My Own Healing Journey

Many practitioners like myself end up working in holistic healthcare because we were let down by the western medical system. Don't get me wrong, western medicine is incredible for emergency situations and life saving procedures. It is incredible how far technology has come and it is absolutely necessary.

But what about the body's innate ability to heal itself? Should we ignore forms of medicine that other cultures have practiced for thousands of years? Can taking pills replace nutrition, nervous system regulation, and a healthy gut? After working in this field for about 8 years I can give a resounding no.

I started having digestive issues at age 14 and my whole life revolved around it. While I enjoyed myself in high school, I was constantly worried I might get sick which caused high anxiety. I was always leaving school early, feeling nauseous at swim meets, and even my junior prom was ruined. By the time I was eighteen I had had 2 colonoscopies, 1 endoscopy, been to several specialists, and tried many different medications/supplements. Defeated, I accepted these tummy troubles as my lot in life and continued to struggle through college.

Post college I worked in a hospital as a nutritionist and my own health was on a steady decline. My digestion was horrible and I started experiencing other issues like vertigo, joint pain, and cystic acne. I soon found myself in a rheumatologist's office being told that my bloodwork was positive for an autoimmune disease. I was scared and confused by my diagnosis and when I heard about the side effects of immunosuppressants I knew there had to be another option.

And so started the slow process of learning everything I could about holistic healthcare. I ditched my dream of becoming an MD and instead got my master's then doctorate in acupuncture and integrative medicine. While I learned how to treat patients, I also discovered how to help myself. Over the next several years I realized what it meant to be nourished, eat a whole-food diet, incorporate sunlight and regular sleep times. I got acupuncture, met with functional med doctors, received reiki, and did EMDR therapy for emotional release. I learned how to slow down when I felt burned out.

This process was not linear and the path moving forward was filled with highs and lows. There was no magic bullet or one thing that fixed all my health issues (and if you see this claim on Instagram or TikTok run the other way). The journey was not only about discovering how I wanted my life to look and feel, but also how I wanted to show up as a practitioner.

These days all my health issues are 99% gone. However "healing" is a lifestyle, not a destination. Now when my face breaks out I can usually trace it back to stress and lack of sleep, which signals me to slow down. If I have digestive issues I know I need to get my nutrition back on track and calm my nervous system down. When I feel anxious I know that it's often because my blood sugar is off and I need more protein and consistent meals.

It's not about feeling perfect all the time, it's about listening to the language our bodies speak so we can hear the whispers before the screams.

The ways in which we take care of our bodies is in itself a form of self-love and I feel grateful for my health struggles so I could be more dialed in. I learned what health means to me so I can share it with all of you.