Chelsea's Story

Hello again =)

My journey to mind-body healing began in the most ordinary of ways. One day, I was lying on my couch reading a book my sister had recommended. Essentially, it was about how I could rewire my brain to process pain differently. I figured I had nothing to lose. 


I was about halfway through when I had a sudden realization. In that moment, I came to realize my life purpose. I was going to use this knowledge to heal myself and then use my experience to help others. So, I did just that, and here we are.

“I thought I was dealt the worst possible hand, one of pain and suffering. I thought I was destined to be sick forever. I’m grateful to report I was incredibly wrong.”

Let’s start at the beginning…

 

As far as I can remember, I was sick. I went to the NICU straight out of the womb. I was bit by a brown recluse spider at six years old. I caught every bug that went around school. I spent my entire childhood in and out of doctors’ offices. When I think back to my elementary years, I can remember staying home from school, watching The Price is Right, eating pretzels and noodle soup, and drinking Ginger Ale or Sprite. 

 

“IT’S PROBABLY JUST GROWING PAINS.”

 

This is the explanation I got whenever I complained about having joint pain. I remember having so many aches and pains as a child, but I was always met with the, “it’s normal growing pains” answer. Then, I started getting daily headaches, and as I continued into my middle school years, they just got worse and worse. In fact, most days after school, I’d come straight home and curl up on the couch with the family dogs.

 

Then, one day, I saw a pediatric neurologist and was told to keep a headache diary. This was the first of many professionals I saw over the years.

And when I say I saw many professionals, I mean MANY.

  • Acupuncturist
  • Cardiologist
  • Chiropractor
  • Endocrinologist
  • Gastroenterologist
  • Gynecologist
  • Holistic Health Practitioner
  • Homeopathic Doctor
  • Hypnotherapist
  • Life Coach
  • Massage Therapist
  • Neurologist
  • Neuropsychologist
  • Occupational Therapist
  • Orthopedist
  • Physical Therapist
  • Psychiatrist
  • Psychotherapist
  • Rheumatologist

  • Urogynecologist

Why did I see so many specialists?

 

Well, that’s a long story. Let’s just say, as soon as I was diagnosed with one illness to explain one set of symptoms, I began to develop new symptoms, which ended up becoming another diagnosis.

 

I really and truly felt like I belonged on the TLC reality show, “Mystery Diagnosis.”

 

It was always something – a new symptom and a new diagnosis.

Before I knew it, I was battling symptoms from so many different conditions.

Abdominal Migraines

Anxiety

Asthma

Attention Deficit Disorder

Bipolar Disorder

Central Pain Processing Disorder

Cystic Acne

Depression

Endometriosis

Environmental Allergies

Fibromyalgia

Food Allergies

Food Sensitivities

Headaches

IBS

Migraines

Ovarian Cyst Bursts

Prediabetes

POTS

PTSD

Seasonal Allergies

Scoliosis

SUD

TMJ

So, what happened as a result of ALL those diagnoses?

 

MEDICATION

 

In my teenage years, I was prescribed over ten medications! 

 

The number of medications I’ve taken over the years is astounding.

I was always getting prescribed a new medication.

Amitriptyline

Ativan

Botox

Claritin

Cymbalta

Imitrex

Inhaler

Lyrica

Meloxicam

Metoprolol

Naproxen

Nasacort

Neurontin

Nurtec

Propranolol

Ritalin

Seasonique

Seroquel

Singulair

Topamax

Tramadol

Uribel

Vyvanse

Wellbutrin

Xyzal

Zofran

Zoloft

Zyrtec

You’ve seen the lists:

 

Specialists

+

Diagnoses

+

Medications

 

But, one list is missing.

 

It’s the list of all the solutions I’ve tried over the years. Yes, I saw specialists, and I was prescribed medications. But that’s not all; there’s a lot more to the story.

 

As you might have noticed from the list of specialists, I felt like I wasn’t getting the help I needed from traditional physicians in western medicine, so I started looking into alternative medicine.

 

I went to extreme lengths to find relief. I tried everything. I didn’t just try the recommendations of specialists. If society told me it was going to fix me, I tried it!

When I say I tried everything to find relief, I mean EVERYTHING.

