Earlier today, one of my bodywork clients arrived a little early for his appointment. As he waited, he amused himself by browsing through a book from my shelf. An acupuncture textbook. During his session, an interesting discussion ensued.
The gentleman is my client because he'd like to resolve some back pain. [A fairly common problem.]
We discussed his body structure, which is improving. He's also noticed some improvement in his symptoms.
"But how did I get like this?" he asked. "Have I always been this way?"
"Good question." I responded. "And to be quite honest, I don't know."
The gentleman, quite insightfully, had asked a "cause behind the cause" question. It's fairly likely that the body structure problem we identified has some bearing on his back pain. That much we can answer from within the field of neuromuscular therapy.
But this particular gentleman, on this particular day, was aware enough to realize that unless we could begin to understand why his body had created that structure, there's a possibility it will come back as soon as we stop the therapy. We've identified a probable "cause" for his symptom. But we haven't gotten to the "cause behind the cause."
And try as we might, we won't find that answer from within the field of neuromuscular therapy.
Energy medicine [acupuncture being one example] excels at addressing the cause behind the cause. This is, of course, the exact reason I expanded my education into the field of energy medicine a number of years ago.
From within the field of energy medicine, we can look at a person and say, "What can we do to make this person more whole, more balanced, and a less likely host for disease?"
It's subtle. It's about awareness. And ultimately, I've realized, it's about resolving stress. The cause of my client's postural distortion is, most probably, a direct result of the individualized way he deals with the stressors in his life.
[We all have them, don't we?]
The practice of increasing awareness and resolving issues that cause stress in your life is indeed the practice of energy medicine. It's "cause behind the cause" thinking. It works.
"What is the biggest source of stress in your life?"
Answer that question, resolve the stress at its source [yes, it's possible], and you'll be well on your way.
Elizabeth Eckert can help you explore how simple everyday choices create health — or undermine even the best of intentions. With a background that ranges from energy medicine to structural bodywork to developmental psychology, this "Stick-To-It Coach" has the experience to support you in creating the healthiest possible expression of — you!
Take our free Less Stress; More Time mini-course!
Comments (2)
since we are self repairing entities, do we realy suply the nutrieants, cooldown stretches and spiritual conection to our creator that we need to make these repairs each day?
Aging is not in the number of years but the failure to repair and regenerate.
Hans Albert Quistorff, LMP
Antalgic Posture Pain Specialist
Posted by Hans Albert Quistorff, LMP | September 8, 2006 1:34 AM
Posted on September 8, 2006 01:34
"Aging is not in the number of years but the failure to repair and regenerate."
Well said!
Elizabeth
Posted by Elizabeth | September 8, 2006 11:38 AM
Posted on September 8, 2006 11:38