by Sue Gillespie (Grandma Sue)
I met with a patient that had lots of lower back pain. Her upper torso was stiff as she moved, instead of being able to twist and move freely. The thought went through my mind: she moves as if she’s protecting something. A few minutes into the session, she said, “I’m always protecting myself.” (she meant physically, but I suspected more.) She explained that she had injured 2 discs in her back several years ago and never wanted pain like that again. Understandable! She continued to explain how her body had slowly stiffened up over the years.
We discussed stretching. She said she used to, but it didn’t help so she quit. We discussed exercise: she used to…but not any more. She didn’t believe anything would really help. We talked about her hobbies. She had been a jazz singer for years, but had given that up because life had gotten too busy. I asked her what she did for fun. “Nothing, really,” she said, “since I had a baby, life has just been working and raising a family.” Her answers were rigid….her life didn’t move freely….her ‘life’ had stiffened up..over..the..years. Hummm…..
Your body hears everything your mind says. Naomi Judd
Your body’s listening in. Your health is NOT just a result of your physical body. You are a mental, emotional, spiritual and physical creation – all wrapped up together. Of course, there are physical results from injuries (example: like her injured discs), but what injuries are there from your thoughts? If you are living in fear, does your body feel it? If you have anger raging inside (either pushed down or expressed) does your body hear it?
Listen to your body and instead of saying things like, “Oh, my stupid hips! They are always SO painful!”, you should say, “My hips feel freer and more flexible every day!” When you experience pain, investigate why; not only the physical ‘why’, but the emotional and spiritual ‘why’ as well.
Here’s another example: a lady came in complaining of intense pain in her shoulders. She knew of NO reason why they should be so painful. She began talking about past injuries, but couldn’t come up with why her shoulders should be so painful. Then she said, “I’ve always worked hard. Maybe it’s just from years of hard work.” Her attitude became resentful as she commented, “I couldn’t depend on my husband! I’ve always had to carry the weight of the world on my shoulders.” Bingo!
Watch your words. Listen to them…your body does! Don’t label your body as painful, old, or falling apart. One patient with an injured knee referred to it as ‘my stupid knee’. (Her knee was listening.)
Since your body is aware of what’s really going on, let your mind be aware, too.
Proverbs 18:21 ” What you say can preserve life or destroy it; so you must accept the consequences of your words.” (Good News Translation)
Sue is a Craniosacral Therapist and Foot Reflexologist and is the author of
Books available at: www.grandma-sue.com
