(1) I never underestimate my body’s ability to heal:

One of my practice members really struggled early on with believing that anything would ever help (completely fair given the sheer number of things she had tried for years). This week, I noticed we hadn’t talked about her initial concern in a few visits so I checked in and she said ‘oh that? It’s gone now’. 

I hear stories like this every day so maybe it makes it easier to remember that it’s incredible what your body can adapt to and heal from given the right conditions. I see it all the time in my office, when we restore function and mobility you feel better.

Don’t underestimate the power of your body to heal and be gentle with what you do, focus on soothing your mind and decreasing the tension or tone in your Nervous System. Gentle movement will always help by flushing away inflammation and letting your amazing body heal.

(2) As much as I want to, I never keep poking and prodding and pushing on sore spots. 

If you just cut your finger would you pull off the bandaid every few minutes to see if it was ‘better’? 

Even if it ‘hurts so good’ in the moment you are making it worse in the long run. 

Let it be and let your body heal. And yes, this also applies to continually moving in the way it hurts, or some strange motion you never normally do, to see if it still hurts (spoiler: it does, it’s been 5 minutes).

Note: I am a doctor but I may not be YOUR doctor. If you’re working with a practitioner who has given you specific, personalized advice and has had hands and eyes on the area then absolutely follow their advice (though I doubt it includes poking and prodding viciously into inflamed tissue so maybe double-check on that).

(3) I would never automatically start stretching a sore, tight-feeling muscle.

It’s true, when something feels ‘tight’ or painful it seems like now’s a good time to stretch it out. And it might be. 

But it could also be your Nervous System protecting an overly mobile joint. And in this case, stretching will exacerbate the problem by forcing a joint past where it needs to be for you to heal. 

If you aren’t sure please get some eyes on it before deciding that since you normally stretch, say, oh I don’t know, never that every hour is a good start. That’s a whole lot for your already stressed system. 

Instead, start with other ways of relaxing muscles:

• an Epsom salt bath

• gentle movement in the form of walking

• deep breathing

• contracting the opposite muscle  (try to contract your bicep and tricep at the same time, impossible, so by contracting one you automatically relax the other - this tip works great for cramps too btw)

(4) I would never forget that my emotional state is going to affect my Nervous System and that can slow or speed my ability to heal.

We are not mechanical robots. Sometimes our body is trying to get our attention by causing discomfort when we need to address something emotional in our lives. 

Your body manifests mental/emotional stress physically. Don’t believe me, have you ever:

• Heard bad news and felt a knot in your stomach?

• Had to talk in front of a group and had sweaty palms?

• Gone through a significant loss and felt absolute bone-deep exhaustion?

• Or who can relate to this one - earlier this week chatting with a wonderful practice member about lice (as you do) it wasn’t long before I was scratching my head. 

There’s absolutely no doubt whatsoever that your emotions will show up physically. So if you’re experiencing discomfort it might be time for an internal inquiry. What might be feeling out of balance in your life? It certainly can’t hurt to check-in.

(5) I never ignore my gut if I feel there is something more going on and I need help. 

This has been learned through years of pushing through pain, not asking for help and wondering why it took so long to heal and seeing it over and over again in practice. 

If your gut feels uneasy with what’s going on in your body, or especially mom’s in your kiddo’s body please listen. Get it checked out. Even if it is really nothing serious now you know. You aren’t wasting anyone’s time and your peace of mind is more than worth it (see number 4) and most definitely can make your healing feel harder or easier. Choose easier.