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The connection between our minds and our bodies is not just philosophical; it's physiological and deeply rooted in science. In terms of manifesting a powerful life, it is necessary to realize how intertwined our mental and physical health are. It becomes vital to understand that our thoughts, feelings, and attitudes can directly influence our physical health.
Table of Content:
Pay Attention: There is Such a Thing as the Mind-Body Connection
The mind-body connection refers to the ways in which the brain and the body communicate and influence each other. Chemicals in our brain, like neurotransmitters and hormones, play a key role in this dynamic.
Historically, many cultures recognized the interplay between mental and physical health. In modern times, this understanding has been enhanced by scientific research confirming that our mental state can significantly affect our biological functioning.
If you are a Law of Attraction Advocate, Now is the time to Dive into the Psychological Impact of how your Mind Body Connection can help you or harm your Physical Health.
First and Foremost: STRESS is extremely harmful to your health as it is the common denominator to obtaining and keeping good health. This is why you need to take charge of your mind to produce good health, well-being AND Abundance. If you want to create the life you want, you need to sit up and pay attention.
Stress is the biggest trigger of the cascade of hormonal reactions which can strongly create adverse physical conditions, like hypertension and which will ultimately reduce immune function. Contrary to popular belief, whether you are female or male, young or old, in good physical shape or not, YOU are the one in charge of your health.
It is clear that our emotions can induce physical symptoms, from the "butterflies" in our stomach before a big event to the intense stomach pains during periods of emotional grief.
Mental Health and Chronic Diseases – Let’s dive into the power of your mind.
Depression and heart disease – You have heart problems?
Research shows that depression and heart disease are often interlinked, with each condition potentially exacerbating the other. Anxiety and digestive disorders can disrupt digestive function, leading to conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
There are a huge variety of symptoms that can help you zero on what is really going on in your body… And it’s up to you to do your homework so you can give your Physician the correct information to turn your body and life around to a dynamic force of a healthy mind and body.
Positive Psychology and Health Outcomes - The benefits of optimism and positivity.
If you are feeling that there is something off with your body… take charge and seek out the help you need. Don’t just accept the Doc’s diagnosis… You need to research your symptoms to validate what the Medical Community suspicion of what may be the issue. We don’t need to walk into that Doctor’s office and just assume the medical profession is giving you the correct information. We need to be open to actively working with the doctor while also accepting the messages you are receiving from your body intuitively.
It takes accurate communication with the doctor to get the appropriate remedies for your body. Seek the information you need by researching prior to your appointment so you can then communicate effectively with your health professionals.
Optimism has been linked to better immune response and overall healthier outcomes in medical treatments. But how can you be optimistic when you don’t have a medical background?
It is simple: the message within this article is to WORK WITHIN THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY. This does not mean just resolving your issues and expect them to heal you. It means that it’s time for you to get involved with your medical and mental powers that you were born with. So even if the Doctor prescribes something for you, it’s your responsibility to ask what the side-effects are up-front so you can work to heal your body along with your doctor.
Here are some things that will make you feel that you are in charge of your body:
1. Mindfulness and Meditation - Mindfulness and meditation practices have been shown to lower blood pressure, reduce chronic pain, and improve mental health.
2. Cognitive Functions and Health - Engaging in challenging cognitive activities can help maintain mental acuity and may even reduce the risk of dementia.
3. Neuroplasticity and wellness -- Neuroplasticity, the brain's ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections, is crucial for recovery from brain injuries and maintaining cognitive health.
Behavioral Factors and Health
Poor sleep habits can significantly worsen mental health conditions, leading to a cyclical pattern of sleep disruption and mental distress.
Regular Exercise and Mental Well-Being can improve mood, decrease anxiety, and enhance cognitive function.
Nutrition and Mental Health - How diet influences mood and brain function
A balanced diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamins can support brain health and affect our mood and stress levels.
Foods that boost cognitive health such as blueberries, nuts, and leafy green vegetables are known for their beneficial effects on brain health.
Stress Management Techniques - Effective stress relief methods such as deep breathing exercises, yoga, and aromatherapy can help manage stress.
The role of relaxation techniques in health maintenance are not just about feeling good in the moment; they also provide long-term benefits for physical and mental health.
The Role of Therapy and Counseling has incredible benefits. Psychotherapy can help address emotional issues that may be contributing to physical health problems. And there are Alternative therapies for mental health as well such as acupuncture and massage that have been shown to alleviate both mental and physical ailments.
