242 YourExtraordinaryHealingSystem
Merry’sStoryofExtraordinaryHealing
MerrywasayoungnurseIworkedwithwhousedtobeadancer.AsMerrybegantoattendtoherpatientsandconcentratemoreonherprofessionalcareer,however,hertimefordancingbecamelessand
less.Tryingtomaintainanactivelifestyle,insteadofdancingshe
tooktoaprogramofregularexercise,includingjogging.Soon,how
ever,Merrybegantonoticepainsinherhips.Atfirstthepainoccurredonlywhenshetriedtoexercise.Then,sheexperiencedpainwhenshewasgettinginandoutofhercar,walkingupstairs,andperformingothersimplemovements.Overaseveral-yearperiod,the
hippainbecameworseandworse,andalthoughshewasnotyet30
yearsold,shebegantoexhibitanoticeablelimp.Merryhadtocur
tailallexercisesotherthanslowwalking,andeventhatcausedherconsiderablediscomfort.Merryeventuallycouldignoretheproblemnolonger,andshe
hadtogotoseeseveraldoctors.ThedoctorsdidX-raysandblood
tests,andafterextensiveinvestigationsmadethediagnosisofsevere,progressiveosteoarthritis.TheyplacedMerryonstronganti-inflam
matorymedications,includingcorticosteroids,buttheytoldher
thateventuallyshewouldneedadoublehipreplacement.BecauseIwasworkingwithMerry,Ihadonlyaprofessionalrelationshipwithherandwasnotfamiliarwithhermedicalhistory.WhenIwentforawalkwithheronedayafterwork,however,Inoticedherlimp.Iaskedherwhyshewaslimping.Itwasthenthat
Ifoundoutaboutherdiagnosisofosteoarthritis.Shesharedher
painwithme,andtoldmethatshewasnotlookingforwardtohavingherhipsreplacedatsuchayoungage. Asanalternativetosurgery,eventhoughthereweren’talotofscientificstudiestosupportmywork,Ihadhadsomepreviousclin
icalsuccesseswithyogaandgentlephysicaltherapyformypatientswithvarioustypesofarthritisandjointdeformities.Byhavingan
openmind,self-discipline,andagenuinewilltoimprove,manyof
thesepatientswereabletoavoidsurgeryandimprovethehealthof
theirjoints. IspokeofthisworkwithMerryandsuggestedseveralspecific
yogastretchesandothergentletherapeuticactivitiesthatmighthelp
openupthejointspacesinherhipsandreverseherarthritis.Shewas
YourHea’ingSystematWork 243
lookingforamorepermanentsolutiontoherproblemandwanted
toavoidsurgery,andsoshewasveryopentothismoreconservativeapproach.Sheappliedthestretchingandotheractivitiesdiligently
andpersistently.Soon,however,mymilitarydutyandclinicaltrainingtookme
farawayfromMerry’sworld.Itwasn’tuntilnineyearslaterthatourpathscrossedagain,whenwemetatamedicalconference.Wewalkedaswetalked,catchinguponoldtimes.ItwasthenthatInoticedthatherlimpwasgone,whichremindedmetoaskheraboutthearthritisinherhips.Merrytoldmethatherhipswerenowdiseasefree.Shewasdancingagain,anditfeltwonderful.Shetoldmethatshehadfollowedmyregimenfaithfullyduringthefirstseveralmonths,and,afterfeelinggreatimprovement,decidedtostickwithit.Shehasstuckwithittothisdayandcontinuestoenjoyexcellenthealthin
bothherhips.Merry’shealingsystemwaswillingandabletogointoaction,butitneededhercooperation.Byworkingwithherhealingsystemusingnatural,noninvasivetechniques,Merrywasableto
reverseherarthritisandliveherlifetothefullestonceagainwith
outresortingtotheextremesolutionofsurgery,whichalsomight
nothavebeenalong-termsolution. Clyde’sStoryofExtraordinaryHealing
Clydewasaphysicsprofessorwhohadsufferedfrombackpainfor
manyyears.Oneday,whilehewasliftingluggagefromthetrunkof
hiscar,hisbacklockeduponhimanddroppedhimtohisknees. Thepaininhisbackwasexcruciating,anditshotdownhisrightleg
likeaboltoflightening.Hecouldn’tmove,notevenwithhiswife’s
help.Luckily,shehadtheircellphoneandcalled911.Theambu
lancecrewarrivedshortlyafter. Intheemergencyroom,Clydewasgivenstrongnarcoticinjectionstorelievehispain,relaxhismuscles,andhelpbreaktheintensemusclespasms.HisspinewasX-rayed,andtheorthopedicsurgeon
wascalledin.Clydewasadmittedtothehospitalandunderwentan
M~thenextday.TheMRIshowedaseverelyherniateddiscinthelowerlumbarspineandasynovialcystinthejointspacebetween
244 YourExtraordinaryHealingSystem
theadjacentvertebrae.Otherspecialistswerecalledin,includingtheneurosurgeon,anditwasdeterminedthatspinesurgerytorepairthe
discandremovethecystwouldbenecessary.Clyde,however,wasnotreadytoundergospinesurgery,andhe
askediftherewasanyurgencytothesurgery.Clydewashesitatingbecauseoneofhisfriendshadhadapooroutcomewitharecent
spineoperation.Hisfriendhadendedupwithaninfectionthatalmostkilledhim,andthathadkepthimhospitalizedforthansixmonthsafterhissurgery.Clydewastoldthatifhewantedtogohomeandrest,thesurgerycouldbescheduledwithinthenextcoupleofweeks.WhenClydewenthome,hedecidedtofindoutwhetherthere
wereotheroptionsthatdidn’tinvolvesurgerytocorrecthisspineproblem.HeresearchedontheInternetandfoundabookaboutadoctor’sownjourneythroughbackpainandanultimatecurethatinvolvedholisticmethods,includingnutrition,exercise,stretching,
andstress-managementtechniques,suchasrelaxation,meditation,
andguidedimagery.Clydethoughthewouldgivethisalternativeapproachathree-monthtrial,andifitdidn’twork,hewouldthenconsenttothe
surgery.Hecontactedthedoctorwhowrotethebook,andthedoctorconcurredthatthismightbeawiseapproach.Afterthreemonthsofdiligentlyapplyingthisdoctor’sprogram,Clyde’sbackpainandthepaindownhislegwerecompletelygone. Hisherniateddischadshrunksignificantly,andtherewasnoevidenceofhissynovialcyst.Morethan300,000peopleundergobacksurgeryeachyearin
theU.S.Manyofthesepeoplewillundergoasecondoperation.It
isnotuncommontomeetpeoplewhohavehad20ormoreoperations,andmanyofthesepeopleendupwithchronicpain.FortunatelyforClyde,heisnotoneofthesepeople.Norishe
everlikelytobe.Becausehelearnedtoworkwithhishealingsystem,Clydewasabletohealhisbackpainnaturallyandrestorehealthto
hisspinethroughtheregularpracticeofsimple,effectivemethods
thatworkwithhishealingsystem.Thepeopleyouhavejustmetareonlyahandfulofthethou
sandsI’veeitherknownmyselforheardaboutwhohavelearnedtocooperatewiththeirhealingsystemstoeliminateavarietyofhealth
YourHeaHngSystematWork 245
problems.Fromserious,life-threateningillnessessuchascancerorheartdiseasetomorebenignconditionsthat,whilenotnecessarilylife-threatening,significantlycompromisethequalityofyourlife,
yourhealingsystemcanperformremarkablefeatsifyoujustlearn
howtoworkwithit.Youhavethepowertostrengthenandfortif~r
yourhealingsystem,justasRani,Steve,Rose,andtheotherpeople
inthissectiondid,and,withextraordinaryhealing,overcomeanyhealthchallengesyouface. PARTTWO
ActivatingYourHealingSystemWhenYou’reSick
BeforeYouBegin
owthatyouunderstandhowyourbody’shealingsystemworksandhowyoucanstrengthenandfortifyit,youcanapplythisknowledgetothetreatmentofspecifichealthproblems.Beforeyoubegin,however,therearesevenkeypointstokeepinmindwhile
youareworkingwithyourhealingsystem:
1.Rememberthatyouarenotamachine. Keepinmindthatyouarenotamachine,butacompletehumanbeingwithabody,mind,andspirit,andthatallareinterconnected.Youneedtotakeallthreeaspectsintoconsider
ationifanyphysicaldiseaseistobetrulyeradicatedfromyourbody.Thisisparticularlytrueforchronicproblems.‘Whenseriousillnessstrikes,itiseasytobecomeoverwhelmed,notjustphysically,butmentally,emotionally,andspiritually,aswell.Youcanbecomedepressedandgiveupanyhopethatyouwilleverliveanormallifeagain.Attimeslikethese,whenyouareinaweakenedphysicalandemotionalstate,
thetaskofgettingbettermayseemdaunting.Becauseyourmindisconnectedtoyourbody,whenyouareinthishopeless
stateofmind,itisdifficultforyourhealthtoimprove.Asyourecall,yourmindisconnectedtoyourhealingsystemandexerts
250ActivatingYourHealingSystemWhenYoureSick
atremendousinfluenceoveryourinternalmechanismsofrepair
andrecovery.Toenlisttheservicesofyourmindwhileyouareworkingwithyourhealingsystem,refertothestrategies,methods,
andtechniquesgivenspecificallyforthispurposeinChapter6. 2.Focusonyourhealingsystem,notonyourillness. Becarefulnottopaymoreattentiontoyourdiseaseandtheexternalagentsthatmaybecausingitthantoyourownhealingsystemandthestepsyouneedtotaketobringituptospeed. Themostcommonstrategicmistakemostpeoplemakewhenillnessstrikesisthattheyinvestmoretime,energy,andfearinto
whathasinvadedtheirbodies,orwhatiswrongwiththeirbodies,thantheydofocusingontheirnaturalinternalhealingresources.Thisemphasissabotagesthehealingprocess.When
youraresick,youcaneasilylosesightofyourbody’sintrinsic
stateofhealthandinsteaderroneouslysuccumbtothebelief
thattheillnessismorepowerful.Whenyoudothis,youwastepreciousenergythatcouldbeusedforhealing.Focusyourattentiononyourhealingsystemandnoton
yourdisease,pain,anddiscomfort.Whenyoudothis,yourmindwilljoinforceswithyourbodytomoreeffectivelyover
comeyourillness.Thispowerfulhealingpartnershipcanmaximizetheflowofyourhealingenergies,mobilizetheforces
ofhealingthatexistwithinyou,andproduceamorerapid,effective,andthoroughhealingresponse. Ifyouaremotivatedtogetbetter,youcanevenuseyourill
nessasanopportunitytolearnmoreaboutthefactorsthatcontributedtoyourlossofhealthinthefirstplace.Yourillness
canshowyounotonlythewaytoremedyyourcurrentsitua
tion,buthowtostayhealthyandremainbalancedinallareas
ofyourlife,soyoucanavoidgettingsickagaininthefuture.In
thisrespect,illnesscanbeablessingindisguise,avaluablelearn
ingexperience,andatimeoftransformation,renewal,andhealing. 3.Practiceprevention. Weallrememberthesaying“Anounceofpreventionisworth
apoundofcure.”Anything,includingyourbody,iseasiertofix
BeforeYouBegin 251
whenproblemsfirstbeginanddamageisminor,thanitisifyouwaituntiltheproblemhasescalatedtothepointatwhichexten
sivedamagehasoccurred.Moretime,energy,andexpenseisrequiredtorepairthedamagewhenyouwaittoaddressaprob
lemthanifyoucanpreventitfromhappeninginthefirstplace.Investinginyourhealthbysupportingyourhealingsystemwhenyouarewell,sothatyoucanavoidillness,ismorecosteffective,inbothtimeandmoney.Additionally,whenyouhave
themomentumofgoodhealthonyourside,anyillnessordis
easehasfarmoredifficultyinvadingyourbody. Ifyoucan’tpreventahealthproblem,atleastinterveneearly
tonipitinthebud.Institutecorrectivemeasuresassoonaspossible.Illnessesanddiseasesthatarecaughtintheirearlystages
aremuchmoreeasilytreatedthanthosethathavebeenallowed
toprogress,spread,andestablishthemselvesinyourbody. 4.Payattentiontoyourbody.Remembertolistentoyourbodywhetheryou’resickorwellbecauseitcanprovidevaluableinformationconcerningyourhealth.Althoughthereareafewexceptions,doyourbesttoavoidanyactivityortreatmentthatdrainsyourenergy~makes
youirritable,interfereswithsleeporothervitalfunctions,increasesyoursymptoms,ormakesyoufeelworse.Withafewexceptions,continueandpursueanyactivityortreatmentthatmakesyourmindandbodyfeelstronger,clearer,lighter,moreenergetic,andmoreatease.Itisimportanttousecommon
