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16 Oct 15:18

Solve Your Tinnitus Naturally With Holistic Therapy

by Dr. Uri Kenig

What is Tinnitus?

According to the Mayo Clinic, Tinnitus is when you experience ringing or other noises in one or both of your ears. The noise you hear when you have tinnitus isn’t caused by an external sound, and other people usually can’t hear it.

Tinnitus is a common problem that affects about 15% to 20% of people. The noises may be constant or come on and off, go and change from low to high pitch.

The noises are often described as ringing but can also include:

  • Hissing
  • Humming
  • Buzzing
  • Roaring
  • Clicking
  • Pulsing
  • Whooshing

Tinnitus can become bothersome and disruptive in daily functioning. The noise interferes with the ability to concentrate or sometimes hear other sounds. It can cause stress, irritability and disrupts healthy sleep patterns.

It can cause tiredness since it’s difficult to rest while hearing intrusive noises you cannot turn off. After a period of struggling with it and trying different treatments without success those who continue to suffer can develop anxiety and depressive symptoms.

Getting a grim prognosis from their physician that “you have to learn to live with it for the rest of your life” can only add stress and gloom.

Tinnitus-ringing in the ears is an invisible condition. You may look ok to others, but in reality you are experiencing symptoms and stress that others cannot see.

young woman with tinnitus

 

 

Possible Causes for Tinnitus

Ear nerve damage, ear or brain tumor may cause Tinnitus. Sometimes, something as simple as ear wax build-up can cause Tinnitus.

Some other possible causes for Tinnitus can be due to:

  • Thyroid imbalances
  • Diabetes
  • TMJ
  • Head and neck injuries
  • Heart and circulations problems
  • Viral infection
  • Allergies and immune issues
  • Anemia
  • Side effects due to use of certain medications
  • Extended Exposure to loud noises
  • Trauma and or chronic stress

 

Can Stress Cause Tinnitus?

Researchers found that the emotional area in the brain called amygdala is strongly linked to the auditory center of the brain.

It triggers the amygdala and associates emotions like fear, anger and sadness with Tinnitus.

Feeling a sense of danger triggers the “fight or flight “response in the body which causes increased heart rate, changes in blood flow, muscle and nerve activation, inflammation, shortness of breath, and more.

The mixture of stress and intrusive sounds feeds each other and creates a vicious cycle of worsening anxiety, irritability, sleep disturbances and other problems which prevent the Tinnitus from naturally fading away.

People who suffer from chronic stress, chronic anxiety, depression and PTSD are more prone to get stuck with stubborn ear issues that don’t heal.

Post Covid-19 Tinnitus

Some people who develop COVID-19 have reported experiencing Tinnitus. It is generally believed to be caused by an inflammation in the inner ear due to immune system response to the Covid-19 virus. People with preexisting tinnitus can experience worsening symptoms.

This can be due to contracting COVID-19 and/or due to general high stress levels associated with the pandemic itself.

People with post Covid symptoms can have a wide range of symptoms that last weeks to months after the infection.

Although the reasons behind it are unknown, underlying health conditions, vaccination anxiety, or unexpected immune responses may play a role in the development of these symptoms.

We are at my holistic therapy in Encino, taking into consideration these issues while treating you for your issue.

The Common Treatment for Tinnitus

After ruling out physiological causes for Tinnitus, most sufferers are left with recommendation of” you have to learn to live with the noise” Treatments focus on helping to manage and cope with Tinnitus symptoms.

This can range from steroid shots, noise masking devices to psychiatric drugs (SSRIs) for anxiety and depression, Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), hypnosis and mindfulness.

People usually come to our clinic at my holistic therapy in Encino after the other treatments they tried fail and they would like to try a non-traditional approach.

With Our Holistic Approach You Can Start Getting Help With Tinnitus Immediately

Once your medical tests show no indication for an underlying condition, we, at my holistic therapy in Encino, are ready to start helping you.
We start by evaluating and exploring other factors that trigger your Tinnitus symptoms.

We use a comprehensive assessment interview, energetic biofeedback scanning and testing to validate imbalances in body systems and organs, as well as possible psychological and environmental stressors that are associated with your Tinnitus, all in my holistic therapy in Encino.

Our methods are gentle yet powerful and include:

  • Energy therapy
  • Progressive relaxation
  • Guided meditation
  • Breathing exercises
  • Tapping
  • Affirmation
  • CBT
  • Mindfulness
  • Supportive therapy

 

tinnitus treatment at my holistic therapy in Encino California

 

Our treatment approach helps:

 

Rebalance the nervous system so the body moves from fight or flight state to a rest and heal state. This is especially important for those who have Tinnitus and PTSD. They tend to have a nervous system that is very sensitive and can get easily overwhelmed and triggered by physical, mental or emotional stress.

We use methods like energy therapy (IPEC); deep breathing, progressive relaxation, guided meditation, visualization and affirmation to helps regulate both the body and the mind. It is gentle yet powerful.

Change the danger perception that is often perceived sub-consciously by those who struggle with tinnitus. Subjective danger perception over activates the nervous system and triggers physical and psychological symptoms.

Understanding the reactions and signals of your body and what to do about it can help you feel more in control of Tinnitus.

At My Holistic Therapy in Encino we help you take control of your body and mind.

Release feelings of hopelessness and negativity. Having trouble with sleep, concentration, symptoms that come and go and not being able to find a cure can trigger helplessness, hopelessness and negative thoughts. We help you adopt an optimistic and hopeful mindset and help replace negative thoughts with a positive, proactive attitude which is essential for recovery.

Shift from focusing on the noises. We help you learn to focus on pleasant body sensations, rhythmic breathing, positive experiences and enjoyable activities. Repeatedly dwelling on the noise and constantly talking about it just magnifies the symptoms. At my holistic therapy in Encino, you can tame your ear problem to become insignificant.

Modify lifestyle habits. Topics like food and eating, sleep, physical activity, recreation, work environment and self-care practices are important for your recovery. The intention is to keep stress at bay, increase physical and mental vitality, balance and overall wellbeing. This is good practice to prevent Tinnitus from coming back.

Be kind to yourself. No matter how challenging it might feel, we are here to support you every step of the way and remind you to not upset or blame yourself.

It is unproductive. Acknowledging that you are dealing with this issue the best you can and making gradual changes at your pace can help you move forward and be successful in your healing journey.

In summary, we at my holistic therapy in Encino, want you to know that Tinnitus doesn’t have to stay a lifelong problem.

Regardless if you just developed it recently or if you have had it for years, your body has the capacity to heal if you help it. There is so much we can help you do to get better.

Call us today and start your recovery!

Benefits of Holistic Therapy

16 Oct 15:18

Benefits of Holistic Therapy

by Dr. Uri Kenig

Holistic therapy is a form of counseling that places its core healing process on the mind and body balance.

Essentially, it is a type of therapy that chooses to leave no stone unturned by focusing not only on the mental aspect but also on the physical, environmental, social, and emotional.

One of the best ways to visualize holistic therapy is having one doctor for all your needs instead of having multiple physicians.

Although holistic therapy uses aspects of conventional counseling, it also draws on other methods that may prove beneficial to your overall healing experience.

These alternative therapies include stress management, talk therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), somatic experiencing, Integrated Physical Emotional Clearing (IPEC), Muscle Response Feedback (MRF), and much more.

At My Holistic Therapy, our goal is to help individuals who may be struggling with issues such as anxiety, depression, and trauma but have been unable to experience recovery and healing in other traditional forms of therapy.

Additionally, we also provide therapeutic experiences for families and couples and help provide long lasting solutions for chronic issues such as allergies, asthma, and chronic migraines.

If you or your loved one are open to experiencing the benefits of holistic therapy, please do not hesitate to drop us a call or visit our practice in Encino, CA.

We are a husband and wife team with over 25 years of experience offering holistic Psychotherapy and will be glad to offer much needed help using our expertise and experience.

Benefits of Holistic Therapy

Alleviate Persistent Stress

People struggling with issues such as anxiety or depressive disorders may often find themselves drowning in a sea of stress.

Coming out of physical and psychological stress is essential in order to get relief from anxiety and depression and what we focus on to allow your natural healing process to take place.

Fortunately, one of the core benefits of this form of counseling is stress relief. Together with your therapist, you can work to find the root cause of any persistent stress or worries and begin taking active steps to heal from it.

Stress can take a toll on the body and the mind and when untreated chronic stress can cause physical, mental and emotional symptoms.

At My Holistic Therapy, we employ various methods such as Integrated Physical Emotional Clearing (IPEC) to help find the source of your condition.