Technological Advances in Mental Health. Today, there are digital tools for mental health monitoring and monitor improvement. Smartphone apps and wearable devices are revolutionizing how we track and enhance our mental health.
The future of mental health technology is outstanding. Advances in AI and machine learning are expected to further personalize mental health care, making it more effective and accessible. There are Personal Stories of Mind and Health Transformation as well as Case studies that show tremendous success stories. These stories highlight the powerful impact of mental health interventions on physical health and overall life quality.
Preventative Strategies for Mental Health along with daily habits to support mental health shows extreme promise. Simple routines, like journaling and spending time in nature, can have profound effects on mental well-being.
Importance of regular mental health check-ups, show that regular physical exams are crucial, so are mental health check-ups for preventing more serious issues are working.
The trend today, as much for economic reasons as for reasons of spirit and human development, is to encourage people to take responsibility for their own lives. This is the approach of ancient wisdom. We use our bodies to communicate with ourselves and with others. We use our bodies to work out emotional, mental and spiritual questions. While we do tend to judge a diseased body negatively, there really is no right or wrong about it.
The ancient Taoists theorized that good and bad, right and wrong, yin and yang, were just different points of view that we all adopt at one time or another. Because the earth plane is dualistic in nature, we all view, at one time or another from both the Yin and the Yang ends of the telescope. There does not seem to be a point in judging one good and one bad or judging one good and one evil. These just are the symptoms of being human.
Still, there is such a thing as being well, and there is such a thing as being sick. When we get sick we tend to want to do something about it.
Enter the healer. A healer is trained in the observation and interpretation of signs and symptoms, and in methods for dealing with them. Today, Holistic Healing of the individual occurs at different energetic levels. These are the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual levels. For those on the path, there are a great many more levels and sublevels identified in various cultural, religious and philosophical traditions. But for our purposes we can look at the individual in these four broad realms to at least begin the process of healing.
Healing occurs not only at the individual level, but also at the family, community and global level. When one heals ‘mindfully’, as the Buddhists say, these other aspects of individual healing may become apparent.
There are healers operating today at all these levels. Still, a good place to begin is in the individual body. With this in mind, the following is a list of physical symptoms and the metaphysical disharmonies they may reflect.
Louise Hay, in her book, ‘You Can Heal Your Life,’ has done some interesting work in this area. I use her book all the time. There are other references that are viable such as traditional Chinese Medicine diagnostic principals.
Please be aware that these are only my general observations, serving to hopefully illuminate areas that you can look at more closely in yourself or with the help of a healer. You are the one who knows you best. As you go through these observations, try to expand your awareness beyond your own life to see also how these disharmonies are reflected in your own family, community, country and in the world. Ultimately it is our own choice to heal or not to heal and it is our own innate healing ability that is activated.
Now let’s look at the specifics: Headaches.
Pain always indicates a separation of some sort from something. Usually, we say separation from what is the Truth. The greater the pain the more important that something is. Depending on which part of the head is afflicted the meaning changes. Louise Hay suggested that headaches indicate invalidating the Self out of Fear. In Chinese Medicine there are several different kinds of headaches according to the quality of the pain and the location on the head. Read on.
Vortex: The top of the head is associated with our connection to the Universe or God. Pain here is associated with separation from that higher power. It is also associated with the Kidneys and the emotion has been related to “Fear.”
Both the Gallbladder and Urinary Bladder channels traverse the top of the head. The Gallbladder is associated with Courage, and the Urinary Bladder through its associate with the Kidneys is associated with Fear. In Chinese Medicine, located at the top of the head, is used extensively to ‘calm the spirit’.
Forehead: The forehead is associated with the 3rd eye, both in Chakra Theory and Traditional Chinese Medical theory. The 3rd eye is associated with introspection and illumination of your own Inner Being. Pain which may be located here is associated with separation from your own Inner Being. In Chinese Medicine, Yin tang, which is located midway between the inner ends of the eyebrows and are located at the hairline directly above Yin tang and Du 20 (Beihai) located at the top of the head, all have the action of ‘calming the spirit.’ Yin tang is associated with the eyes; not only the eyes that look outward but the eyes that look inward and is indicated in some emotional disorders.
