Is there a link between emotional trauma and physical pain?

One profound concept I've become very familiar with over the past year is this: physical ailments often start with a negative emotional experience. To the Western World of medicine, that idea is laughable. But with an open mind, you will begin to see consistent connections.

For example. Think of a person you know who has many physical issues. Do they also have many emotional issues too, like anxiety, depression, inability to change and move on, or parasitic tendencies? If you know when these physical issues began to surface for them in their life, it was probably within a year, or sometimes within days, of some sort of tragic experience (ie. abuse, abandonment, betrayal, etc).

As for myself, when I later learned this, the biggest issues for me were sciatic nerve pain and lower back pain. I let myself think back to when this began to be an issue. It wasn't until after my two oldest children were born, and it was really bad during my fourth pregnancy. What happened between those two? Oh...yeah...in my third pregnancy I miscarried my little boy at 20 weeks, and it was quite a despairing, depressing tragedy for me. My pain during my following (fourth) pregnancy was unbearable at times, and would've been debilitating without the assistance of some amazing essential oils and other supplements.

At that point I was desperately trying to heal, knowing that healing was possible, but I was missing something. I went to a chiropractor, but, like the oils, it helped manage my health and move me in the right direction, but there was something still blocking my complete recovery. A year after my fourth child was born, my husband and I were trying for our next child, and were having some difficulty. That is when my aunt introduced me to a book that would profoundly change my life. It's called The Emotion Code, by Dr. Bradley Nelson.

I got my hands on the book as fast as I could, knowing there was something good about it I needed to learn. Not only did it motivate me to learn Muscle Testing, but it opened my eyes to the concept that many physical ailments have an emotional root. It was this book that allowed me to identify the exact emotions literally "trapped" in my lower back and my sciatic nerve. This book has an incredible chart to identify these emotions via Muscle Testing.

There is a 18-minute video on YouTube of Dr. Bradley Nelson using this technique to release trapped emotions from a lady with some physical ailments.

Giving it a shot, I discovered that yes, indeed, I had emotions contributing to the discomfort in my lower back as well as contributing to hormonal imbalances. I soon discovered that I was carrying emotions of Longing, Heartache, Helplessness, Grief and Crying related to my miscarriage. I also discovered that I had other trapped emotions from my childhood lingering there. In fact, I had quite a few emotions related to my father from three years old that had actually caused my tailbone to curve forward. Have I been able to resolve these issues? YES! In fact, one of the reasons I've started this blog is because of these special gifts I've witnessed. I give gratitude to God for this, and for placing the right gifts and people in my life to teach me these important lessons. I am grateful that my heart has been open enough to allow these gifts to change my life.

* You may also be interested in reading Muscle Testing with Accuracy, or How do I ask my body what it needs?

How do I ask my body what it needs?

Now the big question: how do I listen to my body to ask what it needs?

There are a few ways you could go about this:

1. Trial and Error.
This is likely the method you are currently using, by trying out herbs, essential oils, supplements, chiropractic care, acupuncture, yoga, etc. and find out what makes you feel healthier, gives you more energy, etc. This is generally what most people do. This is what the average doctor does as well when he or she prescribes a medication too.

2. Machines, labs, and medical tests. 
Modern medicine has come up with some pretty invasive ways of narrowing down a condition or diagnosis, but rarely comes to a conclusion of identifying the real deficiency or cause. A safer, more affordable, and less invasive solution to identify health deficiencies has recently surfaced.  Commonly used by chiropractors and other professionals is the Zyto Hand Scanner, which measures the body's Galvanic Skin Response (GSR) to identify which supplements would most benefit the body. Although there is some negativity toward this technology floating around the internet, I have used it for myself and my clients with consistent and accurate results. It is limited, however, to specific product lines, but I do use it for my preferred Essential Oil brand and it works fine.

