Everything is Connected

Everything is connected, just like how we are connected to each other and the environment.

When one factor is out of balance, we feel a disconnect. Hence when looking at our lives, we need to look at the big picture and see how one factor has a direct impact on the other.

Sometimes, I get enquiries from potential clients who ask if I could heal them from their pain, like eating disorders, anxiety, depression or people pleasing. Often, these potential clients express their desire to be free from what ails them. For example, they believe their lives will be perfect if they eliminate their desire to binge.

Is it that easy?

I don’t think so.

In case you didn’t know, I was a licensed acupuncturist for 14 years.

Traditional Chinese Medicine - Mind, Body & Spirit Connection

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the body is one part of the greater whole. Good health is a combination of a healthy and balanced mind, body, and spirit that also takes into account our environment.

In Western medicine, if you go to the doctor with chronic migraines, you will most likely be prescribed some of the most common drugs like eletriptan, zolmitriptan (Zomig) and sumatriptan (Imitrex).

However, according to TCM theory, migraines could be due to an imbalance in the Liver and the Heart, excess Fire, and rising Yang energy. To treat migraines, a Chinese Medicine practitioner will also look at the patient's stress level, diet, sleep quality, and mental health, as migraines are often due to unprocessed anger, depression, and anxiety.

When I was an acupuncturist, over half of my practice was treating fertility issues. Western medicine's approach to fertility issues is to often blame the women. Then, it will introduce assisted reproductive techniques, including in vitro fertilization, artificial insemination, and drug treatments.

We have been conditioned to look at the outward expression of our health and disregard the internal mechanisms that are causing it. We want to see X-rays, ultrasounds, or blood work to tell us what is wrong instead of listening to our bodies. While these tools are valuable and much needed, it is equally important to stop and listen to what our body tells us. In TCM, the mind, the spirit, and the emotions are thought to contribute to one’s overall health.  

Mental Health

What are other contributing factors to the “meh” feelings?

I invite you to look at what other factors might be contributing to your current mental, physical and spiritual health.

Personal example:

From 16 to my mid-30s, I had horrible hip and lower back pain, and I refused to take medications. I would often cry myself to sleep, and I spent many hours and money seeking help from chiropractors, massage therapists, acupuncturists, occupational therapists and other bodyworkers.

Did the treatments help? Yes, they provided relief from my pain, but only for a short period.

Why?

Because often, I would go back to running long distances and lifting weights immediately after seeking help to relieve pain.

I wasn’t honouring my body.

I wasn’t listening to my body.

I wasn’t dealing with the emotional pain that had shown up as physical pain.

When I finally worked on my past trauma in therapy, my overall pain went from a 10 to a 2. 10 being extreme.

Everything is Connected.

Besides starting therapy, I also took other actions, such as practicing yoga, alternating my workouts, getting regular treatments from my healthcare practitioners, reducing stress levels, and maintaining a healthy diet with sufficient hydration.
Yes, I still eat chocolates and chips occasionally

Imagine a professional athlete like Ilona Maher, an Olympian rugby player.

To be the best she can be in her sport, she must consider all the factors that will help her perform at her best.

Remember, it’s not about being perfect and putting a band-aid solution to your current situation.

What needs to shift?

What are other contributing factors that might be affecting your current situation?

Once you figure that out, consider what you can let go of and what you need to do to help you.

Do you need to reach out to your doctor? Your community? Reduce stress level and rest?

Sometimes, action looks like slowing down and allowing things to shift.

Because everything is connected, when you shift or let go of one thing, other parts also shift and change.