Self healing is a sacred process in which you begin to develop a loving relationship with yourself. It is the process of shedding all existing programs that are not for your highest good and re-programming with healthy ones.
The concept of whole person self-healing harnesses the innate processes of body and mind to promote mechanisms that return to equilibrium, alleviating pain. This can be optimized using multimodal integrative strategies.
Rest
Rest can include a variety of activities that promote wellness and recharge energy levels. These practices can be spiritual, physical, or mental in nature. It is important to experiment with different rest practices and find what works best for you.
Emotional rest includes expressing and managing emotions in a healthy way. It can involve being honest about feelings, seeking support from loved ones, and stepping away from situations that trigger emotional stressors.
Physical rest involves engaging in activities that help the body release pent up energy, like walking, yoga, or light exercise. For example, if you’re an avid runner, consider alternating your race-pace runs with slower jogs.
Ice
Ice helps to narrow blood vessels and reduce swelling. It can also be applied to new injuries or areas of inflammation – like muscles after a grueling workout. Ice should only be used on an injury for 20 minutes at a time to avoid frostbite and nerve damage.
Ice can be abused in many ways – swallowing it can strain the throat, snorting it is harsh on the lungs and injecting it can cause vein damage as well as spreading blood borne diseases such as HIV and Hepatitis C. It is important to seek help if you are using ice regularly and experiencing cravings. There are specialist addiction treatment services in Victoria.
Moist Heat
Moist heat relaxes muscles and soft tissue, increases flexibility and improves range of motion. Physical Therapists often use moist heat to ease back and neck pain.
Dry (conducted) heat is typically in the form of a heating pad, beans or rice bags, or a hot water bottle. They heat up quickly, are safe to use and can last for 1-2 hours without needing to be reapplied. However, they can draw moisture out of the skin leading to dryness and irritation.
In contrast, Bruder’s patented MediBeads microwave-activated hot packs are able to provide moist heat therapy that soothes the skin while increasing the deep penetration of the heat into the muscle tissues – all while keeping the skin hydrated!
Exercise
Exercise has a unique ability to exhilarate and relax, provide stimulation and counter depression. This is a familiar experience for endurance athletes and it has been confirmed in clinical trials with patients who suffer from anxiety disorders and clinical depression.
It has been suggested that the antidepressant effects of exercise are due to its enhancement of self-efficacy. Bandura has explained that depressed people have low self-efficacy to bring about positive desired outcomes in their lives and exercise may help by providing them with the confidence that they can overcome their depression through effortful action.
Self-healing in the context of acute and recurrent musculoskeletal pain is an innate process that promotes body networks to return to equilibrium. This process can be regulated and optimized by multimodal integrative therapies.
Nutrition
Food is essential to human life and can play a significant role in healing. A healing foods diet focuses on filling up with healthy ingredients to reduce inflammation, stabilize blood sugar levels and prevent nutritional deficiencies. This type of diet is low in unhealthy ingredients that contribute to insulin resistance and high in nutrient-rich foods like fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds. It also includes grass-fed meat and wild-caught fish, along with a variety of healthy condiments and herbs.
Holistic healing practices can include herbal medicine, energy healing and Chinese medicine, among other treatment methods. However, diet and nutrition are perhaps the most important components of holistic healing.
Self Compassion
Self compassion is a form of loving kindness that recognizes human suffering. It involves acknowledging that suffering is a part of the shared human experience and understanding that your personal inadequacy is not unique.
If a friend came to you with a difficult setback, such as a bad job review or failure to kick a habit, you would most likely offer them a warm, supportive ear and words of encouragement. Showing yourself the same compassion is an effective technique for emotional resilience, which can lead to healthier and more supportive relationships with others.
Studies suggest that self-compassion correlates with positive emotions and decreases the frequency of negative mental health states, such as ego reactivity, rumination, and anxiety. It also enhances the ability to forgive oneself and others.
