Repair and Rebuilding of Broken Body Systems

Sometimes stress can be relentless and continue for several years as we cope with the difficulties of life. Going into what is called 'adrenal fatigue' or 'adrenal exhaustion' is now past the point of going on vacation or taking your vitamins to solve the problem.  Chronic stress has serious effects on the body causing body systems to break:  it's time for professional help.

Mental and emotional stress can become chronic.  We stress about future or past events. When thinking about painful memories or triggers, your body often cannot tell the difference between if the event is happening now, has happened in the past or will happen in the future. Your body does not know the difference between a physical threat and emotional pain. It can all result in the same body response.  

It’s Time for Professional Help

Most people get it when I tell them it may take a minimum of a year or more of work to recover their health.

They remember the years of stress and medication which has taken its toll on their body. There’s no arguing with your body: it takes as long as it takes for your body to recover from hidden and long-term stressors.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)

Traditional Chinese Medicine (aka TCM) is a self sustaining model of medicine that has been around for more than 3000 years. It is system based, which means that there is a theory that supports it. This is called the 5 element theory. In 5 element theory, each organ system is connected to the other and if something happens to one organ system, the others are affected.

TCM understands a complete model of medicine is not just about needles. There is an understanding of the life component. TCM understands that movement in our lives is important (QI Gong, Tai Qi), that what we take in nutritionally is important ( TCM nutrition theory), that breathing and breathwork (one of the ways to build Qi is via the breath) and meditation/grounding and maintaining a sense of self is important.

Functional Medicine (FM)

I have studied both TCM and FM and have come to appreciate that the system theory in each is parallel, the approaches are different. Consider this:

Your 'kidney' energy in Traditional Chinese medicine, is the equivalent of talking about the adrenal glands in western functional medicine.  You have western kidneys and you have Chinese kidneys.  Don't get confused!... you don't have two sets of kidneys, that would be weird. However, your kidneys in western medicine have one function, and your kidneys in Traditional Chinese Medicine, have a different function.  

There is some overlap, and in TCM your kidneys support the energy of all your body systems.  Your kidney energy is the juice the powers your entire body.  If your kidney energy is low or lacking, it will affect the Qi or energy of all the other organ systems in the body.

Functional Medicine is a system-based, science-driven form of medicine that focuses on finding the underlying cause of disease rather than just treating your symptoms. Functional medicine programs are suited for those with chronic health issues as well as people who want to achieve or maintain optimal health. Functional medicine fixes broken body systems.

Functional medicine understands that stress is the key factor in wearing us down. The adrenal system or stress system, is directly linked to our hormonal system. Therefore the symptoms which are most characteristic will include:

Depression and Anxiety Low energy Hormonal Issues (men and women) Weight gain Inflammation Auto-immune

Homeopathy

Dr. Samuel Hahnemann, the father of Homeopathy in the 1800s was one of the first physicians to advocate for hygiene - washing hands before surgery.  He understood that diet and lifestyle are an important part of health and were an integral part of his prescribing.  

Recovery begins with investigating and addressing stressors

There are external stressors, and internal stressors.

The #1 stressor is mental and emotional stress: examples such as fear, guilt, worry, depression, financial stress, job related stress, overwork, overscheduling etc.

We also investigate hidden stressors: environmental, food sources, and gut infections. We work together to investigate all the possible places where you may be leaking energy and how to repair.

Recovery and repair: will look differently for everyone depending on the situation. It could look like nutrient support and adaptogens. You might be walking around with an unaddressed long term gut infection. There may be lifestyle issues that need to be addressed. We might be looking at grounding and awareness practices.

These are examples of the kinds of conditions that respond well:

osteoporosis and prevention persistent/chronic pain blood sugar dysregulation hypertension

cardiovascular disease depression mood swings digestive complaints inflammatory conditions

diabetes and metabolic syndrome chronic fatigue neurodegenerative disease and cognitive decline

weight concerns hormonal issues PTSD panic attacks auto-immune conditions asthma

allergy poor quality sleep bladder infections frequent urination/at night mood disorders and more…

Are you ready to have a stronger Immune system?

Your adrenal system is also your immune system. If your stress system is taxed, your immune system will be taxed. They are intimately linked together. Some people have terrible allergies, or asthma or other immune and auto-immune disorders which can be treated through functional medicine. Functional medicine is also the solution for the treatment of hormonal problems, fatigue, poor quality sleep and weight issues. If you are someone who is getting up in the middle of the night with frequent urination, don’t go on medication: fix your complaining adrenal system.

Better answers for weight issues?

Weight gain, especially the weight which is put on through the belly can be an indicator of adrenal fatigue and we can solve that puzzle through functional medicine. Diet’s don’t work in the long run, and if you are reading this, I’m guessing have started to look for better answers.

Lab Testing is a clear, scientific and necessary way to identify your stressors

There’s a way to get clear, accurate information about the state of your body systems. Because these body systems are connected, it will give information about the whole. Sometimes diagnosis can be confusing because the symptoms can be vague and can vary from person to person. If you have a serious condition, it is a good idea do the necessary lab work to help get the information needed so you can start feeling better.

Kintsugi, (Japanese: “golden joinery”) also called kintsukuroi, traditional Japanese technique of repairing ceramics with lacquer and a metal powder that is usually made from gold or silver. The centuries-old practice is often used to mend treasured objects by beautifying the cracks, which serve as a visual record of the object’s history. Although kintsugi is a technique unique to Japan, it has been applied to ceramics from China and Korea, leaving a recognizable Japanese mark on these otherwise foreign objects. I love this metaphor for healing: healing trauma, healing broken body systems. I love the idea of mending with gold to create beauty again.