, busy lives.
Emotional Resistance or Trauma: Some individuals may have emotional resistance or unresolved trauma that makes it difficult to fully engage with the mind-body connection. Past traumas or deep-seated emotional issues can hinder the ability to connect with and effectively use the mind-body approach for healing.
Integration with Conventional Medicine: Integrating the mind-body connection with conventional medical treatments can be a challenge. Some individuals may face resistance from healthcare providers who are not familiar with or open to incorporating mind-body practices into treatment plans. Finding a balance and collaboration between different approaches can be key.
Self-discipline and Consistency: Practicing mind-body techniques requires self-discipline and consistency. It can be challenging for individuals to maintain regular practice, especially during stressful times or when immediate results may not be apparent.
Despite these challenges, many individuals find that the benefits of the mind-body connection outweigh the difficulties they encounter. Seeking support from knowledgeable practitioners, joining support groups or communities, and persistently exploring and practicing mind-body techniques can help overcome these challenges and reap the rewards of mind-body healing.
Here are five recommended books and resources that provide valuable insights into the mind-body connection:
The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk: This book explores the profound impact of trauma on the body and mind, offering understanding and techniques for healing.
You Are the Placebo: Making Your Mind Matter by Dr. Joe Dispenza: Dr. Dispenza explores the power of our thoughts and beliefs in influencing our health, providing practical guidance on using the mind-body connection for healing.
Biology of Belief by Dr. Bruce Lipton: This book delves into the relationship between our beliefs, the mind, and cellular biology, shedding light on the power of our thoughts and perceptions to shape our health.
You Can Heal Your Life by Louise Hay: Louise Hay’s classic book guides readers on a journey of self-discovery and healing, emphasizing the mind-body connection and the power of positive affirmations.
German New Medicine by Dr. Ryke Geerd Hamer: This resource provides an introduction to the concepts and theories associated with German New Medicine, offering a different perspective on the mind-body connection and disease.
These books and resources offer valuable insights and perspectives on understanding the mind-body connection and its implications for health and well-being. They can serve as a starting point for those interested in exploring this fascinating field further.
I hope you enjoyed this post. If you have experiences with the mind body connection, please share your story with me.
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