The body, mind, and spirit are intricately interconnected, very complex and wise.  Our body, mind, and spirit are constantly sending us messages about our health and well-being.  Unfortunately, many of us don’t hear the messages it sends or we ignore them.

For example, when you get a headache do you:

1. stop and try to determine what is making your head hurt
2. take a Tylenol to suppress it and carry on

You’re already feeling stressed or overwhelmed and someone asks you to do something for them.  You immediately feel a knot in your stomach.  Do you:

1. ignore that feeling and say yes anyway
2.  set boundaries and say no
3. negotiate a time frame that works for you

Pain is one way the body tells us something is out of balance. Many people come to me because they want to relieve a physical pain.  After a few sessions, it becomes clear there are emotional components regardless if it started with a physical injury/accident or medical condition.

Others come with emotional or mental pain that has manifested in physical pain such as headaches from stress.  By addressing the whole person – physical, mental, emotional and spiritual – the root cause of the pain can be addressed resulting in deeper and long lasting pain relief.  Medications can alleviate pain temporarily but not treat the actual cause.  

One Client’s Story

This female client came to me with low back pain, she had a history of herniated disks in her lumbar spine and was wearing a back brace.  After each session, her back pain significantly improved and I gave her essential oils to use at home to help manage the pain.  After 3 visits she no longer needed to wear the back brace but the pain was still present at a lower intensity.  I noticed a pattern in her energy field, her second chakra was always compromised at the beginning of the sessions.

The 2^nd chakra has to do with relationships, feeling emotions, the stress response and the low back.  I asked her to think about any relationships that were challenging in her life or if she was repressing any emotion toward someone.  She shared with me a life event that had devastated her daughter.  She was deeply concerned for her mental and emotional well-being.  This occurred about 2 months earlier, which is when her back pain flared up. 

So there were emotional and energetic components to her physical pain.  First, she was stressed about her daughter.  Stress causes muscle tension (which increases pain) and affects the way you think.  Second, she was taking on some of her daughter’s energy which was at a lower vibration then her energy field.  My client needed to support her daughter without taking on her energy or causing stress in herself. 

We discussed a few strategies and agreed upon a couple she felt she could follow through with.  Now we were working directly with the root cause of the pain. 

After a few more sessions her back pain was mild, intermittent and she could easily manage it.    Emotionally she felt more positive and better able to support her daughter.  Her chakras were open and flowing at the beginning of the session.  This tells me she was in a much more balanced state.

The Therapies

I love the integrative healing therapies I use because they address the whole person and I don’t need to know all the details.

• Healing Touch was helping to release energy that was not her own as well as clearing congestion from her energy field. I did not need to know specifics about who was affecting her or why.
• Essential oils were working on her physical body by decreasing inflammation and providing analgesic effects along with raising her vibration and uplifting her spirits before I knew what the emotional issues were.

Once we both became aware of the issue we could address it directly for faster results.  However, if she had not shared her story with me the therapies are still effective, it just takes longer because the client is more passive.

If you’re experiencing pain and are interested in integrative therapies let’s talk!  You have nothing to lose but your pain.

Laurie Ratto, RN, BSN, HTCP/I, CCA, speaker and author has 40 years’ experience helping people to heal from physical, mental, and emotional pain.  She provides a safe, nurturing space and support for your mind, body, and spirit so you can release all forms of pain. Laurie specializes in integrative therapies and keeps her RN license current because she understands the power of balance as we heal.

It is wonderful to help soothe muscle aches and joint pain.  If you have over done it in the garden or exercising this is very soothing.  It has analgesic and anti-spasmodic properties.  Sweet marjoram also helps with pain related to arthritis/rheumatism, osteoporosis and can ease muscle cramps.  It works well in a 5% solution of a carrier oil or lotion.  I suggest start by applying it 2 – 3 times a day to any painful areas.  Inhalation alone can also be effective.  Some hospitals give patient’s personal inhalers to use at the bedside to ease pain.  This is done in addition to any pain medications that you or a patient are taking.  The oil can improve pain relieve by intensifying pain relief and help it to last longer resulting in less medication.  I call that a win-win!

I don’t know about you but when I hurt I can get irritable, crabby and not sleep well.  This oil also has a relaxing, tranquilizing effect which can decrease agitation, irritability and promotes sleep.  One oil can do both!  If you wish to use it only for relaxation diffusing it or simple inhalation is also very effective.

This oil also helps with digestive issues such as heartburn, colitis and diarrhea caused by nerves.  Apply it to the abdomen or mid to lower chest area (depending upon the condition) as needed.  Dilute the same as above and apply topically.

This versatile oil may be used to help slow healing bedsores and other wounds. It has many antibacterial and antiviral properties.  Studies have been done to determine some specific organisms it is effective against.  It is best to work with an aromatherapist who is able to work with your doctor in this case.  Knowing what organism is present determines if marjoram is appropriate or not.  Also application methods vary so working with a professional, such as myself, is advised.