Temporal: The sides of the head are associated with courage, especially courage to face your world. Migraine Headaches, usually located in the front quadrants, right or left, indicate a separation from your world. The involvement of the eyes in Migraines indicates not only an unwillingness to look without, but to look within. Most Migraine sufferers report not only severe pain behind the eye, but also acute sensitivity to light.
In Chinese Medicine, several Meridians run through this area. The Gallbladder Channel is associated with courage. The San Jiao channel is involved with processing of water (the elixir of Life), and the Small Intestine Channel is involved with deriving nourishment from the world. Both the San Jiao Channel and the Small Intestine Channel are connected to the Heart, whose emotion is Joy and where the Mind is located. Lack of Joy (within oneself) is strongly indicated by pain in this area. There is also Anger indicated by the Gallbladder channel’s link with the Liver.
Occipital: The back of the head represents your past. Some say also this is an area of spirituality. Pain here represents something in your past that is not complete and remains unforgiven. The back of the head is traversed by the Gallbladder Channel and the Urinary Bladder Channels indicating Anger born of Fear. The Back of the Head is thought to be the seat of Spiritual Experiences. The only way to see them is through inner sight. Pain in the back of the head represents an unwillingness to look deep within for the source of Light & Truth.
Back
Spine: The Spine Represents the support you think you have in Life and your alignment with those supportive forces. Curved spine, or Scoliosis represents a misalignment with Life. Spasms represent an unwillingness to accept the support that is there.
Shoulders: Shoulders represent burdens and responsibilities. Frozen Shoulder for example represents a complete unwillingness to shoulder your responsibilities in Life, especially your own Life. Pain and dysfunction to varying degrees represents varying degrees of unwillingness to be responsible. Moving forward in Life sometimes requires that you ‘put your shoulder to the wheel’ to overcome inertia. the Gallbladder channel traverses the shoulders and indicates Courage (or lack of…).
The back, in Chinese Medicine, is considered to be your Yang side; the active, aggressive, lighted side. The back also represents that which is behind you. Very often we do not see clearly what is behind us. Back problems generally represent conflict between the urge to move forward and the inertia of an unforgiven past that holds us back. This tension very often separates us from both, and pain is the result. Louse Hay suggests that backs generally represent support.
Mid back: The mid back is the link between the shoulder and the lower back. It can be a weak link. As we firm up our shoulders and become willing to take on the responsibilities of Life, and we have gathered around us the financial and emotional support we need (lower back), something sneaks up and stabs us in the back. This is a blind spot. Not only can we not see it but is very difficult to reach. The weak link crumbles. It is the saboteur or seducer that takes us off our path. Located in this area are the Toxification points (called ‘Shu’ points) for the Liver, the Stomach, and the Spleen. These organs are responsible for the transformation and transportation of Qi, and the free flow of Qi in the body. Blockages here affect the entire body and can stop you from dead in your tracks. The Spleen represents Worry or Overthinking, and the Liver represents Anger or base emotions. Both can sabotage even the best laid plans. Louse Hay suggests that the mid-back represents Guilt and stuck in the past stuff.
Lower Back: The Lower Back represents support; financial support, emotional support of family and friends, and support of God or the Universe. The Kidneys are in this area and Kidney dysfunction results in Fear/Fright/Phobias. A sore lower back may indicate that we have taken on more than we think we can handle. This is a dysfunction, only if it is not the Truth. If we have indeed taken on too much, that would be indicated by a physical trauma to the back and all we need to do is lighten the load. Chronic low back ache, though, not associated with any trauma is the one with the Metaphysical application, and the one related to Kidney depletion. Kidneys are considered to have a central function relative to other organs since it is where Yuan Qi or our Primary Essence is stored. Yuan Qi is also known as Primary Qi or Congenital Qi. It is the Qi you are born with and determines your relative strength in the world. It is quite difficult to strengthen an already weak Yuan Qi, but it can be done. Low back pain is often diminished by strengthening the Kidneys. In short, Low back pain, generally refers to a lack of trust in the Universe to protect and support. Louise Hay suggests Fear of money is indicated.
Coccyx: The Coccyx/Sacrum is the seat of Self-pity. There is a fear of asking for help. One would rather sit and feel sorry for oneself than get of one’s ass and do something.