Our treatment process generally involves energetic biofeedback aka as muscle testing to detect the origin of your stress or anxiety disorder, allowing us to carry out s precise and targeted treatment once we find it.
To learn more about IPEC therapy and how it can help alleviate anxiety, please book a consultation or drop us a message.

We will be glad to answer any questions you have. Alternatively, you are welcome to visit our practice in Encino, CA, to book a session in person.

Clearing Trauma and PTSD

People can have traumatic experiences and develop PTSD or after going through an overwhelming life-threatening incident, such as an accident, sexual assault, or any other traumatic situation.

Once this happens, it may become a struggle to go back to feeling again. Post-traumatic stress can make you highly reactive, incredibly anxious, impulsive and irrational at times.

One of the best ways to think about trauma or PTSD is a long-term shock to the body and mind that we struggle to recover from. Once we begin battling PTSD and trauma, it is difficult to naturally move on and away from it.

Essentially, if you do not take the active steps to release the shock of trauma as soon as possible, it can remain rooted in your body, mind, and spirit and affect your mental and physical health in many ways.

This damaging effect of trauma and PTSD is one of the core reasons why providing trauma treatment is so important to us.

At our practice in Encino, CA, we work on healing trauma with energy therapy. This technique is powerful at releasing the imprinted shock of trauma and PTSD, helping the body return to a more natural relaxed state in a safe, gentle and traumatizing way.

Remember, the longer you let trauma fester, the deeper it grows roots. If you or a loved one has been struggling with trauma or PTSD, please don’t hesitate to visit our practice in Encino, CA. On the other hand, if you would like to learn more about the various benefits of energy therapy, please drop us a message or leave us a call.

Improve General well-being

The older we get, the more challenging it becomes for our bodies to fight various ailments, such as headaches and migraines.

Naturally, being stuck in a state of constant, throbbing headaches can often imitate a nightmare that never ends.

This pain also tends to affect other aspects of our lives, as most people who battle constant migraines may also feel irritable and easily frustrated.

Fortunately, one of the core benefits of holistic therapy is that it provides a natural boost to our vital energy and it helps at offsetting issues such as migraines. In most cases, once people suffer with headaches, they often turn to painkillers.

However, while these may provide some relief, it mostly tends to be temporary. This fleeting nature of such pharmaceuticals is understandable because they only treat the symptoms of your migraines and not the source itself.

On the other hand, with holistic therapy, we can address the root of your migraines so your body won’t need to create these symptoms anymore.

At our Encino, CA, practice, we have made use of Integrated Physical Emotional Clearing (IPEC) therapy to help patients from all walks of life clear their headaches. Once we find the source, we can begin taking steps to treat it.

If you have been battling persistent migraines without success please visit our practice as soon as possible. Remember, the longer you leave an issue untreated, the more it sets in your system. Alternatively, if you have any questions about how to go about treating your issues with My Holistic Therapy, kindly drop us a message, and we will respond as soon as we can.

Transform Persistent Stressful Habits

There are effective solutions for persisting disruptive habits, For example Tics consistent with sudden twitches or movements in the body that a person cannot control. Sometimes, a tic may be slight and could go away on its own, such as when you develop hiccups. In other cases, this issue may last for a long time and can be very discomforting or embarrassing.

Fortunately, we can treat tics using our holistic Integrated Physical Emotional Clearing (IPEC) Treatment.

This process generally involves energetic scanning for all areas that have disrupted or depleted energy and identifying the trigger for the tic. Once we validate the origin of your tic, we may begin our treatment.

IPEC Therapy is an effective treatment that helps your body release bursts of energy safely without activating uncontrollable movements and sounds that cause tics. To learn more about IPEC Therapy please drop us a call or leave us a message, and we will answer any questions that you have.

Remember, although tics are not dangerous and will do little harm to your body, they can impede on your personal or work life and put a strain on your social life and relationships.

At My Holistic Therapy, we have over 25 years of experience in using natural methods to get a handle on issues such as nervous tics and other disruptive habits. If you or a loved one has been battling this issue for an extended period without making progress, please know we have had great success helping people clear tics with IPEC Therapy. Please contact us for more information.

Holistic Therapy Focuses on All Parts

Holistic therapy focuses on using natural methods to facilitate healing to individuals, families, and couples who may have been dealing with various issues but struggled to find solutions in traditional treatments.

My Holistic Therapy is a husband-wife therapeutic practice with over 25 years of offering holistic Therapy to clients in Encino, CA.

Together, we have used various holistic methods, such as Integrated Physical Emotional Clearing (IPEC) and Muscle Response Feedback (MRF), to tackle issues such as nervous tics, migraines, anxiety, depression, and much more. To learn more about our practice and why we believe holistic therapy is our preferred approach, please drop us a message or book a consultation.

On the other hand, if you are around the Encino area and would like a personal consultation with us, do not hesitate to drop by our practice.

Additional Reading

Solve Your Tinnitus Naturally With Holistic Therapy

When Should You See A Professional For Depression?

16 Oct 15:18

High Functioning Depression

by Dr. Uri Kenig

With over 21 million Americans fighting depression today, this issue has become one of the most significant battles therapists help their clients fight. However, like many other diseases, this disorder may occur in many forms, such as clinical and high functioning depression.

When faced with this issue, it can become easy to feel as though you are drowning in a consistent wave of melancholy, unable to find interest in the activities you once loved.

Today, one form of this disorder that has become commonplace in therapy rooms across the globe is high functioning depression.

Although patients battling this issue often have the regular symptoms of this disorder, such as fatigue, poor appetite, and crippling self-esteem, they are often more muted.

These dampened symptoms allow people with high functioning depression to look and feel fine on the outside while facing an internal struggle.

Naturally, as it can be tremendously challenging to spot people with this form of depression, they may be able to spend months or years before anybody notices, creating a sense of isolation or loneliness.

If you believe that you or a loved one may be dealing with high functioning depression, please do not hesitate to seek help.

At My Holistic Therapy, we dedicate ourselves to helping clients live a depression-free life using energy therapy and other holistic methods. Our therapeutic process has helped various clients dig into the root cause of their disorder and completely uproot it.

To learn more about the different benefits of holistic therapy, please drop us a call or visit our practice in Encino.

my holistic therapy encino, CA

What is High Functioning Depression?

One of the core things that sets high functioning depression apart from other forms of this disorder is its ability to do tremendous damage in the background.

This softened impairment level often means that high functioning depression is challenging to spot, with most people reading their symptoms as general stress. However, this could not be further from the case.

People with this form of depression often face the same challenges as those practitioners diagnosed with clinical or psychotic depression.

Yet, because the issue is so challenging to spot, they may easily go years without receiving any help from friends or family.

As you would expect, spending a significant amount of time walking through life with poor self-esteem, fatigue, and restlessness will always take its toll and may lead to more dangerous disorders.

At our Encino practice, we believe that nobody should have to face persistent depression, especially not alone.

Fortunately, together we can take the necessary steps to dive into the root cause of this disorder and begin developing a bespoke plan to help you live a life free from depression.

Remember, as other people may find it difficult to spot your symptoms, kickstarting your healing process is often in your hands.

If you suspect you have been battling persistent depression for a significant period and would like to live a life free from these symptoms, please drop by our practice.

We have over 25 years of experience guiding patients away from various mental health issues and are always glad to lend a helping hand.

Alternatively, if you would like to learn more about our holistic process, you can choose to leave us a message, and we will get back to you as soon as we can.

What are the Common Signs and Symptoms of High Functioning Depression?

High functioning depression is one of the most significant mental health disorders that can affect people today, and you should always be on the lookout for the following symptoms:

Consistent Drop in Your Self-Esteem

High functioning depression and a reduction in self-esteem often go hand-in-hand, whereby people facing this issue can often feel worthless or as though they are incapable of reaching their goals and dreams.

In most cases, this poor sense of self-worth is often present as an unconscious feeling, like an itch buried so deep in our minds that it can feel impossible to scratch.

However, while you may not be able to sense this feeling, you should always be able to recognize the level of damage it can introduce into our lives.

Struggling with a low sense of self-worth can hinder us from speaking up when it matters or achieving optimal performance at school or in our workplace.

As this lack of self-esteem makes us doubt ourselves, it often feeds our depression. In turn, as our depressive disorder grows, our sense of self-worth is further eradicated.

This feedback loop is one of the most dangerous aspects of high functioning depression and is one of the core reasons we always suggest seeking help from a professional once you notice this disorder.

If you consistently blame yourself when things go wrong, engage in negative self-talk, or wish to disappear into the background in public spaces, you may be struggling with self-esteem issues.

