10 years ago you would have a hard time believing that I am the person I am today. A natural food store was where "granolas" shopped, all chiropractors were quacks, holistic medicine practitioners were charlatans and I had no idea what a naturopath was? I would have told you that your doctor knows everything; they are the experts. How little I knew about the world and health. I'm still learning, but those days seem like a century ago.
It's amazing what relentless pain will do for you. I had turned to my doctor for his expert advice and he in turn had sent me to specialists for tests, invasive exploration and in the end recommended the same dietary advice, prescription and non-prescription medicines that had sent me back to him in the first place.
I was discouraged, without hope, thinking I was going to live with constant pain for the rest of my life. I would talk about my situation with anyone that would listen. One day a coworker loaned me a book he thought I should read "Natural Cures: They don't want you to know about." It opened my eyes to other possibilities; I could envision a pain-free life.
The Natural Food Store:
I wanted to get all the chemicals out of my food, body care products and water. My children told me to check out the natural food store near my house. Much to my surprise the people inside were welcoming, helpful and friendly. I could ask them any question and they had answers. It was easy to find organic food and read labels with ingredients I recognized. My daughters had enlightened me to the dangers of deodorants (they were still in high school and knew this stuff). It was more expensive, but I was more comfortable knowing what I was eating or putting on my body and I believed it would make a difference; still do!
Naturopath, Chiropractor, Holistic Health:
I scoured the internet for information; I bought books; the more I read the more questions I had. Suddenly, holistic and Chinese medicine were no longer foreign to me; I liked the concept of whole body preventive medicine versus treating the sick. I made an appointment with a naturopathic physician. She listened intently as I described my symptoms. She described what the medicines had done to my body and what it would take to get back to normal. Together we worked out a plan to be successful. Over time I also requested seasonal acupuncture and still do that on a quarterly basis or when needed.
During this same period cycling was causing me to have lower back pain. I decided to give a chiropractor a try. It was a bold move considering all the negative things I had heard throughout my life. The experience was life altering! I proclaimed him a miracle worker after the first visit and returned on a regular basis for six months. He also provided me with stretch exercises that I still do today (though not as religiously as I should).
Eventually, I hired a holistic health coach to help me lose weight. There was more to the coaching than food. I learned how to relax, take care of myself, manage stress, have healthy relationships and eat foods that nourish the body.
Pain opened my eyes:
To a world I dismissed as meaningless, hokey or a scam. These people made a difference in my life and changed my future. Without them I have no doubt I would still be living in pain, on prescription medicine and have had at least one surgical operation. Instead, I live pain-free with all my original body parts. I hope this knowledge helps you to open your mind to the world.
No comments:
Post a Comment