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By admin Emotions, Energy healing, Pain

Can Emotions Affect Joint Pain?

Emotions-affect-joint-pain-wolf-healing-ottawa
Lose the pain and find joy again!

There can of course be many physical reasons for joint pain, including injuries and auto-immune diseases such as Rheumatoid Arthritis. But have you ever considered that emotions affect joint pain?

As an Energy Healer I work with numerous clients, and many of them complain of pain. This can be joint, back, hips, feet or anywhere else in the body…

How Do Emotions Affect Joint Pain?

The Physical Impact

On physical level if you are stressed, angry or upset your posture will be affected and your muscles become tense. For people who already have an underlying joint injury, or damage from arthritis, these physical changes leave the injured area unsupported causing pain to be increased.

Histamine and Inflammation

In addition, emotions affect joint pain on a chemical level within the body. The emotions increase histamine (inflammation). For anyone whose joints are already compromised this can really aggravate symptoms such as pain, heat and swelling.

Dr Jonega writes about emotions and their impact on histamine.

So, yes, emotions affect joint pain on a physical, chemical level.

Which Emotions Affect Joint Pain on the Energetic Level?

That’s easy, all negative emotions can adversely affect your joints.

For example, anxiety, fear, shock, trauma are associated with the kidney meridian. They are also associated with the root chakra. When we experience these emotions the resulting blockages can cause low back and hip pain. In addition, the need to “protect” can leave you with tight, inflexible hips. 

Here are some other examples:

Arms

So shoulders, elbows, hands. These can be linked to a need to reach out, to either ask for help for yourself, or to offer help to someone else. If you have pain in your arms take a moment to connect and see if you feel this may apply to you.

A few years ago I came across this on a personal level. I developed tennis elbow for no apparent reason.

The next time I visited my healer I complained of this and she pointed out the reason. Someone close to me was seriously ill and I was in no position to do anything to help them. My desire to reach out and help was getting stuck in my elbow.. She recommended that I bring them into every healing session I did and include them in the healing. In addition to take some time to bring them some distance healing.

My elbow completely cleared up after a few days. I still find this spooky despite what I do!

Legs

Hips, knees, ankles, feet. Are you stuck, unable, unwilling or apprehensive about going forward? Afraid to take the next step?

Shoulders

For someone who carries the weight of the world, in a position where everything falls onto them, it can mean sore, tight shoulders. As if you are literally carrying a burden.

Neck

This often relates to finding your voice. Many of us have been brought up unable to really express who we are, our needs and to be heard. Finding your voice will often resolve neck pain and along with it some headaches.

Where Do The Emotions Come From?

It can be ‘now stuff’ in our lives, or from past events, genetic memories (our parents, grandparents etc) or even soul memories. Sometimes it is clear, other times we have no idea..

For sure our upbringing will have an impact. I see so many clients where they have tried to be the “good child”, conform to parent’s expectations. This continues with being a good spouse, employee and then parent… there is never a time to find out who they are and to learn to express their true self and needs.

In addition, events in our lives play a part.  Witnessing or being a part of a traumatic experience at school, university, a bad relationship etc can all impact the emotions we carry.

In the case of genetic memories and soul memories we all carry these and they can be triggered so that our body remembers trauma from a previous generations and lives. 

It is not important to know where the emotion originates, it is enough to identify it and allow it to be released, to be replaced by something more positive.

So How Do We Resolve These Emotions?

For the ‘now stuff’ Meditation and Mindfulness play a part. Allowing the mind to be calmer, for us to become less reactive and better able to deal with day to day stresses and events.

To resolve those deeper emotions, from traumatic events in our lives, the genetic memories, the soul memories we need to utilize other methods.

CBT (Cognitive behavioural Therapy) can help, along with EFT ( Emotional Freedom Technique / Tapping), as can Hypnosis.

You may also wish to seek help from  Shamanic Healer, or a practitioner who uses Energy Healing such as Reiki or Pranic Healing.

In choosing your approach be mindful of the fact that most of us will benefit from a team of healers and techniques.

Allow yourself to be guided by your intuition. Even if it does not make rational sense, go to the person or pursue the technique that really calls to you at that time. You may see one person for a while then go to someone else, and perhaps come back to the first person. 

Healing and resolving the emotions we carry is a process, a very fluid process with no rules, it takes as long as is needed and every one of us is different. We can take a break at any time. Do not compare yourself to others, and above all Enjoy the Journey!

 

 

 

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By admin Allergies, Energy healing, Reiki

Reiki for Allergies: Helping With Seasonal Reactions

Can you use Reiki for Allergies?

Allergies are an overreaction by the immune system to an otherwise harmless substance so how can you use Reiki for Allergies?

In the case of seasonal allergies you are reacting to pollens which do not pose a threat to your body. This reaction creates a continual state of ‘fight or flight’ in the body, weakening your immune system, increasing the risk of other infections or health problems and leaving you tired and worn out. It can also impact your sleep, adding to your fatigue.