Without the right care, this low sense of self-worth will amplify our depression, making it harder to reach our goals. Fortunately, it does not have to be this way.

My Holistic Therapy is a leading therapeutic center with a core vision of providing natural healing for various issues, such as anxiety, PTSD, trauma, and high functioning depression.

At our Encino practice, we utilize several holistic treatments, including Integrated Physical-Emotional Clearing to provide complete healing to our clients.

Please do not hesitate to leave us a call to learn more about how you can use holistic therapy to transform your life.

depression therapy in Encino

You Battle Against Waves of Hopelessness

One of the core symptoms that people with high functioning depression face is a consistent wave of hopelessness. Although this lack of hope may manifest in various ways, we often see it in the form of alienation and a severe lack of inspiration.

Naturally, this inability to see any good in your world may lead to other critical issues, such as suicidal thoughts or a belief that life is pointless.

This hopelessness may also hinder our personal lives by adding a negative taint to positive opportunities, such as exams or promotion exercises in our workplace. If we believe there is no point in life, then we are less likely to put any effort into these tasks, leading to stagnation and a reduction in our self-esteem.

Unfortunately, transforming your life into a place filled with hope is tremendously challenging, as viewing your world as a black hole that swallows everything can feel natural when depressed.

However, although improving your outlook in life may be difficult, it is not impossible.

With proper guidance, we believe that we can help you move from a path of hopelessness and high functioning depression to a world where you can see the good in life.

What are the Other Symptoms of High Functioning Depression

Some other common symptoms or signs of high functioning depression are:
• You struggle with insomnia or other sleeping disorders.
• You deal with a severe lack of energy that prevents you from achieving your daily tasks.
• You overeat or turn to food in moments of high stress.
• You have a poor sense of self-image.
• You struggle with overwhelming fatigue or tiredness.
• You often feel restless or uneasy.

Can You Live With High Functioning Depression?

Although the symptoms of clinical depression and this disorder are similar, they act much more subtly in people battling high functioning depression.

Unfortunately, the muted nature of these symptoms often creates the impression that it is possible to live with this disorder without seeking any treatment, but this is far from true. There are various reasons why you must get professional help for high functioning depression, including:

It Can Get Worse

One of the core things to understand about high functioning depression is that it often worsens with time. Remember, symptoms such as low self-esteem have a symbiotic relationship with depression, which feed into each other.

By choosing not to get help, you run the risk of alleviating these issues, making it more challenging to live a life without these symptoms.

It Alienates You

As the symptoms of high functioning depression act subtly, it can be difficult for your friends and family to discover that you are currently battling a disorder.

Symptoms such as low self-esteem or a poor self-image may also hinder you from forming new social connections in your school or workplace, making you feel more isolated.

You Don’t Have to Live With High Functioning Depression

Fortunately, you do not have to live with high functioning depression, and at My Holistic Therapy, we believe there is a way out.

Through Integrated Physical Emotional Clearing (IPEC), we have been able to dive into the root cause of many symptoms of high functioning depression and create interventions that allow our clients to live a life free from this disorder.

If you have noticed any of the symptoms of high functioning depression and believe they are affecting your daily life, please drop us a call or visit our Encino practice.

Remember, although the symptoms of this disorder may seem slight and ineffective, the damage they do over time is tremendous.

Get back in the driving seat by booking a consultation with us to learn how you can live a depression-free life.

Additional Reading:

When Should You See A Professional For Depression?

https://myholistictherapy.org/muscle-testing-and-therapy-2/

Personal Power: Are You Living Yours?

16 Oct 15:18

Can We Heal Our Emotional Wounds?

by Dr. Uri Kenig

As we step through the days of our lives, along the great times we are also bound to experience pain or face traumatic experiences.

In many cases, experiencing trauma can create long-lasting yet invisible “cuts and bruises” in our minds, known as emotional wounds. However, while these wounds may not be physical, they can hurt as much as a leg gash or an arm injury.

One of the central themes of emotional wounds that make them stand out is this invisibility.

You cannot touch them or point out exactly where the soreness is coming from, nor can you apply healing salve to it to reduce the pain.

Today, too many people are suffering from the effects of past traumas not realizing the extent it wreaks further havoc on their lives, their mental and physical health.

Emotional wounds hurt and the natural reaction is to avoid pain and yet the price of not dealing with emotional wounds effectively, can be more painful as deep hurt and can lead to growing symptoms such as depression and anxiety, personal, relationship and health problems.

However, this does not have to be the case.

Is Emotional Healing Possible?

While we all wish we could run to a pharmacy and pick up a band-aid for the pains caused by abuse and heartbreak, life is anything but this.

Healing our emotional wounds is an inside job of helping yourselves to self heal under optimal conditions.

No matter how much we get abused or wounded, our body and mind will try to mend and heal with the right support and restore balance.

Our commitment to healing and receiving excellent support from professionals and good people in our life can create radical healing!

At Holistic Psychotherapy Center we see people making remarkable recoveries often in ways they never have imagined possible.

 

holistic therapy services in Encino California

 

5 Tips to Help Us Heal from Our Emotional Wounds

Recognize your wounds

The first step necessary to begin the process of emotional healing is to recognize we actually have emotional wounds.

One of the common signs of unhealed emotional wounds is the tendency to find ourselves having similar emotional pain recurring in our present life again and again.

Having patterns of behaviors and relationships that keep us often unknowingly feeling emotionally wounded prevents us from feeling loved, valued, successful and living our best version of ourselves.

Recognizing re-wounding patterns is a powerful step towards changing the course of life and getting on the right track to healing.

At the Holistic Psychotherapy center we help clear unhealthy patterns that prevent emotional wounds from healing and also help cultivate new patterns and nourish the body and the soul

Take it Slow

One of the first things we always emphasize at My Holistic Therapy is that to treat trauma it is important to approach with much care, take small steps and not cause overwhelm and more pain.

That is why it is so important to choose wisely who to talk with about your emotional wounds.

Making micro-changes and developing a steady foundation is more sustainable for the long run, avoiding unnecessary emotional roller coasters and worsening symptoms.

Going slower helps you feel in control of the process and make wiser choices.

This alternative healing method often means that instead of diving headfirst into your trauma, we often spend our first few sessions at our Encino practice helping you restore your safety and self-control.

With a safe space, you can begin making tiny, incremental changes that help you heal from your trauma.

Don’t let Setbacks Define You

Nothing in life is really fail-safe. There are many reasons for setbacks and frankly they should be considered as part of the learning process.

Making mistakes is more common than you could imagine. Sometimes we regress into our old ways, we might aim too high or go too fast.

Sometimes it means it’s not the right timing. When healing from your emotional wounds, you must never let these setbacks define you.

Instead, think of them as a guide that points you to learn lessons about yourself and your process and make you better.

Our setbacks help us know what works and what doesn’t, teaching us how to navigate ourselves in ways that work for us well .

If you find yourself going through a relapse or experiencing a setback,

At Holistic Psychotherapy center we want you to know that you can always come back from it. Although it might feel defeated at first, getting through it with effective tools and support can be a surprising discovery of your resilience, new found inner strength and success.

Don’t Be Scared to Ask for Help

When we get injured and first aid is not enough, the best next step is to go to your doctor to get the proper medical care. If we do that when we suffer with a physical wound, then why should it be any different when you have an emotional wound?

Ignoring emotional wounds or looking for quick fix band-aid solutions, don’t save time or money. Not getting adequate care is like pushing the can down the road and may only make the problem worse in the long run.

The support of loved ones, friends, and family Is important and can provide comfort and support in difficult times. It is not a substitute for professional help.

If you are ready to open yourself up to receive professional guidance and treatment that makes a difference, feel free to contact us and leave a message for our Encino, CA practice.

My Holistic Therapy is a leading therapeutic center with many years of experience providing holistic healing for emotional wounds, trauma and PTSD. We are always here to offer our helping hand.

You can heal and blossom with the right help

At My Holistic Therapy, we understand the toll of struggling with emotional wounds and trauma, as this pain can linger for a long time when left untreated.

The emotional wounds of traumatic experiences often lead to adverse symptoms, such as anxiety, loneliness, and depression, and can stop us from achieving our goals. Fortunately, this does not have to be the case.

You can treat your emotional wounds and live a life that feels wholesome and fulfilling.

If you believe that you are struggling with the emotional wounds of traumatic experiences, such as betrayal, abuse, and heartbreak and would like to better yourself and your life, please call us at our clinic in Encino.

We have more than 25 years of experience in treating trauma and emotional wounds with holistic methods that integrate talk therapy with energy healing, somatic therapy, guided visualization and other methods to support the body returning to its natural state of balance and become free from the hurt, pain and other symptoms of trauma.

