I recently treated a client's lower back pain using relaxation and visualization. Although x-rays showed some malformation, medical testing had failed to pinpoint a physical cause. Further discussion led to the discovery of a psychological component caused in part by job dissatisfaction.
The man was nearing retirement, but couldn't endure the daily grind any longer. The only way for him to retire and still receive his full financial compensation was to become ill. In hypnosis he was able to recall the exact moment when his mind and body conspired to heed his emotional plea for relief. He had willed himself to be sick.
To lesser degrees, we can make ourselves ill to avoid speaking in front of a crowd, attending a dreaded event, or facing an unpleasant truth. We also initiate illness without habitual thoughts and spoken curses. I hear people proclaim, "I get the flu every year," or "I catch three colds every winter," and, worse, "I'm probably going to die of heart disease; it runs in my family."
In my workaholic family, we were only allowed to rest if we were physically impaired. I realized at a young age that I could escape chores if I faked stomach pains or a headache. I became so good at making myself sick that eventually the headaches took on a life of their own and I eventually developed chronic migraines. Even though I no longer required my headaches to have an excuse to relax when I reached adulthood, I was still stuck with them for many years.
Fortunately, I discovered that with hypnotic relaxation I could find relief from pain. I eventually rid myself of migraines by allowing my mind to let go of the root cause.
Keep in mind that every thought carries with it tremendous potential. The power of the placebo is well documented. When a person believes there is cure inside a pill, the fact that it is made of sugar matters little. This substantiates further the reality of the mind-body connection. Visualization is now an accepted adjunct to traditional cancer treatment. The patient plays a greater role in their own care by imagining friendly little sharks swimming around in the bloodstream devouring the cancer cells.
Most agree that we have created a healthcare system that is impersonal, wasteful, costly, and problem-oriented, and that we each must have a self-empowering attitude toward our health. We can help our body heal itself every day.
I marvel at the advancements in medical technology. I am even more amazed, however, by the capabilities of the mind, body and soul. I encourage a more holistic approach throughout the medical community. I became a registered nurse to offer individualized care. When I felt limited in that capability I had to leave medical bureaucracy. This frustration is widespread, leading, in part, to our present nursing shortage.
You can take control of your physical and mental health by giving yourself permission to heal from the inside out. No amount of medication or surgery can fix you if you fail to change your belief about your mind's ability to initiate the cure. To successfully influence healing, your mental focus has to originate in a positive attitude:
Stop telling people that you are sick. Even if you feel lousy, smile and say, "I am feeling better each day."
- Remind yourself that every cell in your body is programmed for perfect health and your body knows exactly what to do to heal completely.
- Eat an abundance of nourishing foods and add supplements to prevent disease by strengthening your immune system.
- Take time each day to relax, pay respect to your body, and analyze messages that come to you in the form of physical symptoms.
- The medical community can assist you. Remember, though, you always have the right to ask for a second opinion and a complete explanation.
- Be aware of the many wonderful alternative health options. There are many paths to wellness.
Listen very carefully to the worlds that come out of your mouth or echo in your mind. You will be surprised how editing your self-talk can positively affect your health.
(C) Copyright 2005 Pamela Harper
|
