7 Therapies That Catalyzed My Healing Journey

Exploring a Path of Transformation and Self-Discovery Through Alternative Healing Practices

The Harrowing Reality of ‘Losing Myself’

We often use the term “losing myself” casually. You might have heard it in a song or tossed around lightly in conversation. But in my case, it was a harrowing reality I had to face for months. My experience and story might provide insight and help you on your own journey, as I have already done and continue to do a lot of work, experiments, and discoveries. I share the essence of my discoveries and a glimpse into the path I now tread.

Everyone hits their rock bottom differently. For me, it was nothing short of tragic. Despite many hardships throughout my life, including this year’s successful relocation to a different country, ending an unsuccessful relationship, and starting a new job, just when I thought things were settling down, I found myself blindsided by life’s caprices. I was struck with misfortunes that forced me to review my whole life, face my shadows, and deal with my dark night of the soul.

A Tragic Turn

Boasting a robust health record and regularly achieving new milestones in the gym, I was the picture of vitality. That is, until an insidious onset of symptoms crept upon me. Overnight, I started developing disabling symptoms in my upper body, rendering me unable to do basic tasks like holding a glass or washing my hair. These peculiar symptoms spread all over my body, and no doctor could help me as all my tests came back normal, yet I felt my body was completely breaking down.

Every day was a struggle, and even sleep was hard to attain. I was frustrated with suggestions that my symptoms were psychological, as if they were just in my head. Meanwhile, I was literally losing myself, living with the fear of collapse at any moment, unsure if I would make it to the next day, hour, or minute.

I finally accepted that these symptoms were psychological while learning more about psychosomatic symptoms, realizing that it’s not just “in my head.” The cause became undeniable at this point — it was all about suppressed emotions and hidden traumas.

I explain it in more details in my article You Might Be Living With Hidden Trauma: Here’s My Story.

Therapies and Discoveries

This journey has been ongoing for more than six months, and I have made significant progress. I wanted to share in this article a few of the practices that I’ve been doing following scattered recommendations while trying to explore my way to healing. Here are some therapies I tried, sorted by their helpfulness:

Psychotherapy

This has been an essential part of my journey and paid off well. The challenging part was finding a therapist that matched my needs. I had to change four therapists until I found one that worked for me. Therapy, in general, was especially helpful in giving me insights and identifying areas of my life that needed work.

Each session peeled back layers of my subconscious, revealing hidden truths and unhealed wounds. It was like navigating through a maze with a newfound clarity. As each layer unfolded, I found fragments of my true self, long buried under years of unaddressed emotions and traumas. The therapists, with their varied approaches, were like guides illuminating different paths back to my core.

Ecstatic Dance

This was a strange and peculiar experience at first, but it quickly became an essential part of my routine. It’s now a weekly practice where every aspect is therapeutic and healing, from connecting with people to finding freedom in dancing. It’s particularly healing as I struggle with my myofascial system, resulting in limited movement and weakness. But this therapy allowed me to move as my body permits, improving each time. The community of open-minded souls made me feel at home.

As my body moved freely, unbound by the constraints of structured rhythm, I found a profound connection with myself. It was in these moments of uninhibited expression that I felt the purest essence of my being coming alive.

Chiropractic

My first visit to the chiropractor was eye-opening. After a few adjustments, I felt drastic improvement, giving me hope for recovery. The first few sessions were more effective, and although the benefits plateaued after a couple of months, I still recommend it for initial relief.

Hypnotherapy

Before trying it, I had misconceptions about hypnotherapy. However, it turned out to be quite helpful, especially in calming the brain into a meditative state, making it easier to work with the subconscious.

Acupuncture

The improvement I felt after acupuncture sessions was surprising, leading me to become a frequent client. It helped release tension in my body and realign my energies. The therapist also applied different types of Chinese medicine, which added to the therapeutic effect.

Osteopathy

Osteopathy sessions involve adjustments that are hard to explain but effective. A good osteopath not only works with your body but also offers valuable advice, as they are usually well-trained in areas that conventional medicine might overlook.

Cranial Sacral Therapy

Initially, I was skeptical about cranial sacral therapy due to the limited supporting evidence. However, it was recommended by my psychotherapist, so I gave it a try. It was a relaxing experience, and although I was unsure of its effectiveness, it has worked for many others and might be worth trying.

These therapies, each a chapter in my story, have been instrumental in my journey towards healing. They were not just treatments but transformative experiences that guided me back to a place of self-awareness, balance, and peace. I also invite you to consider trying them even for general wellness. Beyond their specific purposes, they offer holistic benefits, like enhancing sleep, digestion, and overall well-being. As I continue to explore and embrace new modalities, I remain committed to sharing these explorations, hoping they might light a spark in your own journey towards healing.

Checkout my podcast “Life’s Multiverse” to learn more about my story and gain insight on the takeaways I’m learning throughout the journey.