I hope you will add this great oil to your collection!  If you have any questions about aromatherapy I would be happy to talk with you, click here to contact me.

What are California facilities waiting for?  Why are many physicians so resistant?  Perhaps they think they will be considered to woo-woo or unprofessional if they endorse holistic therapies.  I don’t have the answers to these questions but I do know there is mounting evidence that the therapies are effective even if we cannot completely explain how they work.  The therapies that I use – healing touch, aromatherapy and guided imagery – actually fall under the scope of care for nurses as long as they have the proper training.  When I worked in the ER and started using healing touch (a form of energy medicine) on staff and patients the MDs were skeptical to say the least. Once they saw the positive results they started to ask me for treatments on their headaches and to help calm patients down. These therapies do not replace medications; patients do not have to choose between them.  They work together to help patients feel better faster and for a longer period of time.  Hence the term integrative medicine.

One study entitled, The Effectiveness of nurse-delivered aromatherapy in an acute care setting, by Jill R. Johnson et al, had over 10,000 documented aromatherapy sessions.  The study concluded that inhaling the appropriate essential oil generally resulted in significant improvements in pain, anxiety and nausea in patients.  Other smaller studies have demonstrated oils diffused in nursing stations help boost staff morale, efficiency and accuracy.  This is what administration wants in facilities:  improved patient care and satisfaction plus staff efficiency and satisfaction.

Numerous quantitative and qualitative research studies support the use of healing touch for pain management, improved sleep, management of side effects from chemotherapy and more!

There is some financial outlay in the beginning; setting up a program, training staff etc. but it is returned within a reasonable amount of time.  What is California waiting for?  If you are a health care professional or caregiver and want to learn more I teach classes in aromatherapy and healing touch.  If you are a health care facility I can guide you in implementing holistic therapies and programs.  Contact me with questions or for more information.

As an energy worker, I believe there should be some sort of exchange between people so this content is not for free. If you found it valuable, in exchange for payment, I ask that you do one or all of the following: 1) Share it with at least 2 people on Facebook, via email or any social media of your choice.   2) Answer the question or leave a comment.

Laurie Ratto, RN, Speaker, HTCP, CCA has 30+ years’ experience helping people to heal from physical, mental , and emotional pain. She provides 1:1 services and various classes to assist caregivers and health care providers in helping others and themselves. Laurie Ratto specializes in integrative medicine, as a holistic healer, she keeps her RN certification current because she understands the power of balance as we heal.

When this chakra is in balance you are in touch with your emotions, relationships that you chose to be in are positive and supportive. Relationships that you would not voluntarily choose but are required, such as at work, you can express your feelings respectfully and remain neutral rather than getting upset and angry. Your creative juices flow and you embrace pleasure in all forms. You feel good about yourself.

When the sacral chakra is out of balance you may experience feelings of resentment, aggression, shyness, guilt. You may find it difficult to trust others. You may feel stuck in a situation or your life in general.

From the physical viewpoint this chakra governs the reproductive organs, kidneys, colon, immune system, bladder, hips and low back. When out of balance physical symptoms may present as pain in the hips, kidney problems, bladder infection or illness with reproductive organs such as terrible cramps, excessive bleeding, infertility, etc.

A client that came to me because stress at work was causing her physical symptoms of sleep problems, digestive issues and chronic fatigue. As we worked together I saw a pattern that her sacral chakra would be the last to flow and always congested by the next visit.  Talking with her l realized her primary cause of stress was conflict within herself about her career and job. We started focusing on this aspect with aromatherapy and guided imagery and finally she started to resolve this issue.

When I checked in with her a month later she had gained clarity on what direction to take in her career and had taken actions toward her goal. Her symptoms had resolved and she felt confident and happy.

This is just one example of how I can get to the root cause of issues with you when you may not be consciously aware of what is going on. If you’re experiencing issues in your relationships or have physical challenges related to the sacral chakra I invite you to work with me one-on-one to help you resolve it and reclaim your life full of joy and good health.

As an energy worker, I believe there should be some sort of exchange between people so this content is not for free. If you found it valuable, in exchange for payment, I ask that you do one or all of the following: 1) Share it with at least 2 people on Facebook, via email or any social media of your choice.   2) Answer the question or leave a comment.

Laurie Ratto, RN, Speaker, HTCP, CCA has 30+ years’ experience helping people to heal from physical, mental , and emotional pain. She provides a safe, nurturing space for women to release fears and self-doubt, what spiritually ties us to pain. Laurie Ratto specializes in complementary medicine, as a holistic healer, she keeps her RN certification current because she understands the power of balance as we heal.

An essential oil is composed of hundreds of different chemicals so it can have many different effects on the body. For example peppermint oil has a significant amount of menthol in it so it is good for alleviating muscle pain. Due to its other components it can also curb appetite, alleviate nausea and has antibacterial and antiviral properties! The oils work with the body to maintain balance and homeostasis. Pharmaceutical drugs however are designed to have only one or two actions and often pull the body out of balance. For example if someone is taking Lasix the medication pulls fluid from the body. It also pulls potassium so then many patients must take a potassium supplement to keep the body in homeostasis.

