Digestive Disorders in the Body/Mind/Spirit Paradigm
Digestion is the body’s way of assimilating nutrients from ingested food to synthesize tissue and produce energy to sustain life. On the body level, any blockage to the numerous pathways involved in this process can compromise health and wellbeing. Such compromise can originate in the food we eat if it is not of optimum quality or quantity. It can result from having sub-optimal digestive enzymes, an irritated or diseased gut lining( ie Crohn’s disease, leaky gut syndrome, an ulcer), or food allergies or sensitivities. On the mind level, compromise can result from stress ( ie irritable bowel syndrome, hyperacidity). On the spirit level, it can be related to our inability or resistance to assimilating spiritual sustenance from our surroundings or relationships.
The first priority may be to look at the circumstances that precede digestive problems. Is it related to the food we have eaten, the time of day, the circumstances under which we have eaten? Were we stressed at the time? Were we rushed? Does it happen whenever we eat pizza, chili, bread or dairy products? Does it happen every time we eat or only under certain circumstances? Perhaps, family gatherings or work situations. Finding out what circumstances bring on the digestive disorders and correcting them, if possible, on your own is the first step in the healing process. If this doesn’t help, getting professional assistance is in order. Various lab tests, dietary changes and other investigative procedures can be of great help in uncovering the cause of the problem. Perhaps psychological counseling, massage therapy or various relaxation techniques may be helpful. Even Chiropractic adjustments can facilitate reducing stress on the nervous system and restoring proper digestion.
Looking at the whole Body/Mind/Spirit paradigm is essential to any healing process and the promotion of well-being. Our physical states affect our feelings. Our feelings cause the release of various neurochemicals that affect our physical functioning. And, our mental outlook affects our feelings, which affect our bodies, which affect our mental outlook. It is all connected. A digestive disorder may be fixed by simply avoiding a particular food group, or eating under relaxed circumstances. Or, they may require medical assistance. Look at all the possibilities.