How does Reiki for Allergies help? Both Reiki and Energy healing work to rebalance and calm your body, activating the parasympathetic nervous system, eliminating the state of ‘fight or flight’ and allowing healing to occur. It can be used to help symptoms and to release underlying emotional issues which trigger the allergic response.

When using Energy Healing and Reiki for allergies there are two parts to treating your seasonal allergies, and they are most effective when you commit to a short course of treatments.

Controlling your symptoms

The first part is to assist with controlling your symptoms. The practitioner will focus on the affected areas of your body, so in the case of seasonal allergies your head, face, throat and chest.

The focus is on bringing balance and relaxation, unblocking the energy in the affected areas, releasing sinus pain, headaches, and resolving itchy eyes, runny nose, sneezing and wheezing. It is not uncommon to initially feel a little worse after the treatment; however this will shift within a day or two leaving you feeling better.

Reiki and Energy Healing also bring relaxation, allowing your body to rest and recuperate and improving your sleep. Many clients report feeling able to breathe more freely and that their sinuses and eyes are more comfortable following treatment.

Releasing underlying triggers

The second part involves addressing the underlying reasons for your allergies. Most of us, especially adults, carry a certain amount of emotional baggage; from our childhoods, from our parents and previous generations (genetic memory), and some say from past lives.

Releasing these emotional memories from your body will help to bring about long lasting relief from your allergies. We cannot change what has happened in the past, but we can shift the way in which we react to these memories.

By allowing you to become less triggered and controlled by these past issues you become more balanced, grounded, centred and relaxed which ultimately makes you less reactive to allergens and also to daily stressors in your life.

Energy Healing and Reiki for allergies are unlikely to provide a complete cure for your seasonal reactions, however they can assist your body to function in an optimal way. Following treatments clients will comment that they feel better in many ways, including their allergic reactions. Everyone can benefit from this type of healing so book now and enjoy enhanced health and well-being.

By admin Energy healing, Fatigue, PTSD, Reiki, Trauma

Discovering the Link Between Fatigue and Trauma

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Did you know there is a strong link between Fatigue and Trauma?

As a reiki practitioner and energy healer I see many people who have emotional memories in their bodies from past traumas. Those emotions can be from physical, sexual and emotional traumas that they have experienced during their life, from their parents lives (genetic memories) and, some believe, from past life experiences.

Whatever your belief system, or the origin of those emotions, they can become lodged anywhere in our bodies, cause a disruption in our energy and lead to physical dysfunction.

They weigh us down, and can trigger many issues including aches and pains, depression, anxiety, insomnia, and often fatigue. They sit like a heaviness inside us, creating lethargy and despondence and an inability to live life with the joy we deserve.

The first, most important step, to resolving this fatigue is to acknowledge the the link between Fatigue and Trauma. We are often afraid to admit to weakness and expose our vulnerabilities. Many of us would rather seek a physical reason as it is more comfortable to deal with that.

Meet Bill

Discovering the link between Fatigue and Trauma was eye opening and the first step to healing for Bill.

At 41 years old he came to me suffering unrelenting fatigue, pressure and pain in his chest, palpitations and digestive issues. Up until a year before he had been fit and healthy.

Despite extensive testing, the medical profession could find no reason for his symptoms. His work and family life were suffering and he was desperate to find some relief.

A friend who had been to see me recommended he ‘give Reiki and Energy Healing a try’. He was very skeptical, but desperate for relief so willing to see if I could help.

I found that he carried a huge amount of sadness and grief, along with some fear. This was mostly sitting in his chest, heart and large intestine. He said that his life had been great; loving parents, no major traumas or events that he could remember.

I then asked him about his parents. He told me that his aunt had died of a terminal illness a couple of months before his birth. His mother had nursed her for several months before she died, and during the earlier part of her pregnancy. He said she had never really got over the death.

He also said that not long before his health declined their child’s pet rabbit had died. Of course this was a sad day, however, it caused an exceptional amount of grief in him totally out of proportion to the actual event. He said he couldn’t understand why he had reacted so strongly.

This does, however, make sense to me… he was carrying his mother’s fear and grief, which he had soaked up whilst in utero. The death of the rabbit had then triggered that memory in his body, causing an excessive reaction. He was still living in that memory.

Over several sessions we worked to release that fear and grief. Bill gradually felt lighter, felt the joy coming back into the world. His fatigued lifted, his mood changed and his digestion slowly returned to normal. He no longer has palpitations or the pressure and pain in his chest.

He still comes to see me once in a while ‘for fine tuning’ as he puts it, to address life’s everyday stresses.

 

And, finally..

We all carry emotions relating to memories that are our own or our ancestors..

At times these memories are triggered, and brought to the forefront. Finding ways to release and resolve the emotions associated with these memories can greatly enhance our quality of life, and ultimately our overall health and well-being. We cannot change what happened in the past, but we can let go of the emotions and file those memories away in the filing cabinet that is our history.

