​Feeling Stuck in Health Struggles? Empower Your Body with Holistic Care

Image by Darko Stojanovic from Pixabay

When my doctor commented on how unusual my approach to healthcare was, it caught my attention. He mentioned how patients often expect quick fixes like antibiotics and feel frustrated when they're not prescribed. But instead of seeking a temporary solution, I’ve always been more curious about finding the root cause of health issues—a mindset that has shaped my journey since my twenties.

This conversation stayed with me, as it reflects a broader trend I’ve noticed—not just here in New Zealand, but globally—of individuals relying more and more on quick fixes, such as medications or over-the-counter solutions, instead of seeking deeper answers to their health concerns. There’s nothing inherently wrong with medication when it’s needed, but it can sometimes feel as though the convenience of a pill overshadows the importance of understanding what’s really going on beneath the surface.

My journey toward holistic health began in my twenties when I was suddenly and inexplicably exhausted and rendered debilitated every time I left home, with constant and significant chest pains. Misdiagnoses, unnecessary antibiotics, and confusing tests left me with more questions than answers—until a doctor brushed it off as "all in my head."

While his words stung, they pointed to a deeper truth: the significant role of stress in physical health. After a referral to a psychiatrist, I was diagnosed with generalised anxiety and panic disorder, likely triggered by a string of highly stressful events in the year prior – including a stressful court case in which I was a witness and the victim of a head on collision when a driver fell asleep at the wheel, and a difficult relationship breakup. This was a pivotal moment in my life. It taught me that stress is more than a fleeting emotion—it’s a powerful force that can reshape the body and mind over time in ways we often don’t recognise.

Understanding this connection sparked a lifelong curiosity about how to address health issues at their root, rather than just masking symptoms. It became clear to me that true healing requires patience, curiosity, and a willingness to look beyond surface-level solutions.

Now, in my fifties, I find myself navigating the physical and emotional shifts of perimenopause. While it’s tempting to attribute all my symptoms to hormonal changes, my earlier experiences remind me how deeply stress can influence the body—even years after the fact. The chronic stress and trauma of recent decades—losing my mum to cancer, enduring a gnarly and lengthy separation, adapting to co-parenting, and navigating the collective stress of the COVID pandemic—have likely left an imprint I’m still working to heal.

Many of the health issues from those years, like kidney stones and migraines, have resolved through deliberate life changes, inner work, and direct nervous system support. Yet the symptoms I experience today aren’t easily pinned on perimenopause alone. I suspect they reflect a mix of hormonal changes and lingering recovery from chronic stress. Parenting two neurodiverse adolescents adds another layer of complexity, requiring ongoing emotional resilience and adaptability.

This perspective encourages me to see my health as a dynamic, evolving process. It’s not just about aging or hormones but about understanding how past stressors continue to echo in my body. Addressing my current symptoms means digging deeper into both their immediate triggers and underlying causes, with a focus on healing at all levels.

Looking back, my journey toward holistic health has taught me it’s more empowering to let go of the search for quick fixes or Band-Aid solutions. Instead, I’ve embraced the idea of listening to my body, understanding its signals, and trusting the slow, transformative process of recovery—both physical and emotional.

When a menopause specialist suggested I consult an integrative doctor because she wasn’t interested in reviewing my hormonal profile, I didn’t feel dismissed. Instead, I confidently explained that I’m firmly in the driving seat of my own healthcare. For me, it’s about integrating the expertise of trusted practitioners, each contributing their own specialisms and strengths—including hers. I simply don’t hand my health and well-being over to someone else.

This commitment to holistic health also led me to explore alternative approaches like thermography, a non-invasive, radiation-free tool that provides deeper insights into my body. After three clear mammograms and no family history of concern, I chose to switch to thermography as a proactive measure, reserving mammograms or other invasive tests for follow-ups if needed.

