My Choice for Holistic Healing

I fully recognize the significance and benefits of Western medicine and traditional healthcare practices. However, my personal experiences have steered me towards an alternative path in healing.

As a Registered Nurse (RN), I fully recognize the significance and benefits of Western medicine and traditional healthcare practices. However, my personal experiences have steered me towards an alternative path in healing.

This shift in perspective originated after a rather unusual incident where I sustained a brain injury due to being struck by a patio picnic umbrella. In the aftermath, adhering to societal expectations, I embarked on a conventional medical route—visiting numerous doctors and specialists, attending countless appointments, undergoing surgeries, receiving injections for pain relief, and taking various medications. Instead of fostering recovery, this approach only escalated my discomfort and stress levels substantially. The rigorous schedule of treatments not only taxed my physical health but also led me to feel disconnected from my true self—culminating in profound dissatisfaction with who I was becoming.

Through these challenges, it became clear that traditional methods were not aligning with my body’s needs nor my personal values. Consequently, I adopted a holistic approach to healing; one that emphasizes natural remedies and integrates both mental and spiritual well-being along with physical health.

Choosing this non-traditional path has been crucial in staying true to myself while nurturing all aspects of my health comprehensively.

I truly appreciate the advancements and life-saving capabilities of traditional medicine, particularly its effectiveness in acute situations. Medications are undeniably necessary and can be immensely beneficial. However, I am convinced that relying on medication as a long-term solution may not always be ideal. Prolonged use can lead to side effects and additional ailments, thereby creating an ongoing cycle of prescriptions which might complicate matters further.

In our current healthcare system, there's often a focus on treating symptoms rather than considering the whole person. It makes me wonder if health providers delve deeply enough into our histories to truly understand us—questions about our childhood or past traumas that continue to impact us could reveal so much about our present health issues.

And what about discussions covering diet or exercise? Sometimes it feels as though these conversations simply check off boxes rather than engage with what we're actually saying or doing in our daily lives. This kind of interaction doesn't encourage honesty; instead, it fosters a relationship where patients might feel rushed and unseen—as if their care is just another task to complete.

This isn’t meant to criticize all healthcare professionals—I know firsthand there are many dedicated individuals out there who provide exceptional care and genuinely want to help their patients thrive.

Ultimately, my hope is for a healthcare approach that sees each person fully—not just as a set of symptoms but as someone whose experiences deeply influence their wellbeing.

Throughout my journey, I’ve come to understand the critical importance of recognizing our entire selves. Listening deeply to our bodies—discerning their needs, understanding why they signal discomfort in certain ways—has become pivotal for me. It's essential to ask ourselves: What is at the root of these issues? Can a specific cause be pinpointed?

Initially, when dealing with a brain injury, I assumed that resolution would be straightforward. It seemed clear-cut and manageable. But life taught me there are no simple solutions; conventional methods didn't alleviate my struggles and frustration mounted both with myself and prevailing systems.

It was only when I paused—to truly engage with what my body and mind were striving to communicate—that clarity emerged. Through meditation and self-reflection, the messages became clearer, guiding me towards what was necessary for returning to balance.

This realization marked a new starting point in my healing process, leading me toward genuine recovery by addressing deeper imbalances rather than just symptoms.

I am deeply committed to supporting others on their healing journey, offering guidance to anyone seeking an alternative path toward well-being. I have hosted yoga sessions at the Salem Courthouse Community Center and am a Certified Reiki Energy Healer and Master Life/Wellness Coach. My experiences have taught me how challenging and rewarding personal transformation can be.