a body-mind approach to chronic illness
how does homeopathy work?
Homeopathy is a safe and effective way to treat chronic illness but what exactly is it, and how does it work?
In our everyday lives we encounter all kinds of stresses and pressure. Too much stress is damaging, but just the right amount, at the right time, builds us up making us stronger and healthier. In 1974 McGill University endocrinologist Hans Selye used the concept of distress and eustress to distinguish between negative and positive stress.
One of the most beneficial forms of eustress is exercise. When you exercise you place resistance on your muscles, which causes microscopic tears, called micro-traumas. During rest your body repairs these microscopic tears by thickening and strengthening the muscle fibers. This process is called muscle hypertrophy.
Homeopathic medicines work based on the same principle. Each homeopathic medicine produces a specific type of micro-trauma, which sets into motion a specific healing response by the body.
The berries of the belladonna plant look very similar to blueberries. Unfortunately, eating a berry will produce sudden pains; a flushed face with dilated pupils; throbbing arteries; convulsions and hallucinations. Swallowing a minuscule amount of Belladonna sets into motion a cascade of biological responses that repair the symptoms of belladonna poisoning.
Someone who has not swallowed a belladonna berry, but has these exact same symptoms, will get better when given a microscopic amount of homeopathic Belladonna. This is because the microscopic amount of poison ivy triggers the exact same symptoms – but at a micro-level. The body then counters these micro-traumas and subsequently becomes more capable in dealing with disease at a macro-level.
Each type of eustress produces benefits unique to it: exercise strengthens the muscles; giving a speech builds motivation and confidence; and homeopathic remedies strengthen the body and mind. Eustress is uncomfortable, but leads to personal growth, life satisfaction and wellbeing.
Imagine two schoolboys struggling with a difficult homework task. The first boy finds the task too difficult to complete so he asks his mother to do it for him. He gets the perfect grade. The second boy tries his best, makes a few mistakes and gets an average grade. Which boy benefited the most?
My answer is the second boy. He might not have gotten a high score but he learned something while the second boy has learned nothing
Pharmaceutical medicines are like the mother who helped the first boy. They may provide immediate relief and comfort, they might suppress the symptoms, but they cannot create health or produce personal growth.
Homeopathic medicines work based on the principle of eustress. They train the body to fight back against disease. Treatment sometimes takes longer and is more challenging but the advantage is that relief is often deeper and more permanent.
sequential therapy
When you watch a movie you may not always be conscious of the background music but that’s what sets the tone for each scene.
Some characters such as James Bond and Darth Vader have their very own background music, called a leitmotif.
In reality we all have our own leitmotif. Unlike in the movies though, it not an actual song but rather a resonance or vibration that expresses the essence of who we are.
For a moment, imagine that your leitmotif is an actual song played by an invisible orchestra. The members of the orchestra love and understand you completely. When you are happy your song has joyful note and when you are sad your song takes on a melancholic tone.
Your song is perfectly melodic but as you go through life you encounter various shocks and hurts.
Every time a shock impacts you, it also impacts a member of your inner orchestra. One by one the orchestra members become discordant:
You break your hand in a fall and the cellist breaks his hand. He can still play the cello but only the high notes.
Your heart is broken and the violinist too has her heart broken. She loses her passion for music.
You are insulted by your boss and feel humiliated. The conductor tells the pianist she needs to practice more. She feels angered and insulted so she begins to play with a little too much force.
Eventually your inner song has deteriorated into discord. You feel constantly sick but the symptoms just don’t go away, even with the best medical help.
why use homeopathy for fibromyalgia
The standard treatment for fibromyalgia involves NSAIDS, anti-seizure drugs, pain relievers and antidepressants. These drugs are palliative only (temporarily hide the symptoms). Long-term use of these drugs often can cause severe side-effects. Homeopathy medicines in contrast, treat the underlying cause of fibromyalgia, and have no side effects.
Homeopathic Medicines for Fibromyalgia
Acid Phos helps for brain fog. There is mental weakness and difficulty concentrating. In most cases there is a history of grief or sorrow. Sleeplessness and extreme weakness may also be present.
Arnica Montana is used for sore, bruised pains. The body feels as if beaten. The person is sensitive to touch, especially the painful parts. Fatigue, numbness, and tingling in the limbs may be present.
Arsenic Album is used for fatigue. The key indications include sudden weakness, excessive tiredness, exhaustion from slight exertion, and burning pains. There is also intense anxiety and restlessness.
Bryonia Alba is considered in cases where pain is worse from motion. Lying down and absolute rest relieves the pain. The pain can be sharp, stitching, bursting, sore, or tearing. The painful parts tend to be stiff.
Cimicifuga Racemosa is indicated for marked pain in the muscles of the neck and the lower back. A feeling of stiffness and contraction in the neck is also present. Pain fell better from rest and worse from motion.
Coffea Cruda is used to treat sleep issues. The person has severe insomnia, restlessness brought on by an overactive mind. They may feel hypersensitive to pain.
Causticum is used for widespread pain that is prominent in the neck, lower back, buttocks, shoulders, shoulder blades, elbows, and knees. The pain is constant, varies in intensity, and is worse from motion.
Gelsemium Sempervirens is indicated for aching muscles and tiredness. Deep-seated pains that are worse in the back, hips, neck, and under the scapula. Exertion worsen the pain. Headaches may be present.
Ignatia Amara is used for depression, usually due to a past emotional shock, like loss of a loved one. Depression, sadness, weeping, and a desire to be alone are accompanied by mental and physical exhaustion.
Kali Phos is used to treat fatigue and sleep issues. There is an intense weakness, tiredness and whole system feels drained. Exertion worsens the condition. A prickling sensation in the hands and feet is indicative of this remedy.
Magnesia Phos is indicated when warmth relieves pain. The pain changes from one place to other frequently. The pain is sharp and shooting. Restlessness and extreme weakness are present. Cold tends to worsen the pain.
Rhus Tox is indicated for widespread pain throughout the body. The pain is worse with exertion and during the night. There is marked stiffness in the body. Pain is worse from motion. There is numbness and a prickling sensation in the limbs.
Ruta Graveolens is used for pain accompanied by restlessness. The tendons are usually painful. Pain is deep, sharp, drawing, and tearing in nature, and is mainly present in the neck, shoulders, lower back, and knees.