Do you know someone like Bill?

Reiki and Energy healing or other types of Energy Medicine may be just what they need!

By admin Fatigue, Stress

Fatigue and Stress: Resolving the Stress

I want to look at the issue of Fatigue and Stress, and ways we can resolve that stress.

Are you always tired? With no obvious reason to be tired? Ever wondered if your emotions are triggering your fatigue?

Or perhaps you know that you have experienced some emotional trauma in your life and that it still weighs you down?

 

Past Traumas

If you know you experienced trauma in the past perhaps its time to take steps to deal with it?

Just having someone to talk to can be enough. There are many Counsellors and Psychotherapists out there. Look for one that draws you and feels a good fit. You may need to meet with a few to find the one that suits your needs.

Reiki and Energy Healing can help release those traumas from the body.

Hypnotherapy also works with the subconscious, releasing the emotions and replacing them with something more positive.

Another option is Emotional Blueprint Coaching. A unique combination of reflexology and counselling / visualisation / journeying it will also release the negative emotions and replace them with those that are more positive.

 

The NOW Stuff

A certain amount of stress and pressure can be invigorating. It stimulates adrenalin, increasing focus, physical ability and energy. However, long term or excessive stress will lead to exhaustion and an inability to ‘see the light at the end of the tunnel’.

Our daily lives have become more and more stressful and demanding, we are set huge expectations and given no time for ourselves. We don’t always get enough sleep or take time to eat well or to honour our own needs.

And if we do allow ourselves some “me time” in which to destress and breathe, to do that something just for ourselves, then we feel guilty because we ‘should’ be doing something else…

Does this sound familiar in your life? Could you be affected by Fatigue and Stress? If so its time to start make changes…

 

So.. Where to Start to Address Your Fatigue and Stress?

Start small, with just one thing at a time. Work up to the bigger things and make sure to tell yourself you deserve to look after yourself. If we do not nurture ourselves we will end up unable to nurture anyone else..

Some examples of small steps you could consider are:

  • Go to bed at a reasonable time. If you are concerned about not having ‘done everything’ then take a step back and ask “Do I really need to do that now? Can it wait till tomorrow?”

 

  • Schedule time for yourself each day.  Put it in your daily agenda and stick to it. Whether you sit for 10 minutes with your coffee, have a bath, read a book, listen to music, go for a walk or call a friend for a chat.

 

  • Make time for lunch, just 15minutes is a good beginning. Put away work, leave your desk, turn off your phone, perhaps go outside.. disconnect and take time out of your day to focus on the food and enjoy every mouthful.

 

  • Find an activity you like and commit to it…. Walking, a reading group, singing, sewing, meditating, playing sports or going to yoga are just some examples. Being with other people can be great for the soul too.

 

  • Schedule a treat for yourself. Maybe you like massage, reflexology or reiki. Or would like to get a manicure?

 

And finally – ask for help – this is something we often find so hard to do. There is no shame in saying “I am overwhelmed, I cannot do all this on my own”.

It is not a failure, it is what we, as human beings, need to do. Your family and friends are there to support you as you support them, we all have limitations and sharing a task can be beneficial to everyone involved.

 

And remember..

 

Society has too much blame, shame and guilt.. We all have the right to enjoy our lives, to do what brings pleasure and to not feel guilty about doing so. We can only be there for others if we nurture ourselves first.

 

Find pleasure and joy in your life and let fatigue be a thing of the past!

By admin Concussion, Pain

Concussion Treatment: The Autonomic Nervous System – The Missing Piece?

There are many articles, a wealth of information and numerous opinions available on the topic of Concussion Treatment.

Most treatment revolves around the physical aspect of the trauma. Whilst this is essential, there are other aspects that should be considered.

The Autonomic Nervous System

Concussion and Traumatic Brain Injuries result in a complex process that has a systemic effect on the body. In particular, there is an impact on the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS).

The ANS controls the automatic, unconscious processes in our body such as heart and respiration rate, blood pressure and digestion. It also controls our being in a state of relaxation or of fight / flight.

Dysregulation of the ANS has been shown to trigger an inflammatory response, arrhythmias (irregular heart beat / palpitations), depressed immune system, irritable bowel syndrome, depression, anxiety, as well as being a factor in psychiatric disorders.

It may also contribute to generalized anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, panic disorders or a tendency to be over-reactive to external or internal stressors.

More information on Autonomic Dysfunction after Mild Traumatic Brain Injury https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5575620/

Conventional Concussion Treatment

Conventional concussion treatment usually involves the following pieces, and will be complemented by the addition of the above modalities to address ANS dysfunction

  • Rest
  • Exercise
  • Manual Therapy – Massage, Chiropractic, Osteopathy, Physiotherapy
  • Diet and Nutrition – reduce inflammation and feed the body and brain
  • Vision and Vestibular rehabilitation
  • Professional emotional support, Counselling and Talk Therapies

More info on standard treatment approaches can be found on these websites:

http://www.braininjuries.org/

https://completeconcussions.com/2016/06/29/top-5-evidence-based-treatment-concussion/

And in this article about rehabilitation for concussion:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4387881/

Concussion Treatment: The Missing Piece?

