Alternative Healing: Natural Ways to Reset, Relax & Restore

In this episode of Design Your Well Life, I discuss my healing journey through alternative methods including acupuncture, dry needling, acupressure, reflexology, salt therapy, sound baths, and forest bathing, highlighting their benefits in managing chronic illness and promoting overall wellness.

Transcript

Natalie: 0:40

Welcome back to Design Your Well Life. I am excited to talk to you today about another aspect of my healing journey. As I look back on this time, I can't say that there was only one major thing that got me to where I am today. I suffered a lot for a long time and it's been a daily struggle to find relief and healing. There were so many days that I would look at what I was dealing with in the moment, especially when it was difficult to breathe and my tongue was seizing up and wonder how in the world I could keep the motivation to continue moving forward with the pain, the flare ups, the fatigue. And for such a long time. I was at a crossroads to decide to keep looking and start trying anything or give up, and I knew I was not ready to give up yet. Even though some days I sure felt like it, this is where I started diving into alternative healing approaches to find something that could bring me relief when I was at my worst states. So let's talk about alternative healing. Now I know that phrase means a lot of different things to a lot of different people. For example, it sparks curiosity and hope for some, for others, maybe skepticism. And that's okay. When you start looking into alternative healing, you'll find everything from deeply personal transformation stories to people who've tried everything and felt nothing. But that doesn't mean it's all or nothing. I truly believe that healing isn't one size fits all. It's deeply personal. Across cultures, across centuries, people have been using various methods to support the body, the mind, and the spirit. And while Western medicine has given us some amazing tools, we also know that many chronic illnesses, including autoimmune conditions like mine, don't always respond to a pill or a procedure alone. Now you've heard me talk before about the cup. This idea that our body can only handle so much before it starts to overflow. Toxins, emotional stress, processed foods, poor sleep, inflammation, they all drip into the cup until the body can't keep up. I believe that's exactly how my autoimmune issue started. So in this episode, I wanna flip that around. I want to talk about ways to take drops out of your cup. To lighten the load. And while there's no magic cure, there are powerful supportive practices that can help your body relax, reset, lower your inflammation and really begin to heal. If something brings you comfort or relief or energy that's healing. That's a step in the right direction. Let's walk through a few of these methods that I've personally tried from acupuncture to salt caves and what the science says about how they work. So acupuncture versus dry needling. What is the difference? And I wanna start with this because it was something that made a huge difference for me early on in my healing journey, acupuncture. Now, I'll be honest, the first time that I went, I was terrified. Not because I have a fear of needles, I actually don't. But because of the idea of someone sticking dozens of these tiny pins all over my body, like a pin cushion, it felt like a lot. And early on in my healing journey, it seemed many things actually made my flareups worse. So. I was sometimes so scared or apprehensive of the reaction that my body would have. I was literally shaking on the table, but I went anyway and because I was desperate to find something, anything that could help calm this storm that was happening in my body. And you know what? It ended up being one of the most peaceful experiences I've ever had. I remember lying there, needles placed down the meridian line of my head, even one in the center of my forehead and my body just let go. I dropped into a level of relaxation that I have rarely been able to reach since it was meditative and healing, and I felt like my nervous system finally got a moment to breathe. I started going two or three times a week during the first year, and it truly helped my muscles relax and stop locking up into painful spasms. So what is acupuncture exactly? Acupuncture comes from traditional Chinese medicine, and it's based on the idea that the body has energy channels or meridians that flow through it. Now these energy pathways can become blocked or imbalanced, especially during times of illness or stress. By inserting very thin needles into specific points along these meridians, acupuncture aims to restore your balance, release tension, and encourage the body's natural healing processes. And here's what's fascinating. We now have science that backs this up. A meta-analysis published in the Journal Archives of Internal Medicine, reviewed data from nearly 18,000 patients and found that acupuncture is significantly more effective than placebo for conditions like chronic back pain, headaches, and osteoarthritis. There's also growing research that acupuncture may help regulate your nervous system. It reduces levels of cortisol, which you know is your primary stress hormone, and it increases the production of endorphins, which are the body's natural painkillers. For me, it felt like hitting a reset button every time that I went. So what about dry needling? Now, this is where some people get confused. Dry needling looks a lot like acupuncture. It's the same thin needles inserted into the skin, but it's rooted more in western medicine versus the eastern philosophy. Now it's commonly used by physical therapists or sports medicine practitioners, and the idea is to cause a small microtrauma to the muscle. Which stimulates a healing response and increases blood flow to that area. Some people describe it as more intense or even uncomfortable, but also incredibly effective for releasing stubborn tension. If acupuncture is about restoring flow and relaxation, dry needling is like precision muscle therapy. Both can be helpful, but they serve different purposes. In my personal experience, I leaned more into acupuncture because it supported my whole system and not just a specific pain point. It allowed my nervous system to dial down, and when your body finally gets that kind of deep rest, it has a much better chance of healing. Now let's talk a little bit about acupressure and foot zoning. After I finished my acupuncture treatments, I started looking for something that would continue to