3. Muscle Response Testing, or Applied Kinesiology. 
While some may call this a primitive, archaic, or scientifically unsupported method, it is one of the oldest forms or asking the body a yes or no question. Similar to how a lie detector works, a "true" statement said to the body will make the muscles of the body strong, and a "false" statement will make the muscles of the body weak. Muscle testing is a literal "testing" of the muscles. I have personally had much success with this method, and although I do have a machine like the one mentioned above, I usually prefer muscle testing because of ease and ability to identify much more.

If you are interested in seeing how this works, or learning this skill for yourself, I would recommend watching Aromatherapist Charlotte Reid demonstrate how to muscle test for essential oils in this YouTube video series. Once you get the hang of it, you can ask your body, mind, or spirit anything that's going on. It's pretty empowering, and life-changing. For some tips on accurate results, read this post, Muscle Testing with Accuracy.

If you have any questions about these techniques, please contact me.

Muscle Testing with Accuracy

I first heard about muscle testing a few years ago, when my sister encountered a distant cousin about some health inquiries. He explained to her about muscle testing, and how the body cannot lie. The mind can make up a lie, but the body itself cannot lie. When you hear a truth, your body naturally leans toward it, or strengthens. When you hear a lie, your body naturally draws away from it, or becomes weak. Using this reasoning, muscle testing can be learned by anyone.

After attempting several methods, I soon found that the standing sway test was the easiest for me. By standing balanced, feet shoulder width apart, I let my body sway forward for yes, and backward for no. It did take me several months of practice at first, because I had some self-doubts about my ability. To watch how this works, or to learn more about it, check out this video.



Through the first few months of learning this technique, I learned a few tips for more accurate results.

1. Make sure you are hydrated and somewhat relaxed before you try it.
2. Clear your mind of any biases you may have. This was my biggest pitfall when learning. Muscle testing just to confirm your thoughts is the quickest way to get biased answers. If you have a personal bias toward the outcome, clear that bias first.
3. Start off with questions you know the answer to, so you can get the hang of what is a "yes" for you, and what is a "no" (swaying forward for yes and backward for no). For example, "My name is Bob." Well my name isn't Bob, so I should sway backward. Then try it with your preferred name. "My name is _______." You should sway forward.
4. Be completely present and avoid distractions while testing. For example, if I had an argument with my spouse last night, and I am thinking about it while I'm trying to test, I may repeatedly get "no", because my thoughts are negative, so my muscles are testing weak.
5. Practice. It took me months to master this skill, but some people get it right away. Like any skill, be patient with yourself. Stay positive that you are successfully mastering the skill. 
6. Use muscle testing always for good. Never invade privacy of another via muscle testing. Don't test for future outcomes. Both of these generate bias and provide inaccurate responses. Use muscle testing to benefit others and yourself.

Tips for Boosting Immunity during the Sick Months

Why we get sick more frequently during winter months:

Sickness just happens in the winter time. Sicknesses get passed around like drinks at a cocktail party, and by the end of winter, everyone gets something. Right?

The answer is…almost. A variety of factors play key part in our health levels¹. Science has been able to identify health frequencies, which is our vitality levels, or how “alive” we are. When we feel our very best, our levels are up, we are less likely to catch illnesses because our immune systems more alive. According to Dr. C. Normal Shealy, M.D., Ph.D, "Quantum physicists have confirmed the reality of the basic vibratory essence of life. Life energy [frequency] is not static, it is kinetic.”  Those vibrational frequencies can be measured using a bio-frequency monitor², which identifies frequency levels in anything alive, in MHZ (megahertz). On the subject, Nikola Tesla hypothesized that if we could eliminate certain outside frequencies that interfere in our bodies, we would have greater resistance toward disease.

