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With chronic health conditions on the rise, it's troubling to see so many suffering from an array of symptoms, often for many years, going from medication to medication, offered no real solution by mainstream medicine. Frustrated and at the end of their tether they may eventually seek help from an "alternative" health practitioner (like myself) and are then totally surprised when their symptoms disappear without the need for medication or drugs.
One of my clients who suffered for years with itchy, painful skin experienced such a surprising transformation which illustrated a major difference between the traditional medical model and a holistic health approach. Mainstream medicine didn't truly ask this one question. Find out, if you ask it of yourself or of others you enlist to help with your health concerns.
For years my client experienced horrific burning, itchy and painful skin over a large portion of her body. She to struggled to sleep, to focus and to function. She was miserable and none of the numerous medical doctors and specialists were able to help her. Every one of them would put her on a different medication in the hope that it would offer her some relief, but no one asked the most crucial question, which was WHY?
WHY did she get sick in the first place? What was the CAUSE of her symptoms?
Everyone should always take a moment to ask this when faced with a symptom or with poor health.
Sometimes the symptom is beneficial. Such as a fever which suppresses replication of a virus or bacteria, or diarrhea needed to flush out a parasite. If we listen to our symptoms they can be a helpful warning sign, a hazard light, telling us to pay attention and to address it, not cover it up.
If acute, addressing it might mean: to rest, to eat better, to get more sleep, to allow the diarrhea, vomiting or fever to run its course. If the symptom or symptoms are more chronic, a deeper investigation is required.
You may need to ask yourself or your health professional...WHY do I have high blood pressure? WHY do I struggle to get to sleep? WHY do I get regular headaches & migraines? WHY do I get reflux or heartburn?
Because it is certainly NOT because of a shortage of blood pressure medications, sleeping pills, painkillers or omeprazole!
If you're thinking it's genetic, consider this. Only 5 to 7% of all diseases are thought to have a genetic cause. As they say, our genes load the gun, but our environment pulls the trigger.
Before we think of taking a medication for any symptom, surely we must ask... "Is this necessary? Is this a long term solution? Have I worked out WHY?"
For short term relief or when a life-saving intervention is needed then obviously medications have their place. But, it can be very challenging to come off a cocktail of medications. Many become almost reliant on them and in reality, they are usually making themselves sicker with the side effects, and with the fact they haven't addressed the underlying cause.
So, what was the root cause of my client's burning, itchy, painful skin?
Heavy metal toxicity from amalgam fillings! However, before she could safely remove the toxic metal fillings and help her body detoxify, we had to work together to heal her damaged gut and address multiple nutrient deficiencies. We also discovered her ability to detoxify was compounded not just by poor gut health and nutritional deficiencies but by an MTHFR gene mutation. One might argue it was the genetic mutation that was the cause. I'd argue it was only an aggravating factor and that the true root causes were toxic overload and poor nutrition.
Discovering the underlying root causes of a chronic health condition or complaint can be a little challenging without help from a qualified holistic health professional. But, if that is not in your budget, then I'd recommend you at least "go back to basics".
Go back to basics
What do I mean by "go back to basics"? Firstly think of the 3 major causes of poor health and see if it's possible to address any of them.
1. Emotional stress - such as negative thoughts, workplace stress, grief, overwork, trauma etc. Examples of tools to improve emotional stress include counselling, meditation, emotional freedom technique (EFT) and breathing techniques.
2. Biochemical stress - includes chemical toxins, (including drugs & medications), heavy metal toxicity, food intolerances, parasites, poor gut health, nutritional deficiencies and so much more. This may be helped by improving diet, avoiding alcohol and sugar, limiting medication use, reducing toxins in your home or beauty products.
3. Structural stress - injuries, repetitive stress, micro-trauma to the musculoskeletal structures of the body. Plus interference to the nerve system that controls the body. Or even blockages in the energy pathways within the body. Exercise, yoga, chiropractic care, acupuncture, massage and just some of the ways to reduce structural stress.
So, there is a second question...
In what areas do you think your body could do with more support?
The most common issue I find, and which I feel has the biggest impact on health and well-being is poor gut health. The gut or digestive system is responsible for nutrient absorption and eliminating waste. It plays a vital role in detoxifying and making sure we have all the building blocks needed to heal, grow and function. It also contains 70-80% of our immune system to fight off unwanted bugs. Furthermore, it has an impact on our brain and mental health through the intricate communication network between the two systems and through the guts production of essential neurotransmitters.
So if you are not sure where to start, I suggest you begin by healing your gut. For more detailed information feel free to check out "You are 90% bugs, but are you the right kind?" and "Top tips to heal your gut and improve your immune system". (If you're interested in my gut-healing Facebook support Group, it can be found here).
You only have one body, and it needs to last you a lifetime.
Pumping it full of drugs is not the answer to good health. Instead NOURISH your body, mind and soul with healthy real food, pure clean water, quality sleep, happy thoughts, and fun times. Then if you do get sick, remember to ask yourself WHY and address the CAUSE(S). As this is how we truly NOURISH to FLOURISH.