If you have tried treatments to heal your emotional wounds that turned out to not help you, we are glad you are here.

Our holistic treatment programs have helped many people heal from their trauma and reclaim their well being. Please don’t hesitate to reach out by phone, or by email, to receive more information.

Additional Reading

Benefits of Holistic Therapy

Solve Your Tinnitus Naturally With Holistic Therapy

When Should You See A Professional For Depression?

16 Oct 15:18

Looking For A Holistic Therapist? Use These Tips

by Dr. Uri Kenig

As a multi-faceted human being, many things can hold you back from feeling whole, mentally, physically, or spiritually. It’s essential to develop a deeper understanding of yourself on these different levels, so you can identify the problem, address it, and heal.

The right holistic therapist can help you dig deeper and provide an integrative treatment tailored to your unique needs.

Holistic therapy works to help the whole of you, and the right therapist should be experienced enough to help you heal and to restore balance to your well-being. In this helpful post, you’ll find the best tips to streamline your search so that you can find the right holistic therapist for you and your family.

Is Holistic Therapy Right for You?

Before looking for a holistic therapist in Encino CA, you may wonder if this therapy is even suitable for you. Admittedly, finding the right therapist for you can be overwhelming, and you may need some reassurance that it’s worth the effort.

The good news is that holistic therapy is one of the best gifts you can give to yourself.

It can help with a broad range of concerns affecting your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. At My Holistic Therapy, we like to emphasize that we treat the “whole” you, not just the symptom. Therefore, finding the right holistic therapist is the equivalent of killing two birds – or more – with one stone.

For example, Dr. Uri Kenig and Dalia Kenig at My Holistic Therapist in Encino, CA use a dynamic and comprehensive approach to effectively address issues that are preventing you from healing or moving forward in life.

You may be aware that something is not right, but it can be challenging to eliminate the root cause of your suffering and pain on your own.

Life can get better when working with a team of experienced and trained psychotherapists.

Whether you’re dealing with trauma and PTSD, depression, anxiety, relationship issues, tics, allergies, migraines, headaches, or something else, it’s time to seek holistic therapy that offers a customized treatment to set you back on the swift path to recovery.

Choosing a Therapist

When choosing the right holistic therapist, the question on your mind might be, where to start? Here are some factors to consider to help narrow your options.

• Local therapist – If you’re in Encino CA, you want to make sure you find a therapist near you. This will make it easier to attend your face-to-face appointments. In addition, a well-established therapist who is a trusted community member is more likely to provide quality services.
• Services offered – You must first investigate the services on offer. Typically holistic treatments should address a wide range of psychological and health conditions for maximum benefit.
• Specialties – It’s also essential to find out what approach your therapist specializes in. At My Holistic Therapy, we utilize a comprehensive assortment of therapeutic methods. The list includes body-mind therapy, cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), somatic-based therapy, mindfulness-based therapy, and more. In addition, we combine energy and natural-based treatments like light therapy, breathing, and Integrated Physical Emotional Clearing (IPEC).
• Licensing – Always make sure your holistic therapist is licensed. You’ll be pleased to know that Dr. Uri Kenig and Dalia Kenig, M.A., from my Holistic Therapist, are a team of licensed psychotherapists fully equipped and trained to guide you on your holistic therapy journey.

Do Your Due Diligence

When looking for the right holistic therapy, the process is not as simple as typing “holistic therapist near me.” Your well-being matters, so it’s essential to do your due diligence to ensure you’re in the right hands.

It’s good that you have mustered the energy to kickstart the process of looking, but while at it, you must research as much as possible.

Not all therapists are alike and holistic therapy is not like regular therapy.

Hence, you need a therapist that specializes in holistic therapy. Additionally, you need to verify licensing and check that the professional you’re dealing with has a good reputation.

When getting recommendations from family and friends, ask more specific questions, such as, “Did the therapist help you get better and resolve your issues?”

If you’re searching online, visit the therapist’s website and look for testimonials to see what past clients say.

The more you research, the more you can make a well-informed decision.

Get Answers to Your Questions

Another way to ensure you have found the right holistic therapist is to ask the right questions. For starters, interacting directly with the therapist helps you determine if they’re someone you can trust and be comfortable with. Questions to ask your therapist include the following:

• How long have you been practicing holistic therapy?
• Are you licensed, and what are your qualifications?
• What holistic techniques do you practice that can help me?
• How many sessions do you recommend?
• Do you provide holistic therapy in an individual or group setting?

Feel free to add any burning questions on your mind to this list. At the end of the chat, you should have all the need-to-know details to make an informed decision.

Don’t hesitate to get all your concerns addressed and make sure no stone is left unturned.

The right therapist should welcome your questions warmly and provide satisfactory answers that resonate with you.

If you’re in Encino CA, we would like you to know that it’s okay to talk with a therapist and get more information before committing to therapy. In fact, we encourage it at My Holistic Therapy.

How Can My Holistic Therapy Help?

You have come to the right place if you’re looking for a holistic therapist in Encino CA. Dr. Uri Kenig and Dalia Kenig, M.A. are licensed psychotherapists that can give you the help you need.

We are dedicated to treating the whole of you, and our specializations in a wide range of techniques enable us to make a huge difference in many people’s lives.

You don’t have to keep searching for the solution. All you have to do is reach out and let us know when you’re ready to start achieving your wellness goals.

With a name like “My Holistic Therapy,” you can’t go wrong in choosing us.

To get started, schedule an appointment with My Holistic Therapy today. We look forward to speaking with you soon!

Additional Reading

When Should You See A Professional For Depression?

Solve Your Tinnitus Naturally With Holistic Therapy

Benefits of Holistic Therapy

 

16 Oct 15:18

Demystifying Health Issues With Muscle Testing Therapy

by Dr. Uri Kenig

What Is Muscle Testing?

You may have heard about this type of alternative healing method before. But exactly what is muscle testing? 

Simply put, muscle testing is a quick and accurate way to understand our body language and use it to assess and improve our health. 

It is a biofeedback test used to assess various aspects of your health,  holistically and non-invasively. Muscle testing is also referred to as Applied Kinesiology and is used by holistic practitioners in conjunction with other diagnostic data to identify imbalances associated with symptoms and issues that are often undetected by conventional testing and diagnostics.

Muscle testing is an effective method used to accurately validate core health issues as well as what types of therapy will support your recovery. It takes a lot of the guesswork and trial and error out of the picture. 

Drawing knowledge from traditional Chinese medicine, muscle testing draws biofeedback from the energy pathways along your body that are associated with functions of organs and systems including the stress system. It is a great tool to detect imbalances in the early stages before they develop into bigger problems.

How is Muscle Testing Used?

Muscle testing should be applied by an experienced practitioner. The practitioner applies gentle pressure on an indicator muscle while checking the response of reflex points that are linked with organs, systems, emotions, and specific states of mind. Getting a “strong” response indicates that the flow of neurological signals is enough for you to keep your target muscle contracted. Imbalances create a “weak” response by restricting or the neurological flow in the muscles. 

Muscle responses that test strongly point to balance and strong vitality. Muscle responses that test weakly may indicate an imbalance in specific functions of the body and/or mind that the practitioner should focus on.

Muscle testing helps validate which methods of treatment will respond well to and support your recovery. Your practitioner can use muscle testing to monitor whether you’re on the right track or need to make any changes to heal faster and more effectively.  Muscle testing can be used as an adjunct tool alongside other methods of diagnosis and testing. 

Can Muscle Testing Help with Psychological Issues? 

Muscle testing allows the holistic psychotherapist to converse with the subconscious mind in a way that brings clarity to the patient, practitioner, and the treatment process. Rather than theorizing and analyzing, muscle testing can detect imbalances and blocks that play a significant role in your mental health as well as emotional, mental, and interpersonal challenges.

Muscle testing can help a holistic psychotherapist cut down the need for lengthy talk therapy. It enables them to directly access important information from your energy system to guide your therapy sessions.

Muscle testing integrated with clinical psychotherapy facilitates powerful results with traumas, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and many other mental health issues. 

Muscle Testing for Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders have been rising in recent years, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. More people search for relief with issues around personal, social anxiety, and health anxiety. Therapies that focus only on coping with anxiety have their limitations. Asking the patient to talk about their anxiety at length does not always help relieve anxiety. It can cause more stress activation. 

Muscle testing integrated through holistic psychotherapy uses a different approach to alleviate anxiety and panic attacks. Here, your practitioner can detect imbalances that contribute to your anxiety and stress response, with an easy, friendly, and non-triggering biofeedback test. 