In a 1992 study at Eastern State University in Cheny, Washington, Bruce Tainio made the discovery that the human vibrational frequency drops when an individual does something proven to weaken his or her immune system³. For example, they found that when subjects were given a cup of coffee, merely holding it for 3 seconds decreased each of their human frequency by 8 MHz, and drinking it decreased their frequencies by 14 MHz. Furthermore, when nothing was done to lift these levels, it took three days for the body to reach normal levels again. As the human frequency drops, the immune system becomes increasingly compromised. It was shown that the average human frequency is between 62-68 MHz, and “if the frequency drops to 58 MHz, cold and flu symptoms may appear. At 55 MHz, diseases like candida can take hold. At 52 MHz, one might contract Epstein-Barr. And, at 42 MHz, according to these studies, cancer is a real possibility.³”

The discovery opened up hundreds of additional studies, confirming certain foods, like sugar, processed foods, and meats lower the human frequency. On the other side, organic plants, herbs, and plant essential oils raise the body frequency³. Feelings of fear, stress, anxiety, and depression correlate with lower frequencies, while prayer/meditation, wholesome sleep patterns, and exercise correlate with higher frequencies. So why during the winter months do we get sick more often than any other time of the year?

1. Sugar on the Rise:
We (as mammals in general) love our sugar. We consume sugar during holidays, celebrations, any occasion, and even just because we feel like it. During these winter months, in which illnesses are running rampant, we increase our intakes of sugary snacks, desserts, energy-boosters, and drinks. For example, our Halloween highlights are candy and sugary drinks, our Thanksgiving highlights are decadent pies and puddings, and at Christmas and New Year’s we love our hot chocolate, pies, and other enriched sweet goodies. Sugar actually suppresses the immune system, and essentially shuts down certain functions for natural immune defense. In many modern cultures, we don’t only eat high levels of sugar on these four holidays, but nearly every day in between as well. Talk about frequency depletion.

Sugar is also addictive⁴. In the recent documentary on sugar, entitled “Fed Up”⁵, a study was highlighted on rats and sugar versus cocaine. It was noted that 43 cocaine-addicted laboratory rats were given the choice of cocaine or sugar water over a 15-day period [and] 93 percent[,] or 40 out of 43 chose sugar.⁵ I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but frankly, it seems this may be the most vicious cycle damaging our immune systems.

2. Separation from Nature.
Whether you believe God created the Earth for our benefit, and/or whether you believe that we all evolved together, the fact is that we are a part of nature, and we thrive better in our natural habitat. There's just something about the great outdoors that gives us energy, joy, and fulfillment. Getting a “breath of fresh air” really does help raise our spirits.⁶ Then it hit me that most airborne pathogens survive, incubate, multiply, and are spread indoors, because indoors are isolated from the cleansing elements of nature. Nature cleanses water, the earth, and why do we think we are exempt from the cleansing powers of nature. I know that sounds like a hippie statement, but no wonder we feel our vitality lifted after a nice day outside. In the winter months, we spend more time indoors, because, in my opinion, it is more comfortable inside when it’s cold. Another epiphany occurred to me when I was reading through some Christmas literature about where the symbols of Christmas come from, and the article stated that "Greenery was used to lift people’s spirits during the long winter and remind them that spring was not far away."⁷ Being close to nature (even bringing it inside) lifts our spirits, and when we are uplifted, our frequencies rise.
and our frequency levels). The other day I was flipping through an old Dog Training Manual I found on my floor, and it stated “respiratory diseases may affect the dog because he is forced to live in a human environment rather than a natural doggy environment". Interesting.

3. Traditional Stress.
With the demands, schedule changes, travel expenditures, and higher expectations to make everything perfect, we certainly set health hazards for ourselves. We plow through the traditions of holiday shopping and who's going to be in charge of what for holiday meals and entertainment, which also derails normal routines (especially healthier eating and exercise⁸⁾. Then, in the midst of these days, I've often noticed people slip in a depressed rut, feeling as though “life isn't the way I want it...again...at the end of another rear" etc. We really should take things a little easier for ourselves, pat ourselves on the back, and reward ourselves with a soothing bath and early bed time.