VEGETARIAN DIET       blue algae       PSYCHOTHERAPY       Cleveland Clinic Pediatric Pain Rehab Program       GETTING SOBER       hypnotherapy       NUTRITIONAL DIETS       personal training program       YOGA        meditation       RELIGION       spirituality       REIKI       massage therapy       ADJUSTMENTS       acupuncture       DRY NEEDLING       journaling       PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION       adaptogens       ESSENTIAL OILS       aquatic therapy       PHYSICAL THERAPY       biofeedback       EAR SEEDS       Children’s Health & Illness Recovery Program      CUPPING       laser therapy       DAIRY FREE DIET       happy light       HEADACHE PILLOW       decompression therapy       TENS UNIT       bubble bath       MENTAL HEALTH IOP       vitamins       SMOOTHIES       allergy shots       BOTOX       minerals       CBD OIL       apple cider vinegar       INDIAN AZTEC CLAY       htp-5       WEIGHTED BLANKET       compression gloves       BIOFREEZE       ice packs       MAGNESIUM CALM DRINK       stretching       GLUTEN FREE DIET       kinesio tape       HEATING PAD       self help books      HERBS

So... What happened next?

SO MUCH HAPPENED!

 

Ok… I’ll give you the “CliffsNotes” version…

 

Basically, I found ways to manage my symptoms, which was a lot. I spent a lot of time and money to get temporary relief and did what I could to manage them…

 

So with that said, I forgot a list…

I experienced A LOT of symptoms,

and here’s the list:

Abdominal pain
Acne
Anxiety
Back pain
Bacterial infections

Balance issues
Binge eating
Blurry vision
Brain fog
Canker sores
Chest pain
Clumsiness
Compulsions
Confusion

Cold Sweats
Constipation
Cramps

Depression
Diarrhea
Disordered eating
Dizziness
Dry eyes
Fainting

Eye twitching

Fatigue
Forgetfulness
Frequent urination
Hair loss
Headaches
High blood pressure

Impaired night vision

Intrusive thoughts
Irritability
Itching

Joint pain

Jumbled words
Loss of appetite
Memory loss
Migraines
Mood swings
Muscle spasms
Neck pain
Numbness
Obsessions
Painful urination
Panic attacks
Pinched nerves

Rashes
Restless legs
Ringing ears
Runny nose

Short attention span
Shortness of breath
Sinus pressure
Sore muscles

Stuffy nose
Swelling
Tight muscles
Tingling
Tremors
Trouble communicating

Twitching

Unwanted thoughts
Viral Infections
Warts
Weakness

Weight gain
Weight loss

It was exhausting trying to keep up with all the symptoms, but if I wanted to get on with my life, I had to change my attitude. I couldn’t be a victim. I had to suck it up and do what it took to make it through the day, one day at a time. 

 

ACCEPTANCE.

 

Accepting my health for what it was – an unfortunate hand of cards I was dealt.

 

If I wanted any sense of peace, I was just going to have to accept I’d feel like crap for the rest of life, while finding fleeting relief when I could.

 

My symptoms never went away, but they no longer had power over me. With my change in attitude, I accomplished a lot.

 

I studied abroad, graduated college, and moved out of my parents house. These are all things I never thought possible, once upon a time. 

 

Because, once upon a time at twenty years old, I found myself in the hospital because I no longer had the strength to use the bathroom. I was confined to a hospital bed, unable to walk. When I was released, I had to attend physical therapy four days a week, but I wasn’t allowed to do anything because my resting heart rate never went below 100. I had to sleep on the couch with my hip in between the pillow cushions because there was less pressure than my bed. I experienced so much darkness. I never, EVER, thought I’d be able to live a regular life.

 

So… Yeah, it was a big deal to graduate and move out of my parents’ house. When I did, I actually had success.

 

I held various professional positions in a variety of industries, such as: pain management, education, communications, and recovery. I even held prestigious job titles like Administrative Director and Alcohol and Drug Counselor. 

 

Aside from career accomplishments, I became successful in my personal life: getting married, being a bonus mom and dog mom, getting involved in my community as a volunteer, coaching middle school field hockey and winning the city championship, among other things.

I achieved so much, but it was hard to feel successful because I was generally miserable 99% of the time. 

I was on the constant hamster wheel of chronic pain and health issues.

 

I eventually came to fully embrace that I was destined to deal with suffering and symptoms for the rest of my life. That was until, I found a way out.

 

I read a series of books on neuroscience and the mind-body connection, and I started putting into practice everything I was learning.

Miraculously, I got well.

I HEALED.

I was no longer a slave to pain.

I was able to eliminate daily medications.

I was happier than I’d ever been in my entire life.

I felt success and confidence I’d never felt before. 

It was really hard to understand how this happened because I didn’t use any resources from the material world: no medication, no doctor, no diet, no therapy, and no exercise program.

 

All I did was look within myself to find true healing. I examined my belief systems, and I trained my brain to deal with stress and process pain differently. Through this experience, I found my true purpose in life.

 

My purpose is to teach others how to look within themselves to find true healing, just as I did. With this realization, I pursued formal professional training and am now a Certified MindBody Practitioner. With my personal experience and education, I’m confident I have the tools to help others find success, not just in life, but in health, as well. 

Let’s connect and heal together!