Muscle Testing for Depression

In depression, there is a strong body-mind connection that can extend beyond a person’s emotions and mental health. This elusiveness of this connection is what makes muscle testing such a crucial part of holistic therapy for depression.

Depression can have several causes that may keep you stuck and unable to naturally recover. Depression is one of the most commonly misdiagnosed disorders. Physical symptoms like unexplained aches, fatigue, digestive problems, inflammation, and lower immunity can be closely associated with depression.   

Muscle testing is an ideal therapy tool to break through chronic depression. It accurately identifies the imbalances that trigger your depression and associated symptoms. It also provides a road map for your recovery.  

Muscle Testing for Panic Attacks

The scary thing about panic attacks is that they come on suddenly with an overwhelming sense of fear and dread. They’re accompanied by a racing heart, breathing difficulties, and a paralyzing terror that something horrible can happen to you.

Working on coping with panic attacks is not enough to prevent future panic attacks.  

Muscle testing is a safe and non-invasive way to find out the root causes of your panic attacks and overactive fight-or-flight response. The practitioner communicated with your body, with no distressing talk or overexposure to anxiety which can feel re-traumatising. 

Panic attacks can be traumatizing and leave you feeling vulnerable and afraid for your well-being. Recognizing the causes of the panic attack and determining what needs to be corrected will help you feel more grounded and secure. It resolves the anxiety and worry of the unknown and is a crucial step in healing panic attacks.

Muscle Testing for Chronic Stress Disorder 

Chronic Stress Disorder can be caused by long-term distress in your everyday life or by internal chronic stress that can’t be turned off. Muscle testing is a key element in holistic treatment for chronic stress.

People with chronic stress tend to have a variety of symptoms. It can get confusing and overwhelming to deal with them all at once.  This is because chronic stress impacts your overall health. It can lead to the development of multiple physical health conditions like hypertension, hormonal imbalance, digestive issues, allergies, and fatigue. It can also trigger mental health problems like panic and anxiety, negativity, low self-esteem, and depression. 

Muscle testing is an ideal tool to investigate deeper and explore beyond one’s symptoms. Using muscle testing to receive feedback directly from your body provides clarity about what has to be addressed to break the vicious cycle of chronic stress.

Muscle Testing for PTSD

Many people who have PTSD can be sensitive and easily reactive to stimuli and events around them. This state is called hyperarousal.  Although talk therapy can be effective in processing emotions and memories when it comes to working with unresolved trauma it can also feel overwhelming and re-triggering, leaving the person feeling worse.

Working with Muscle Testing in trauma therapy is a very different experience. In a collaborative process, the practitioner communicates with your subconscious using a gentle and precise biofeedback protocol. This helps identify trapped emotions and psychological blocks without needing to talk extensively about them. Integrating muscle testing with trauma therapy helps create an atmosphere of safety and empowerment that is vital for PTSD healing to take place.

Muscle Testing for Tic Disorders

The conventional diagnosis for Tics and Tourette’s is based on signs and symptoms. There is no specific test that can diagnose the cause of these issues. Doctors can run tests to rule out other conditions with symptoms similar to tics.

The triggers for Tics and Tourette’s can be different for each person and most conventional treatment approaches focus on the management of symptoms.

Muscle testing can clear the mystery of the root causes of the issues. Receiving feedback directly from your body helps you and the practitioner to identify what imbalances are causing the undesired symptoms and develop a roadmap for effective Tic treatment

Muscle Testing for Allergies 

Traditional allergy testing involves skin prick and blood tests. It can be uncomfortable and time-consuming, especially for children. There is an exciting holistic alternative method to detect and clear allergies and sensitivity In a friendly and non-invasive way. Muscle testing is a simple and brilliant method. It is an energetic biofeedback test that involves testing an indicator of muscle resistance in the presence of an allergen to determine if your body has an adverse reaction to specific foods and/or environmental agents.

Many allergens can be tested in one session with precision accuracy.   Muscle testing also helps identify the triggers for the allergic reaction and what needs to be corrected to desensitize your immune system response and clear your allergy symptoms. Most patients who use this method find lasting, natural relief for their allergies.  

Muscle Testing for Infant Therapy

Muscle testing for babies can be just what you need when your baby has symptoms and pain that won’t go away no matter what you have tried. It can treat anything from skin rashes to digestive difficulties, excessive crying and colic, allergies and even unexplained distress. Your baby can’t verbally communicate, yet with muscle testing it is easy for an experienced practitioner to communicate with the baby. The body responds to quickly detect the triggers for the distress and symptoms and recommends suggestions to help resolve the issues. 

How can we muscle-test infants?  The practitioner will muscle test a parent (surrogate testing) who is holding or touching the baby. This allows the practitioner to receive the information from the infant’s body via the surrogate.

Muscle testing can be a real game-changer for parents who are confounded by the distressed state of their baby. It addresses all aspects of infant therapy, including:

  • Food intolerances, especially if you have recently started solid foods or switched to a formula 
  • Personal care items including diapers and soaps
  • Distressing experiences such as those that happened during birth or medical appointments
  • Overstimulating environments, i.e. lights and noise. 
  • Emotional distress 

Child  and Adolescent Therapy and Muscle Testing

Muscle testing is an effective and friendly method to help kids and teens with any difficulties. It effectively addresses all child and adolescent therapy issues, including:

  • behavioral issues
  • ADHD/ADD
  • anxiety
  • depression
  • social difficulties
  • allergies
  • digestive issues
  • skin rashes
  • unexplained pain and mysterious symptoms

Muscle testing is complementary to any other treatment your child is receiving and can often enhance the results. Muscle testing can help shed light on what imbalances play a role in your child’s health issues that don’t show up in conventional testing. It can explore effective, drug-free interventions that often bring radical improvements. 

Therapeutic Healing with Muscle Testing

Muscle testing is the tool of choice to shed light on imbalances that affect your state of health. It is not meant to replace medical testing, but rather to add more subtle insights from your body. It sheds light on imbalances that might play a role in the health issues you have. It also shows you how to address it with holistic methods to support your body and mind to heal and reach and improve your health.

FAQ

Is muscle testing real?

Yes, muscle testing, as described in the context of Applied Kinesiology and holistic health practices, is a real technique employed by some health practitioners. It is based on the principle that the body’s muscles are connected to its internal energy system and can be used to diagnose and treat imbalances within the body.

How to muscle test yourself?

Attempting self muscle testing is strongly discouraged due to the nuanced expertise required for accurate execution and interpretation. Such practices are best performed by professionals with specialized training in applied kinesiology. Self-testing risks misinterpretation and misdiagnosis, potentially overlooking serious health conditions. Professionals ensure precision, consider broader health contexts, and adhere to ethical standards, safeguarding against inappropriate treatments. The complexity of diagnosing health issues demands professional insight to avoid detrimental health outcomes. Seeking professional guidance ensures accurate diagnosis and treatment, promoting overall well-being and avoiding the pitfalls of self-assessment.

How to do muscle testing on someone else?

Conducting muscle testing on someone else without the proper training and expertise is inadvisable due to the specialized knowledge required to accurately perform and interpret these tests. Muscle testing, or applied kinesiology, involves nuanced techniques that, when executed by professionals, can provide insights into a person’s muscular and neurological health. However, without the necessary background in health sciences, there’s a significant risk of incorrect execution and interpretation, potentially leading to misdiagnosis or overlooking serious health conditions. Professionals, such as chiropractors and physical therapists, are trained to consider the individual’s overall health context, ensuring a safe and accurate assessment. They also adhere to ethical guidelines and professional standards, which untrained individuals may not be aware of. Therefore, to ensure safety and accuracy, it is crucial to leave muscle testing to the professionals who are equipped with the expertise to conduct these assessments properly and interpret the results responsibly.

Is muscle testing legitimate?

Proponents of muscle testing have found that it is a legitimate therapeutic tool that can identify imbalances in the body’s energy, detect nutritional deficiencies, and more. They find significant evidence and success in using muscle testing to improve health outcomes, particularly in the fields of alternative and complementary medicine. Practitioners who use muscle testing often report that their patients have seen improvements in their conditions following the use of muscle testing-guided treatments.

Despite some controversies, muscle testing continues to be used by many healthcare professionals, particularly those in then fields of chiropractic, naturopathy, and some forms of alternative medicine. Patients who are interested in muscle testing are encouraged to approach it with an open mind but also with a critical eye, seeking out practitioners with credible qualifications and discussing the potential benefits and limitations of such techniques.

