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Bringing Balance Into Your Life By Gaye Mack Complementary systems of healing go deeper than the symptomatic levels within us. If you born before 1929, granny’s remedies would have certainly come to the rescue in times of illness. However, since 1929 and the discovery of penicillin, the world of antibiotics, and Western medicine in general, has exploded to the point where sometimes the body is not only fighting the illness, but is also fighting the cure. There is no doubt that Western medicine is brilliant and much needed, especially in times of crisis and trauma as we are currently witnessing every day in the media. Nevertheless, in spite of this brilliance, one of the sacrifices we have made in the evolution of medicine is our abdication of personal responsibility for our own health and spiritual growth. All of which comes down to a question of balance. When complementary therapies began to make a comeback in this country in the early 1970s, they were often touted as “alternative,” implying an either/or choice to be made and something that only those on the “fringe” subscribed to. While some hardliners continue to stand by this implication, the reality is that those therapies considered alternative are actually complementary. Their role is about bringing us into balance in mind, body, and spirit, and, they are about integrating old world wisdom with new world technology. Whether one is exploring the benefits of the therapies found in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ayurveda, Homeopathy, Flower Essences or the myriad of other complementary therapies available, they all have the common thread of empowering the individual to participate in their own healing process and establishing a reconnection between mind, body and spirit. However, establishing this reconnection is not always as simple as it may seem. The process of healing through the complementary or alternative medical model requires that we participate, become aware, reflect, and thus ultimately grow in our spiritual purpose. This model is very much about self-empowerment, beginning with participation in our process. But, what does such participation mean, exactly? Typically, when working with the Western medical model, we assume that participation means we make an appointment with the physician or therapist, listen to their pronouncements, get our prescription filled, go home and possibly report in at some future point ... or not. Entering into a partnership with practitioners and therapists in the alternative model is very much different. The fact is that it is a partnership between yourself and the practitioner. Furthermore, these practitioners want to know not only how you are, but who you are. This is because complementary systems of healing go deeper than the symptomatic levels within us. Dr. Edward Bach, discoverer of the famous Bach Flower Remedies, was often quoted as saying, “treat the whole person, not the disease.” This axiom is the foundation of holistic medicine and its complementary therapies. However, in order for this process to move forward, it requires that we, as the patient, become attuned to what is happening with us both internally and externally, so that we can relay this information to the practitioner. By learning to listen to the messages that our body is giving us on the physical level and then progressing to hearing messages from the deeper levels of our emotional (mind) and spiritual (soul) bodies, we can shift our entire state of being. One of the best ways to begin listening to our physical body is by observing ourselves in stillness. This can be achieved through practices such as meditation or contemplative prayer, or through physical exercise such as Yoga or Tai Chi, which also have meditative qualities about them. Massage through physical contact with the body is also an option. Regardless of which approach appeals to you, the key is awareness. The body has a wonderful way of letting us know that we are out of balance and that we need to pay attention. Furthermore, the most important messages often begin with very small clues, as if someone were softly knocking on our door. By focusing and listening, we become aware. When we do this, it gives us the opportunity to become proactive rather than reactive. Messages that we receive from our physical body are often linked to what we are feeling emotionally. In other words, what we are feeling emotionally is often a mirror to our physical health and vice versa. Because many of us tend to mask our feelings subconsciously, we go right by them. However, rest assured, our body will eventually rat us out. When this happens, we need see if there is some emotional work needed in addition to our work in strengthening our physical body. By working with our emotions, we are then at the doorway of spiritual growth. Emotions are the gateway to the spiritual self. All of this now brings us to the practical aspects. There are several questions that are often asked when one is considering complementary therapies: when should I consider these therapies, which therapies should I chose, and how do I find a practitioner? Typically, complementary therapies can be extremely effective when the body has given us messages through chronic conditions such as fatigue, allergies, and sometimes depression, just to name a few examples. Often, the individual has been everywhere in search of relief, but nothing seems to be working. It is especially in these situations that complementary therapies can set the individual onto a new path of relief and wholeness. It is important to understand that therapies such as Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda are complete systems of medicine. Other therapies such as energetic bodywork, flower remedies, and homeopathy for example, can be called upon as adjunct therapies. Nevertheless, the majority of complementary therapies seek to treat the symptoms and to discover the root of the problem, while Western medicine frequently just targets symptoms. Once the immediate problem is resolved, the philosophy behind these therapies becomes part of an overall change in lifestyle as mentioned, usually incorporating exercise, stress reduction techniques, and changes in diet. Another advantage of complementary therapies is that we can combine individual elements from various therapies into an overall healing model. For example, you may be under the care of a practitioner in Traditional Chinese Medicine, and while Yoga is not part of the Chinese tradition, there is no reason that you cannot incorporate it into your overall model. This brings us to how one chooses a therapy or therapies to work with, and very importantly, how do you choose a practitioner? These considerations are very much about what is working for you and what feels right. Let us suppose that you have done some initial reading on the Ayurvedic approach to wellness. The philosophy appeals to you and thus, the next step is to find a practitioner. One of the best ways to do this is by referral and checking credentials. Someone whom you know and trust, and who can refer you to a practitioner, is an excellent place to start. However, it is equally important that you thoroughly investigate the practitioner’s background and credentials. Fortunately, there are resources available for this purpose. Forging such a relationship is serious business. It is a relationship that is much more than a fifteen minute appointment and a prescription. It is important to realize that practitioners in complementary medicine are interested in developing this relationship with you, knowing that the road to balance can be a difficult one. This process requires attention to all levels of our essence and our willingness to participate fully in pursuit of this balance.
Gaye Mack, MA is the author of the new book Making Complementary Therapies Work For You available at retail and online bookstores. For more information, go to www.naturesbridge.com. |
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