Dysfunction in the Autonomic Nervous system impacts so many aspects of our health. Providing treatments and strategies to address this is essential for complete healing to occur. The ANS needs to calmed and brought back into a state of homeostasis in order for all other systems of the body to function normally.

What can be done?

There are many ways to address the dysfunction. Every person is an individual and may need one or more approaches.

Sleep

Probably the most important! Making sure to rest when needed, to go to bed at a reasonable time and to sleep as long as your body needs. Try to make your bedroom dark, quiet and not too warm. Remove all electronics from the room and stop using them at least 2hrs prior to going to bed.

In addition, allowing space and giving yourself permission to nap whenever required can be extremely beneficial.

Mindfulness and meditation

Working to calm the mind, to bring focus and to take time to consciously slow the breathing affects the body in a profound way. It can bring the ANS into a state of rest and digest. Breathing techniques such as Somatic breathwork can be used at any time throughout the day to bring a sense of calm.

Meditation: there are many approaches and styles so find the one that works for you. You can introduce a daily practice starting with a few minutes, use an app, or go to a class.

Yoga

If done correctly yoga is an exercise in breathing, mindfulness, and a form of meditation as well a physical practice. Choose a teacher who is sympathetic to your limitations and always work within your own comfort level. It is not a competition, there will always be someone in the class who is more flexible or more agile than you.

You may wish to seek out a teacher offering private yoga classes who can provide a program that is tailored to your unique needs. I recommend Michael Dynie in Ottawa.

Energy Healing

There are many Energy Healing modalities such as Reiki, Pranic Healing and Chakra Balancing. They all work with the energy in your body and bring a deep sense of relaxation. They can also work on a deeper level to release the shock and trauma of your injury from the subconscious and your body.

Massage and Reflexology

Although massage is usually thought of as a physical treatment for the soft tissues of the body, it can be highly affective for calming the nervous system. Reflexology also brings deep relaxation.

Conclusion

Anyone suffering from concussion or traumatic brain injury may benefit from the addition of modalities to calm the ANS and bring about a state of homeostasis. In particular, where a more convention treatment protocol is not bringing results and healing, this may be the missing piece.

By admin PTSD, Trauma

Can you heal PTSD?

Can you heal PTSD?

PTSD seems to be such a common condition these days. So is it possible to heal PTSD?

The short answer is “Yes, you can heal PTSD!”, but it is a process and there is no quick fix. It requires effort on your part, a multidisciplinary approach and a lot of patience.

By “heal PTSD” I do not imply that you will return to being the person you were before the trauma. That unlikely to happen. However, you can regain peace, purpose and enjoyment in your life, find a new direction. Using the trauma to learn, to grow and move forward. For some it becomes a gift in disguise.

I am a strong believer that everything happens for a reason, even the worst nightmares.. if we can meet them with an attitude of love, acceptance and ask “What can I learn from this?” Bringing an intention to leave the anger and fear behind and to see the silver lining in our experiences helps us to move forward and to heal.

Who can have PTSD?

It is not just the military who will suffer from PTSD. Witnessing or experiencing any traumatic event that triggers intense pain, fear, horror or feelings of helplessness can result in PTSD. These events can be the death of a loved one, serious illness or injury, or abuse (sexual, physical or emotional). However the experience is unique to the individual and there are no rules as to what will cause PTSD.

It is important not to compare yourself to others or to belittle your own experience. Yes, some people survive the most horrific events and seem to be unaffected, whilst for others a seemingly small event will result in full blown PTSD. We all carry memories from our ancestors (genetic memories), from our previous lives, and of course from our own life experiences. These all influence how we react to the events we witness or experience.

Do you have PTSD?

The body can express the trauma in many ways and everyone is unique. The symptoms fall into 5 main categories. Sufferers may experience one, some or all of these types of symptoms and they may come and go.

  1. Re-experiencing the traumatic event through intrusive memories, flashbacks, nightmares, or intense mental or physical reactions when reminded of the trauma.
  2. Avoidance and numbing such as avoiding anything that reminds you of the trauma, being unable to remember aspects of the trauma, a loss of interest in activities and life in general, feeling emotionally numb and detached from others and feeling a sense of a limited future.
  3. Hyper-arousal, including sleep problems, irritability, hyper-vigilance (on constant “red alert”), feeling jumpy or easily startled, angry outbursts, and aggressive, self-destructive, or reckless behaviour.
  4. Negative thought and mood changes like feeling alienated and alone, difficulty concentrating or remembering, depression and hopelessness, feeling mistrust and betrayal, and feeling guilt, shame, or self-blame.
  5. Pain. It is not unusual to have chronic, unexplainable headaches and body pain that comes and goes.

