But physical pain can also result from mental or emotional wounds. It might not just be a muscle, tendon or joint issue, but rather a combination of pain found both in your mind and your body.
Mind-body therapy has garnered a lot of attention as of late, because it addresses both.
Dr. Anu Abraham specializes in this mind-body work, and has seen dramatic results in many of her patients.
How does this type of therapy work?
Typically, there is a collaboration of breath work, meditation and physical therapy. However, it cannot truly be effective if the patient is not willing to open up and accept that it can be an extremely emotional process.
In Dr. Anu's practice, she only has three qualifications when it comes to patients:
- You're willing to see where it goes.
- You're willing to entertain the conversation.
- And you're willing to release what you're holding.
Of course, this "release" can turn into emotional responses such as crying. But, in the end, that's a good thing as it helps to unwind the physical tension in your muscles. Underlying emotions and thoughts are oftentimes one of the biggest reasons you tighten up.
How quickly does mind-body therapy work?
Some people find relief right away, while others have more of a struggle. Remember, the emotions surrounding grief and trauma take years to evolve. It's a continuous process to deal with these emotions, especially when many of them are sub-conscious emotions waiting to be released and addressed.
Are some events of trauma too much to be solved with mind-body therapy?
A lot of touch is involved in manual/physical therapy, which could potentially spark all sorts of troubling memories for anyone who has suffered abuse. But if the patient is feeling safe enough to release his or her pain from not only the mind, but also through the tissues, this kind of therapy can be exceptionally effective.
Tune in as Dr. Anu joins Lisa to share more about mind-body therapy and how it might be an answer for you.