Legs
Hips: The Hips represent decisions in Life, especially decisions about moving forward. Pain in the hips is a sign of being ‘stuck’ unable to decide or see clearly what is needed to be done next. The process of walking requires that we first thrust the hip forward and the leg etc. follows. This is an act of faith on our part, since we are quite literally initiating a fall to the ground and trusting that our legs will save us. The Gallbladder Channel traverses the hip which again represents Courage and confidence to move forward. Louise Hay suggests that hip problems represent fear of going forward with major decisions. Hips represent the idea that the next step in your life is important. Pain or discomfort advises you to slow down or stop, look around, buy a map, or ask someone for directions.
Upper Thighs: Thighs are the link between the Hips & decisions, and the Knees & pride. Very often, when we have decided and take the next step, Pride gets in the way. “What if I look stupid? What if it’s not right? What if it doesn’t work out?” Our knees lock up or turn to jelly, and we are prevented from moving forward. The pain that begins in the Hips and shoots down the Thigh (Sciatic Nerve), is the separation from our desire and decision to move forward and our Fear of falling flat on our ass. Louse Hay suggests that Upper Thigh problems represent retaining childhood trauma.
Knees: Knees represent Pride. In spiritual practice it is suggested that one must go down before one can rise up, as Jesus did before John the Baptist, before taking up his own ministry. Pride or Ego keeps us from surrendering to the Will of God or the Universe. In practice, every time we move forward in Life or approach change, we approach the unknown. We may feel vulnerable or unsure. We may stand still, stiff kneed resisting the winds of change. It is interesting to note that stiff, sore knees are a symptom of Kidney deficiency, whose emotion is Fear. Rather than admit our fear, we resist it until it overwhelms us. While knees represent Pride, and it is said that ‘Pride goes before the fall’, knees can also represent Humility which is the wisdom to yield in the face of change.
Briefly, Knee problems may be said to indicate being stuck in the Ego, too proud to bend. Louise Hay also suggests that Knees represent Pride and the Ego.
Shins: The Shins represent another weak link. Although the Shins are mostly bone, the hardest substance in the body, the Shins are quite sensitive and brittle. A slight whack on the Shins is not only painful, it weakens the entire body and stops it cold. When we have organized ourselves to move forward, to take the next step towards the goal we have set, and are in the process of achieving it, something comes along and sends you tumbling. It is something we trip over because we don’t see it, even though it is right there in front of us. In ancient times the shin pads that worriers wore were called greaves. Very often what trips us up is something, the loss of which we haven’t properly grieved. Moving forward always means something gets left behind. Interesting to note is that the three Yin channels of the foot all cross at Spleen 6 (Sayajirao), representing a confluence of Worry, Anger, and Fear. Moving forward is often marked by a jumble of emotional responses which need to be sorted out, especially if we are resisting it. Louise Hay suggests that problems are fear of the future; not wanting to move ahead.
Ankles: Ankles represent flexibility, which is important as one navigates the twists and turns of Life. Stiff, painful ankles means that change is difficult for you. Maybe you are one who digs in your heels and resists moving forward. The more Life forces change upon you, the deeper you dig in. A broken ankle is a good sign to develop some flexibility in your Life. Louise Hay suggests that ankles represent mobility and direction.
Feet: Our feet represent our connection with Mother Earth. Sore, swollen, numb or painful feet represent the state of our relationship with our mother. Mother Earth, and our base energies. While it is legs that carry us forward into Life, it is the feet that contact the ground and can stop any advance, or at least make it difficult. In modern society with its asphalt, concrete and High Rises, we lose touch with the Earth and its energies. This may be reflected in our relationship with the one who gave birth to us. Separation can cause real pain.
All the Leg Yin & Yang channels meet and flow into each other in the toes. This is an area of high energy and has a strong effect on the body. This is an area where strong energies are in transition, so our contact with Mothers, Mother Earth and our base energies is always ambivalent. We want to draw closer to that love, but at the same time move away on our own course.
In my experience, the feet often store toxic energies (as often to do with grief or resentments as not), as far away from the Heart as possible. This means, in the feet. Often, these are issues that go all the way back to childhood. Lacking the tools to effectively release grief or resentment, the body stores it, like it stores fat. Over time, more and more toxic energies are stored here and fill up the receptacle. In many cases, the entire leg can become involved, and the waste starts leaking back into the system. This is a very serious situation indeed, that can lead to amputations, blood disorders and even death, as the body struggles to protect the Heart. Metaphysically, it becomes clear that the space you are standing in is painful. The key is to move on. Stop dwelling on the past, release or transform whatever it is that keeps you emotionally standing still. Louise Hay suggests that feet represent our understanding of ourselves, of Life, and others, and toes represent minor details of the future.