support my body, but in a gentler and, and just sustaining way. That's when I discovered acupressure and reflexology and later on foot zoning. Now if acupuncture works by using needles to stimulate energy points, acupressure uses your hands, fingers, or other specialized tools to press on those same points with a similar goal in mind. It's completely non-invasive, and unlike a massage, you stay fully clothed the whole time, and what I love most about it is that it still tapped into those same meridian lines and I was able to still experience a really deep relaxation. I started going to a wellness clinic that specializes in acupressure and reflexology, and I'd lay in one of their zero gravity chairs. While they worked on my head, ears face, hands and feet, the sessions would last anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes. And honestly, it felt like emotional therapy sometimes too. There were moments, especially in the beginning when they'd press on certain points and I would feel this deep tension and emotional release. So what does science say about this? Studies have shown that acupressure can reduce pain, nausea, anxiety, and even insomnia. There was a review that was published in pain management nursing, and it found that acupressure had a significant effect on both pain intensity and fatigue levels in patients that have chronic illnesses. It's also widely used in hospitals around the world as a complimentary treatment for cancer patients, particularly to help ease nausea and improve their sleep. Now one of the most accessible things about acupressure is that you can even learn to do it on yourself. There are certain points on your wrist, for example, that are known to ease anxiety or motion sickness, and there's also one between the thumb and the index finger that's commonly used for tension headaches. These little tools become ways to regulate your body throughout the day. Now I wanna touch a little bit on foot zoning. Which is a bit more specialized, but deeply fascinating. Foot zoning is the body's blueprint reflected in the feet and is based on the idea that the entire body is mapped out on the feet, and by stimulating certain areas, you're triggering responses in corresponding organs, glands, and the systems in your body. It is a form of reflexology, but it goes deeper working with energy flow, emotional blocks, and the body's natural rhythm. Now, I'm not gonna get too far into this today because I actually have a special guest joining me next week for a full episode on foot zoning. And trust me, you don't wanna miss that one. But I will say this. When I added regular foot zoning to my healing toolkit, I noticed some of the biggest progress in detoxing and the relief from a lot of my symptoms. In the first few sessions, I was amazed by how certain points on my feet felt tender or even stiff and non malleable. And within the next 48 hours, I began to see differences in my body's reactions to all of my flareups. Now, if you're curious about this, just stay tuned. Next week's episode will go deep into how foot zoning works, how it's different from reflexology, and how it can support your healing. Now another healing method that's gained popularity in recent years has been actually around for centuries. It's salt therapy, also known as halo therapy, salt therapy involves breathing in air that's been infused with tiny particles of pharmaceutical grade dry salt. Now, this often takes place in a salt cave or a salt room where the walls are lined with Himalayan salt bricks. There is also crushed salt that usually covers the floor and a device which disperses microparticles of salt into the air. This environment mimics the natural conditions of salt mines, which were historically known for their health benefits. So how exactly does salt therapy help? Inhaling dry salt is thought to have several therapeutic effects. First, it's anti-inflammatory. The fine salt particles may help reduce inflammation in your airways, making it easier to breathe, especially for those with asthma allergies, bronchitis, or some sort of sinus congestion. It is also antibacterial. Salt is actually antimicrobial, so inhaling it may help clear mucus that you might have fight infections and open up your blocked passages. It also has a lot of skin benefits. Salt rooms can help with conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and acne, which usually responds pretty well to this therapy due to the salts, anti-inflammatory and also pH balancing properties. And finally, it really helps with stress reduction. The tranquil atmosphere of a salt cave promotes a lot of relaxation, and some people report improved sleep or reduced anxiety following a session, which I know that was a big impact for me. It is worth noting that the negative ions that actually get released by the natural salt, especially in the Himalayan salt rooms, may help increase your serotonin levels. So increased serotonin levels improve mood and it counteracts the effects of electromagnetic pollution. Although more research is constantly happening in this area. So I wanna shift into something that is becoming more and more mainstream lately, but many are still unsure of what it is. Have you ever heard of a sound bath? Now sound baths have a role of frequency and healing. At first glance, a sound bath might seem just like a trendy way to relax. You walk into a, a quiet room, you lie down on a yoga mat, and someone begins playing the singing bowls with some gongs or chimes or other instruments, but there's a lot more happening beneath the surface than just sounds. Now, a sound bath is a meditative experience when you're bathed in sound waves, not water, using frequencies and vibrations designed to bring the body into a more balanced and parasympathetic state. In other words, it's a method to help you shift out of fight or flight and into rest and repair. So why does sound actually affect the body? The human body, if you remember back from junior high, is about 60% water. And water is a powerful conductor of vibration. That means that sound frequencies don't just hit your ears, they move through your cells. Now, different frequencies can actually influence different systems in your body. Some are calming, some are energizing, and some help the brain shift into different states like alpha or theta waves, which are associated with relaxation, creativity, and deep meditation. Now in fact, the binaural beats A specific kind of sound therapy that plays slightly different frequencies in each ear have been studied for their effect on anxiety, focus and even sleep