sensehere,andtoavoidartificialsubstances,suchasanabolicsteroids,opiates,stimulants,orotherdrugsthatmayprovidetemporary,short-termrelief,butthatinthelongrunoften
proveharmful.Tohelpyouaccessinvaluablesupportforyourhealingduringtimesofillness,reviewandregularlypracticetheexerciseforlisteningtoyourbodydescribedinChapter4.Rememberthatdistinguishingbetweenasymptomofdis
easeandahealthyphysiologicalresponsefromyourhealingsystemisvitallyimportant.Forexample,asdiscussedinChapter2,manysymptomsofillness,suchascoughing,sneez
ing,orfever,arecommonlyattributedtotheactualdisease
processwhen,infact,theymoreaccuratelyreflectactivationof
252ActivatingYourHealingSystemWhenYou’reSick
yourbody’shealingsystem.Recognizethesesymptomsforwhat
theyreallyare,learntocooperateandworkwiththem,and
don’tpanicwhentheyoccur. 5.Usenaturalmedicinesandtreatmentsresponsibly.Naturalmedicinesandtreatments,whenusedresponsibly,
canbehighlyeffective.Theyareparticularlyeffectivewhenthey
areusedearlyoninthecourseofanillness,orforanillnessthat
ischronic.Andeventhoughmanynaturalmedicinesandtreat
mentsaresafe,itisimportantthatsomeoneknowledgeableadministersthem,theirusedoesn’tcauseyoutodelayconventionaltreatmentthatmaybemoreeffective,theydon’tinteract
withconventionalmedicineyoumaybecurrentlytaking,and
theydon’tcauseanyuntowardreactioninyourbody.Naturalmedicineortreatmentisbestadministeredbyatrainedhealthprofessionalwhoalsohasworkedandtrainedinconventionalmedicineandisopen-mindedenoughtounderstandthepracti
calcontributionandbenefitsofavarietyoftreatmentsthatcansupportyourhealingsystem. 6.Useconventionalmedicinesandtreatmentswhennecessary. Therearetimeswhenitisappropriate,particularlyinacutesituations,touseconventionaltreatmentssuchasmodernpharmaceuticalagentsandsurgicalprocedures,eventhosethatmay
beextremelyinvasive.Thesetreatmentscanoftenbelifesaving,particularlyinemergencies.‘Whenyouareinacaraccidentand
havesustainedcriticalinjuriesisnotthetimetoeatbrownrice,meditate,anddoacupuncture.Youneedtogobyambulance
withthehelpoftrainedparamedicstothefinesthospitalemer
gencyroom.There,skilledsurgeonsandcritical-carenurseswill
giveyouthetreatmentyouneed.Inaddition,conventionaldiagnosticmethods,suchaslaboratoryandimagingtechniques,
canprovidekeydetailedinformationaboutyourillnessand
serveasinvaluableaidsinmonitoringyourhealingprogress.Whiletheleastinvasivemethodsusuallyshouldbeattemptedfirst,conventionalmedicineusedappropriatelyhasmuchto
offerforsupportingyourhealingsystemandfacilitatingthehealingprocess. BeforeYouBegin 253
7.Understandyourpain,andlearnhowtoworkwithit. Painisoneofthemostpotentmessagesyourhealingsystemsendstoyou.Paingetsyourattentionandisanurgentwake-up
callfromyourhealingsystem’scommunicationcenterthatsomethingisoutofbalanceandwrongwithyourbody.Pain
tellsyouthat,ifyoudon’ttakeimmediateaction,thingscould
getworse.(Thereareexceptionstothis,suchasthepainofchildbirth.)Don’tbefrightenedorintimidatedbyyourpain;rather,trytounderstandit.Painisavaluablemessagefromyourhealingsystemandinthelongrunisintendedforyourbenefit. Thepurposeofpainistohelpyoudirectyourhealingener
giestoaparticularareaofyourbodywherethenormalflowof
energyhasbecomeblocked.Painconveysasenseofurgency;and,ifyoudon’trespond,itsintensityincreases.‘Whenpainescalatesbutisignoredorsuppressed,itevolvesintonumbness.‘Whenthislackoffeelingorsensationsetsin,itisaccompanied
byalossoffunction.Numbnessisanominoussign:Itisdiffi
culttohealthatwhichyoucannotfeel.Alwaysrememberthatwherethereispain,thereislife.Your
paintellsyouthatyournervesandyourbody’stissuesarealive
andwellandaretryingtocommunicatewithyou.Itistelling
youtotakecorrectiveactiontorestorenormalfunctiontoyourbody.‘Wherethereispain,thereisalwaystheopportunityforhealing.Painisnotnegativeorpunitive,butratherapositive,instructive,helpfulmessagefromyourbody’shealingsystem.Painisaconsummateteacher,andyoushouldconsiderityourfriend,notyourenemy.Painisalwaystemporaryandneedstobeunderstood,notignoredorsuppressed.Whenyousuppresspainthroughartifi
cialmeans,youareturningadeafeartovaluableinformation
yourbodyistryingtosharewithyou.Asmokealarmisinstalled
foryourprotection,andifyouweretosnipitswiresbecause
youdidn’tliketheirritatingsounditmadeeverytimeitwasactivated,yourhousemightburndown.Snippingthewiresto
yourinternalalarmsystemiswhatyoudowhenyousuppress
yourpain.Unfortunately,throughthewidespreaduseofpainsuppressingmedications,peopleinoursocietyarelearninghow
tosuccessfullyignoretheirbodies.Doingthisisoftenvery
254ActivatingYourHealingSystemWhenYoureSick
harmfulbecausemostconditionsgetworsewhentheunderly
ingcauseshavenotbeenaddressed.Sometimes,chronicpaindoesn’thaveaphysicalcausebut
hasitsrootsindeeperemotionalpain.Thisemotionalpainseeksbodilyexpression,whichcancomeintheformofunbear
ablephysicalpain.Thistypeofpainisoftendescribedasfunctional,whichmeansthatnothingstructuralcanbefound
asthesource,asopposedtoorganic,whichmeansthatthereis
adefinitephysicalcauseforthepain.Youmustaddressfunctionalpainjustasseriouslyasyoudoorganicpain,andyou
mustlistentotheseimportantmessagesfromyourbodytoacti
vateyourhealingsystemandbeginthehealingprocess. LearningtoWorkwithYourPain
Painisapotentmessagefromyourhealingsystemthatsomethingisoutof
order.Underlyingcausesalwaysneedtobeaddressed,butifnoseriousorlife-threateningcausehasbeenfound,andyourpainstillpersists,youcan
takethefollowingstepstoworkwithyourpain,nomatterhowlongithas
beenwithyou:
oListentoyourbody.Regularlypracticethe“HowtoListentoYourBody”exerciseaccordingtotheinstructionsgiveninChapter4.Ifyourpainis
severeandlongstanding,youinitiallymightneedtopracticethisexercise
uptofourtimesaday,foraminimumof30to45minutesforeachses
sion.Allowseveralmonthsforimprovementifyourpainhaslastedforsixmonthstoayear.Allowmoretimeifyourpainhasbeenpresentlonger. Ifyouaretakingstrongpainsuppressants,practicingthisexerciseand
gainingfullbenefitsmaybedifficult.Togainfullbenefitsandformaximumhealing,reduceordefertakingthesemedicationswhileyouarepractic
ingtheexerciseoflearningtolistentoyourbody.Asthepaineventuallybeginstolesseninintensityandyourbodyheals,youwillcometoappre
ciatethisdisciplineandseethatitwaswellworththeeffort. oDialoguewithyourpain.Throughtheguided-imageryandvisualizationtech
niquespresentedinPartOne,youcanlearntohaveaconversationwith
yourpainandgainvaluableinsightsaboutitsspecificpurposeandfunc
tion.Youcangainmuchhealinginformationinthisway.Yourhealing
BeforeYouBegrn 255
systemisintelligentandknowsmoreaboutyourillnessthanyoudo,
andbypracticingthesetechniquesyoucanaccessinformationthatmay
becompletelyunavailablethrough‘othermeans.Thisinformationcan
guideanddirectyourhealingeffortsandhelpyoudecidewhatothertreatmentsmaybeofbenefit.Itiscritical,however,thatyoumakeacommitmenttoimplementintoyourlifewhateverinsightsyougainfrom
thesetechniques. (Formoreinformationaboutthesevaluabletech
niques,consultthe“Resources”sectioninthebackofthisbook.) ~Breathewithyourpain.Inyoga,breathandenergyarenearlyequivalent.Byworkingwithyourbreathing,youcanincreaseyourenergyandgaintremendouscontroloveryourpain.Whenyoulearntoslowlyandgen
tlylengthenyourbreathing,notonlydoyoubringmoreoxygenandheal
ingenergyintoyourbody,butyoualsohelprelaxyournervoussystem,
themastersysteminyourbody. Yournervescontrolallofyourmuscletissues,whichcontainthe
largestnumberofpainreceptorsinyourbody.Sowhenyournervesare
calmandrelaxedbecauseofyourbreathing,yourmusclesrelax.When
yourmusclesrelax,tensionandpainautomaticallydiminishthroughout
yourentirebody.Breathingisoneofthemostpowerfulmodalities
knowntohelpdiminishpainandstrengthenyourhealingsystem.Breath
ingissimple,easytopractice,andalwaysavailabletoyou.(Formoreinformationonbreathing,pleaserefertothebreathingexercisesinthestress-managementsectioninChapter6.) ~Stretchwithyourpain.Stretchinglengthensmusclesinyourbody,decom
pressesnerves,helpstorestorevitalmovementofimportantstructures
andfluids,improveslymphaticcirculation(whichaidsimmunefunction),
andcreatesspacewithinwhichmorebloodflowandhealingenergycan
enterproblemareasofyourbody.Stretching,whendonegentlyandcor
rectly,andwhencombinedwithslow,gentle,deepbreathing,isapower
fulmodalityforeliminatingpain.Whenyouarestretching,keepthese
basictipsinmind:
I.Followtheguidelinesforstretchingdescribedearlier,andremember
nottostretchtoofar. 2.Remembertoavoidanymovementthatincreasesyourpain. 3.Remembernevertoforceorstrainwhilestretching. (Foraguideto
256ActivatingYourHealingSystemWhenYoureSick
specificstretchesthatmayapplydirectlytoyourcondition,anexcel
lentbooktostartwithisYogaforDummiesbyDrs.LarryPayneand
GeorgFeurstein.Otherbooksarelistedinthe“Resources”sectionat
thebackofthisbook.) QGrowfromyourpain.Mostmachines,whentheyexceedtheircapacities
andshutdown,haveresetbuttonsthatyoucanpushtoresumetheir
normalfunctioning.Painservesasimilarfunctionforus.Becauseour
ownpoorpersonalhealthhabits,attitudes,andthoughtscreatemuchof
ourpainanddisease,painforcesustotakeadeeperlookatourselves,reevaluateourlives,andchange.Withoutpain,wecannotgrow.Inthe
wordsofwell-knowncancersurgeonandauthorDr.BernieSiegel,”Pain
isnature’sresetbutton:’
Pain,particularlyofachronicnature,oftencarrieswithitdeepermes
sagesthanmerelyindicatingthatsomethingiswronginyourbody.Althoughpaincanbealivinghell,itcanalsobeagreatteacherandablessingindisguise.Painopensusup,broadensourhorizons,enlarges
ourperspectives,expandsourminds,makesusmoretolerant,teachesuspatienceandendurance,andtoughensourspiritandmoralfiber.Painteachesuscompassionandunderstanding,andhelpsustobecome
betterpeople.Afteryou’vebeenthroughpainandyou’vesurvivedthe
sheerbrutalityofitsforceandpower,you’llnevertakeanythinginlifeforgrantedagain.Asgoldispurifiedbysuperheating,sotoothehellfiresof
paincanpurifyyoursoulandmakeyouabetter,stronger,morecaring
person. Nomatterhowlongithaslasted,painisalwaystemporary.Onceyouhave
learneditsdeeperlesson,thepainwillbereleasedfromyourbodyandyou
willbefreefromitstyranny. There’sNoSuchThingasanIncurableDisease
Diseasesthataredifficulttotreathavealwaysbeenwithus,andthey
arechallengingforbothdoctorsandpatientsalike.Butbecauseyouhaveapowerfulhealingsystem,thereisanotherwaytounderstand
whatthewordincurablereallymeans. BeforeYouBegin 257
Anumberofyearsago,Dr.BernieSiegelspokethefollowingwordsthatforeverchangedthewayIviewedthewordincurabk“Therearenosuchthingsasincurablediseases,onlyincurablepeople.”
