She lay face down on my treatment table in a plus 10 pain syndrome. A congenital malformation of the sternum, shallow breath, tears and not wanting her medical doctors’ suggested surgery was her picture. I was a last resort. I asked her if she was in pain for a long time. She said her “whole life”. Interested, I inquired further, “This bad your whole life?”. She replied, “No, not this bad, only the last 8 months”. And before I could ask any more Socratic questions (to help her move forward into truth) she blurted out “It’s not my emotions!”
It seems I am getting predictable. The truth is our thoughts and emotions have a profound influence on our physiology- regardless of our denial, blame, justifications, excuses (well thought out lies) or rationalizations.
So I dug in deeper. I asked her to go back 8 months or more. She relented and allowed herself to search her memory, finding a trigger event. When she thought of it I demonstrated the intense “locking up” of her legs. She acknowledged her body response. She knew that a previous experience was somehow connected to what she was currently feeling – and so did I. We were now in the same space of truth.
She felt some relief after treatment yet remained in considerable pain. I asked her if she wanted to improve quicker. She said, “yes!” I gave her the Steps of Forgiveness handout (from Morter Health Systems), instructed her to journal on Joy and write down at least 5 positive things she learned about herself, others and life as a result of this pain experience. I could feel her resistance to the assignment yet stood in my truth and leveraged for her.
She returned the next day with 40% less pain. Her breathing improved as well as her attitude. I let her know there was more to do on this trigger and we “dug in” with BEST again. She is now a willing participant in her own healing journey. Mission Accomplished!
Truly, I don’t go to work in my clinic. I go to school. I enthusiastically serve, witnessing “miracles” of mind and body daily. Where can you “dig in” today? Who can you call to step into truth, as you stand in your truth?
In health and service,
Dr Roland Phillips