Throat
The Throat represents our Will, and our ability to communicate, both with others and with ourselves. Sore throats, lumps in the throat, tumors all represent difficulties in saying what we want to say. Lumps, both physical tumors and those that are non-manifest (Hystericus Globus) are our willful attempts to block free expression of emotion and of our identity. The Throat is another one of those weak links that can seduce or sabotage you from your path. The Throat is the channel between the Head and the Heart. In Chinese Medicine it is said the Heart houses the Mind, especially in its connection with the emotion of Joy and the expression of Love for us and for others. Have you ever had a great idea, gotten your body motivated, put your Heart into it, only to say something completely stupid which makes a mess of things? Have you ever felt the urge to say something complimentary and suppress it? Have you ever just blurted out something that just seemed to bypass the brain? How often does a careless or ill-chosen word create havoc in your Life? Where this comes from is all the things you have not said over the years that get stuck in the throat, needing to get out, and out they come, one way or the other.
All emotions are designed to be expressed, even the ones we judge to be negative and especially the ones we judge to be positive. Louise Hay calls the Throat an avenue of expression and a channel of creativity. Problems indicate an inability to speak up for oneself, swallowed anger, stifled creativity and refusal to change. Thyroid problems indicate difficulty in analyzing, digesting and assimilating the communication between the Head and the Heart.
Chest/Breasts
The chest area represents the Feminine principle of nurturing and nourishing the connection with the ‘breath of Life’ as it flows through the Lungs. In men, pain or discomfort, not associated with any organ or vessel represents a disconnection from the Feminine principal. Breast envy may exist in men; the desire to connect with the feminine side, the same way penis envy is said to exist in women; the desire to connect with the masculine side. In Chinese Medicine, the front is considered Yin. The chest is the confluence of the three most important kinds of Qi, that nourish the body; Zhong Qi, from the Lungs, Jing Qi, from the Spleen, and Yuan Qi from the Kidneys. Breast problems represent a denial of the mother/feminine principle to nourish the self and to nourish others. Louise Hay suggests also that breasts represent mothering and nurturing. Cysts, lumps etc. represent over mothering.
Solar Plexus
Is said to be the seat of the Ego and Individuation. Some call this the Negative Ego. In general, this area represents the conflicts in your life. Pain or discomfort in the Diaphragm area represents unresolved conflicts. In Chinese Medicine, pain in this area indicates Liver Qi Stagnation, usually associated with Anger.
Stomach
The stomach represents digestion, not only of food and physical nutrients, but of new ideas, new ways of doing things, and accepting change of any kind. The Stomach is nothing more than a big flexible bag of muscle whose job it is to ripen and rot whatever is put into it. That is, its job is to break down what is put into it into a form that the body can deal with. This it does by adding Hydrochloric Acid, Hormones, Enzymes and Bile which reduces every sold morsel into an undifferentiated mass called Chyme. Simultaneously it rocks back and forth swishing and swilling this mess until it is liquefied and able to pass through the small Pyloric Valve into the Small Intestine where the actual absorption of nutrients mostly takes place.
Metaphysically, when we come upon a new idea or a new way of doing things, the process is similar. First, we must swallow the idea, either whole or in handy bite sized morsels, break it down into a form we can handle and finally absorb that which we need to nourish ourselves. In the same way that a bad diet poisons the body, toxic ideas, suppressed emotions and resistance to change can have a poisoning effect. In traditional Chinese Medicine, long standing emotional disharmony is seen as a primary cause of disease. Strengthening the Spleen/Stomach which between them are responsible for transforming food and water into Qi, and transporting it throughout the body, is seen as a key strategy to deal with almost any disease.
Metaphysically we need to nourish ourselves every day, just as we need to eat nourishing foods. Just as the physical body needs nourishment to grow and carry on its day-to-day activities, so do the Emotional, Mental, and Spiritual bodies. Metaphysically, ‘wellness’ is not accomplished by a change in diet alone. Louise Hay suggests that the stomach holds nourishment, digests ideas. Problems indicate dread, fear of the new, and an inability to assimilate the new.
Great article! A must read!