quality. So what does science say about the sound bath? Um, back in 2016, there was a study that was published in the Journal of Evidence-Based Integrative Medicine, and it examined the effects of singing bowl, sound meditation, and found that participants experienced significantly reduced tension, anger, fatigue and depression just after one session. The study also found improvements in patients' heart rate variability, which is a key marker in the nervous system for balancing stress and resilience, and that's the key benefit here. Sound baths help the body downshift. They encourage your nervous system to slow down, to recalibrate and enter a healing mode. Now when you have a lot of inflammation and your body is fighting against itself, it's not in a relaxed enough state to truly heal. And that's where some of these alternative methods really come in handy because if you can get your body into this relaxed state, then it can have the opportunity to start the healing process that it already knows how to do. This alone can have a ripple effect for the immune function of your body, your digestion, your inflammation, and also emotional processing. Now, the core principle of a sound bath is that vibration affects physiology and when we align our internal rhythms through sound, we often find calm and renewed energy. One of my favorite treatments is actually a combination of both a salt cave and a sound bath. I have a local wellness center that will occasionally hold a sound bath session in the salt cave, and it's incredibly refreshing to get these two treatments at once. Now let's finish today's episode by stepping outside. Literally one of the most powerful, accessible and free healing tools available to us is nature, and one practice that beautifully captures this is called forest bathing, this Is a term that originated in Japan in the 1980s. Now, to be clear, forest bathing doesn't actually involve swimming or even hiking. It's about immersing yourself in a natural setting. Slowly, mindfully, and with all of your senses engaged. It's walking without a destination. It's noticing the color of leaves. It's the sound of the wind. It's being fully present in the forest and allowing it to work on you. So why is this so powerful? Nature has a profound ability to regulate our nervous system. When we are out in green spaces, the body tends to shift into that parasympathetic mode that same rest and digest state. That we've just talked about, but it's not just a feeling, it has actual science behind it. A landmark study that was published in Environmental Health and Preventative medicine in 2010 found that participants who engaged in forest bathing had significantly lower cortisol levels. They had reduced blood pressure and they increased their heart rate variability. All indicators of reducing your stress and improving your autonomic balance. Now, another 2019 analysis published in Frontiers of Psychology, reviewed dozens of studies that confirmed that time in nature significantly reduced anxiety, depression, rumination and mental fatigue, while also enhancing mood and cognitive function. But one of the most fascinating findings is trees themselves may play a role in this healing Phytoncides is the forest immune boost. Trees and plants release airborne compounds called Phytoncides. These are natural oils that protect themselves from insects and disease. Now, when we breathe these in, research shows that they can actually increase the activity of our natural killer cells in our body, the type of immune cells that fight off all of the viruses and even tumor cells. Now, a study published in the International Journal of immunopathology and pharmacology found that participants who spent two days. Two days in a forest environment experienced an increase of natural killer cell activity that lasted up to 30 days afterwards. So yes, simply spending time in the woods, walking slowly, breathing deeply, can actually support your immune system. I. Forest bathing reminds us that slowing down is productive. That healing doesn't always require an appointment or a supplement. Sometimes it's just about getting quiet, noticing beauty and reconnecting to the rhythms of the natural world, the same rhythms that we're designed to live by. I now, as we wrap up today's episode, I want to come back to that image we started with, the cup. Each of us carries a different load. For some it's chronic illness. For others, it's the day-to-day stress of work, parenting, or simply trying to navigate a world that feels too fast and too loud. But no matter what's in your cup, the message is the same. You can begin to release it one drop at a time. We've explored several alternative healing practices today, acupuncture, dry needling, acupressure, reflexology, salt therapy, sound baths, and forest bathing. Some of these may sound familiar, others might be completely new, but here's what I hope you take away. If something brings you peace, restores your energy, or eases your pain, it's healing. The goal isn't to fix yourself overnight or chase the perfect modality. The goal is to create a space for your body to do what it's already designed to do. It knows how to heal. So if today sparked your curiosity, you're going to love what's coming next week. I'll be joined by a special guest to talk about foot zoning, a practice that maps the entire body onto the feet. It's incredibly fascinating. We'll dive into how it works, how it differs from reflexology, and how your feet might just hold the key to a whole body balance. So make sure that you're subscribed. Share this episode with someone who might need it, and most importantly, keep listening to your body because it's speaking and it already knows what it needs to heal. Until next time, keep taking care of that beautiful body of yours and keep designing your well life.

22:48

The information provided on Design Your Well Life is for educational and informational purposes only, and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or health concerns. The views and opinions expressed by the host or guests on this podcast are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of any organizations they are affiliated with. While we strive to provide accurate and up to date information, we make no warranties about the completeness, reliability, or accuracy of the content shared. By listening to this podcast, you acknowledge and agree that neither the host nor any guests or contributors are responsible for your health decisions or outcomes. Always make choices that are right for you in consultation with trusted professionals.