Today let’s dive into a question that I frequently hear in the neural retraining community: “Can neural retraining heal my specific symptoms?”
It’s a great question, so we’ll take a look at how neural retraining works and how calming the limbic system plays a crucial role in your healing journey.
When we talk about neural retraining, it’s essential to recognize that it’s not about “fixing” symptoms directly. Instead, it’s about calming the limbic system. The limbic system is the part of our brain that governs emotions, memories, and arousal. When it’s overactive, it can keep our bodies in a state of constant stress, which hinders healing.
There are many things that can trigger the limbic system, not just the common things we think of when we hear the word “stress.” Triggers can come from infections, environmental toxins, difficult relationships, financial struggles, past traumas, chronic illnesses, and even certain foods or chemicals. Understanding this can help us realize that these triggers are not our fault; they are simply part of the complex interplay of factors that affect our health.
Imagine your body as a house. If there’s a fire in the living room, you won’t be able to fix a broken window in the bedroom until the fire is out. The fire represents the stress and overactivity in your limbic system, while the broken window represents your symptoms.
In the same way, when your limbic system is stressed and overactive, your body doesn’t have the energy and resources to heal other issues, like symptoms. Neural retraining helps to “put out the fire,” calming your limbic system and allowing your body to focus on healing those symptoms.
This process involves retraining your brain to respond differently to triggers and stressors. By doing this, you can shift your body from a state of fight-or-flight to a state of rest-and-digest, where true healing can occur.
Flooding your body with positive hormones and neurochemicals like oxytocin and serotonin is like adding water to that fire. These chemicals promote relaxation and healing. Activities such as practicing gratitude, engaging in joyful activities, and connecting with loved ones can boost these healing hormones.
On the other hand, constantly flooding your body with stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol keeps the fire burning, making it nearly impossible for your body to heal. Chronic stress can lead to a variety of health issues, including weakened immune function, increased inflammation, and disrupted sleep patterns.
Whether your symptom is a broken leg from an accident or chronic fatigue from an illness, the principle is the same. Those who nurture their mind, body, spirit, and emotions heal faster and more effectively than those who focus on negativity and worry.
Think about it this way: if you’re constantly worried and stressed, your body remains in a state of high alert. But if you’re calm and relaxed, your body can divert its energy toward healing and regeneration.
In my work with clients, I’ve seen that there really isn’t a clear line separating mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual conditions. Our mind, body, spirit, and emotions are all deeply interconnected, and the state of one usually affects the others.
For instance, I’ve seen that those who practice mindfulness, maintain a positive outlook, and care for their spiritual and emotional well-being experience more efficient healing. Techniques such as meditation, deep breathing exercises, and journaling can help create this positive state. On the other hand, those who focus on worry and negativity tend to find recovery much more challenging.
The beauty of this holistic approach is that improvements in any one area—emotional, physical, mental, or spiritual—can positively impact the others. By intentionally changing how we think and feel, we create a ripple effect that promotes overall healing. This is why integrating practices that support your emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being is so crucial to your healing.
This interconnectedness is why medications and physical treatments alone often don’t yield significant improvements. You can’t just treat the body while neglecting your mind, spirit, and emotions and expect any kind of true or significant healing.
Neural retraining teaches us to intentionally calm the limbic system, fostering an environment where the body can heal itself. It’s about creating a balance that allows all aspects of our being to work together harmoniously.
For example, someone who takes supplements but continues to live in a state of constant stress might see limited benefits. However, combining those supplements with practices that reduce negative mental thought patterns and that promote emotional and spiritual well-being can lead to much more significant improvement.
So, can neural retraining heal your symptoms? It’s not about fixing the symptom directly. It’s about calming your limbic system, nurturing your mind, body, spirit, and emotions, and creating the optimal conditions for your body to do the work of healing.
Remember, healing is a journey that involves every part of your being. By embracing a holistic approach, you empower your body to heal more effectively and sustainably. This journey requires patience, self-compassion, and consistent practice, but the rewards are amazing.
If you would like to learn more about neural retraining, or if you have questions about your neural retaining practice, feel free to reach out. I offer a free 30 minute discovery session and I’d love to meet with you.
I’m here to support you on your path to wellness so you can create a balanced state where true healing can take place.