Thereasoningbehindthisstatementisthat,ifyousearchthemedicalliterature,youwillfindindividualcasesofpeoplewhohavebeateneverysinglesupposedlyincurablediseaseintheworld.InDr.Siegel’sopinion,ifonlyonepersonhasfoundawaytocurehimself
orherselfofasupposedlyincurabledisease,then,bydefinition,thediseaseisnolongerincurable. JustashumanflightwasonceconsideredimpossibleinthedaysbeforetheWrightBrothers,anditisnowaroutineexperience,theincurablediseasesoftodaywillmostlikelybedeclaredcurabletomorrow.Inthefieldsofhealthandhealing,inwhichsorrowandsufferingareourgreatestenemies,itisimportanttothinkoptimistically,astheWrightBrothersdidwhentheyventuredintopreviouslyunchartedterritoryononlyawingandaprayer,withnopriorstud
iesdocumentingthathumanflightwaspossible!Newcuresarebeingdiscoveredeveryday.Onebyone,diseases
wepreviouslythoughtofasincurablearebeingcontainedandover
come.Themoreweunderstandhowourbodieswork,themorewe
canacknowledgetheincredibleserviceourhealingsystemsperform. Themoreweknowaboutourhealingsystems,thebetterwewillbe
abletounderstandthefactorsthatcontributetodisease,andthe
moreeffectivelywecandemystifj,defuse,anddefeattheseafflictions. Thelistofillnessesforwhichwehaveprovencuresandpreventionshasgrownconsiderably,anditcontinuestogrow.Leprosy,thehistoricalscourgeofallsocietiesandoncethoughttobeincurable,
isnoweasilytreatedandquiterare.Thedeadlyplaguethatwiped
outmillionsintheMiddleAgesisnowextremelyrare,andifsome
onecontractsit,heorshecanbecuredinfewerthan10dayswithmodernantibiotics.Choleracannowbeeasilycuredinlessthan72hours.Smallpox,onceadeadlykiller,hasbeeneradicated.Scurvy
andricketsarealmostunheardof.Gangreneisrare.Ptomainepoisoningandbotulismalmostneveroccur.Tuberculosisisalsodisappearingrapidlyonagloballevel.Syphilis,comparabletoHIV
andAIDS,isnoweasilytreatedwithpenicillin,entirelypreventable,
andquiterare.Heartdisease,oncethoughttobeincurable,hasbeenshownbyDr.DeanOrnishandotherstonotonlybereversibleeven
258ActivatingYourHealingSystemWhenYou’reSick
initssevereforms,butcompletelypreventable.Thesameisproving
trueforarthritis,diabetes,asthma,andotherchronicconditions.Manyformsofcancerarealsobeingdefeated,andthenumberof
cancersurvivorsintheU.S.alonehasreachedmorethan8million. Themoreweareabletofocusonpreventiveeffortsandourhealingsystems,thesoonerthisconditionalsowillbecomerare,aswill
manyotherafflictionsthatwecurrentlyfear.Whenwegotoadoctorandaretoldwehaveaninoperablebraintumor,terminalheartdisease,multiplesclerosis,HIV,orsomeotherhorribleaffliction,mostofushaveatendencytogointoa
stateofshock,followedbydepression,becauseweassumethatnoth
ingcanbedoneforus.Mostofushaveanunhealthytendencyto
giveallourpowerovertoourfears,abandonallhope,andgiveup
inthefaceofsuchadifficultchallenge.Butstudieshaveshownthat
thisresponseonlyacceleratesourearlydemise.Manypeople,however,havehealedthemselvesofafflictionslabeledasterminalconditionsbytheirdoctors.Eventhoughdoingso
maynothavebeeneasy,mostoftheseindividualsreportedarefusal
togiveupandanunwillingnesstogiveintoaspiritofhopelessness.Withthiscommitmentandresoluteattitude,ashiftintheirpreconditionedbeliefsandasubsequentimprovementinthephysiologyof
theirbody’sinternalenvironmentoccurred,whichactivatedtheirhealingsystemandreversedthetideofdiseaseanddebility~This
processallowedthependulumtoswingbackinthedirectionofa
morepositivestateofhealth.Aclearexampleofthisisevidentwith
HIVandAIDS.WhenHIVandAIDSfirstwentpublic,therewas
massfearandhysteria.Peoplelostallhope,gaveup,andsuccumbedquicklywhenadoctorrenderedthediagnosisofficial.ApositiveHIVtestwastantamounttoadeathsentence.Now,however,peoplewithHIVareliving15years,somelonger,aftertheoriginaldiagno
sis,andmanyofthemaresymptomfree.CasesalsoarenowbeingreportedinwhichpeoplewhohadHIV-positivebloodtestsarenowbeingtestedasHIV-negative.Thosewhotakethetimetotuneinto
thewisdomandenergyoftheirbodies,andlearntoworkwiththeirhealingsystems,discoverthebody’sabilitytohealandrecoveritsnaturalhealth,evenfromHIVandAIDS. Itisimportanttounderstandthattheseoptimisticideasarenotbasedontheoreticalconjecture.Anincreasingnumberofstudiesin
BeforeYouBegin 259
themedicalliteraturehavedemonstratedthatpositiveattitudesandbeliefscontributeinlargemeasuretoyourhealth,andthat,oncemobilized,theycanhelpactivateinternalhealingforcesandreverseserious,life-threateningsituations.AsIcontinuetorepeat,yourmindandbodyareconnected,andhopeandthe“willtolive”have
beenrecognizedtoproducebiologicalconsequencesthatcanimproveyourstateofhealth,strengthenyourdefenses,andstimu
lateyourbody’sintrinsichealingmechanisms. InhercourageousbookWhoSaidSo?AWoman’sFascinatingJourneyofSelfDiscoveryandTriumphoverMultipleSclerosis,RachelleBreslowdocumentedhersuccessful12-yearstruggleandepicvictory
overmultiplesclerosis,andshecametosimilarconclusionsasDr.Siegelregardingthelabelof“incurabledisease.”InMs.Breslow’swords,“Ilearnedthatthereisnosuchthingasincurable,thatwhen
adoctorsayssomethingisincurable,hereally(andmoreaccurately)
issayingthatthemedicalcommunityhasnotyetfoundacure.Who
canaccuratelypredictanything?Thefactsareneverin.Sayingthat
adiseaseisincurableandsayingthatacurehasnotbeenfoundare
twoentirelydifferentstatements.”Whenyouareconfrontedwiththechallengeofaseriousdisease,don’tfocusonthedynamicsofthediseaseprocessandgiveyourpowerovertothefearthatisgeneratedandreinforcedbythedis
ease.Trytounderstandthecircumstancesthatmighthaveledtotheafflictioninthefirstplace.Trytorecallthat,beforetheaffliction,
yournaturalstatewashealth.Doallyoucantocooperatewithyourhealingsystemsoitcandoitsjobproperlyforyou.Rememberthat,
aslongasyouarealive,youhaveahealingsystemwiththecapabil
itytorestoreyourbodytoitsnaturalstateofhealth. ObstaclestoHealingFactorsThatInterferewithYourHealingSystem
Ifrequentlymeetpeoplewhotellmethattheyhavetriedeveryconceivableformoftreatmentandmethodforhealing,andtheystillare
notgettingbetter.Uponfurtherquestioning,Ioftenfindthatthesepeoplehavenotgiventhesemethodssufficienttimetowork.For
thisreason,Istronglyrecommendthatyougiveeachhealing
260ActivatingYourHealingSystemWhenYoureSick
methodyouselectatleastasix-toeight-weekminimumtrialperiod
tonoticeimprovementbeforeyoudismissitasineffectiveforyou. Itisalsoimportanttorememberthatalthoughexternalagents
ofhealingcanbeimportant,yourgreatestresourceforhealingistheactivationandstimulationofyourbody’sownhealingsystem.This
isaninternaljobthatrequirescommitment,courage,persistence,patience,andawillingnesstoacknowledgethat,togetherwithyourbody,youalsohaveapowerfulmindandaspirit.Solutionstodiffi
cultphysicalproblemsusuallyrequirethatyouutilizeallaspectsof
whoyouareforhealing. Ifyouarecurrentlyafflictedwithadiseaseorillness,andyouhavebeentryinghardbutstillarenotgettingbetter,considerthephysical,mental,emotional,andspiritualobstaclesthatcouldbekeepingyoufromachievingyourgoal.Someofthephysicalobsta
clestohealingare
aAnunhealthy,unwholesomephysicalenvironment,including
poorair,poorwater,irritatingnoise,overcrowdedsurroundings,
andpollution,suchaschemicalpollution,microwaveovens,X-rays,andtoxicwaste
aApoordiet
aNotenoughwaterinyourdiet
aPoorhygiene
aNotenoughexerciseandmovement,includingstretching
aAlackofspace,privacy,orsolitude
aInadequaterelaxationorrest
aPoorbreathing
aNotenoughcontactwithnature
aAnabsenceoftouchinginalovingway(nohugging,physicalintimacy,orwarmth)
Therearemanypotentialmentalobstaclestoyourhealing,as
well.Someofthemoresignificantare
aChronicmentaltension,anxiety,fear,orworry
aLackoffocus
BeforeYouBegin 261
oNotimespentinreflection,contemplation,ormeditation
oLackofgratitudeforone’slifeandgoodfortune,whetherbigorsmall
oPoormentalattitude,includingharboringagrudge(“chipon
theshoulder”),beingcynical,andhavingapessimisticoutlook
oUnresolvedanger,hostility,orresentment
°Nosenseofhumor
oExcessattachmenttopeopleorthings
oToomuchfocusongoalsandnotenoughfocusontheprocess
ofgettingthere
oWorryingaboutthefuture,lamentingthepast,&notbeingin
thepresent
Thepotentialemotionalandspiritualobstaclestoyourhealing
arenumerous.Theyinclude
oSelf-punishment,self-blame,guilt,shame
oSelf-destructivethoughts
oNoloveorjoyinyourlife
oNosenseoffreedominyourlife
~Nosupportsystem,includingfamily,friends,confidants,community
oNosenseofpurpose
oLackofspirituality,universalwisdom,andprayer
oLackofmeaningandfulfillmentinlife
oAbrokenspirit
Youcanseethatmanyelementsinlifecaneithercontributeto
yourhealingorinterferewithyourhealing,inadditiontothespecifictreatmentyou’reundergoing.Thefirststepinovercominganyobstacleisrecognizingit.Ifyourecognizeanyoftheseobstaclesas
onesthatmightbestandinginyourway,usethisknowledgeandthecondition-specificguidelinesthatfollowinthissectionofthebook
asanopportunitytoactivateyourhealingsystemandregainyournaturalstateofhealth. 262ActivatingYourHealingSystemWhenYoureSick
AWordAboutHereditaryConditions,FamilialDiseases,GeneticDisorders,
andCongenitalProblems
Manydiseasesandconditionsappearoverandoveragaininfamilies
andthereforearethoughttobegeneticinorigin.However,thereis
adifferencebetweenfamilialandgeneticconditions.Althoughdefectivegenesandinheriteddisordersdoexist,itisimportantnot
tolumpalldiseasesthatturnupagainandagaininfamiliesintothesegeneticcategories.Identifyinggeneticdisorderscanhelppreventthepossibilityof
theiroccurrence,buttoover-generalizeandlabelallseriousdiseases
thatruninfamiliesasgeneticisdangerous.Thislabelcausespeopleunnecessaryhelplessnessandhopelessness.Manydiseasesthatrun
infamiliesarenottheresultofgeneticfactorsbutratherarebased
ondeep-seated,maladaptivebehaviors,attitudes,andemotions,and
onpsychologicalcopingmechanismsthatexpressthemselvesin
poorpersonalhealthhabitsandself-destructivetendencies.Familymembersandsubsequentgenerationscanavoidandovercometheseconditions.Donotfeelboundtoinherityourparents’orfamilies’disease-oriented,maladaptivelegacies;rather,realizethefullpoten
tialofyourbody’snaturalstateofhealthandtheincrediblehealingsystemthatyouhavetohelpyou.Congenitalconditions,suchascerebralpalsy,oftencanbetracedbacktounfortunateeventsortraumasustainedatbirthorwhileachildwasstillinthewomb.Andeventhoughthemanagementofthesedifficultconditionscanoftenbetrying,manysuchproblemscanbepreventedwithproperprenataleducation,care,
andpreparationforchildbirth. GettingStarted
ADailyProgramforEnhancingYourHealingSystem
tissaidthatajourneyofathousandmilesbeginswithonestep.Eventhoughthefirststepandeachsubsequentstepalongtheway
mayseemsmallandinsignificant,whentheyareaddedtogether,theyeventuallytakeyoutoyourfinaldestination.Inthesameway,
thefollowingdailyprogramtostrengthenandfortifyyourhealingsystemprovidesastartingpointonyourjourneytowardimprovedhealth.Atfirst,theactivitiesthatmakeupthisprogrammayseem
quiteordinaryandnotverysignificantorlife-changing.Whencombinedandcontinuedovertime,however,theycanmakeahugedifferenceinyourhealth.Inshort,theycancreateextraordinaryheal
ing.Afterjust10daysoffollowingthisprogram,youwillnoticeamarkedimprovementinyourhealth,andyoushouldexperienceamuchgreatersenseofwell-being. Awordbeforeyoustart:Becauseyourhealingsystemisvastandcomplex,youshouldnotconsiderthisprogramall-inclusive.Asyouapplytheactivitiesinthisprogramtotherhythmsofyourownlife,
