My Journey Through Injury to Living Healthier and Happier.

Throughout college I had a terrible time with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). I would have days where I couldn’t even walk from the pain. It was terrible. Back then, I had no idea what it was. I blamed it on the cafeteria food. Who knows, the food could have had something to do with my pain, but I still never went to the doctor for treatment.

A year after graduating college I went to massage school. Near the end of the course, I injured myself on a body builder. My thumb pain quickly turned into neck and shoulder pain. At that point it was time to see a doctor. I was referred to a neurologist in Seneca, SC where they performed and EMG, a nerve conduction test, to see what was going on. All they found was a little inflammation. Of course then I was sent for an MRI. They found mild arthritis, two bulging discs and some bone spurs in between. After that, it was time for physical therapy.

I’ve come to realize physical therapy in one office isn’t always the same as another office. With my education in massage therapy, I have learned that when muscles are inflamed it’s not always wise to start strengthening them right away. You need to get the inflammation down first! At the first office I went to they did not do anything about the inflammation. So of course it was no surprise that I was still injured two months later! I took it upon myself to find another physical therapist. At the second office they used ultra sound and massage to help heal the inflamed/injured muscles before we started strengthening. It made a huge difference, it was 100% better, but I was able to massage again.

Then, in May 2007 I decided to see Terry Hall Hines a naturopath/Iridologist at Creative Health in downtown Greenville, SC. I was still having trouble with my IBS and still had some inflammation. Terry taught me that what we eat has an affect on our bodies and how our bodies function every day. Terry is also a nutritionist and made a new plan for me.My IBS was gone within two weeks. She puts most people on this diet. It’s mostly food combining that you need to worry about.This is what her diets normally are:

NO Dairy, red meat (only in season), canned foods, microwaving, or wheat

That is a HARD diet to stick to! Let me tell you! As for the food combining: No starches with proteins. Only proteins with vegetables or starches with vegetables. I definitely felt 100% better when I ate that way. Now I try to eat healthy, organic foods and usually try not to combine foods too much, but I do on occasion.

Terry has opened my eyes to a whole other way of living. She’s introduced me to wonderful self-help books to help me live a happier and fuller life. I still eat my ice creams and chocolate, yes. I can’t live my life without those, but like they say “Everything in Moderation”. It really important to listen to your body. Terry also is an herbalist and prescribes herbs to people. Some of those herbs have really had a positive effect on my life. I don’t take any medications.

Through Terry I have also met many like minded people and have been introduced to acupuncture, which I just love. It’s amazing how acupuncture keeps your body in balance. I feel like I have received a true gift and I need to pass it on to everyone I know.

I hope all is well in your world. Just know there are many tools to make your life better, you just have to reach for them. I strongly encourage you to be your own advocate. If you aren’t happy with the answers you get from Doctors, find another one or try a Naturopath. I’ve been very happy with the results I have gotten physically by going to see someone who practices alternative medicine. Doctors are there for a reason, there is no doubt about that, but I do believe that they don’t always have the answers. You owe it to yourself to find someone who does have the answers. It’s time for you to live your life to the fullest.