2024 Winter Edition
Consumer spotlight: Lynelle Joy Schrag
I am 65 years of age. For much of the past thirty-three years I have dealt with chronic fatigue syndrome and other chronic health issues. Traditional allopathic testing and treatments have had little to no effect. I’ve regularly been told that, based on test results, I am remarkably healthy, receiving no explanation for the debilitating symptoms experienced. Working with a Physical Therapist who is skilled and knowledgeable in the world of Complementary and Integrative Rehabilitation has been life changing for me. I’m learning how to experience myself as a whole being; integrating body, mind, and spirit. With every session I experience physical and emotional release and healing.
An essential aspect of this work is that I am empowered to attune to and trust my own body’s wisdom. I am no longer operating from a place of weakness and victimhood, waiting for outside “experts” to fix me. I am learning how to be my own healer. For example, at a recent appointment, I showed up with a muscle sprain, which I categorized as a solely biomechanical condition. As my therapist commenced hands on therapy, he mentioned that there could also be a mind/body component, encouraging me to check in to see if this was so. As soon as I did, I experienced deep anger being held in that part of my body. As my therapist continued the physical work, I experienced a deep emotional shift and release, simultaneous with the therapist reporting a healthy release and shift on the physical level. An important component for me is that the therapist does not diagnose what might be happening at the mind/body level, simply inviting me to inquire, thus, power and agency remain with me.
Through ongoing work with integrative health care, I have received many tools with which to calm and balance my nervous system, using both physical techniques (regulating the autonomic nervous system, shaking the body, qigong movements, yoga nidra, and breathing techniques, to name a few) and mental approaches, such as guided imagery. Though my body still carries challenges, there is a definite shift and lessening, both physically and emotionally. I feel like the world is opening up after many years of suffering. I am developing and learning a personalized approach to health and wellness with the support and guidance of my therapist.