PTSD symptoms in children

Unfortunately, children can also experience PTSD following events in their lives. They will show different symptoms of their PTSD. These can include the following:

  • Fear of being separated from their parent or care giver
  • Regression such as needing a bottle again and loss of previously-acquired skills such as toilet training, bed wetting
  • Sleep problems and night terrors
  • Play in which themes or aspects of the trauma are repeated. Acting out the trauma through play, stories, or drawings
  • New phobias and anxieties that seem unrelated to the trauma such as fear of monsters under the bed
  • Aches and pains with no apparent cause
  • Irritability and aggression, mood swings, disconnecting from the present. It is not unusual for them to receive a diagnosis of ADD, ADHD or Autism.

So How Do You Heal PTSD?

I have worked with many sufferers of PTSD and Trauma and have had great pleasure in seeing them move forward and enjoy life again. For most it seems that a multi-disciplinary approach works best when seeking to heal PTSD. It is necessary to address the mind, body and spirit. Many modern approaches address the mind by using medication and counselling / talk therapies. Of course this has immense value, but it is just the start for many sufferers.

For most clients we find that the following pieces are beneficial. There is no particular order and they may work on one aspect, move to another then return to the previous. Each person needs to listen to what they need at the time and allow the process to be fluid and flexible, it is their own unique journey.

  • Develop ways to function and get back to everyday activities, find a sense of normality
  • Nourish the physical body and reduce inflammation with good diet and nutrition
  • Release the trauma from the Mind
  • Release the trauma from the Body

Therapies to Heal PTSD

Here are just some of the modalities and therapies to be considered when you want to heal PTSD.

Mental Health Professionals and Medication

Counselling and Mental Health

There are many Psychiatrists and Psychologists along with Counsellors and Psychotherapists who specialise in PTSD and Trauma.

Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, MD, a psychiatrist at the Boston University School of Medicine and one the world’s leading experts on trauma, is convinced that talk therapy isn’t that effective, and psychiatric drugs don’t get to the root of traumatic issues. He is not the only one to believe that medication is best used as crutch, to get over the worst, and allow healing to begin.

He says: “The study of trauma shows that you cannot “knock sense” into people by talking to them. Trauma is not an issue of cognition. It’s an issue of disordered biological systems.”

Body Centered Psychotherapies, such as Somatic Experiencing, also recognize that trauma causes memory to be somaticised, or stored in the body.

Based on my experience, I agree with this. You may be interested in the book by Dr. Bessel van der Kolk; The Body Keeps Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma. The book talks about how the brain is shaped by traumatic experiences, how traumatic stress is experienced by the entire body, and how this knowledge needs to be integrated into conventional treatment.

Relax, meditate, calm the nervous system…

Deregulation of the brain areas associated with emotional regulation and memory is a key contributor to the symptoms associated with PTSD. This is in addition to the overactivity of the fear centre, the amygdala. Mindfulness reverses these patterns by increasing prefrontal and hippocampal activity, and toning down the amygdala.

Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) is a widely available eight-week program (with meetings once weekly) in which participants learn techniques promoting self-awareness, the integration of body and mind, and non-judgmental acceptance of their experience in the present.  MBSR, based on Buddhist and other ancient meditative practices, was introduced as a program in 1979 by Jon Kabat-Zinn, Ph.D., at the University of Massachusetts. It has been found to be effective for a broad range of issues, including chronic pain, anxiety, depression, high blood pressure, substance abuse, and adjustment to life stress, such as serious illness.

Gratitude practice. Take the time to count your blessings. Write or say out loud as many things as you can think of for which you are grateful. This could be a spouse, child, friend, the sunshine, the nice meal you had, music, flowers, a pet, a thoughtful act or words by another.. the list is endless. If you can only find one or two to start that is all good.

Meditation. Try a home meditation app or audio, join a group (there are many), book a one on one meditation session. Then have the intention to spend some time every day, starting with just a few minutes and work from there. And the days you find it really hard or it does not happen at all? Do not judge, be kind to yourself.

Massage, Acupuncture, Reiki, Energy healing, Somatic breathwork, Tai Chi, Qi Gong and many other modalities will calm your nervous system. Give them a try. Reiki, Energy Healing and other approaches such as Emotional Blueprint (I personally found a huge benefit from this) also help to release trauma from the body.

Diet and Nutrition

Nourish the physical body and reduce inflammation with good diet and nutrition.

Removing inflammatory foods such as wheat, sugars and processed foods helps calm our physical body. Ensuring plenty of fresh vegetables and some fruit also reduces inflammation and provides essential nutrients. A Registered Holistic Nutritionist can help you with making changes and a diet tailored to your needs.

Taking supplements such as magnesium and curcumin can help with inflammation and pain, and melatonin can help sleep. A Clinical Herbalist can also help you with herbs for nutrition, pain, cognitive function, sleep, and inflammation.

