There is no better time than the present to take good care of yourself, spiritually, mentally, physically, and psychologically. Unfortunately, when we allow pain to settle in, there is repair and restoration, tending to and taking care of those neglected parts of ourselves. I know it’s not that hard making doctor appointments, it’s just the organization and scheduling everything that takes more effort on my part.
This year, I am doing my best to stay committed to making appointments, taking a holistic approach to healing, to bring balance to my overall health and well-being. Since February, I’ve had dental work done (only one more tooth of concern to take care of now), saw a podiatrist regarding pain and discomfort I had been experiencing, eye exam, have had two massage therapy appointments and an acupuncture appointment coming up soon.
I’ve allowed, dealt with, and have experienced different kinds of pain and my body let me know, no more, it’s time to see the professionals trained in their areas of expertise.
Going into my appointments, I had this sense of wanting to know “what’s wrong with me” so it can be “fixed.” Why I chose to look at it that way, I don’t know. Maybe because when you receive a diagnosis or name the problem, you know what you are faced with, are working with, move forward and make a game plan from there.
Let’s start with my feet. A few years back, my right foot experienced a lot of pain(we had done a lot of long hikes) so much so it became challenging to walk without feeling some sort of discomfort. My left foot started bothering me in December, then experienced a sharp pain during a misstep and tripped up while walking in snowshoes. My family, friends and I, we had our theories about what was causing the pain then had it confirmed at my appointment after taking x-rays and speaking with the doctor. Come to find out, the pain was coming from plantar fasciitis, heel spurs and a plantar fascia that ruptured in my left foot, ouch! Yes, that’s what caused the intense pain in January. Come to find out too, it is normal for me to walk outside edges of my feet given the way my feet are shaped. Okay, so this is me, this is who I am. Nothing else to be concerned with and it was all good news about my feet after seeing the x-rays. Okay, so yay to receiving this news.
Next was my eye exam. I’ve been wearing readers for several years now and was curious hear the results. My eye health was quite good, there was no concern about the little floaters hanging out or the flashes that occur from time to time. I was on my way after receiving good news and much encouragement.
I ended my day with visiting the dentist (and yes, this was after my foot appointment and vision exam-a busy day for sure!) All went well having an old filling replaced. Soon, I will be heading back once again for my routine exam, and then possibly a crown for another tooth (most likely later in the year).
What I’ve really been excited about and eager to start going to is massage therapy. I know this works wonders on my body, targeting the areas of stored pain, releasing the pain, and healing more than just my physical being. I’ve had two appointments so far and look forward to my next visit in a couple weeks (which I still need to schedule). My upper back, shoulder, neck, arms, hands, and fingers received some special attention on the second visit. A lot of this was myofascial, deep tissue, getting down to the root of my pain. Although it was painful getting down to the pain, this will serve me well in the long run and release what has been stuck, allowing me to become more fully operational, rather than dealing with the discomfort I’ve experienced for quite some time.
Towards the end of my appointment, and immediately after, I felt lighter, like I had released negative energy, stored up pain, weightiness of what I had been holding onto for many years.
The body does store trauma. The way it manifests itself in our body makes itself known in different ways. I bring this topic up because I’ve listened to the audiobook, The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind and Body in the Healing of Trauma” by Sean Pratt, Bessel A. van der Kolk, et al. (and I put myself on the waitlist so I can listen to it again-which will be a few months until it’s available).
If you haven’t read or listened to the audiobook, it’s well worth your time! I don’t know about you, but I want to heal from my past. I want to break the cycle. I want to live my life filled with great joy and love in my heart, a life lived with peace and happiness.
Unresolved trauma can rear its painful and neglected self in a variety of ways. The heaviness and burdensome feeling can leave me feeling weighted down. Even more reason for me to tend to my health, uncovering, discovering/rediscovering, who it is I am. Those parts which are me. Those parts which are not and in need of releasing and letting go of.
My next layer of healing begins in May with acupuncture. Oh, how I’ve missed and look forward to the benefits this approach will bring!
I am working on getting a comprehensive hearing exam scheduled (need to find a place that accepts my health insurance first).
My routine dental exam is scheduled for next month. Later on in the summer comes my routine visits for the dermatologist and annual exam.
Given my family history of cancer, looks like in September, I will be due for my colonoscopy too.
I am grateful for the gifts every specialist brings, gifts of healing, given to them by God to support, help heal and improve the quality of my life.
I am a work in progress. I know I have a lot of room for improvement, growth and maturing in my spiritual and emotional health too. With the right dosage, over time, balance will once again be restored, and living the ultimate life God created me for.
Magnificent Meraki 