youwillwanttousethemethods,techniques,andinformationdescribedinearlierchapterstosuityourownparticularhealthneeds.Beflexibleandpracticalwhenyouusethisprogram.You
needtoarrangetheorderofdailyactivities,andthetypesofactivi
ties,tofitintoyourdailyschedule.Forexample,withbreathing,
264ActivatingYourHealingSystemWhenYou’reSick
relaxation,guidedimagery,meditation,orprayer,youmightbestartingoutwith5tol5minutesadaythatyoucandointhemorn
ingbeforework.Butyoucangraduallybuilduptoatleast30min
utes,onceortwiceaday;whenyoudothat,youmightthenhaveto
dotheseactivitiesintheevening.Ifyouaresufferingfromaseriousillness,itwillbemostbeneficialforyoutodotheseactivitieswhen
everyouhavethetimetodothemforatleast30minutes. Intermsofthedietarysuggestions,experiencehasshownme
thateachpersonhashisorherownspecificnutritionalneeds.For
thisreason,Idon’tadvocateonlyonetypeofdietforallpeople.Ihonortheancientaxiom,“Oneman’smeatisanotherman’spoison.”AlthoughIdomakesomegeneraldietarysuggestions,donotadheretothemsostrictlythatyouignorecommonsense.Forinstance,ifyouhaveafever,youneedtodrinklotsoffluidsandabstainfromeatingsolidfoodsuntilthefeverpasses.Ifyousuffer
fromaspecificdigestivedisorder,followthedietaryguidelinesinthesectionsintheearlierchaptersthatdescribeinmoredetailwhatand
howyoushouldbeeating.Whenitcomestodietandnutrition,lis
tentothevoiceofyourbody’sinnerintelligence;thatvoiceisclose
lyconnectedtoyourhealingsystem. Ifyouhaveaquestionaboutanyactivityinthedailyprogram,refertotheearlierchaptersinthebook.Theydescribeinmoredetail
howeachactivitybenefitsyourhealingsystem. StrengtheningandFortifyingYourHealingSysteminI0Days
IntheMorning
PersonalHygieneforYourHealingSystemPersonalhygieneconsistsofthedailycleansingthatstrengthensandfortifiesyourhealingsystem.Overalifetime,yourpersonalhygieneaccumulatestowieldapowerfulinfluenceonyourhealth.Inaddi
tiontobrushingyourteethandotherrelatedactivities,takeabath
orshowereachmorning.Bathingsupportsyourhealingsystembycleansingandprotectingyourbody;keepingyourskinhealthyand
GettingStarted 265
freefromdirt,germs,andotherpotentiallyharmfulmicroorganisms;andaidingintheeliminationoftoxins. Elimination(MovingYourBowels)forYourHeatingSystem
Inadditiontourinating,itisimportanttomoveyourbowelseachmorning.Doingthispreventsunwantedwasteandtoxinsfrombuildingupandhelpskeepyourinternalenvironmentcleanandhealthy.Regulardailybowelmovementsreducetheburdenonyourhealingsystemandmakeiteasierforittoperformitsdutiesofrepair,reconstruction,andregenerationmoreefficientlyforyou.Hereareafewtipstoaidtheprocessofelimination:
*Drinkacupofwarmliquid(water,tea,decaffeinatedcoffee)to
helpmoveyourbowels.Youmayneedtodrinkseveralcupsuntilyougetaresult.Warmbeveragesarebetterthancoldbecauseheatrelaxesthesmoothmusclesinyourintestines,enablingthemtoexpandanddilate.Asthewarmfluidshelpflushthefecalmaterialthroughthemorerelaxedandexpandedbowels,unwantedwasteproductscanbeeliminatedfasterand
moreeasily.Coldliquids,incontrast,constrictthemusclesin
theintestines,whichnarrowstheopeningofthebowels,andso
theyareusuallynotaseffectiveinaidingtheprocessesofelimination. *Ifyouarefrequentlyconstipatedorsufferfromirregularity,and
youneedmorethanseveralcupsofwarmliquidseachmorningto
moveyourbowels,stironeortwoheapingteaspoonsofpsylliumseedhusks,oranyothergentlenaturalfibersupplement,intoa
glassofwarmwateranddrinkiteachnightbeforeyouretire. *Ifyouwanttopreventconstipation,eatahealthydietwithlots
offluidsandfiber,whichyoucanfindinfruits,vegetables,andwholegrainsandlegumes.Soupsatlunchorintheevening,alongwithherbalteas,arealsoidealforthispurpose. *Althoughitissometimesunpopular,okra,eateneitheratlunch
ordinner,isoneofthebestvegetablestohelpensurehealthyeliminationinthemorning.Lightlysteamedorcooked,okrais
oneofthegentlestandmosteffectiveofallnaturalfoodfibers
intheworld. 266ActivatingYourHealingSystemWhenYoureSick
GentleStretchingforYourHealingSystemStretchinghelpstoloosenupandtoneyourmusclesandjoints,and
toimprovecirculation.Byincreasingflexibilityinyourjointsandlimbs,stretchingcanalsoimprovelymphaticdrainageinyourbody
andstimulateyourglands.Whenyourmusclesarelengthenedand
theirflexibilityisincreased,spaceforthepassageofnervesincreas
es.Gentle,regular,systematicstretchingoftenrelievespinched
nerves.Stretchingcankeepyourbodylithe,young,andfreefromdisease,anditisoneofthebestmethodsIknowforstrengtheningandfortifyingyourhealingsystem. 0Stretchfor5to15minuteseachmorning,followingtheguidelinesprovidedinthesectiononstretchinginthisbook.Youmayalsofinditbeneficialtostretchintheevenings.Stretchonan
emptyorlightstomach,notrightaftereating. JYoucanstartstretchingwiththehelpofayogabookorvideo
forbeginners,oryoumaywanttosignupforabeginner’syogaclass.Ifyou’veneverdoneyogabefore,oryouhavespecifichealthissues,makesureyoutelltheinstructorsoheorshecanaccommodateyourneeds. (Ifyouhavebackproblemsorarestiff,trymycomprehensiveyetgentlestretchingroutinecalled
theBacktoLifeStretchingProgram,whichyouwillfindinmypreviousbook,HealingBackPainNaturally.) Breathing,Relaxation,GuidedImagery~Meditation,QuietReflection,orPrayer
Alloftheseactivitieshelptorelaxyourbody,calmyourmindand
nervoussystem,relievestress,andstrengthenandfortifyyourheal
ingsystem.Theycanalsohelpyoudiscoverahigherpowerthatorganizesanddirectstheflowofenergyintheuniverseandinyourbody.Attuningyourawarenesstothisforcecanbeextremelyempoweringforyourhealingsystem.Agreattimetodotheseactiv
itiesisrightafterstretching,whenyourbodyandmindarealready
inanaturallyrelaxedcondition. oTake5tol5minuteseachdaytositinaquietplace,relaxyourshouldersandentirebody,andcloseyoureyes.Beginbywatching
GettingStarted 267
yourbreathflowinandoutofyournose.Youcanpracticeone
ormoreofthebreathingtechniquesdescribedinthesectiononbreathing.Thesetechniqueswillhelptocalmandfocusyourmindandnervoussystem,bringingthemintoharmonywith
yourhealingsystem. ~Onceyoufeelcalmandrelaxed,tryoneoftheguidedimagery!visualizationtechniquesdescribedinthisbook.Allowyourawarenesstogointotheinteriorofyourbody.Asyoufocusyourmentalenergiesonyourbody’sinternalstructures,imagineyourhealingsystemspringingintoactiontohelprepairanydamagedtissuesasitrestoresyourhealthandvitality. ExerciseforYourHealingSystemExercisehelpsyourhealingsystembytoningtheheart,strengthen
ingcirculation,andimprovingmentalhealth.Morningexerciseisa
greatwaytostarttheday.Ifyouarenotalreadydoingso,trytofind
awaytofitmorningexerciseintoyourschedule. ~Eachday,do15minutesofsimplewalking,swimming,bicycling,jogging,aerobics,calisthenics,oranyotherexercise.If
youfeellikedoingmore,orareusedtodoingmore,doso.However,ifyouarenewtoexercise,oryouhaven’texercisedlately,itisbettertostartoutgradually.Donottoforceorstrainwhenyouexercise.Observeyourbreathingtoseewhetheryou
areoverdoingit.Whenyouexercise,youshouldbecomfortable
withyourbreathing.Remember,slowandsteadywinstherace. Formaximumbenefittoyourhealingsystem,graduallybuild
upto30to60minutesaday,threetosixdaysaweek. BreakfastforYourHealingSystem
Eatalight,healthybreakfasteachday.Ifyourjobrequiresalotofphysicalactivityandgreatercaloricintake,useyourcommonsense
andeatmore.Ifyouhaveasedentaryjob,suchasacomputeroper
atororofficeworker,eatalighterbreakfast.Ifyouareoverweightornormallyeatalargerlunch,youmaywanttoskipbreakfastandjustdrinkwaterorjuices.Hereareothersuggestionsforbreakfast:
268ActivatingYourHealingSystemWhenYou’reSick
oIfyouareonacarbohydrateorstarch-restricteddiet,eatleanproteinandvegetables,anddrinkwarmfluidssuchasherbal
teas,decaffeinatedbeverages,andsoups. oIfyouarenotadiabeticornotonacarbohydrate-restricteddiet,
eatfreshfruits,wholegrains,andorganiccereals,whichcan
helpreducesugarcravingslaterintheday.Thesefoodsalsoprovidekeycaloricenergyandcontainahostofvitamins,minerals,
andtraceelements,aswellasessentialfiberandfluidstoaid
yourhealingsystem.Ifyou’reallowedtohavenaturalsugarsin
yourdiet,trydriedfruits,includingraisins,figs,dates,andapri
cots,andorganic,naturallysweetenedjamsandjelliesinlimitedquantities.Thesefoodscanbenourishingandhealthful. oYoucanalsoaddsmallquantitiesofnutbutters,suchaspeanut,cashew,almond,orsesametahini,orotherproteinsourcesforbreakfast. oYoucanalsoeatdairyproducts,suchasyogurtandlow-fatcot
tagecheese,inlimitedquantitiesifyouarenotlactoseintoler
antordonothaveotherdietaryrestrictions. oIfyouarediabetic,eatmoreproteinandwholegrainsforbreak
fast,andavoidsweetsofallkinds.Breakfastproteinsandgrainscouldincludeawhole-wheatbagel,orricecrackerswithcottagecheese.Youcanalsoeatotherproteins,suchasnutbutters.Thesefoodswillprovidelong-lastingfuelthroughoutthedaywithoutdrasticincreasesinbloodsugar.Naturalsweeteners,suchasstevia,alsoareavailablethatcansatisfyyoursweetcrav
ingswhilenotincreasingyourblood-sugarlevels. oAvoidsweet,starchy,oilybreakfastitemssuchasdonutsorpastries. oTakinganaturalsupplementordailyvitaminsmaybeappropri
ate,especiallyifyou’renotgettingallthenutrientsyouneed
fromyourregulardiet. (Reviewthesectiononvitaminsandnat
uralsupplementsearlierinthisbookformoreinformation.) RemainderofMorningandAfternoon
Ifyourworktakesyouawayfromhome,youcanstillfindsimple,
easywaystostrengthenandfortifyyourhealingsystem,even
GettingStarted 269
thoughyourschedulemaybehectic.Evenifyoustayathome,try
toincorporatethefollowingactivitiesintoyourmorningroutine. Breathing,Relaxation,GuidedImagery,Meditation,QuietReflection,orPrayerThroughouttheday,becauseofyourmind’sinfluenceonyourheal
ingsystem,whichoperatesbestinacalm,quiet,andrelaxedinter
nalenvironment,itisimportanttokeepyourmindcalm,cool,andcollected.Breathing,relaxation,guidedimagery,meditation,quietreflection,andprayerareidealmethodsforhelpingtokeepyourmindtranquil.Themoreyoupracticethesemethods,theeasierit
willbeforyoutoretainyourcomposureandkeepyourhealingsys
temstrongandvibrant. •Takeshort,30-secondtoone-minutebreaksatleastonceanhourtocalmyourmindbypracticingoneormoreofthemeth
odsforbreathing,relaxation,guidedimagery,meditation,quietreflection,orprayerthataredescribedinthisbook.Inthebeginning,youmayneedtoexperimentwithseveraloftheseoptionstofindoutwhatworksbestforyou.Afteryouhavefoundonethatworksforyou,learnoneormoreoftheothertechniques,aswell.Iusuallyrecommendgivingeachtechnique
atleastaone-weektrial,untilyouarecomfortablewithitand
havenoteditspositivebenefits. Duringstressfultimes,orwhenyoufeelyourselfbecoming
upsetorlosingyourcomposure(especiallyinthepresenceofanotherperson),momentarilyexcuseyourselfandretreattoa
safe,peacefulplace.Onceyouareoutofharm’sway,practice
oneormoreofthesepeaceful,calmingtechniques.Afteryouhavecalmeddown,youwillbeinamuchbetterpositiontodeal
withyoursituation. Oneofthetrickstothisstrategyislearninghowtorecognizewhenyouarefirstbeginningtoloseyourcomposure.Whenyouloseyourcomposure,inadditiontoyourmentalagitation,youwillmostlikelyexperienceoneormoreofthefollowingsymp
toms:
•Rapid,fearful,orangrythoughts
270ActivatingYourHealingSystemWhenYoureSick
Shallow,rapidbreathingRapidheartbeatIncreasedperspiration
~Queasystomach(“butterfliesinyourstomach”)
~‘Weakknees
Fromyourearlierreading,youmightrecognizethesesymp
tomsaspartofthefight-or-flightresponse,which,ifallowedtocontinueorescalate,caninterferewithyourhealingsystemand
causeharmtoyourbody,especiallyiftheyaresustainedovera