16 Oct 15:18

The Highly Misunderstood Trauma of Highly Sensitive People

by Dalia Kenig

As a holistic psychotherapist and a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) myself, I have witnessed firsthand the unique challenges that HSPs face, especially when it comes to processing and healing from trauma. The nuanced needs of HSPs can be easily misunderstood. This often leads to inadequate therapeutic interventions that do not fully address the needs of  Highly Sensitive People.

Highly Sensitive People are not simply a tad bit more sensitive than others. Rather, they are individuals who experience the world with a heightened awareness of both internal sensations and external stimuli. Senations, conflict, personal emotions, as well as other people’s emotions are felt deeply. They have strong reactions to lights, sounds, and various environmental stimuli. Even the subtlest energetic shifts in their environments can leave a strong impact.

HSPs are inherently equipped with the ability to sense and feel what many others cannot. This gift, however, makes them particularly vulnerable to overstimulation and emotional exhaustion, which can compound the effects of trauma.

The Holistic Approach to Psychotherapy for HSPs

As a holistic psychotherapist specializing in HSP and trauma, my approach diverges significantly from conventional trauma therapies. I steer away from cognitive restructuring and exposure techniques. While these methods can be effective for some, they can overlook the somatic and energetic aspects  of healing that are so essential for HSPs.

At the Holistic Psychotherapy Center,  we integrate several key practices:

  1. Nervous System Regulation: We use somatic experiencing and other body-centered therapies to help HSPs calm their nervous system responses and feel balanced and grounded. We teach integral techniques such as meridian balancing, visualization, breathwork, and energetic boundary setting so HSPs can reset their nervous system to feel balanced and grounded.
  2. Empowering Dialogue: Being a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) doesn’t mean there’s something wrong with you— a common misconception. Embracing your sensitivity is a powerful step forward. This means developing self-awareness and recognizing your specific needs in challenging situations. Our approach emphasizes validating your experiences because they are real and merit serious attention. We also guide you on how to harness your sensitivities as strengths.
  3. Navigating the world:  Overstimulation is a common challenge for Highly Sensitive Persons (HSPs) and often leads to stress and overwhelm. We assist our clients in developing effective coping strategies to manage stress and create low-stimulation environments at home and work. This might involve using dim lighting, noise-canceling headphones, and ensuring regular periods of solitude to decompress.

Building Resilience and Coping Strategies

Building resilience and developing effective coping strategies are essential  for Highly Sensitive People (HSPs) to manage their sensitivities and thrive. Here’s an ordered list of strategies that can help HSPs enhance their emotional and physical well-being:

  1. Prioritize Self-Care Over Caring for Others: HSPs should recognize the importance of self-care as essential, not optional. This includes ensuring proper sleep, nutrition, exercise, and engaging in activities that replenish emotional energy, such as time in nature or creative pursuits.
  2. Create Low-Stimulation Environments: Minimizing sensory overload is beneficial for HSPs. In professional settings, negotiating a workspace with fewer disruptive stimuli can be crucial. This can involve:
    •  controlling noise levels
    •  using soothing lighting
    • organizing spaces to reduce clutter 
  3. Utilize Sensory-Reducing Tools: Tools like sunglasses, earplugs, or weighted blankets can help buffer HSPs from sensory triggers, allowing more comfortable engagement with their environment.
  4. Integrate Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques: Practices such as meditation, yoga, and deep-breathing exercises regulate the nervous system and help HSPs manage arousal levels to manage feelings of overwhelm
  5. Learn to Say No Without Guilt: Therapy can assist HSPs in setting firm yet gentle boundaries with confidence. HSPs tend to absorb other people’s energy easily, anticipate their needs, and often wish to please them. HSPs have to guard their energy wisely and prioritize their boundaries to maintain their healthy functioning
  6. Tune into the Body and Intuition: Your body speaks to you and so is your brain. It uses internal signals and cues from the environment  to help you make decisions beyond thinking. Our goal is to help you notice more acutley bodily sensations and gut feelings  you have and  learn when to trust it for your highest goodThese strategies help beyond coping. They  empower HSPs to leverage their unique gifts such as deep empathy, intuition, and profound connection to their surroundings, enabling them to lead more fulfilling lives and use their gifts to make good.

Dispelling The Confusion Between HSP and ADHD

A prevalent confusion in understanding Highly Sensitive People (HSPs) involves distinguishing their traits from those associated with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Both HSPs and individuals with ADHD exhibit heightened awareness and can be easily overwhelmed. However, the underlying triggers and manifestations differ significantly. 

HSPs are characterized by deep cognitive processing, intense empathy, and a pronounced sensitivity to sensory inputs. Unlike ADHD, which is often marked by impulsivity and difficulty in maintaining focus, HSPs tend to reflect deeply before acting and generally do not struggle with attention span in quieter, less stimulating environments. They are more about sensing deeply than reacting quickly. 

This distinction is crucial, as treating an HSP with strategies meant for ADHD can lead to therapies that do not align with their inherent nature. Such a mistake often overlooks their need for calm and minimally stimulating environments that help them thrive. Educating both clinicians and patients about these differences is vital for effective diagnosis and treatment, ensuring that HSPs receive care that truly resonates with their unique way of experiencing the world.

Let’s Empower HSPs

As we continue to help HSPs by integrating holistic therapies tailored to their distinct experiences, we also want to recognize  their true nature and empower them to lead fulfilling and balanced lives. Through this compassionate and informed approach (which you can learn more about here) we hope to enable our clients to harness their sensitivity as the profound gift it truly is. 

Common Questions From HSPs

What is High Sensitivity?

High Sensitivity, also known as Sensory Processing Sensitivity, is a trait where individuals experience heightened sensitivity to internal sensations and external stimuli, such as social or environmental cues.

How is High Sensitivity different from being generally sensitive?

While general sensitivity refers to a person’s reaction to specific stimuli, High Sensitivity involves a broad range of intense responses to multiple aspects of one’s internal and external environment, often leading to feelings of overwhelm or heightened emotional reactions.

What challenges do Highly Sensitive People face?

HSPs often struggle with overstimulation in everyday environments, which can lead to anxiety, physical stress and exhaustion, and often feeling misunderstood by others who do not perceive the same intensity.

How does High Sensitivity affect the experience of trauma?

HSPs may experience trauma more intensely, with prolonged states of hyperarousal and potential for complex PTSD due to their deep emotional responses and heightened sensory processing.

What holistic approaches are effective for treating HSPs with trauma?

 Treatments for HSPs with trauma may include somatic therapies, energy therapies, and other modalities that focus on calming the nervous system and building resilience, beyond traditional talk therapy.

How does the environment impact the healing process for HSPs?

For HSPs, a supportive environment that minimizes overstimulation is crucial. Therapeutic practices often involve establishing strong personal boundaries and creating spaces that help reduce sensory input.

What are common misconceptions about High Sensitivity?

Common misconceptions include confusing High Sensitivity with mental disorders like ADHD or autism. Unlike these conditions, High Sensitivity is a trait that involves deep cognitive processing and acute emotional responsiveness.

What special gifts do Highly Sensitive People possess?

HSPs often have high levels of empathy, intuition, and creativity. Their acute awareness and sensory intelligence enable them to pick up on subtleties that others might miss, making them perceptive and insightful.

How can HSPs develop coping strategies and resilience?

Strategies for HSPs include creating low-stimulation environments, prioritizing self-care, practicing meditation, learning to set healthy boundaries  and learning to say no without  feeling guilty or bad.

16 Oct 15:17

Anxiety Meds Can Be Great Until They’re Not: Discover How to Transition

by Dalia Kenig

Anxiety disorders can be a weighty burden to bear. Naturally, many turn to medications for much-needed relief. Some anxiety meds are approved for short-term use, while others are prescribed for long-term mood stability. Many patients are delighted to enjoy a powerful relief from their symptoms. Unfortunately, the therapeutic effects of anxiety meds often wane after 4-6 months of regular use. This necessitates either switching to a higher dosage or trying a different medication. They are not ideal options. Especially since side effects and dependency are common drawbacks of these medications.

More importantly, anxiety meds simply don’t cure anxiety. Their band-aid function doesn’t offer a long-term solution. The nervous system and brain will continue to produce anxiety symptoms until the root causes are addressed. Only then can the nervous system responses be reset and become balanced.

An anxiety disorder doesn’t have to be a lifelong condition. If you’re seeking a drug-free treatment to find freedom from anxiety without side effects or dependency, this guide is for you. Discover how you can recover from anxiety naturally. Here’s what you can expect on your journey to lasting relief.

