Self-Taught
Discovering holistic pain management
My arms draped along the stitched edges of my espresso-colored sofa. I held the television remote with a subtle grip of my hands. Pushed down on the vibrantly colored rubber buttons. Sifted through the channels in search of comic relief.
Life felt heavy in recent months. I wanted to laugh. Laughter was therapeutic for me.
I peered down at my hands that gripped the television remote. They were stained with the remnants of turmeric I had juiced earlier. It looked like I had clawed my way out of a turmeric root itself.
My mind had been submerged in the world of Ayurvedic medicine. Desperation to find an alternative to the harsh pain medications consumed me. I studied ancient civilizations throughout the world and their natural remedies.
Focused on treating inflammation, I discovered a plethora of reading materials. Peer-reviewed journal articles, clinical studies, and blogs sharing personal experiences. My life was centered around the idea of healing.
I lived and breathed holistic health. Researched home remedies endlessly. Unwilling to be a victim of my circumstances. Unwilling to accept that a spinal fusion was my only option to be pain-free.
I referenced my robust excel spreadsheet. Highlighted in a pale yellow were my findings for improving inflammation. Turmeric was widely used in India for its anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. Its potency was activated by adding black pepper to the mix.
I had been juicing turmeric root daily to decrease my inflammation to help with the pain. I came up with a concoction that was nauseating to my nostrils. Turmeric root, black pepper, and ginger. The ginger was meant to treat the swelling and soreness I felt in my back.
I picked up my odorous beverage. Pinched my nose with my fingers. Swallowed the mixture in one gulp.
It cascaded down my throat. I let out a pungent sigh of relief that could have singed someone's eyebrows off.
I glanced at the calendar hanging in the kitchen. It was Monday. That meant it was time to make my capsules for the week.
I picked up the two rainbow-colored pill boxes. Opened up my box of essential oils. It revealed an extensive collection of oils, empty capsules, and herbs.
Two drops of turmeric essential oil. Two drops of black pepper. Two drops of pink pepper. Two drops of frankincense.
The pink pepper had anti-microbial properties and was used as an antiseptic. My body had experienced great trauma. I wanted to do anything I could to optimize my healing.
The frankincense was used to reduce joint inflammation and improve circulation. The herniated discs were causing the majority of my pain. Improving my body’s circulation would supply fresh blood and oxygen to the areas of atrophy. This would expedite the natural healing process.
My goal was to reduce the swelling from my injuries and increase the overall blood flow. That would help with the pain. That would help with my healing.
The clear capsules were now filled to the brim with my essential oil mixture. I snapped on the other half of the clear capsule. Threw two into the back of my throat and swallowed them. They tasted as bad as they smelled.
I found a rhythm of filling up the capsules with my home remedy. Placed them in the rainbow-colored pill boxes and moved on to the next supplement.
Sunflower Lecithin. I discovered that this supplement would benefit my body and my brain. Sunflower lecithin decreased inflammation and benefited the brain by encouraging neuron growth. I filled my pill boxes with two capsules for the morning. Two capsules for the night.
Next on my list was Tyrosine. This was to support my cognitive functions and energy levels. It was particularly important in the production of epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine.
Tyrosine helped form important brain chemicals that impacted my mood and sleep. I took one capsule each morning and noticed improvements in my mental alertness, memory, and dealing with stress.
I moved on to Vitamin D3. I was using it to reduce inflammation, improve my mood, and boost my immune system. I placed one capsule in the morning pill box, and one capsule in the evening pill box.
My phone buzzed continuously. The sound interrupted my flow. I reached for it with a curious mind. The names of several clients appeared. I slid my finger across the screen, revealing an assortment of messages.
The children had recorded videos telling me they missed me and to get well. Some of them even dressed up as doctors to say that they knew just the medicine I needed.
The corners of my mouth curled up to form an illuminated smile. Their sweet demeanors were infectious. Their beaming expressions left me with a feeling of support that was unfamiliar to me.
I was touched. They had become so much more to me than my clients over the years. They were a part of my day that had always felt genuine and true.
I scrolled through the messages and videos. The parents of my clients had bombarded me with love.
My eyes traced the short phrases from left to right. Words of kindness and encouragement filled my inbox. ‘There is no replacing you Shayna. You’re one of a kind. We adore you and we are thinking of you’.
I look back on that moment as transformative. The nature of my work had always been to give a piece of myself. To hold space for my clients in my heart.
To love them unconditionally. To advocate for them. To support them in finding their voice.
That day I was the recipient of their love. It’s a beautiful thing to feel valued. To feel seen. Heard. I think that’s all any of us want.
I realized that my intentions to do right by my clients had come full circle. That my time and effort spent supporting them from an authentic place was now being given to me.
That was the day that I decided I believed in karma. That what we put out comes back to us. That having pure intentions for others results in loving them without conditions. That when we love others unconditionally it gives us permission to be loved unconditionally.
I closed my eyes and I repeated to myself the same mantra I had said at the foot of my driveway. 'I'm grateful. 'I'm grateful for this moment. I'm grateful for this life. This life is a gift’.
Hi, I’m Shayna! Four years ago, I was in a car crash that left me with five herniated discs. They told me by age 30 I wouldn’t be able to walk one mile without a cane and pain pills. I proved them wrong!
This is part 6 of my story. Catch up below: