From A+ Patient to Holistic Healing Advocate: A Brief Tale of My Journey Through the Medical System
Growing up, I was the poster child for good health. Trips to the doctor were like acing a test—I was praised for being a healthy, athletic, vibrant kid with no complaints or red flags. The routine questions—“Any concerns?”—were met with my confident “nope!” I remember the palpable relief from doctors and nurses. I was the easy patient, a bright spot in their day of challenges. And I wore that “perfect health” label with pride.
Doctors were helpful during my childhood. When I sprained an ankle or broke my wrist, they were there with swift solutions—splints, casts, and expert advice to get me back on the field. Their competence and care in these situations gave me a sense of trust and security. They fixed things when they broke, and I believed they’d always have the answers if I needed them.
But life isn’t always about fixing broken bones or healing sprains. Sometimes, it’s about navigating the more subtle, insidious signs that your body isn’t quite right. And that’s where the cracks in my trust in the medical system began to show.
The Shift from "A+ Health"
In my early twenties, I faced a challenge I couldn’t manage on my own: chronic Lyme disease. At first, I was hopeful. Surely, the same system that patched up my childhood injuries could help me get my body back on track. That’s what doctors do, right? But my expectations were met with resistance. Chronic Lyme disease, I learned, wasn’t widely accepted in traditional medical circles.
I was lucky that early in my journey, a neurologist I saw sensed what might be going on. He referred me to a Lyme-literate doctor. At the time, I didn’t fully understand the significance of this. I sensed a strange reluctance from him, almost as though he knew he wasn’t equipped—or allowed—to treat me himself. Later, I came to understand why.
The politics surrounding Lyme disease are deeply troubling. Many doctors can’t or won’t treat chronic Lyme because it goes against the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines. Chronic Lyme isn’t officially recognized by many mainstream medical institutions, and treating it can put a physician’s medical license at risk. Those who specialize in Lyme treatment often do so at great professional and personal cost, operating outside the traditional insurance system to provide care. This leaves many patients without adequate support, forcing them to navigate a fragmented and politicized medical landscape.
Taking Healing Into My Own Hands
Once I connected with a Lyme-literate doctor, I finally began to find answers. Through thorough testing, I was able to confirm what I already knew: my body was struggling. This doctor provided the first glimmer of hope in what had been a frustrating and isolating process. I began treatment with antibiotics, which marked the start of a broader healing journey. Over time, I expanded into holistic modalities like Chinese herbal medicine, somatic bodywork, Ayurveda, yoga, and more.
This experience didn’t just change how I viewed my body—it transformed my understanding of what true health means. I learned to listen deeply to my body, trust my instincts, and approach healing as a partnership rather than a one-size-fits-all prescription. Today, as a holistic physical therapist, I bring this perspective to my work, helping others reconnect with their bodies and find balance in their own unique ways.
The Harsh Reality of Insurance and Health Care
And don’t even get me started on the medical insurance system. Working as a physical therapist, I’ve seen firsthand how it operates. Insurance isn’t designed to keep you healthy—it’s designed to step in, maybe, when you’re in crisis. Even then, the support is often limited. It’s there for emergencies, surgeries, and catastrophic events, but rarely for maintaining balance and long-term wellness.
If you want to invest in true healing, you’ll likely need to pay out of pocket. Modalities like bodywork, holistic therapies, nutritious food, and consistent exercise—practices essential for staying healthy—are often excluded from coverage. Insurance doesn’t care if you’re thriving; it kicks in when you’re barely surviving, and even then, the solutions are often temporary or incomplete.
Witnessing the Aftermath as a PT
In my work as a physical therapist, I’ve encountered countless patients who have been run through the gauntlet of the medical system. They come to me with chronic conditions, feeling hopeless and abused. Many have spent years bouncing between specialists, enduring dismissive care, invasive procedures, or band-aid solutions that never addressed the root of their issues.
By the time they find holistic approaches, they’re often worn down—physically, emotionally, and financially. But something changes when they experience care that truly listens. For many, it’s the first time they feel heard, validated, and empowered. That’s when hope begins to return. I’ve witnessed the incredible healing that happens when people reconnect with their bodies, trust their intuition, and work with practitioners who treat them as whole, complex beings.
My Evolving Perspective on Western Medicine
Over the years, I’ve faced other challenges that have shaped my view of the medical system:
Traumatic IUD Insertion
A routine procedure left me physically and emotionally scarred. The lack of compassion and trauma-informed care during the process was jarring. It reminded me that women’s pain is often dismissed or downplayed.Years of Unresolved Gut Issues
For nearly a decade, I struggled with chronic gut issues. Western medicine offered little more than symptom suppression, ignoring the root causes of my discomfort. It wasn’t until I explored holistic approaches that I found relief and healing.The Culture of Medical Trauma
Medical trauma is rampant, particularly for women. From gaslighting to dismissive care, countless patients are left feeling unseen and invalidated. It’s a silent epidemic that erodes trust and leaves lasting scars.Choosing an Empowered Birth
When it came time to give birth, I refused the hospital system entirely. The risks of disempowerment and unnecessary interventions felt too great. Instead, I chose a path that honored my body’s wisdom and autonomy.
A Balanced View: What the Medical System Does Well
Reflecting on my experiences, I’ve come to see the medical system as a critical but limited tool. It excels at saving lives, performing surgeries, and treating acute injuries. Its precision and expertise are invaluable for these issues.
But when it comes to keeping your body in balance—to addressing chronic issues, subtle imbalances, or the early signs that something is off—it falls short. The system often waits until you’re seriously ill before offering solutions. It’s reactive rather than proactive, focused more on crisis management than true health maintenance.
A Vision for Holistic Healing
Sometimes, I wonder if we can fix the medical system at all. The scope of its issues feels overwhelming—how do you even begin to repair something so deeply ingrained and fragmented? While I don’t have all the answers, I do know this: we can always return to our intuition and truths.
We can seek the care we truly need and deserve. And when we can’t find it, we can become it—for ourselves, our families, and our communities. Each step toward alignment, empowerment, and balance ripples outward, creating change in ways both small and profound.
True health isn’t just about fixing what’s broken—it’s about living in harmony with our bodies, honoring our instincts, and supporting each other in the journey. By doing this, we create a world where healing is not just a destination, but a way of life.