The Hidden Drawbacks of Anxiety Medications

Anxiety medications, such as benzodiazepines (Xanax, Klonopin) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), are commonly prescribed to calm anxiety and panic attacks.

Benzodiazepines (Xanax, Klonopin, Valium, Ativan) are known for their fast-acting relief, but they come with a host of side effects like drowsiness, dizziness, dry mouth, impaired coordination, memory issues, and even increased anxiety. They are not recommended for long-term use because they impair functioning. They can also lead to dependency, overuse, addiction, and rebound anxiety upon discontinuation.

SSRIs are a class of drugs that work on increasing levels of serotonin activity in the brain. They are mood stabilizers recommended to be used in combination with psychotherapy for increased effectiveness. Side effects such as emotional numbness, agitation, lethargy, headaches, insomnia, and stomach upset might make them not so desirable. Long-term adverse effects may include weight gain, sleep disturbances, and sexual dysfunction.

Why Medications May Not Be a Long-Term Solution for Anxiety

Medications primarily help relieve anxiety by suppressing symptoms. Unfortunately, they don’t cure anxiety. Once you stop taking anxiety meds, you will find yourself back at square one. Many experience rebound effects or even worsening anxiety.

Anxiety disorder is a dysfunctional stress response that develops due to underlying issues such as unhealthy beliefs, negative behavioral patterns, toxic relationships, trauma responses or insecurity. Stressful life experiences or physical illnesses that medications cannot resolve can also spur anxiety disorders.

Anxiety Medications and the Risk of Addiction

Benzodiazepine meds, in particular, are highly addictive. Regular use can quickly lead to physical and psychological dependency, with increasing dosages needed to maintain their effect. Misuse of these drugs can result in severe health consequences, including overdose and death. The signs of dependency are when the person needs medication to cope with daily life and experiencing withdrawal symptoms when stopping to take the drug.

How Anxiety Medications Can Mask Underlying Issues

Just like warning lights on your car dashboard signal, anxiety signals that there is a problem to take care of. Anxiety is the way your body signals that there is a problem that requires your attention. Medications focus on temporary relief while masking deeper issues. The root causes, such as chronic stress, buried feelings, and fears, remain.

Transitioning to Non-Medication Anxiety Treatment

Transitioning from anxiety medications to holistic therapies requires careful planning and medical supervision. Here’s a guide to help you through the process:

  • Consult Your Physician: Never stop taking medication abruptly. Work with your physician to create a plan to taper gradually and reduce your, dosage at a comfortable rate.
  • Holistic Assessment: A holistic therapist can help assess the sources of your anxiety, internal and external triggers, coping skills as well as lifestyle factors that contribute to toxic stress and anxiety.
  • Drug-Free Tools: While tapering off medication, your therapist will introduce various holistic tools to calm anxiety. Techniques may include recognizing triggers, controlled breathing, tapping (EFT) affirmation, and more.
  • Support System: Having a support system is important. Whether it’s family, friends, or a support group, surrounding yourself with supportive people can make the transition easier.
  • Monitor Progress: Regularly check in with your therapist to monitor your progress and make adjustments as needed. With holistic therapy, you receive ongoing support at every step of the process.

Holistic Therapies for Addressing Anxiety

Holistic therapies address anxiety by releasing toxic stress and fears from the body and mind. They will leave you feeling calmer in body and mind. These therapies can include:

  • Trigger Recognition: This equips you with the skills to recognize and understand your anxiety triggers. Anxiety can feel unpredictable and overwhelming. Developing awareness of triggers and developing emotional preparedness, helps to foster a sense of self-control and the ability to take action to reduce the anxiety
  • Challenging core beliefs: Releasing negative and unhealthy beliefs that trigger fight or flight reactions that drain your energy, and replacing them with empowering beliefs that instill calm, confidence, and problem-solving.
  • Muscle Testing Biofeedback: Muscle testing can help identify the root causes of anxiety. This technique helps uncover emotional or physical blocks, often subconsciously. It helps release them safely for fast relief.
  • Releasing Fears: Focuses on identifying underlying fears fueling your anxiety. We provide a safe space to express and release fears along with the draining negative energy they hold.
  • Holistic Talk Therapy: An integrative approach combining cognitive and somatic therapies. We help you realize that anxiety isn’t a flaw but an intense stress response.
  • Acupressure: Focuses on specific points that help break the anxiety cycle. This therapy is effective in alleviating tension by increasing energy flow and circulation. It helps calm the body and mind and restores a sense of relaxation and calm.
  • Visualization: Involves guided imagery to cultivate a peaceful mental state. By visualizing calming scenes and outcomes, we help you create a mental refuge and reduce the intensity of anxiety and panic attacks.
  • Breathwork: Teaches controlled rhythmic breathing that signals the brain and nervous system to calm down, take in more oxygen, reduce high heart rate and racing mind, and provide relief and grounding.

The Holistic Solution: Med-Free & Anxiety-Free

The holistic therapy approach helps to rewire your responses to stress. You are empowered to build resilience to stress from the inside out. Embracing holistic methods for treating anxiety means no side effects and no risk of dependency.

Holistic therapy for anxiety disorders accomplishes more than simply relieving anxiety. It is about using natural ways to keep your nervous system balanced. You learn to develop healthy coping mechanisms and build resilience to stress. This allows you to feel the freedom and confidence to be yourself.

FAQs on Transitioning from Anxiety Medications to Holistic Therapies

What are the common side effects of anxiety medications? 

 Anxiety medications can cause side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, dry mouth, impaired coordination, memory issues, confusion, and sometimes increased anxiety. Long-term use can lead to more severe issues like dependency, cognitive impairment, and physical health problems.

Why should I consider transitioning from anxiety medications to holistic therapies?

While anxiety medications can provide temporary relief, you have to continue to rely on them long-term. Holistic therapies focus on a lasting solution. The idea is to address the root cause of your anxiety and help your body and mind to get into a natural recovery mode, without drugs.

How do I safely transition off anxiety medications? 

Transitioning off anxiety medications should be done under the supervision of a physician. The process involves gradually tapering the dosage to allow your body to adjust, combined with developing alternative calming methods through holistic therapies.

What are some effective holistic therapies for anxiety? 

Effective holistic therapies include mindfulness, meditation, energy clearing, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), exercise, controlled breathing, and nutritional support.

Can holistic therapy be a good alternative to anxiety medications?

Holistic therapy can be a great alternative. It focuses on healing the root causes of anxiety so you don’t have to continue a lifelong battle with anxiety. Developing healthy stress responses is a natural way to reset your body from anxiety without depending on medication.

What are the risks of long-term use of anxiety medications? 

Long-term use of anxiety medications can lead to dependency, cognitive impairment, emotional numbness, and various physical health issues like weight gain, sleep disturbances, and sexual dysfunction. There is also a risk of withdrawal symptoms when stopping the medication.

How can I manage withdrawal symptoms when tapering off anxiety medications?

Managing withdrawal symptoms involves a gradual tapering process, support from healthcare professionals, and incorporating holistic therapies to help manage anxiety symptoms. Techniques like controlled breathing, grounding exercises, and regular exercise can be particularly helpful.

How do holistic therapies address the root causes of anxiety?

Holistic therapies use an integrative method including talk therapy, energy, and somatic therapy tools that help the body and mind reset and respond to life stressors in balanced and healthy ways

What should I expect during the transition from medication to holistic therapy?

During the transition, you may experience withdrawal symptoms and increased anxiety as your body adjusts to functioning without it. Applying holistic tools helps mitigate the symptoms. It supports the transitioning experience, so things flow easier and smoother.

Do you have success stories of people transitioning from medication to holistic therapies?

Our previous clients who transitioned from meds to holistic therapy tell us that treating their anxiety holistically helped them realize they are not helpless when it comes to anxiety. With holistic methods, our clients often feel they discover the power and tools to reclaim their health and happiness from the inside out.

16 Oct 15:17

Alternative Treatment For IBS: Why You Should Consider Energy Therapy

by Dr. Uri Kenig

The Emotional Cause: Stress and IBS

IBS is an easy diagnosis to slap on a complex situation, but the reality is much more intricate. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) isn’t just about digestive discomfort; it’s a multifaceted condition marked by both physical pain and emotional turmoil. IBS can make you feel frustrated, anxious, and misunderstood, as you grapple with symptoms that impact your daily life and emotional well-being. Stress and IBS go hand-in-hand, which only exacerbates the condition.

The Vicious Cycle Between Stress and IBS

Let’s break down the term IBS to understand its nature:

  • Irritation: Both your digestive system and mind are in chaos.
  • Bowel: Your entire digestive tract is involved.
  • Syndrome: A chronic condition with varied symptoms.