longperiodoftime. Inmyworkasadoctor,thesestrategiesareparticularlyhelpful. Forexample,Isometimesmeetnewpatientswhohavealotofangerandarequiteupsetat“themedicalsystem”ingeneralanddoctorsinparticular.Theymaybeupsetforotherreasons,too,ofwhichImay
notbeaware.Inthesesituations,Iamaprimetargetfortheiranger.Sometimes,theslightestthingIsaycantriggerahugeexplosionof
angryemotions.Naturally,thisreactionfromapatientwillcausea
waveoffearandangertowellupinsideofme,too.Inthisstate,Icouldeasilyretaliatewithfearandangerofmyown,butItrytostaycomposed.WhenInoticemyheartratespeedingup,mybreathinggettingshallowerandrapid,andmymindbecomingagitated,Iexcusemyselfandquicklyretreattothesafetyofanotherroom.There,Iclose
myeyesanddooneormoreofthefollowing:breathing,meditation,relaxation,imagery,orprayer.IdothisuntilIfeelmybreathingandheartrateslowdown,andIamabletoregainmycomposure.Usually,
amaximumoffiveminutesisallthatIneed.Afterward,whenIgobacktoseethepatientwhohasprovokedme,Iammorerelaxedandcomfortable,andbetterabletohelpthepatient. WaterforYourHealingSystem
Yourbodyis70percentwater,andbecausewaterconstantlycircu
latesthroughouteverycell,tissue,andorganinyourbody,themore
wateryouintroduceintoyoursystem,thefasteritcandistributenutrientsandeliminatetoxins.Drinkingwaterandfluidsisoneof
thebestwaystostrengthenandfortif~,’yourhealingsystem. GettingStarted 271
Throughouttheday,sipwaterorotherfluids,suchasjuicesorherbalteas. *Drinksixtoeightglassesofwater,ortheequivalent,overthe
courseofeachday. AMid-MorningSnackforYourHealingSystem
Youmightneedalight,mid-morningsnackifyourworkrequires
youtotakealatelunch,orifyouhaveafastmetabolismandare
pronetoblood-sugarswings.Itisimportanttolistentoyourbodywhenitcomestogettingthenutritionyouneedtofunctionatyourbest.Here’ssomeadviceaboutmidmorningsnacks:
*Don’teatifyou’renothungry. *Youcaneatfreshfruits,carrots,wholesomecrackers,oranherbalteaorotherbeverageifyoufeelyouneedtoeatsomethingbeforelunch. LunchforYourHeatingSystem
Formostpeople,eatingahealthful,wholesomelunchisimportant. Inmanyculturesaroundtheworld,lunchisthemainmealofthe
day.Toensureasteadyflowofnutrientsandoptimumfuelforyourhealingsystem,takethetimeoutofyourbusyscheduleeachdayto
eatlunch.Skippinglunchisgenerallynotrecommended.Andjust
asproperfoodisessentialfuelforyourhealingsystem,eatingthat
foodinawaythatoptimizesitsdigestionisequallyimportant.Thefollowingsuggestionsshouldbehelpful:
*Avoidfatsandoils,aswellasprocessedsnackfoods,whichareheavyandoftendifficulttodigest. *Tryacuporbowlofsoup. *Tryaheartysalad,butavoidrich,oilydressingsortoppings. *Ifyoueatcarbohydrates, ahealthfulsandwichwithfreshlettuce,tomatoes,sprouts,cheese,tofu,tempeh,oranyotherleanproteincanoftenbeacompletemealinitself.Eatbreadsmade
fromwholegrains,suchaswheat,barley,rye,andoats. *Ifyouarenotdiabeticoronasugar-restricteddiet,afruit
272ActivatingYourHealingSystemWhenYou’reSick
dessertwillprovideanadequatebalanceofessentialnutrients,includingvitamins,minerals,traceelements,fluids,andfiber. oYoucantakewateroranotherliquidwithorimmediatelyfollowingyourmeal. Hereareafewmoretipsforeatinglunch:
oIfyouareattheworkplaceorathome,takeabreakandfocussolelyoneatinganddigestingyourfood.Turnoffyourcom
puter,TV,orradio,andmakesureyouaren’ttalkingonthephoneorreadingamagazineornewspaperwhenyoueat. oWhenyouareeating,yourbodyneedstoconcentrateonthe
processofdigestion.Itshouldbeatimeofrestandrelaxation,
andyoushoulddevoteallyourattentiontotheprocessofeating.Ifyoucontinuetotalkonthephone,drive,orworkon
thecomputerwhileyouareeating,youwon’tbeabletofeel
yourbody’sresponsetothefoodyouareconsuming.When
yourmindisinmorethanoneplaceatatime,itishardtofully
tasteyourfood.Italsoiseasytoovereatandexperienceindigestionunderthesecircumstances. oIfyoueatwithcoworkers,family,orfriends,lunchcanbeapleasantsocialoccasion.Avoidarguments,conflicts,ortalkofbusinessorfinances.Themoodandatmosphereshouldbepleasantanduplifting.Youremotionalstateatthetimeofyoureatingaffectsyourdigestion. ConsideranAfternoonNapforYourHealingSystemStudiesshowthatmostAmericansaresleepdeprived.Sleepdeprivationhasbeenlinkedtonumerouschronicdiseases,includingheartdisease.Ithasalsobeenlinkedtoaccident-pronebehaviors.Yourhealingsystemperformsmostefficientlywhenyouaresleepingorresting,andanafternoonnapcanbeaneffectivewaytohelpstrengthenandfortifyit.Mostculturesaroundtheworldeattheirlargestmealatlunchtime,followedbyanap,orsiesta.Thisisatime-testedmethodtohelpoptimizedigestion.Ifyoucan,takealightnapafterlunch. GethngStarted 273
IntheAfternoon
Play,Fun,andHobbiesforYourHealingSystem
Notenoughcanbesaidaboutthehealth-promotingeffectsofaplay
fulattitude,asenseofhumor,andtheabilitytohavefun.BobHopeandGeorgeBurns,bothfamouscomedians,eachlivedfor100years
bycultivatinglight-heartedattitudes.Theypursuedlivesoffunandlaughterwhiletheytriedtomakeotherslaugh.Andaswediscussedearlier,well-knowndoctorandauthorNormanCousinscuredhim
selfofapainful,life-threateningdiseasewithlaughterandalittlevitaminC.Humorandalight-heartedattitudecanaddyearstoyourlife,andtheyarepowerfulstimulantsforyourhealingsystem.Keepingyourspiritslightthroughoutthedayisimportant.Ifyou
areworkinglong,hardhoursorarehavinganextremelydifficulttime
inyourlife,youdon’thavetobeseriousallthetime.Seriousnesscre
atestension,whichcandrainvitalenergiesawayfromyourhealingsys
temandleadnotonlytodisease,butalsotopain.Keepingyourspir
itslightwillhaveapowerfulstrengtheningandfortifyingeffectonyourhealingsystem.Hereareafewtipsforkeepingyourspiritshigh:
~Doatleastonefunactivityeachday,foratleast30minutes,preferablylonger.Herearesomesuggestions:
•Findsomethingfunnytolaughat.Shareajokewithyourfamilyorcoworkers. oWatchacomedymovie,orengrossyourselfinafavoritepersonalhobby,suchaspainting,sewing,quilting,jewelry~ormodel-airplanebuilding. •Playorlistentoupliftingmusic. •Dancetoyourfavoritemusic. •Playwithchildren. •Gotoamusicalproduction, amovie,aplay,orasportingevent. •Participateinyourfavoritesport. •Readafavoritebook. •Writeinajournal. 274ActivatingYourHealingSystemWhenYou’reSick
SocialActivitiesforYourHealingSystem
Manisasocialcreature,andforthisreason,itisimportanttostayconnectedtootherpeople.Conversely,socialisolationcreatesstress,whichcanleadtodisease,bothmentalandphysical.Forexample,heartdisease,thenumber-onekillerintheWesternworld,hasbeenlinkedtofeelingsofsocialisolation.Studieshaveshownthatheartpatientswholivealonefaremuchworsethanheartpatientswho
haveconnectionswithfamily,friends,orpets.Tofurtherillustrate
thispoint,considerthat,evenamonghardenedcriminals,solitaryconfinement,whichisnothingmorethansocialisolation,isoneof
themostdreadedofallformsofpunishment.Socialsupportisimportanttohelpstrengthenandfortifyyourhealingsystem.Plantospendtimeeachdayinanactivitythatsupportsyourfeelingsofbeingconnectedtoothers.Tryoneormoreof
thefollowing:
nMakeaspecialefforttocallorwriteaclose,trustedfriendorfamilymember. oTellalovedoneorafamilymemberthatyoulovethem,evenifdoingsoatfirstfeelsawkwardorphony.Themoreyoudoit,
themorerealitwillfeel,andyouwillsoonbecomecomfortablesayingit.Whatyougivecomesbacktoyou,soyouarereallyonlytellingyourselfthatyouloveyourself.Thesameprincipleappliestoanyotherlovingactofkindness. 0Givehugstoyourfamilymembers,friends,andcoworkers.Don’tdoitfortheirbenefit,eventhoughtheywilllikeit,but
foryours.Nothinghealslikelove,andnothingstimulatesyourhealingsystemmorepowerfullythanlove.Lovestartswithyou. oIfyouhavethetime,youcanvolunteeratleastonceaweekataseniorcitizens’center,hospital,library,school,localday-carecenter,oroneofhundredsofothercharitableandcommunityorganizations.Youcouldalsolendyourspecialtalentsandenergies
toanyofanumberofstate,national,andinternationalorganizations.Makeacommitmenttotakethetimetogetinvolvedin
oneormoreofthesetypesofactivities.Yourhealingsystemwillbenefitfromtheseactivities,sodothemfirstforyourself,know
ingalsothatotherswilllaterbenefitfromyourgenerosity. GettingStarted 275
RestandAloneTimeforYourHealingSystem
InsharpcontrasttowhatIrecommendforsocialconnectedness, I
alsofeelitisimportanttolearnhowtosociallywithdraw,torestand
bealone.Manypeoplespendpracticallyeverywakingmomenttak
ingcareofothers,ortheyareinvolvedintoomanyactivitiesthat
leavethememotionally,mentally,andphysicallydrained.Thispat
terncanresultinchronicfatigue,“burnout,”andevenseriousill
ness.Ifyouareoneofthesepeople,itisimperativetolearnhowto
say“No”toothersandcarveoutachunkofdailytimeforyourself. Torejuvenateyourhealth,rechargeyourbatteries,andstrengthenandfortifyyourhealingsystem,doingthisisabasicnecessityoflife. Hereareafewtips:
oEachday,take10to15minutestobealone,shuttingyourself
offfromtheworldandtheconstantonslaughtofothers.Makearrangementstohavetrustedfamilyorfriendsperformyourdutiesandtakeonyourresponsibilitiesduringthisperiod.Find
asafe,quiet,upliftingplace,eitheroutdoorsinnature,orina
roominyourhouseorapartment. oYoumaywishtousethistimetomeditate,breathe,pray,paint,listentomusic,ordoabsolutelynothing. oHonoringyourspecialtimealone,whichyourhealingsystemrequirestomaintainitsstrengthandvigor,isimportant.Ifyoudon’tinsistontherighttobealonetorestandrejuvenate,yourhealingsystemwillhavedifficultyfunctioningoptimally. IntheEvening
DinnerforYourHealingSystem
Trynottoeattooheavy,ortoolate.Eatingheavyorlatewillcauseindigestionanddisturbsleep,causingyoutowakeuptiredandlow
onenergyinthemorning.Inaddition,eatpeacefully,withoutthe
TVorstereoblaring,andwithoutdiscussingbusinessorotherpotentiallystressfultopics.Keepthefamilydinnertimeconversa
tionslightandharmonious,whichwillimprovedigestionwhileitstrengthensandfortifiesyourhealingsystem.Hereareafewsuggestionsfordinnertimemeals:
276ActivatingYourHealingSystemWhenYou’reSick
Tryavegetablesoup,suchassquash,splitpea,orcarrot,which
canbehearty,nourishing,andsoothing. nTryadinnersalad,withleafygreenssuchaslettuce,spinach,andoneormorevegetables,includingtomatoes,cucumbers,olives,mushrooms,artichokehearts,orgarbanzobeans(chickpeas). uYoucaneatcookedwholegrains,suchasfluffybrownriceorbarley,ororganicpasta,separatelyormixedtogetherwithavegetableorproteinsidedish. LIAvegetablecasseroleormixed-vegetablestirfrycanbetastyandnourishing.Youcanaddtofu,atouchoflightcheese,oranother
leanprotein.Minimizetheuseofheavyoilsandbutterwhen
youcookthesedishes. oYoumayalsohavealightdessertsuchasyogurt,sherbet,orfreshfruit. (Ifyouarediabetic,youcanhavealightdessertwith
asugarsubstitute.) oDrinkwatereitherbeforeorafterdessert. EmotionalWell-BeingforYourHealingSystem
Aswediscussedearlier,emotionsarepowerfulsensationsofenergyfeltinthebody.Forhealthyliving,mostemotionsneedtobereleased
andexpressedinyourlife.Iftheyaresuppressedandallowedtoremaininyourbodylongerthanisnecessary,ordraggedaroundasenergy-drainingemotionalbaggage,emotionscanseverelyhinder
theworkofyourhealingsystemandcancontributetoillness.Toknowhowyouarefeelingatanygivenmoment,andthenhavethe
couragetosharethesefeelingswithothers,isoneofthemostpowerfulwaystostrengthenandfortifyyourhealingsystem.Hereare
somesuggestionsforexpressingyouremotionsinabeneficialway:
oTolearntoexpressyouremotionsinahealthyway,itisoftenhelpfultojoinagroupandlearntoparticipateingroupactivi
ties.Joinagroupthatmeetsatleastonceaweek,or,ifyouhave
thetime,moreoften.Thegroupcouldbeasupportgrouporatherapeuticgroup.Itshouldbeagroupthatyoufeelcomfort