4. Caffeine and Narcolepsy.
Now this might be a result of all these parties and gatherings in these isolated-from-nature locations, high sugar intakes and upset stomachs, or just the excitement of the season, but this lack of sleep also brings your energy down and increases your need for sleep⁹. This cycle can make us somewhat narcoleptic, until crash-time on your pillow, which is probably our body screaming at you because you’ve made our health all out-of-whack. If you’ve ever taken Benjamin Franklin’s advice and have gone to bed early and gotten up early consistently, you do know how refreshing it is. However, it is extremely unpopular with all the festivities late in the evening and then we are faced with the dilemma of waking up early and not getting sufficient sleep for the day ahead, or sleeping in and keeping up the sluggish sleep cycle⁹. 

5. Mash the Couch Potato.

Exercise is a good friend to health in many aspects. For one, it keeps the body "on schedule" better⁸. You may have noticed that exercise not only gives you more energy, but it also helps you sleep better, and often teaches you how to eat better. For example, when engaging in consistently exercise, the consequences of eating junk food afterward can be unbearable, but high protein foods (not high sugar) foods can really hit the spot. Exercise also quickens our metabolism, which helps us digest our food better, and increases the regularity of our digestive output⁸. An active body means an active metabolism, which often eliminates that sluggish, depressed, and lazy gene.

Tips to Not Fall into These Traps
How we can get out of these seasonal cycles and stay healthy throughout the year? First, we must realize that we CAN let go of certain traditions that are detrimental to our health, or change them to fit our needs. Before slamming your emergency brake of "I can't change the tradition or I'm going to have angry mobs attacking me with a....", take a deep breath. I think we can all agree that if those friends and family you gather with really love you, they'd rather see you healthy (not making them sick), and actually SEE you because you aren't harboring some nasty virus in bed. I know they'd like to see you healthy above all else (assuming your family gets along).

Now that we've established that, might I add that replacing overloaded and nutrition-lacking foods with healthier replacements is an option? The internet is full of tips, recipes, and ways to replace this ingredient with that one. You have plenty of time between now and then to experiment with healthier dessert options, meat glazes, and dressings. You might find that your mother-in-law or co-worker actually likes it better than the old recipe. Her system will like you better for it too, unless you gave her bean brownies and she's going to have flatulence the rest of her evening (no offence to mother-in-laws).

In addition to making food that will sustain, it would benefit also to exercise through the holidays, including on Christmas if it is one of your normal exercise days the week. This will keep your metabolism up, your digestion up, energy up, which will lead to better sleep. Really thinking about each tradition one by one and setting limits and expectations for yourself before the holidays arrive at your doorsteps is key. It prepares you and prevents you from falling into the cycles and attitudes of “I’ve already slipped up and I might as well keep slipping up until it’s all over”. Perhaps enjoying winter activities adequately dressed for the weather will keep our attitudes and spirits up, and be healthy replacements for some of those late-night and sugary traditions.

Sources

1. "Out in the Cold." Harvard Health Letter ( Jan. 2010)

2. Bio-Vibrational Frequency. Coherent Resources, Inc. http://coherentresources.co

3. Walworth, Natalia, and Chris Mayenschein. "Chapter 8." Soul of the Soldier: Alternative Therapies for Stress, Trauma and PTSD. By Dawn Hutkowski. Baraboo, WI: Lulu.com, 2008. 66-68. Print.

4. Avena, Nicole M., Pedro Rada, and Bartley G. Hoebel. "Evidence for Sugar Addiction: Behavioral and Neurochemical Effects of Intermittent, Excessive Sugar Intake." Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews 32.1 (2008): 20-39. Web.

5. “Fed Up”. Dir. Stephanie Soechtig. An Examination of America's Obesity Epidemic and the Food Industry's Role in Aggravating It. 2014. Documentary.

6. How To Raise and Train a Golden Retriever, by Evelyn Miller, Page 20

7. CHRISTMAS TREE’S AND OTHER GREENERY. 

http://www.thestarlitecafe.com/poems/105/poem_90003360.htm

8. Jeukendrup, Asker E., and Michael Gleeson. Sport Nutrition: An Introduction to Energy Production and Performance. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics, 2004. Print.

9. Sleepless in America. National Institutes of Health. National Geographic Channel, 2014. Documentary.