Move

Exercise is so important. It stimulates circulation, clears the mind and nourishes us. Move in any way you can.. a walk, ride, swim, Tai Chi or Qi Gong exercises, yoga.. Going outside is great if possible for you, if not consider an online exercise program you can do at home. Try to join a group / class and have the added benefit of other people.

Conclusion:

It is possible to heal PTSD. Accept it will take time. Start with small steps and do not judge when you appear to take a step backwards. Seek help from others, and put together a team of people / modalities that nurture you over time.

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By admin Emotions, energy, Energy healing, hypothyroidism, Movement, Reiki, Stress, Weight Loss

Can You Heal Hypothyroidism?

I have been asked many times whether it is possible to heal hypothyroidism.

As someone who was diagnosed with hypothyroidism, and was able to resolve it, I want to share my story.

The diagnosis

In 1999, during a period of enormous stress at work, I started to have anxiety, panic attacks and was feeling exhausted all the time no matter how long I slept. My resting pulse was around 50 and in addition, I just could not get warm; I was wearing sweaters and sleeping with 2 duvets and a hot water bottle.. in August!

My doctor did a blood test and I came back with elevated TSH, the hormone that stimulates the thyroid. This is the usual test that your family doctor will use to assess thyroid function.

I was prescribed Synthroid, a form of Levothyroxine, was told I would never be able to get off it, and likely the dose would increase over time. When I first started taking it I felt amazing, my energy was back and I was no longer cold.. great improvement!

At that stage in my life I took the doctor’s word when they said I could never get off the Synthroid and simply got on with my life…

The emotional component to heal hypothyroidism

In 2010 I had met my mentor, Roger, a Shamanic Healer and Teacher of the Eastern Tantra. His initial assessment was that my throat chakra was blocked, the reason for this being a need to first connect wth who I was and what my needs were, then express myself and be heard.. Again this made total sense to me in relation to my family history (genetic memories) and my own upbringing and life events.

We worked to release that blockage, to connect with my heart, to open to my own self worth and to learn to find my voice and expect to be heard. I can only describe this as a ‘growing into myself’, it was an amazing journey of self discovery and self acceptance. To let go of the self doubt, the efforts to please everyone all the time and to be continually seeking acceptance and affirmation from others. To learn to accept myself for who I was at that time and to be able to truly say “I love myself and all my imperfections, I am a good person. I deserve to love and be loved”

This process is still underway, I do not think I will ever stop seeking self improvement and growth.

Next steps to heal hypothyroidism

In 2012 it was suggested that my low thyroid may, in part, be caused by inflammation and auto-immune issues triggered by diet. I had done some of my own research and found information on the relationship between a wheat / gluten intolerance and thyroid issues so this made sense to me. I stopped eating gluten (wheat, rye, barley) and corn. Many of my symptoms improved: the goosebumps on the skin on my arms and digestion, I would wake up feeling rested, and I had fewer aches and pains.

In fact, by 2013 I felt so well that I decided to attempt to stop my Synthroid. My doctor was not supportive, however, intuitively I knew I did not need it. I used a nail file and swiped the pill over the file an extra time each day. This reduced the dose extremely gradually.

About 3 months after I had completely stopped I had a blood test that showed my thyroid (TSH) to be within normal range if on the high end. After 3 more months the TSH was a very good normal and it has stayed that way for 5 years now.

So, can you heal hypothyroidism?

I am not saying this will work for everyone, but it certainly worked for me, and it has also worked for a number of my clients.

I recommend a two part approach.

Addressing diet, allergies, intolerances and nutrition by seeking the advice of a Naturopathic Doctor or Functional Medicine Practitioner and to also consult someone who practices Energy Healing, Reiki, Shamanic Healing or other person who can assess the energy blockages in your body. In so doing you address the physiological and the emotional / energetic components.

 

Disclaimer: It is not recommended to stop any prescription medication without consulting the doctor who prescribed it. The above method worked for me, however, we are all different, so it is not guaranteed to work for you.

 

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By admin Alcohol, Alcoholic, Drinking, Emotions, Energy healing, Pain, Reiki, Stress, Trauma

Stop Drinking Alcohol

So you want to stop drinking alcohol.. Tried already? Maybe several times with no success?

It can be extremely hard to quit this addiction and it is important to realise that we are all unique, and that no one approach works for everyone…

Studies have shown that addiction is due to both genetic factors and also to poor coping strategies and environmental factors. “Genes and Addiction”

First and most important make the intention not to judge yourself, not to feel guilt and shame.. drinking a lot is often a way of coping, it is a need. Once you can discover what drives you to drink it becomes much easier to make the necessary changes to stop drinking alcohol.

Why do you drink alcohol?

When we are unable to reduce the amount we drink, or to stop completely, there is always an underlying need for the alcohol. Unless we address that underlying reason we are unlikely to be successful.

There is of course the chemical addiction to the alcohol. However, having the genetic predisposition for addiction does not mean that you will get that disease..

