How to holistically heal...frustration towards your healing progress

When you feel frustrated with your healing progress, consider this…

1. HEALING: When you feel frustrated with your healing progress, consider this…

2. REVERENCE: Symptomatic relief (reverence is the deep respect & attention to the things that truly impact healing)

3. EXPLORING: The nocebo effect (exploring is the journey into the deeper work, meeting the parts, wounds, and survival strategies that keep us small, stuck, and suffering with persistent symptoms & feelings)

“In my three decades as a naturopathic practitioner, having met with thousands of patients, I've gathered a wealth of clinical observations and experiences. The insights on healing that I offer are based on this rich background. It's crucial to remember, though, that this exploration is ongoing and far from conclusive. The reasons why people don't heal and the ways to holistically heal are numerous, varying greatly from one individual to another. Each person's healing journey is unique, holistic, and deeply personal. My role is to present possibilities, solutions, and to encourage you to remain open-hearted and curious about your own healing path. Remember, healing is not a one-size-fits-all journey; it's a personal exploration where each step can lead to new understanding and growth. My hope is to guide and support you in this process, helping you to navigate the complexities of your healing journey with compassion and insight.” ~ Anthia

1. HEALING: When you feel frustrated with your healing progress, consider this…

In my experience as a naturopathic practitioner, I've often observed patients and clients grappling with frustration over their healing progress. This sense of frustration typically stems from the prevalent medical model's emphasis on quick fixes. This approach tends to encourage a rapid return to daily activities, which ironically, often contribute to the initial health issues. It also focuses on managing symptoms rather than addressing the underlying causes and the various factors that influence these health issues.

The intention is not to suffer in symptoms, which can include pain, irritation, and various other painful manifestations, but at the same time, it's crucial to address the healing process, holistically. It's becoming increasingly clear that we need to redefine our understanding of what true healing entails.

This concept is a central theme in the book I'm currently writing, tentatively titled 'How to Holistically Heal and Why We Don't Heal.' One key aspect I explore in the book is the frustration commonly felt when healing doesn’t follow the anticipated path. This exploration aims to shed light on why healing doesn’t always occur as expected and how redefining our perspective on healing can lead to more effective and sustainable health outcomes.

The frustration experienced when healing doesn't seem to progress as expected can be deeply challenging. This notion is based on the misconception that healing follows a linear path with a clear start and finish. However, healing is more accurately described as an ongoing process of growth, learning, unlearning, and self-discovery, rather than a journey with a definitive endpoint. After all, it takes a lot for an individual to develop persistent symptoms and chronic disease – factors like genetics, inherited trauma, environment, how we care for ourselves and our health, to name a few. Additionally, the time we dedicate to knowing, understanding, and working with our minds, bodies, and spirit, as well as the earth we live on, is crucial.

When we adopt the perspective that healing is not linear, we can relieve ourselves of the pressure to reach a specific destination. Instead, we can focus on embracing each step of the journey as an opportunity for growth and self-awareness on how we got here whilst alleviating symptoms. This shift in mindset allows us to appreciate the healing process as a continuous and evolving journey, rather than a finite goal to be achieved. This perspective also encourages us to be present in each moment and to learn from every experience, whether it's a setback, breakthrough, or a period of self-reflection.

Embracing the non-linear nature of healing invites us to explore new approaches, perspectives, and modalities that can support our process. It encourages us to view healing as a multifaceted experience, open to discovering what works best for us at any given time.

The concept of time in healing plays a significant role. It's not just the duration that matters, but what we do with the time that counts. Healing involves forward and backward movements, peeling back layers to uncover deeper issues, and navigating various trials and challenges. It's a complex, multidimensional process that requires patience, acceptance, and flexibility. Each phase of the journey, whether advancing or retreating, is an integral part of the overall healing process.

At times, the process of healing may feel like taking two steps forward and one step back. We may experience moments of significant growth and positive change, only to encounter challenges or setbacks that require us to pause and reassess our path. These fluctuations are natural and should not be seen as indications of failure or lack of progress. Furthermore, the process of healing can be likened to peeling back the layers of an onion. As we embark on the journey, we may initially address surface-level issues or symptoms. However, as we delve deeper into our healing process, we may uncover underlying root causes or unresolved emotions that need attention. Each layer we peel back brings us closer to the core of our being, allowing for more profound healing and transformation to take place.

2. REVERENCE: Symptomatic relief (reverence is the deep respect & attention to the things that truly impact healing)

Symptomatic relief is a critical component of the healing journey and should not be overlooked. While holistic healing approaches emphasise addressing underlying causes, immediate symptomatic relief plays a vital role in this process. It's crucial to understand that first aid and immediate symptomatic relief are essential, not as standalone solutions, but as integral parts of a comprehensive healing strategy. They should work hand in hand, side by side, with longer-term healing methods.

Such symptoms can include pain, irritation, inflammation, anxiety, chronic fatigue, severe headaches, and digestive disturbances, among others. In these cases, natural medicine can offer effective symptomatic relief solutions. For example, a herbal cough syrup can soothe a dry, ticklish cough, while arnica, a homoeopathic remedy can be used for bruising and shock. These natural remedies provide relief while also respecting the body's natural healing processes. Also, it's essential to acknowledge that conventional medicine is wonderful for emergency situations and can provide instant relief that we must welcome as allied practitioners. The goal is not to suffer unnecessarily but to manage discomfort in a way that supports the broader journey of healing and recovery.