ableandsafewith,agroupthatyoufeelwillnotsitinjudgment
GettingStarted 277
ofyoushouldyouchoosetoairyour“dirtylaundry”inpublic.Manynon-alcoholicsjoinAA(AlcoholicsAnonymous),which
hasgroupsinnearlyeverymajorU.S.city,justforthesakeofbeinginagroupandlearningtosharetheirfeelings.Takethe
timetofindoutaboutgroupsinyourarea,andmakeacommit
menttoparticipateinone. *Ifyouarenotcomfortableinagroup,oryoucannotfindonein
yourarea,professionalcounselingisavailableandmightbeofferedthroughyourhouseofworship,localYMCAorYWCA,
orothercommunityorganizations.One-on-onecounseling,especiallywithaneffectivecounselor,isalsoavaluablewayto
expressyourfeelings.Findoutaboutcounselorsinyourarea,
andmakeadeterminedefforttoparticipateinthisactivity. *Getasmallnotebookandpen,andstartwritingaboutyourfeel
ings.Writinginajournal,expressingallthatisinsideofyouand
allthatyouarefeeling,canoftenbeaneffectivewaytorelease
youremotions,yourthoughts,anddeepestfeelings,evenifyouwriteforonly5to10minuteseachday. *Eachday,inaconversationwithyourfamily,friends,orloved
ones,speakfromyourheartandshareyourdeepestfeelings.If
youarenotcomfortabledoingthis,writealettertosomeone
withwhomyouwishtoshareyourdeepestfeelings. SpiritualWell-BeingforYourHealingSystem
Yourhealingsystemfunctionsbestwhenyouarespirituallyhealthy.Manyphysicaldiseaseshavetheiroriginsinthespiritualrealm.Forexample,whenyourspiritsarecontinuallydown,youcanbecomedepressed,whichisaformofmentaldisease.Asnotedearlier,depressionhasbeenshowntocontributetoheartdisease,diabetes,
cancer,andmanyotherseriousailments. Ifyouareanatheist,youcanstillenjoyspiritualhealthandwellbeing.Trytoconnecttoahighercause,purpose,orforceotherthanyourself.Ponderthefactthatsomeintelligent,powerful,creative
energyhasputyouonthisplanet.Doingthiswilltakeahugebur
denofstressoffyourshouldersandallowyourhealingsystemtoworkmoreeffectively.Thinkingthateverythingintheworldand
yourlifedependssolelyonyourconstantmentalvigilanceandsurveil
278ActivatingYourHealingSystemWhenYou’reSick
lancecreatestensionandstress,drainsvitalenergies,andcanbeemotionallyandphysicallyexhausting.Thesefactorsconspireagainstyourhealingsystemandcaneventuallyleadtophysicalillness. IfyoubelieveinGodorahigherpower,yourplightisnotmuchdifferentfromthatoftheatheist.DoubtsaboutGodandtheDivine
stillmightbombardyouwhenyouencounterroughwatersorcome
upagainstabrickwall,andsoitisnecessarytocontinuallyrenew
yourfaithmanytimesthroughouteachday,andponderthemean
ingandpurposeofyourexistence. oThisweek,takeabriefrespitefromyourworkandhecticsched
ule,andthinkaboutyourlifeanditssignificance.Thinkabout
ahigherpower,adivine,creative,intelligentenergyatworkin
theuniverseandyourlife.Dothisforatleast5to10minutes
eachday. oIfyouarecomfortabledoingso,prayfor5to10minuteseach
day. oBeforegoingtobed,take5to10minuteseachnighttoreadscripturesorotherrelatedbooksthatcanupliftyourspirits. SleepforYourHealingSystem
Sleepisfundamentaltoalllivingthingsandisanintrinsicpartof
thenaturalrhythmsandcyclesoflife.Sleepisarequiredphysiolog
icalactivityinalllivingspecies,abasicbiologicalprincipleoflife.Someanimalshibernateandgointoacavetosleepformonthsata
timetorestoretheirbodies’healthandenergies;humansgenerallyrequirebetween8and10hoursofsleepeachday.Yourbodyrequiresregularsleeptorestorevitalenergiesandtoheal.Asyoumayrecall,yourhealingsystemdoesitsbestworkwhen
yourbodyisresting.Regular,restfulsleepisonethemostpotentthingsyoucandotostrengthenandfortif~yyourhealingsystem.Whensleepisdisrupted,healingsystemfunctioniscompromised,andillhealthcandevelop.ItisnotsurprisingthatassleepdeprivationandinsomniaincreaseinepidemicproportionsinAmerica,thenumberofchronic,stress-relateddiseases,includingheartdisease,highbloodpressure,cancer,andautoimmunedisorders,isalsoincreasing. GettingStarted 279
Toensurepropersleep,trythefollowing:
~Getupearlyeachmorning.Sleepinglatedisturbsthenaturalrhythmsofyourbodyand
willcauseyoutogotobedlate.Thispatternwillperpetuateanunnaturalcyclethatcanbeharmfultoyourhealingsystem.Gettingupearlyimprovesyourchancesofhavinganactive,
fullday.Havingalong,fulldaywillimproveyourchancesofgoingtosleepatnightatadecenthour.Arestful,goodnight’ssleepwillallowyoutoawakenearlyeachdayfeelingrefreshed
andrenewed,withabundantenergy~
*Don’tengageinagitatingordisturbingactivitiesbeforeyougo
tosleep.(Suchactivitiesincludewatchingthenewsorviolentmovies.) *Avoidlate-nightargumentsorconflictswithyourpartnerorfamilymembers. *Makesureyourbediscomfortable. •Makesureyourbedroomortheplacewhereyousleepisclean,
neat,andpeaceful.Aclean,orderlyenvironmentreducesconfused,chaoticmentalstimuliandallowsthebrain,mind,and
nervoussystemtorelaxmoreeffectively.Allthisbringsaboutamuchdeeper,morerestfulqualityofsleep. •Ifyouliveinanoisyplace,wheretrafficorothernoiseislikely,considerusingcomfortableearplugstoensureagoodnight’ssleep.‘WheneverItraveltolarge,congested,bustlingcities,andI’mdisturbedbytheconstantnoiseofthecityatnight,Iuseasimple
pairofearplugswhileIsleep.Insteadofwakingupfatigued,foggy-headed,grumpy,irritable,andlowonenergy,thankstotheearplugs,Icanwakeupfeelingrefreshed,renewed,andreadyto
greetthenewdaywithenthusiasm. •Makesuretheairyoubreathewhenyousleepisfreshandclean.Avoiddusty,foul-smelling,staleair.Agood,freshbreezecandowonderstoimprovethequalityofyoursleep. •Don’teatalatedinnerjustbeforeyougotosleep.Afullstom
achandheavilyladendigestivesystemwillputpressureonthe
280ActivatingYourHealingSystemWhenYou’reSick
diaphragmandlungsandinterferewithnormal,naturalbreath
ing.Manypeoplewithsleepdisturbancesandotherillnessesareoverweightandhavepoor,late-nighteatinghabitsthatcauseindigestionandinterferewiththequalityoftheirsleep. DTryawarmbeveragebeforeyougotosleep.Awarmbeverage
canbesoothingandrelaxing,improvingdigestion,andhelping
tosettledownthenerves.Herbalteas,suchaschamomileorpeppermint,canbeparticularlycomforting. oRelaxation,gentlebreathing,meditation,imagery,orprayercan
helpcalmandrelaxthemindandnervoussystem.Whenthey
areperformedbeforebedtime,thesemethodscanbeagentleandsoothingwaytoinducedeep,restfulsleep. oListentosoft,soothingmusic.Doingthiscanberelaxingandrestful,andcanhelpinducegentle,effectivesleep. oBeforebed,readaninspirationalnovel,book,orscripture,or
someotherupliftingmaterial.Thisactivitycanbecomfortingandreassuring,andapleasantwaytowinddownandrelaxbeforesleep.SomepeopleIknowreadtheYellowPagesorWebster’sDictionarytohelpthemgettosleep.Thismethodworks,Iamtold,becausethesebooksaresoboring! Thesuggestionsincludedinthis“GettingStarted”sectionmay
seemsimpleandinsignificant,but,whentakentogether,theywillmakeanenormousdifferenceinyourlifeandthefunctioningof
yourhealingsystem.Justfiveminutesadayofmeditation,anuplift
ingphoneconversationwithafriend,acupofdelicioussoupforlunch,andagoodnight’ssleepcanhaveagreatimpactonyourheal
ingsystemandyourphysical,mental,andemotionalhealth. conqueringCommonHealthConditions
nthissection,you’llfindstrategiesandapproachesfortappinginto,enhancing,andstrengtheningyourhealingsystemtohealavarietyofspecifichealthproblems.Keepinmind,however,that
theserecommendationsareonlyguidelinesandarenotintendedtoreplaceresponsible,intelligent,personalizedprofessionalhealthcare.Additionally,becauseeverypersonisauniqueindividual,notevery
oneoftheserecommendationsmaybeeffectiveforyou.Ihavepurposelyavoidedprescribingexactamounts,dosages,orschedulesfortreatments,because,whenyouareworkingwithyourhealingsystem,
nosimpleformulasorrecipeswillworkequallywellforeverybody. Intheartandscienceofmedicineandhealing,everytreatmentandtherapyneedstobeadjustedtomeettheuniqueneedsofeach
person.However,byfollowingtherecommendationsthatfollowandincorporatingthosepresentedinpreviouschapters,yourchancesfor
successwillbegreatlyincreased.Rememberthatwitheachmaladylisted,whatisrecommendedisnotintendedtobeall-inclusive;additionaloptionsmightbeavailableforyourproblem. Foryourconvenience,thefollowinglistofhealthproblemsisorganizedinthesimplestwayIknow—according tothevarious
282ActivatingYourHealingSystemWhenYoureSick
systemsandanatomicalregionsinthebody.Thislist,whilenotall-inclusive,representsthemostcommonmaladiespresentedtome
asaprimary-carephysician.IfIhaveomittedahealthproblemthat
youmaybecurrentlysufferingwithorareinterestedin,justfollow
thegeneralrecommendationsgiventhroughoutthebook,andsee
the“Resources”sectionattheend.Ifyoulearntoworkwithyourhealingsystemtoovercomeyourhealthproblems,youwillachieve
successinyourquestforgreaterhealth. SkinProblems
Yourskinisareflectionofyourgeneralstateofhealth.Peoplewho
aregenerallyhealthyexhibithealthyskintoneandcolor.Conversely,
indiseasedorweakenedstates,theskinisoftenpaleormottledandlacksahealthysheen.‘Whenyouhaveliverdisease,forexample,
yourskinbecomesjaundicedandtakesonayellowishappearance.Skinrashesarealsooftensignsofdeeperproblems.Forthisreason,doctorshavetraditionallyreliedupontheskinfordiagnosticclues
todeeperinternalproblems.Abrasions,Contusions,Lacerations,andPunctures
Thesefourtypesofinjuriesareamongthemostcommonthatthe
skinsustains,andtheyareusuallypresentwheneverphysicaltrauma
ofanykindoccurs.Abrasionsoccurwheretheskinisscraped,revealingtherawunder-surfacesoftheskin.Abrasionsmostcommonlyoccurfrom
fallsonpavementorasphalt,and,althoughpainful,theyusuallyhealupuneventfullyiftheyarekeptcleananddry.Topicalaloevera,turmeric,andotherherbalandnaturalplantandmineralsalvesmayalsobehelpfultopreventinfectionandspeedtheworkofyourheal
ingsystemwithabrasions.Contusionsarebruisesthatappearintheformof“blackandblue”marksontheskin,whichreflectbrokenbloodvesselsunderneaththesurface.Contusionsmaybeaccompaniedbyswellingandpain,but
theyusuallydonotresultinabreakoftheskin.Unlessthereisdam
agetounderlyingtissues,yourhealingsystemcanrepairthedamagescausedbycontusionsinarelativelyshorttime.Iceappliedforthefirst
ConqueringCommonHealthConditions 283
24hourstominimizeswelling,followedbywarmsalt-watersoaksorcompresses,canassistyourhealingsysteminthiswork.Lacerationsarefull,linear-shapedbreaksintheskinwherebleedingoccurs.Stitchesmayberequiredifalacerationisextensive
andthebleedingisprofuse.Oncetheedgesofthewoundarebroughttogether,yourhealingsystemtakesoverandhealsthewound,inmanycaseswithbarelyascar.Evenlargelacerationsthat
arenotstitchedwillstillhealwiththehelpofyourhealingsystem,
buttheywillgenerallytakelongerandmaycauseascar.Puncturewoundsarestab-typewoundsthatpiercetheskin.If
theyarenottoodeep,andwithpropercare,yourhealingsystemcanusuallymendpuncturewoundsquiteeasily. AbscessesAbscessesareswellingsintheskin,mostoftencausedbyabacterialinfection.Manysurgeonswilllanceanabscesswithascalpel,ordrainanabscesswithaneedle.Butifyoubegintreatmentintheear
lierstagesandworkwithyourhealingsystembyapplyingwarmsalt
soaksandpharmaceutical-gradeclay(bentonite)packs,manyabscesseswilldisappearontheirown.Naturalsunlight,aloevera,salt-watercompresses,andanon-oilydietcanalsobehelpfulto
assistyourhealingsysteminhealingabscesses. Acne
Acneoccursinbothmalesandfemales,mostcommonlyduringthe
onsetofpubertybutitmaylingerformanyyears.Acneiscausedbyminuteinfectionsthatoccurintheoilybuildupofthehairfollicles. Ifscratchedorpicked,acnecancausepermanentscarringandbedisfiguring.Acneoccursmostcommonlyontheface,whichcanhavetragicconsequencesifscarringanddisfigurementresult.