Aromas have a powerful influence on the mind and emotions. When you inhale an oil the scent bypasses your thinking brain and goes straight to the amygdala located about center of your brain. This area stores past experiences and emotions and reacts quickly before your logical brain has time to think. For example have you ever smelled something and instantly a memory pops into your head? If the memory is a pleasant one you feel calm or uplifted, if the memory is something unpleasant you may feel fear or anger. For example whenever I smell cookies I immediately feel good inside because I am flooded with fond memories of my Mom and Grandma baking and eating cookies together. Oils also help release emotional trauma, relax and clear the mind.

I use essential oils every day. They are very complex and do not have any major side effects like medications do. Have you had an experience with essential oils? If so I would love to hear about it, leave a comment below or contact me at 510 381-3191.

As an energy worker, I believe there should be some sort of exchange between people so this content is not for free. If you found it valuable, in exchange for payment, I ask that you do one or all of the following: 1) Share it with at least 2 people on Facebook, via email or any social media of your choice.   2) Answer the question or leave a comment.

Laurie Ratto, RN, Speaker, HTCP, CCA has 30+ years’ experience helping people to heal from physical, mental , and emotional pain. She provides a safe, nurturing space for women to release fears and self-doubt, what spiritually ties us to pain. Laurie Ratto specializes in complementary medicine, as a holistic healer, she keeps her RN certification current because she understands the power of balance as we heal.

I was so depressed about it but couldn’t tell anyone because I felt ashamed. Now some of that was probably hormonal but I definitely was questioning my ability to be a good Mom. I asked myself why couldn’t my body provide for her, what was wrong with me? She did nurse some but not long enough to get the amount needed to nourish her. I felt like I had failed my daughter because formula was not as good as breast milk in regards to making antibodies and boosting her immune system.

Once she started gaining weight and smiling the thoughts of failure started to fade away. She was a healthy, growing, beautiful baby. That is what mattered, not whether she got that way by nursing or taking formula.

Many times we are our own worst critic. No one else thought I was a bad Mom, inadequate or a failure, it all came from within me. This is a common theme with many clients. The woman that comes to me stressed out and feels like a failure because she can’t juggle everything she thinks she should be able to. The woman that is stuck in grief from yet another failed relationship. Another example is a woman with chronic pain that can no longer work and feels like she failed herself and her family.

My 5 step system helps you to clear out the old trauma and negative story. I guide you in discovering new insights, finding peace and improved confidence. Yes sometimes we do actually fail but finding the lesson in it makes it positive and of value. If you are suffering with pain from a failure story I can help.   I work with your body, mind and spirit to heal physical and emotional pain. Contact me for a free 30 minute consultation.

As an energy worker, I believe there should be some sort of exchange between people so this content is not for free. If you found it valuable, in exchange for payment, I ask that you do one or all of the following: 1) Share it with at least 2 people on Facebook, via email or any social media of your choice.   2) Answer the question or leave a comment.

Laurie Ratto, RN, Speaker, HTCP, CCA has 30+ years’ experience helping people to heal from physical, mental , and emotional pain. She provides a safe, nurturing space for women to release fears and self-doubt, what spiritually ties us to pain. Laurie Ratto specializes in complementary medicine, as a holistic healer, she keeps her RN certification current because she understands the power of balance as we heal.

It was a great conversation piece on the plane ride home to California. The bear had a seat to itself right next to me. The flight attendants all came and talked to me about it, and were impressed I had won it all by myself. I was very proud of myself and accepted the attention with giddiness and gratitude.

I kept that bear for almost 25 years because whenever I looked at it I remembered that special day with my Grandpa, and that proud feeling I had. I have found that I, and many adults, do not allow ourselves to feel proud or excited about our accomplishments, and we tend not to share them with anyone else. As an adult, I focus on the things I did not do, or did incorrectly. Focusing on the negative, living in the past, and worrying all contribute to physical and emotional pain. Your thoughts trigger hormones and chemicals in your body that can cause muscle tightness, fatigue, make you feel depressed and much more.

Living with the mindset of a young child can be beneficial at times. What if you focused on the positive in your life – and living in the present moment? What if you allowed yourself to be proud of the little things again? Relishing in the attention you get for a delicious meal prepared for your family – or feeling accomplished for getting 2 of the 5 things done on your to-do list. Instead of worrying about possible money issues, or the risk of losing your job, what would happen if you focused on having enough money to eat and pay the general bills? Or the fact that TODAY you are working. Feeling proud, focusing on the positive and living in the present moment releases endorphins and other hormones that relax your muscles, decrease pain, improve your circulation, make you feel happy, and generally helps improve your health.

Are you an optimist or a pessimist? If you are a worrier or dwell in the past and are experiencing some form of pain, I invite you to work with me to change your mindset and start decreasing your pain. Set up a FREE consultation TODAY!