I have had many clients who confess to an inability to moderate their drinking. There is always a pain in their life. The emotional stressors that I see most often when clients are finding it hard to stop drinking alcohol are loneliness, rejection, physical / emotional / sexual abuse in childhood and / or adulthood, and fear. Some may have very low self esteem, a sense of having no value, no self worth.

Anxiety and depression can also be factors, along with physical pain caused by injuries, and conditions such as arthritis and headaches.

How to stop drinking alcohol

As I said earlier, there is no one size fits all.. you need to look at the options that are available, try different things and accept there is no magic bullet, one time quick fix. Most people need several different approaches to successfully stop.

You may wish to consider one or more of the following. They are in no specific order.

  1. Admit the issue, the fact you drink too much, to yourself and to those close to you. It is not important to label yourself as alcoholic, just accept the need to reduce / stop.
  2. Seek help from professionals. Resources include your family doctor, counselling / talk therapy, other healing modalities, AA meetings and other support groups.
  3. Avoid comparing yourself to others. We are all different, what works for one will not necessarily work for another.
  4. Decide whether you want to stop completely or try to reduce your consumption. Maybe as a start designate just one or two nights a week for alcohol instead of every night.
  5. Avoid temptation – Choose to spend time with friends who don’t drink or who are happy to avoid it when they are with you and go to places where alcohol is not served.
  6. Replace the alcohol with something else. E.g. If you always drink in the evening find something else to snack on, or to drink, or find an activity you can do with others.
  7. Look at the benefits – better sleep, less wasted time, more connected to others, more meaningful conversations, money saved.. etc..

Addressing the underlying pain

Accepting that there may be underlying emotional issues connected with your drinking can be hard. Mental health still has a lot of stigma attached to it. We all have baggage that we carry, from our own lives, our genetic memories passed down from parents, grandparents etc, and, some believe, soul memories too.

When you are ready to “go there”, or to take a look and see if that may be why you cannot stop drinking, it is important to seek help from a health professional. There are many options available including psychological services such as counselling and psychotherapy, as well as energy healing, shamanic healing, church ministers and more.

Remember healing is an ongoing process. Don’t judge yourself if you slip, accept the relapse and move on, get back on track. It is quite normal to slip a number of times before you reach a point where you are satisfied with changes you have made.

Withdrawal Symptoms

Depending on how much you are drinking and how quickly you reduce your intake you may experience withdrawal from the alcohol.

These symptoms can include psychological symptoms such as irritability, poor concentration, feeling shaky, feeling tired, difficulty sleeping or bad dreams.

Physical alcohol withdrawal symptoms including trembling hands, sweating, headache, nausea, vomiting, palpitations and lack of appetite. Severe physical side effects include convulsions, confusion, fever and even hallucinations. If you experience physical withdrawal symptoms of any kind, you should see your doctor as soon as possible.

 

I wish you success in your journey to stop drinking alcohol!

 

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By admin Energy healing, Meditation, Reiki, Sleep, Stress

Simple Ways to Sleep Better

There are so many things going on in our lives these days, we are constantly busy, rushing around, keeping “to do lists” in our heads and generally racing through life at 100 miles an hour that we all need simple ways to sleep better.

It doesn’t help that we are constantly pressured by others, and that we feel guilty if we do take a little time for ourselves. The thing we often lose sight of is that unless we look after ourselves we cannot be there for everyone else.

Simple Ways to Sleep Better

Often, we cannot change our lives – kids still have to be taken to hockey games, meals have to be prepared, and work places all sorts of demands on us, add to that the need to fit some exercise in somewhere and that makes for a full day every day.

If we want to improve our sleep, we need to allow our minds to slow down, and to be restful. The only way most of us will ever get the time to unwind and slow down a little is if we schedule it into our days. Just 20 – 30min can make a world of difference.

Mornings

Try getting up 20minutes early, before anyone else, practice being still and quiet. Enjoy the sound of the silence..

During the day

Allow yourself to take lunch, get out of the office, go for a walk, or to a coffee shop, or, even better, sit outside in a park or by the canal. Breathe, watch the world go by and actually taste your lunch.

In the evening

Schedule some me time before bed. Turn off the electronic devices, dim the lights, be quiet and still, maybe listen to music or have a bath.

Meditation – try a mindfulness practice – even 10minutes in the morning and at night can bring real improvements in your sleep.

One simple way to be more mindful is to use your own breathing. This could be done in bed, when you wake up, or sitting in a chair before you go to bed at night.

Focus on your breathing, just watch and notice whether you breath only in your upper chest or lower down, and how long it takes for each breath in and out.

Then slow the breath down, count the breath in and count it out, make sure that the in is as long as the out and that you breathe all the way down into your belly, not just into your ribs. If your mind wanders, simply bring the focus back to the breathing – the more you practice, the easier it gets.

