I wanted to give you all a little insight into where I’ve come from on my own journey with persistent pain, anxiety and poor sleep. So here we go. :)
Physiotherapy has been my career goal since I was 10 years old. Pretty unique for a young kid I know. Fast forward to about a decade later, I was studying my Masters of Physiotherapy. Dream come true... right? In reality, ‘success’ didn’t feel so great.
I was suffering with constant nerve pain down my arms, headaches and neck pain. These symptoms got so bad, I couldn’t lift my arms above my head to do my hair. My sleep was awful. I was tired all the time. I had to have a heat pack in order to fall asleep, only to be woken throughout the night randomly not being able to feel my hands or one leg.
I had seen physio after physio, sent for MRIs, CTs and blood tests to rule out scary diagnoses like multiple sclerosis and tumours, only to have them all come back with no abnormalities detected aka nothing’s wrong.
I just wanted to feel good again. I just wanted to feel me again. Being active in as many ways possible was something I’d always loved and had become part of my identity. Now I was left not being able to do what I loved and honestly feeling like I had to accept my body would always feel broken.
Finally, I got told about the nervous system and how anxiety plays a role in pain. Up to this point, I didn’t really acknowledge that I was ‘anxious’. Sure, I was an overachieving perfectionist who put enormous pressure on myself to achieve all the things NOW, but I didn’t know any different. Doesn’t everyone think that way?
This is the point where breathing became treatment for my pain, anxiety and sleep. Up to this point I was go, go, go until my body literally stopped me through injury or illness. The thought of sitting still or doing a slow movement like pilates or yoga had me rolling my eyes, feeling frustrated and asking, “What is the point of this?”
However, slowing down through breathing and micro-movements, helped me to see the moments of comfort amid what appeared to be constant discomfort. It also allowed me hear the anxious thoughts wizzing around and examine if those were really the thoughts I wanted driving my life.
It wasn’t a ‘quick fix’. Meaning I didn’t just sit and breathe for 5mins and all my pain went away. Rather it became a practice and way of life. My recovery kind of snuck up on me all of sudden I'd be sitting there thinking, "Wow. I haven't had pain in ages and I didn't even notice."
In my work overseas, I met many teens who had similar discomfort to me physically and mentally and was able to share with them the magic of breathing and movement. It worked so well that it drove me to learn more about breathing and share with as many clients as I could.
Personally, I’ve tried so many breathing techniques. Some even triggered panic attacks and after 5years symptom free... my nerve pain!? For this reason, I’ve put together my knowledge about the nervous system, breathing and movement in one place to share with you all...the Breathing Basics Program.
Because I have been where you are at, I understand the effects some breathing techniques can have on your physiology. Because I value a safe and gentle approach you will receive grounded, practical techniques to help you understand your body and improve your sleep, anxiety, discomfort and movement performance! Click here to join BBOP and begin your healing journey with breath.