By Richmond Natural Medicine

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March 12, 2018

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Healing from any illness is a process, as such is healing from trauma.

Whole System Health

Overall health and wellbeing is based on the integration of a number of lifestyle areas.  Including not only our physical body, but also our environment, social interaction, occupation, sense of love and belonging, mental and emotional wellbeing, as well as a history of hardship or trauma.  

When looking at health in this way as a naturopathic doctor, we take a whole person perspective.  We are able to completely hear the patient’s story including all aspects of their life that have brought them to the current time and space.  This approach allows us to unravel the history of stories and symptoms that have occurred over time, leading them to a particular presentation of illness.

Digging Deep

Often times patients present with illnesses and disease states that are not well understood in the medical community.  They have lab work and imaging that suggests they are just fine.  They have been misdiagnosed and mislabeled, treated with no relief, and have had poor reactions or response to pharmaceutical medications. Our office tends to be a last resort for these people, those who have exhausted all their options and still have no answers.  We welcome these patients with open arms and are able to offer them hope. This is because we are able to look deeper, dig underneath the physical presentation and reveal the underlying stress, hardship, emotions, and possible trauma that have made a substantial imprint upon the physical body.

The Emotional Body

Our emotions are one of the major forms of toxicity that bombard us on a daily basis.  From the toxic thoughts that tell us we are not good enough, to the ups and downs of mood that occur in reaction to the chaos of daily living.  We have known for some time that our emotions have the ability to impact our health on a physical level.  There are many studies that show that negative emotional states such as anxiety, depression, and anger increase the release of inflammatory molecules (cytokines).  By knowing that inflammation is linked to a host of illnesses from cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes to chronic fatigue and many cancers, we are able to draw a direct link between our emotions and health. 1

Understanding the fact that our emotional state as well as our level of stress impacts our health, we can take it further to tie in childhood adversity and lifetime traumatic experiences.  There is much evidence on the mental health outcomes of children that have experienced physical, mental, or emotional abuse, family violence, or neglect. Children who experience such adversities have increased risk of depression, anxiety, substance abuse, as well as other physical illness including cardiovascular disease, stroke, asthma, and diabetes. 2 3

Trauma and Health

Trauma is defined as a deeply distressing or disturbing experience.  Trauma is very much subjective and a traumatic experience may range from a fender-bender for some to severe abuse or a natural disaster for others.  The main aspect that makes any experience traumatic is the person’s ability (or inability) to cope or respond, and this is related to their vulnerability to trauma.   In most cases of trauma, individuals may endure long-term reactions such as unpredictable emotions, flashbacks, and physical illness.4 Those with more childhood adversity, life long chronic stress and trauma are more at risk for severe reactions after a traumatic event due to the decreased ability over time to deal with it (these individuals are thought to have an increased vulnerability to trauma’s effect).  This can sometimes lead to such conditions as PTSD or post-traumatic stress disorder.

We see a number of mood disorders that are directly linked to emotional stresses and hardship; this is not just in your head. It is biochemical; these traumas have the ability to change the communication of the endocrine system, nervous system and immune system, involving your hormones, neurotransmitters, and inflammatory markers – therefore impacting body-wide functioning. Symptoms not only include mood imbalance but hormonal imbalance, hypothyroidism, adrenal fatigue, aches and pains, headaches, insomnia, brain fog, and just feeling tired and worn out.

Looking at a patient’s symptoms and delving into their history gives us an idea of any significant events that may have imprinted on the body that have the ability to interrupt normal development and function of the body’s organ systems.  Any Symptoms that show up are a sign from the body telling us something is “off”.  The body is wise, and is highlighting the importance of what is going on inside.  I encourage you to listen to your body, to your internal knowing, and take an active role in your healing.

How do we heal from trauma and hardship?

Healing from any illness is a process, as such is healing from trauma.  The body needs time to unravel the knots and webs of emotional patterning imprinted upon us since birth.  In becoming more mindful and aware of our stories and patterns we are able to notice them, catch ourselves in the pattern, and create new habits.  

As stated above, a number of imbalances can occur within the different organ systems of the body, especially the endocrine system and the nervous system.  Healing from trauma will also require rebalancing and normalizing functions of your hormones and neurotransmitters.  There are many ways to do this through homeopathy, herbal medicine, nutrition, and supplementation.

Often times it takes a team of supporters on this healing journey, so part of that team may include a therapist or counselor. It is highly recommended to have a therapist on your team when dealing with emotional wounds.  This can not only speed up the process of healing, but also aids in creating lasting results.

1.         https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11752480
2.        https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23595840
3.         http://www.ajpmonline.org/article/S0749-3797(14)00512-1/abstract
4.        http://www.apa.org/topics/trauma/

 

Richmond Native and Naturopathic Dr. Leah Hollon is the Co-Owner of Richmond Natural Medicine. She received her B.S. and MPH from Virginia Commonwealth University. She is a graduate of National College of Natural Medicine where she received her Naturopathic Medical Degree. Her areas of focus include Autoimmune, Hormones, MTHFR Gene Mutation and Naturopathic Cancer Support. Please contact our office at (804) 977-2634 about booking an appointment.