 

Exercise

This can really help wth stress and tension. Try to get some mild to moderate exercise most days. It does not have to be an intense work out at the gym, just going for a walk for 20-30minutes will help. Avoid high intensity exercise in the evening as it can take a while for your body to slow down and prepare for sleep. Try to plan any serious workouts for morning or lunchtime and something slower and more relaxing such as a walk in the evening.

 

Some therapies that can help:

Massage – regular sessions relax your body, lower blood pressure and provide you with time dedicated just to YOU.

Reiki, Chakra Balancing and Energy Healing will also calm the body, release emotions and stress and bring a deep sense of calm. So often we are stuck in our heads, with our busy minds – be more grounded and connected to the rest of your body.

Acupuncture, acupressure and reflexology all balance the whole body, improving circulation, and lowering stress levels.

Book yourself for a session every few weeks, or as often as you can afford. Health plans usually cover some of these therapies, but if not its worth investing in yourself!

 

And finally..

Remember, there is no judgement and no guilt if you cannot commit to a regular time to slow down.. whatever you manage to fit in, however little or irregular, it is all better than nothing!

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By admin Back pain, Emotions, Energy healing, Pain, PTSD, Reiki, Stress, Trauma

Reiki For Stress

Have you ever had a really stressful week or a period in your life when everything seems overwhelming and you react to the silliest things? This is the perfect time to use Reiki for Stress.

Why are you reacting?

It may be “now stuff”

The reactions may be obvious, and due to current, everyday stresses such as your ignorant boss, the pressure of deadlines at work, relationship issues (work or home) or events in your family life. Try taking the time to sit and to be still, look at what is happening in your life and bring awareness to any issues that are triggering you. Are they worthy of the response they trigger? This can help bring an appreciation of why you are stressed and is often the first step to doing something about it.

Maybe we are simply overloaded with ‘stuff’ in our lives at that time, and the small event that triggered that huge response was the final straw, the one that pushed us over the edge.

Or it may be “old stuff”

We all carry memories and emotions from past events in our own lives, our parents’ lives or maybe soul memories. For some of us these can be quite intense and strong, for others less so. It does not always have any relation to the size / number of the trauma / emotional events. I have met people who have experienced the most terrible traumas who have been able to let it go, and to put it in the past, and others who had apparently less traumatic experiences who cannot move beyond them.

Choosing not to react

Whether its “now stuff” or “old stuff”, or a combination of both, I recommend that you try Reiki for Stress.

I have had quite a number of clients who say, “I have done years of counselling so it can’t be anything to do with that trauma..”

But it can.. the talking works with the mind, and rarely addresses the emotions and memories stored in the body. It is a wonderful modality that helps you to develop coping strategies and to move on, to live your life, to function and often achieve successes. For some people it is all they need, and it resolves the emotions in the body too.

However, for others it is less effective at addressing those emotions held in the body. It can be likened to packaging things up in boxes, and storing those boxes in the closet. They are out of sight, out of mind, but they are still there, festering. At any point another event in your life reminds you of what is in those boxes and out they come..

Reiki for Stress

Reiki is a wonderful tool. It brings deep relaxation and grounding, Helping the body to release the current stresses and events. People report feeling more calm, more ‘Zen” and better able to cope with things that were overwhelming prior to the session.

It also goes much deeper. Reiki is all about facilitating whatever the body needs at the time. It is not about forcing anything to happen. It helps the body to open the closet and to bring out and dispose of the boxes stored there. It is not necessary to open the boxes, to go back and relive the event / trauma in the way many talk therapies work. It is enough to acknowledge the emotions involved and to let them go.

I am honoured to have had the opportunity to work with quite a number of clients with PTSD and serious trauma in their lives, and to be a part of their healing. It is often an amazing journey we take together.

Case study

I have had a client recently who had experienced terrible abuse in childhood. They were suffering from acute anxiety and a lot of physical pain, particularly in their back and legs. A simple journey to run errands was an ordeal of anxiety, and if family were coming to dinner they were exhausted before anyone arrived just from the stress of organising the dinner. We have worked together now for several months, releasing the emotions and shock stored in the body. There have been sessions where there were tears, and some when they shook violently as the body let go of the tensions created by all that fear.

Their friends have noticed a softening in their face, a relaxing, they can now do an errand to a new place with just the normal amount of anxiety, and having family to dinner is a breeze, something to be enjoyed not endured. And the pain? Well, that is so much better. Fear and trauma often relate to back and leg pain.

Using Reiki for Stress For Yourself

We can all benefit from regular Reiki sessions (me included). You may wish to come once a month or so for maintenance to help you remain calm and relaxed. Many of my clients do this, booking every 3-5 weeks.

For deeper traumas it is often more beneficial to come weekly at first, however, this is a process and we both need to respect the time required in between sessions to allow the body to process. There is no set frequency, no expectation of how often you will come, and we will discuss at each visit when would be best to return.

Find out about what to expect in a Reiki session HERE.

CLICK HERE to book a complementary Discovery Session with me; find out more.