Extraordinary_Healing_-_the_amazing_power_of_your_body_s_secret_healing_system.txt
Summarize the following text section accurately and concisely. Maintain specific details and numerical information, and use anti-repetition mechanisms:

        242 YourExtraordinaryHealingSystem
Merry’sStoryofExtraordinaryHealing
MerrywasayoungnurseIworkedwithwhousedtobeadancer. AsMerrybegantoattendtoherpatientsandconcentratemoreonherprofessionalcareer,however,hertimefordancingbecamelessand
less. Tryingtomaintainanactivelifestyle,insteadofdancingshe
tooktoaprogramofregularexercise,includingjogging. Soon,how
ever,Merrybegantonoticepainsinherhips. Atfirstthepainoccurredonlywhenshetriedtoexercise. Then,sheexperiencedpainwhenshewasgettinginandoutofhercar,walkingupstairs,andperformingothersimplemovements. Overaseveral-yearperiod,the
hippainbecameworseandworse,andalthoughshewasnotyet30
yearsold,shebegantoexhibitanoticeablelimp. Merryhadtocur
tailallexercisesotherthanslowwalking,andeventhatcausedherconsiderablediscomfort. Merryeventuallycouldignoretheproblemnolonger,andshe
hadtogotoseeseveraldoctors. ThedoctorsdidX-raysandblood
tests,andafterextensiveinvestigationsmadethediagnosisofsevere,progressiveosteoarthritis. TheyplacedMerryonstronganti-inflam
matorymedications,includingcorticosteroids,buttheytoldher
thateventuallyshewouldneedadoublehipreplacement. BecauseIwasworkingwithMerry,Ihadonlyaprofessionalrelationshipwithherandwasnotfamiliarwithhermedicalhistory. WhenIwentforawalkwithheronedayafterwork,however,Inoticedherlimp. Iaskedherwhyshewaslimping. Itwasthenthat
Ifoundoutaboutherdiagnosisofosteoarthritis. Shesharedher
painwithme,andtoldmethatshewasnotlookingforwardtohavingherhipsreplacedatsuchayoungage. Asanalternativetosurgery,eventhoughthereweren’talotofscientificstudiestosupportmywork,Ihadhadsomepreviousclin
icalsuccesseswithyogaandgentlephysicaltherapyformypatientswithvarioustypesofarthritisandjointdeformities. Byhavingan
openmind,self-discipline,andagenuinewilltoimprove,manyof
thesepatientswereabletoavoidsurgeryandimprovethehealthof
theirjoints. IspokeofthisworkwithMerryandsuggestedseveralspecific
yogastretchesandothergentletherapeuticactivitiesthatmighthelp
openupthejointspacesinherhipsandreverseherarthritis. Shewas
YourHea’ingSystematWork 243
lookingforamorepermanentsolutiontoherproblemandwanted
toavoidsurgery,andsoshewasveryopentothismoreconservativeapproach. Sheappliedthestretchingandotheractivitiesdiligently
andpersistently. Soon,however,mymilitarydutyandclinicaltrainingtookme
farawayfromMerry’sworld. Itwasn’tuntilnineyearslaterthatourpathscrossedagain,whenwemetatamedicalconference. Wewalkedaswetalked,catchinguponoldtimes. ItwasthenthatInoticedthatherlimpwasgone,whichremindedmetoaskheraboutthearthritisinherhips. Merrytoldmethatherhipswerenowdiseasefree. Shewasdancingagain,anditfeltwonderful. Shetoldmethatshehadfollowedmyregimenfaithfullyduringthefirstseveralmonths,and,afterfeelinggreatimprovement,decidedtostickwithit. Shehasstuckwithittothisdayandcontinuestoenjoyexcellenthealthin
bothherhips. Merry’shealingsystemwaswillingandabletogointoaction,butitneededhercooperation. Byworkingwithherhealingsystemusingnatural,noninvasivetechniques,Merrywasableto
reverseherarthritisandliveherlifetothefullestonceagainwith
outresortingtotheextremesolutionofsurgery,whichalsomight
nothavebeenalong-termsolution. Clyde’sStoryofExtraordinaryHealing
Clydewasaphysicsprofessorwhohadsufferedfrombackpainfor
manyyears. Oneday,whilehewasliftingluggagefromthetrunkof
hiscar,hisbacklockeduponhimanddroppedhimtohisknees. Thepaininhisbackwasexcruciating,anditshotdownhisrightleg
likeaboltoflightening. Hecouldn’tmove,notevenwithhiswife’s
help. Luckily,shehadtheircellphoneandcalled911. Theambu
lancecrewarrivedshortlyafter. Intheemergencyroom,Clydewasgivenstrongnarcoticinjectionstorelievehispain,relaxhismuscles,andhelpbreaktheintensemusclespasms. HisspinewasX-rayed,andtheorthopedicsurgeon
wascalledin. Clydewasadmittedtothehospitalandunderwentan
M~thenextday. TheMRIshowedaseverelyherniateddiscinthelowerlumbarspineandasynovialcystinthejointspacebetween
244 YourExtraordinaryHealingSystem
theadjacentvertebrae. Otherspecialistswerecalledin,includingtheneurosurgeon,anditwasdeterminedthatspinesurgerytorepairthe
discandremovethecystwouldbenecessary. Clyde,however,wasnotreadytoundergospinesurgery,andhe
askediftherewasanyurgencytothesurgery. Clydewashesitatingbecauseoneofhisfriendshadhadapooroutcomewitharecent
spineoperation. Hisfriendhadendedupwithaninfectionthatalmostkilledhim,andthathadkepthimhospitalizedforthansixmonthsafterhissurgery. Clydewastoldthatifhewantedtogohomeandrest,thesurgerycouldbescheduledwithinthenextcoupleofweeks. WhenClydewenthome,hedecidedtofindoutwhetherthere
wereotheroptionsthatdidn’tinvolvesurgerytocorrecthisspineproblem. HeresearchedontheInternetandfoundabookaboutadoctor’sownjourneythroughbackpainandanultimatecurethatinvolvedholisticmethods,includingnutrition,exercise,stretching,
andstress-managementtechniques,suchasrelaxation,meditation,
andguidedimagery. Clydethoughthewouldgivethisalternativeapproachathree-monthtrial,andifitdidn’twork,hewouldthenconsenttothe
surgery. Hecontactedthedoctorwhowrotethebook,andthedoctorconcurredthatthismightbeawiseapproach. Afterthreemonthsofdiligentlyapplyingthisdoctor’sprogram,Clyde’sbackpainandthepaindownhislegwerecompletelygone. Hisherniateddischadshrunksignificantly,andtherewasnoevidenceofhissynovialcyst. Morethan300,000peopleundergobacksurgeryeachyearin
theU. S. Manyofthesepeoplewillundergoasecondoperation. It
isnotuncommontomeetpeoplewhohavehad20ormoreoperations,andmanyofthesepeopleendupwithchronicpain. FortunatelyforClyde,heisnotoneofthesepeople. Norishe
everlikelytobe. Becausehelearnedtoworkwithhishealingsystem,Clydewasabletohealhisbackpainnaturallyandrestorehealthto
hisspinethroughtheregularpracticeofsimple,effectivemethods
thatworkwithhishealingsystem. Thepeopleyouhavejustmetareonlyahandfulofthethou
sandsI’veeitherknownmyselforheardaboutwhohavelearnedtocooperatewiththeirhealingsystemstoeliminateavarietyofhealth
YourHeaHngSystematWork 245
problems. Fromserious,life-threateningillnessessuchascancerorheartdiseasetomorebenignconditionsthat,whilenotnecessarilylife-threatening,significantlycompromisethequalityofyourlife,
yourhealingsystemcanperformremarkablefeatsifyoujustlearn
howtoworkwithit. Youhavethepowertostrengthenandfortif~r
yourhealingsystem,justasRani,Steve,Rose,andtheotherpeople
inthissectiondid,and,withextraordinaryhealing,overcomeanyhealthchallengesyouface. PARTTWO
ActivatingYourHealingSystemWhenYou’reSick
BeforeYouBegin
owthatyouunderstandhowyourbody’shealingsystemworksandhowyoucanstrengthenandfortifyit,youcanapplythisknowledgetothetreatmentofspecifichealthproblems. Beforeyoubegin,however,therearesevenkeypointstokeepinmindwhile
youareworkingwithyourhealingsystem:
1. Rememberthatyouarenotamachine. Keepinmindthatyouarenotamachine,butacompletehumanbeingwithabody,mind,andspirit,andthatallareinterconnected. Youneedtotakeallthreeaspectsintoconsider
ationifanyphysicaldiseaseistobetrulyeradicatedfromyourbody. Thisisparticularlytrueforchronicproblems. ‘Whenseriousillnessstrikes,itiseasytobecomeoverwhelmed,notjustphysically,butmentally,emotionally,andspiritually,aswell. Youcanbecomedepressedandgiveupanyhopethatyouwilleverliveanormallifeagain. Attimeslikethese,whenyouareinaweakenedphysicalandemotionalstate,
thetaskofgettingbettermayseemdaunting. Becauseyourmindisconnectedtoyourbody,whenyouareinthishopeless
stateofmind,itisdifficultforyourhealthtoimprove. Asyourecall,yourmindisconnectedtoyourhealingsystemandexerts
250ActivatingYourHealingSystemWhenYoureSick
atremendousinfluenceoveryourinternalmechanismsofrepair
andrecovery. Toenlisttheservicesofyourmindwhileyouareworkingwithyourhealingsystem,refertothestrategies,methods,
andtechniquesgivenspecificallyforthispurposeinChapter6. 2. Focusonyourhealingsystem,notonyourillness. Becarefulnottopaymoreattentiontoyourdiseaseandtheexternalagentsthatmaybecausingitthantoyourownhealingsystemandthestepsyouneedtotaketobringituptospeed. Themostcommonstrategicmistakemostpeoplemakewhenillnessstrikesisthattheyinvestmoretime,energy,andfearinto
whathasinvadedtheirbodies,orwhatiswrongwiththeirbodies,thantheydofocusingontheirnaturalinternalhealingresources. Thisemphasissabotagesthehealingprocess. When
youraresick,youcaneasilylosesightofyourbody’sintrinsic
stateofhealthandinsteaderroneouslysuccumbtothebelief
thattheillnessismorepowerful. Whenyoudothis,youwastepreciousenergythatcouldbeusedforhealing. Focusyourattentiononyourhealingsystemandnoton
yourdisease,pain,anddiscomfort. Whenyoudothis,yourmindwilljoinforceswithyourbodytomoreeffectivelyover
comeyourillness. Thispowerfulhealingpartnershipcanmaximizetheflowofyourhealingenergies,mobilizetheforces
ofhealingthatexistwithinyou,andproduceamorerapid,effective,andthoroughhealingresponse. Ifyouaremotivatedtogetbetter,youcanevenuseyourill
nessasanopportunitytolearnmoreaboutthefactorsthatcontributedtoyourlossofhealthinthefirstplace. Yourillness
canshowyounotonlythewaytoremedyyourcurrentsitua
tion,buthowtostayhealthyandremainbalancedinallareas
ofyourlife,soyoucanavoidgettingsickagaininthefuture. In
thisrespect,illnesscanbeablessingindisguise,avaluablelearn
ingexperience,andatimeoftransformation,renewal,andhealing. 3. Practiceprevention. Weallrememberthesaying“Anounceofpreventionisworth
apoundofcure. ”Anything,includingyourbody,iseasiertofix
BeforeYouBegin 251
whenproblemsfirstbeginanddamageisminor,thanitisifyouwaituntiltheproblemhasescalatedtothepointatwhichexten
sivedamagehasoccurred. Moretime,energy,andexpenseisrequiredtorepairthedamagewhenyouwaittoaddressaprob
lemthanifyoucanpreventitfromhappeninginthefirstplace. Investinginyourhealthbysupportingyourhealingsystemwhenyouarewell,sothatyoucanavoidillness,ismorecosteffective,inbothtimeandmoney. Additionally,whenyouhave
themomentumofgoodhealthonyourside,anyillnessordis
easehasfarmoredifficultyinvadingyourbody. Ifyoucan’tpreventahealthproblem,atleastinterveneearly
tonipitinthebud. Institutecorrectivemeasuresassoonaspossible. Illnessesanddiseasesthatarecaughtintheirearlystages