What I appreciate about thermography is that it looks for functional changes in the body, such as increased blood flow or metabolic activity, rather than focusing solely on structural changes that traditional imaging methods like mammography detect. Unlike mammography, thermography is non-invasive and radiation-free, which is crucial to me. The use of radiation in mammography is known to change cells in the body, potentially contributing to long-term risks, including an increased risk of cancer. Given that, I prefer to take a more cautious approach when it comes to radiation exposure, particularly since my medical history shows no major concerns like family history of breast cancer or abnormal mammogram results.

Thermography offers a proactive, preventative way of monitoring breast health without this concern. By identifying functional changes in the body before structural damage occurs, it gives me a chance to take action early, long before more invasive measures may be required. This aligns with my belief in looking beyond just treating symptoms—it's about understanding what's happening in the body on a deeper, more holistic level.

Despite the lack of mainstream support for thermography, I’ve found that it fits into my broader approach to health: prioritizing long-term wellness and choosing options that resonate with me. Mainstream medicine often places a heavy emphasis on treatment over prevention, and approaches like thermography are sometimes dismissed or overlooked. However, by integrating a range of trusted methods—ones that go beyond the conventional—I’m able to take a more empowered approach to my health, one that doesn’t rely on radiation or quick fixes.

The systemic bias against alternative approaches isn’t unique to thermography. Herbal medicine, homeopathy, and other holistic therapies face similar barriers due to a lack of funding, institutional support, and large-scale research. Overcoming these challenges requires more rigorous studies and a shift in how both the medical community and the public perceive alternative care.

Navigating these barriers as a patient has taught me the importance of persistence and self-advocacy. Choosing alternatives like thermography means stepping outside the mainstream narrative, but I’ve found that proactive, holistic care is worth the effort. By integrating insights from various tests, lifestyle adjustments, and the expertise of trusted practitioners, along with listening to my body, I’ve created a more complete picture of my health.

A chiropractor once shared a comparison that has stuck with me: “Relying solely on your doctor for your wellbeing is like taking your car to the mechanic only when it breaks down.” It resonated deeply, highlighting how reactive care often neglects the preventative maintenance that keeps systems running smoothly. Just as a car requires regular care from multiple specialists to keep it running smoothly, our bodies thrive when we integrate help from various experts who support different aspects of our health

For example, while general practitioners are traditionally seen as the “mechanics” of overall care, they often focus narrowly on medical solutions. Instead, I rely on my Heilkunst practitioner as a holistic advisor, helping me navigate physical, mental, and emotional health in an integrated way. My chiropractor works directly with my nervous system, ensuring it runs smoothly, and I schedule massages to release muscle tension and support overall wellbeing. My dentist provides annual checkups, my GP facilitates access to medical tests, and routine smear tests and thermograms help monitor breast health. Over the years, I’ve consulted with a variety of practitioners, both inside and outside the medical model, tailoring their expertise to fit my broader vision for proactive, holistic care.

This journey has taught me that true well-being isn’t about finding a single solution or following a one-size-fits-all approach. By trusting in my body’s capacity to heal and looking beyond quick fixes, I’ve discovered that true well-being lies in curiosity, persistence, and openness to alternative pathways. Whether we’re navigating a chronic condition, dealing with stress, or simply looking to feel more vibrant, stepping into the driver’s seat of our own healthcare can be a transformative act.

Mainstream medicine has its strengths, but it’s not the only road to health. By exploring alternative pathways, integrating diverse insights, and listening closely to our body’s signals, we can create a more comprehensive and empowered approach to our well-being.

So, I encourage you to reflect on how you’re currently approaching your health—are you waiting for your body to ‘break down,’ or are you actively choosing a preventative approach that nurtures your long-term well-being? Your body is your vehicle for this life, and only you can drive it. By all means, listen to the insights of others, but remember that even the most trusted experts, whether generalists or specialists, bring their own biases and limitations. True empowerment comes from understanding that no single perspective holds all the answers. Take what resonates, trust your instincts, and do what you know is right for you.

If you enjoyed reading this, you may enjoy You Have Amazing Options When it comes to Healthcare, Crafting a New Vision for Healthcare: How Our Personal Journeys Shape the Future, How Do I Know When a Relationship Is Healthy? and Womanhood: A Story of Our Time. To be the first to receive these posts, you can also opt to subscribe to my blog.