Stress is a major factor in this equation. Research consistently shows that stress is a significant trigger for IBS symptoms. The gut-brain axis, a communication network between your gut and brain, plays a crucial role in how stress affects IBS. When stress levels rise, it can lead to increased intestinal permeability, altered gut motility, and changes in gut microbiota. 

This dysregulation not only exacerbates IBS symptoms but also perpetuates a vicious cycle where IBS increases stress, further aggravating the condition.

Energy Therapy vs. Conventional Treatments for IBS

Traditional treatments for IBS often involve medications aimed at managing symptoms rather than addressing the underlying causes. While these medications can provide temporary relief, they frequently come with a host of side effects and limitations.

Limitations of Conventional IBS Treatments

Medications: Common medications for IBS include antispasmodics, laxatives, and antidepressants. These can alleviate symptoms like cramps, diarrhea, and constipation but do not address the root causes of IBS. They also come with side effects such as dry mouth, dizziness, dependency, weight gain, and fatigue.

Short-term Relief: Many conventional treatments focus on short-term symptom management. As a result, patients often experience recurring symptoms, requiring ongoing medication use.

Side Effects: The side effects of conventional medications can sometimes outweigh their benefits. For example, antispasmodics can reduce IBS symptoms but also cause significant side effects that diminish the quality of life.

The Need for Alternative Treatment for IBS

Medications manage symptoms but bring side effects. Energy therapy? No side effects, just deep, lasting healing. It gets to the root of the problem. Plus, it works well with traditional treatments, adding a holistic touch. This makes energy therapy an ideal alternative treatment for IBS.

Addressing the Root Causes: Unlike conventional treatments, energy therapy aims to identify and clear the emotional and physical blocks contributing to IBS. Techniques like muscle testing help reveal the connections between digestive organs and emotional states, providing a comprehensive approach to healing.

Holistic Benefits: By focusing on the whole person, energy therapy offers benefits that extend beyond symptom relief. It helps reduce stress, improve emotional well-being, and promote overall health, making it a superior alternative treatment for IBS.

Scientific Support: Research supports the effectiveness of holistic approaches. A review in the Journal of Psychosomatic Research highlighted the significant impact of stress on IBS and the potential benefits of integrative treatments that combine psychological and physical therapies.

Energy Therapy: An Effective Alternative Treatment for IBS

Energy therapy offers a promising alternative treatment for IBS by addressing the root causes of the condition. Techniques such as muscle testing help identify the connections between digestive organs and emotional states, allowing for a comprehensive approach to healing. This is particularly important for IBS, where the interplay between physical symptoms and emotional stress is significant.

Experts like Dr. Joe Dispenza, Dr. Eric Pearl, Dr. Fred Gallo, and Donna Eden have shown how powerful energy therapy can be. 

Stomach Issues and Anxiety: Research has shown a strong link between anxiety and gastrointestinal disorders. A study published in the Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility found that anxiety can significantly worsen symptoms of IBS by increasing gut sensitivity and altering gut motility. Conversely, managing anxiety can lead to substantial improvements in IBS symptoms.

Small Intestine and Loneliness: Feelings of loneliness can also impact gut health. According to a study in the journal Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, loneliness and social isolation can trigger inflammatory responses in the body, which can negatively affect gut function. The study suggests that emotional well-being is crucial for maintaining digestive health.

By clearing these emotional and physical blocks, energy therapy can provide substantial benefits:

  • Less Pain: Significant reduction in digestive aches and pressures.
  • Improved Bowel Movements: Consistent and complete evacuations.
  • Enhanced Well-being: Overall improvement in physical and emotional health.
  • Deep Relaxation: Profound calmness in the body and mind.
  • Increased Awareness: Greater understanding of one’s emotional state.
  • Boosted Self-worth and Confidence: Enhanced self-esteem and self-care.

Studies support these benefits. A review in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine highlighted how energy therapies, such as Reiki and Healing Touch, can reduce stress and improve emotional well-being, which are critical factors in managing IBS.

Energy therapy’s holistic approach makes it a powerful alternative treatment for IBS, addressing both the psychological and physical aspects of the condition. This integrated method helps break the cycle of stress and symptom exacerbation, offering a more profound and lasting healing process.

Energy Therapy for IBS at the Holistic Psychotherapy Center

At the Holistic Psychotherapy Center, we focus on uncovering and addressing the psychological, emotional, and energetic roots behind all conditions, including IBS. Our approach is comprehensive, aiming to heal the whole person rather than just managing symptoms. For the past 25 years, we’ve helped hundreds of IBS patients effectively overcome their issues.

Our patients often share their excitement and amazement at the results. Many witness significant or complete resolution of their long-term IBS symptoms, a testament to the effectiveness of our holistic approach. The feedback we receive reflects the profound impact that addressing the underlying causes of IBS can have, transforming lives and restoring health and well-being.

Case Study: John’s Journey Healing IBS with Energy Therapy

Meet John, a 35-year-old male who came to us with severe stomach aches and constant diarrhea. Despite undergoing traditional treatments and extensive medical testing, John found no relief. His condition was significantly affecting his quality of life, leaving him in constant pain and distress.

When John began energy therapy at our center, we discovered that his IBS was linked to deep-seated psychological trauma from his early childhood. John had endured a harsh and abusive relationship with his father, which had left him with lingering anxiety, panic attacks, and a profound lack of confidence.

Over the course of ten months, John underwent Integrated Physical Emotional Clearing (IPEC) therapy. This form of energy therapy helped him to identify and release the emotional blocks tied to his traumatic past. As we worked through these issues, John began to see remarkable improvements.

  • Anxiety Reduction: As John processed his trauma, his anxiety levels dropped significantly. This reduction in stress played a crucial role in alleviating his IBS symptoms.
  • Improved Digestive Health: With his anxiety under control, John’s digestive system started to heal. His bouts of diarrhea became less frequent and eventually disappeared.
  • Better Sleep: Previously plagued by sleepless nights and terror dreams, John began to sleep peacefully. He no longer woke up panicking in the middle of the night.
  • Increased Confidence: With his symptoms under control and his anxiety reduced, John’s self-confidence improved dramatically. He became more functional and engaged in his daily life.

John’s story is just one of many that highlight the power of energy therapy as an alternative treatment for IBS. By addressing the psychological and emotional roots of his condition, we were able to help John achieve lasting relief and a significant improvement in his overall well-being.

Our holistic approach at the Holistic Psychotherapy Center not only targets the symptoms but also the underlying causes of IBS, providing a path to comprehensive and enduring healing.

Holistic Healing

Energy therapy is part of a bigger picture. It fits perfectly into a holistic approach, addressing not just your gut but your whole body. At the Holistic Psychotherapy Center, we help our patients integrate energy healing with healthy lifestyle choices.

We help our patients relieve the stress and IBS issues by guiding them on:

  • Nutrition: Eat right for your gut.
  • Exercise: Keep your body moving.
  • Sleep: Improve your rest.
  • Self-expression: Open up and express yourself.

The Role of Self-Expression in Healing IBS

Self-expression is a key factor in healing IBS from an emotional and stress-relief perspective. Here’s why:

  1. Emotional Release: Holding in emotions can lead to increased stress and anxiety, which are known triggers for IBS. Self-expression allows for the release of pent-up emotions, reducing overall stress levels.
  2. Improved Emotional Regulation: Engaging in self-expression, whether through talking, writing, or creative activities, helps individuals process and understand their emotions. This emotional clarity can prevent stress from building up and manifesting as physical symptoms.
  3. Enhanced Coping Mechanisms: Self-expression provides a healthy outlet for dealing with stress. When individuals have ways to express their feelings, they are better equipped to cope with stressors, reducing the likelihood of stress-induced IBS flare-ups.
  4. Strengthened Gut-Brain Connection: The act of expressing oneself can enhance the gut-brain connection, as it involves both emotional and cognitive processing. This can lead to a more balanced and regulated gut-brain axis, which is crucial for managing IBS symptoms.
  5. Empowerment and Control: Self-expression empowers individuals to take control of their emotional health. This sense of control can reduce feelings of helplessness and anxiety, which are often associated with IBS.

Relieve IBS and Stress with Energy Therapy

IBS can cause a lot of pain and impact your life energy. Ignored, it can worsen and affect your entire system. The vicious cycle of stress feeding into IBS and triggering more stress only worsens over time. 

Energy therapy offers a holistic, effective approach to treating IBS. By addressing both physical and psychological aspects, it promotes comprehensive healing and a better quality of life. As an alternative treatment for IBS, it provides a path to a happier, healthier gut.