aremuchmoreeasilytreatedthanthosethathavebeenallowed
toprogress,spread,andestablishthemselvesinyourbody. 4. Payattentiontoyourbody. Remembertolistentoyourbodywhetheryou’resickorwellbecauseitcanprovidevaluableinformationconcerningyourhealth. Althoughthereareafewexceptions,doyourbesttoavoidanyactivityortreatmentthatdrainsyourenergy~makes
youirritable,interfereswithsleeporothervitalfunctions,increasesyoursymptoms,ormakesyoufeelworse. Withafewexceptions,continueandpursueanyactivityortreatmentthatmakesyourmindandbodyfeelstronger,clearer,lighter,moreenergetic,andmoreatease. Itisimportanttousecommon
sensehere,andtoavoidartificialsubstances,suchasanabolicsteroids,opiates,stimulants,orotherdrugsthatmayprovidetemporary,short-termrelief,butthatinthelongrunoften
proveharmful. Tohelpyouaccessinvaluablesupportforyourhealingduringtimesofillness,reviewandregularlypracticetheexerciseforlisteningtoyourbodydescribedinChapter4. Rememberthatdistinguishingbetweenasymptomofdis
easeandahealthyphysiologicalresponsefromyourhealingsystemisvitallyimportant. Forexample,asdiscussedinChapter2,manysymptomsofillness,suchascoughing,sneez
ing,orfever,arecommonlyattributedtotheactualdisease
processwhen,infact,theymoreaccuratelyreflectactivationof
252ActivatingYourHealingSystemWhenYou’reSick
yourbody’shealingsystem. Recognizethesesymptomsforwhat
theyreallyare,learntocooperateandworkwiththem,and
don’tpanicwhentheyoccur. 5. Usenaturalmedicinesandtreatmentsresponsibly. Naturalmedicinesandtreatments,whenusedresponsibly,
canbehighlyeffective. Theyareparticularlyeffectivewhenthey
areusedearlyoninthecourseofanillness,orforanillnessthat
ischronic. Andeventhoughmanynaturalmedicinesandtreat
mentsaresafe,itisimportantthatsomeoneknowledgeableadministersthem,theirusedoesn’tcauseyoutodelayconventionaltreatmentthatmaybemoreeffective,theydon’tinteract
withconventionalmedicineyoumaybecurrentlytaking,and
theydon’tcauseanyuntowardreactioninyourbody. Naturalmedicineortreatmentisbestadministeredbyatrainedhealthprofessionalwhoalsohasworkedandtrainedinconventionalmedicineandisopen-mindedenoughtounderstandthepracti
calcontributionandbenefitsofavarietyoftreatmentsthatcansupportyourhealingsystem. 6. Useconventionalmedicinesandtreatmentswhennecessary. Therearetimeswhenitisappropriate,particularlyinacutesituations,touseconventionaltreatmentssuchasmodernpharmaceuticalagentsandsurgicalprocedures,eventhosethatmay
beextremelyinvasive. Thesetreatmentscanoftenbelifesaving,particularlyinemergencies. ‘Whenyouareinacaraccidentand
havesustainedcriticalinjuriesisnotthetimetoeatbrownrice,meditate,anddoacupuncture. Youneedtogobyambulance
withthehelpoftrainedparamedicstothefinesthospitalemer
gencyroom. There,skilledsurgeonsandcritical-carenurseswill
giveyouthetreatmentyouneed. Inaddition,conventionaldiagnosticmethods,suchaslaboratoryandimagingtechniques,
canprovidekeydetailedinformationaboutyourillnessand
serveasinvaluableaidsinmonitoringyourhealingprogress. Whiletheleastinvasivemethodsusuallyshouldbeattemptedfirst,conventionalmedicineusedappropriatelyhasmuchto
offerforsupportingyourhealingsystemandfacilitatingthehealingprocess. BeforeYouBegin 253
7. Understandyourpain,andlearnhowtoworkwithit. Painisoneofthemostpotentmessagesyourhealingsystemsendstoyou. Paingetsyourattentionandisanurgentwake-up
callfromyourhealingsystem’scommunicationcenterthatsomethingisoutofbalanceandwrongwithyourbody. Pain
tellsyouthat,ifyoudon’ttakeimmediateaction,thingscould
getworse. (Thereareexceptionstothis,suchasthepainofchildbirth. )Don’tbefrightenedorintimidatedbyyourpain;rather,trytounderstandit. Painisavaluablemessagefromyourhealingsystemandinthelongrunisintendedforyourbenefit. Thepurposeofpainistohelpyoudirectyourhealingener
giestoaparticularareaofyourbodywherethenormalflowof
energyhasbecomeblocked. Painconveysasenseofurgency;and,ifyoudon’trespond,itsintensityincreases. ‘Whenpainescalatesbutisignoredorsuppressed,itevolvesintonumbness. ‘Whenthislackoffeelingorsensationsetsin,itisaccompanied
byalossoffunction. Numbnessisanominoussign:Itisdiffi
culttohealthatwhichyoucannotfeel. Alwaysrememberthatwherethereispain,thereislife. Your
paintellsyouthatyournervesandyourbody’stissuesarealive
andwellandaretryingtocommunicatewithyou. Itistelling
youtotakecorrectiveactiontorestorenormalfunctiontoyourbody. ‘Wherethereispain,thereisalwaystheopportunityforhealing. Painisnotnegativeorpunitive,butratherapositive,instructive,helpfulmessagefromyourbody’shealingsystem. Painisaconsummateteacher,andyoushouldconsiderityourfriend,notyourenemy. Painisalwaystemporaryandneedstobeunderstood,notignoredorsuppressed. Whenyousuppresspainthroughartifi
cialmeans,youareturningadeafeartovaluableinformation
yourbodyistryingtosharewithyou. Asmokealarmisinstalled
foryourprotection,andifyouweretosnipitswiresbecause
youdidn’tliketheirritatingsounditmadeeverytimeitwasactivated,yourhousemightburndown. Snippingthewiresto
yourinternalalarmsystemiswhatyoudowhenyousuppress
yourpain. Unfortunately,throughthewidespreaduseofpainsuppressingmedications,peopleinoursocietyarelearninghow
tosuccessfullyignoretheirbodies. Doingthisisoftenvery
254ActivatingYourHealingSystemWhenYoureSick
harmfulbecausemostconditionsgetworsewhentheunderly
ingcauseshavenotbeenaddressed. Sometimes,chronicpaindoesn’thaveaphysicalcausebut
hasitsrootsindeeperemotionalpain. Thisemotionalpainseeksbodilyexpression,whichcancomeintheformofunbear
ablephysicalpain. Thistypeofpainisoftendescribedasfunctional,whichmeansthatnothingstructuralcanbefound
asthesource,asopposedtoorganic,whichmeansthatthereis
adefinitephysicalcauseforthepain. Youmustaddressfunctionalpainjustasseriouslyasyoudoorganicpain,andyou
mustlistentotheseimportantmessagesfromyourbodytoacti
vateyourhealingsystemandbeginthehealingprocess. LearningtoWorkwithYourPain
Painisapotentmessagefromyourhealingsystemthatsomethingisoutof
order. Underlyingcausesalwaysneedtobeaddressed,butifnoseriousorlife-threateningcausehasbeenfound,andyourpainstillpersists,youcan
takethefollowingstepstoworkwithyourpain,nomatterhowlongithas
beenwithyou:
oListentoyourbody. Regularlypracticethe“HowtoListentoYourBody”exerciseaccordingtotheinstructionsgiveninChapter4. Ifyourpainis
severeandlongstanding,youinitiallymightneedtopracticethisexercise
uptofourtimesaday,foraminimumof30to45minutesforeachses
sion. Allowseveralmonthsforimprovementifyourpainhaslastedforsixmonthstoayear. Allowmoretimeifyourpainhasbeenpresentlonger. Ifyouaretakingstrongpainsuppressants,practicingthisexerciseand
gainingfullbenefitsmaybedifficult. Togainfullbenefitsandformaximumhealing,reduceordefertakingthesemedicationswhileyouarepractic
ingtheexerciseoflearningtolistentoyourbody. Asthepaineventuallybeginstolesseninintensityandyourbodyheals,youwillcometoappre
ciatethisdisciplineandseethatitwaswellworththeeffort. oDialoguewithyourpain. Throughtheguided-imageryandvisualizationtech
niquespresentedinPartOne,youcanlearntohaveaconversationwith
yourpainandgainvaluableinsightsaboutitsspecificpurposeandfunc
tion. Youcangainmuchhealinginformationinthisway. Yourhealing
BeforeYouBegrn 255
systemisintelligentandknowsmoreaboutyourillnessthanyoudo,
andbypracticingthesetechniquesyoucanaccessinformationthatmay
becompletelyunavailablethrough‘othermeans. Thisinformationcan
guideanddirectyourhealingeffortsandhelpyoudecidewhatothertreatmentsmaybeofbenefit. Itiscritical,however,thatyoumakeacommitmenttoimplementintoyourlifewhateverinsightsyougainfrom
thesetechniques. (Formoreinformationaboutthesevaluabletech
niques,consultthe“Resources”sectioninthebackofthisbook. ) ~Breathewithyourpain. Inyoga,breathandenergyarenearlyequivalent. Byworkingwithyourbreathing,youcanincreaseyourenergyandgaintremendouscontroloveryourpain. Whenyoulearntoslowlyandgen
tlylengthenyourbreathing,notonlydoyoubringmoreoxygenandheal
ingenergyintoyourbody,butyoualsohelprelaxyournervoussystem,
themastersysteminyourbody. Yournervescontrolallofyourmuscletissues,whichcontainthe
largestnumberofpainreceptorsinyourbody. Sowhenyournervesare
calmandrelaxedbecauseofyourbreathing,yourmusclesrelax. When
yourmusclesrelax,tensionandpainautomaticallydiminishthroughout
yourentirebody. Breathingisoneofthemostpowerfulmodalities
knowntohelpdiminishpainandstrengthenyourhealingsystem. Breath
ingissimple,easytopractice,andalwaysavailabletoyou. (Formoreinformationonbreathing,pleaserefertothebreathingexercisesinthestress-managementsectioninChapter6. ) ~Stretchwithyourpain. Stretchinglengthensmusclesinyourbody,decom
pressesnerves,helpstorestorevitalmovementofimportantstructures
andfluids,improveslymphaticcirculation(whichaidsimmunefunction),
andcreatesspacewithinwhichmorebloodflowandhealingenergycan
enterproblemareasofyourbody. Stretching,whendonegentlyandcor
rectly,andwhencombinedwithslow,gentle,deepbreathing,isapower
fulmodalityforeliminatingpain. Whenyouarestretching,keepthese
basictipsinmind:
I. Followtheguidelinesforstretchingdescribedearlier,andremember
nottostretchtoofar.
Merry was diagnosed with severe, progressive osteoarthritis, and she responded by committing to a regimen of yoga and gentle physical therapy.
What was the diagnosis given to Merry, and how did she respond to it?
The author believes that the concept of "incurable" diseases is misleading, as many people have recovered from previously thought incurable diseases, and it's crucial to focus on the healing process.
What is the author's view on the concept of "incurable" diseases?
The author emphasizes the significance of prevention and encourages readers to take proactive steps to maintain their health and well-being.
What is the author's advice on the importance of prevention?
The author advises that each person has unique nutritional needs and encourages readers to listen to their body and make informed choices about their diet.
What is the author's stance on the role of diet in healing?
The author stresses the significance of spiritual well-being and encourages readers to cultivate a sense of connection with a higher power, engage in activities that bring joy, and prioritize self-care.
What is the author's view on the importance of spiritual well-being?