Healing Beyond Medical Treatment: Integrating Body and Mind in Recovery
Hands-on healing therapies offer profound benefits where traditional medical treatments and medications may fall short, particularly in helping the body and mind integrate and assimilate the results of surgeries and medical interventions necessary for survival. Surgery, despite its life-saving or life-enhancing outcomes, is still an intense physical and emotional shock. Depending on the level of invasiveness, it can be traumatic to the bodymind’s integrity.
This is where healing therapies come into play.
When I underwent major surgery in 2016, I relied heavily on the principles of the Alexander Technique to maintain awareness and relaxation during my time in the hospital. In fact, I even found myself demonstrating hands-on techniques to some of the nurses! Additionally, I used Reiki consistently, directing healing energy to both the areas affected by surgery and to my heart, as the procedure left me feeling drained — I lost seventeen pounds and my energy levels plummeted. Without these practices and the self-awareness they cultivated, I doubt my recovery would have been as swift or successful. These tools empowered me to heal, regain strength, and return to teaching, something I am deeply passionate about.
I am beyond grateful for these practices and for the opportunity to continue embodying and teaching as The Listening Body®.
If you’re preparing for surgery or recovering from one, consider incorporating healing support into your journey. Practices like Reiki and hands-on therapies can enhance the body’s integration of medical treatments, such as hip or knee replacements. By fostering communication between the replaced materials and your body’s tissues, you can reintegrate movement, restore posture, and improve overall recovery. Your thoughts, feelings, and awareness profoundly affect how you sit, stand, and walk — and this becomes even more important after a surgical intervention.
You may not realize the extent to which surgery impacts your posture, especially if organs central to spinal support (such as the bladder, uterus, kidney, or colon) have been removed. The body naturally pulls inward when injured, and without proper intervention, this can lead to long-term postural habits that didn’t exist before. Due to a phenomenon known as debauched kinesthesia — where the body loses awareness of its own alignment — many people aren’t fully conscious of the changes in posture caused by surgery. After such a significant event, it’s crucial to update your proprioception (your body’s sense of movement and position) to restore a healthy alignment.
Being proactive in your recovery can make all the difference. Whether your surgery was recent or took place some time ago, Reiki sessions, healing and alignment treatments, or a course of Alexander Technique lessons can help restore your body’s natural support system. Additionally, practicing Iyengar yoga with Alexander Technique principles can greatly aid in strengthening your body during recovery.
Your body, like a cherished home, appreciates the love and care you give it. Just as you wouldn’t leave broken windows or a damaged roof un-repaired, you wouldn’t ignore the needs of your body — your true home and vehicle for this human experience. It deserves your attention, compassion, and support.
The Listening Body® is here to help your body express what it needs.
I’m still here to support you, because I took care of myself first.
