There are many ways to support healing!
Chronic symptoms have a variety of causes. In my personal experience with illness, I learned much more about how the body handles both physical and psychological trauma than I ever imagined I would. The tools that helped me most in my healing, in addition to BPT, are mainly of the Mind-Body model. If you are on a mission to help yourself, here is an overview on some popular types of Mind-Body support you might find in your self-education journey. Although I don’t address allopathic medicine or other forms of energy medicine here, don’t discount those methods as well!
Please note that these are not medical recommendations; this resource list is shared for informational purposes only.
The Basic Overview: in the Mind-Body model, symptoms may exist as a direct result of pathogenic illness or structural changes in the body, but can also exist in the absence of these triggers because the nervous system has learned that habit. Some tools aim to help the immune system function optimally to recover from physical triggers, while other tools aim to retrain the nervous system to stop sending “alarm” signals to a body that doesn’t need them.
Nervous system support (regulation)
This self-help tool is having a moment! It is based on the premise that the autonomic nervous system has two main branches: sympathetic (fight/flight/freeze) and parasympathetic (rest/repair/digest,) and that when faced with chronic traumatic states (illness, emotional, etc.) we spend most of our time in sympathetic.
In sympathetic dominance, the immune system cannot function optimally. The sympathetic state causes immunosuppression: resources are directed away from non-essential functions and toward those functions that are meant to keep you acutely alive. (This is why stress hormones, such as epinephrine and corticosteroids, are given to reduce inflammation. The stress signal literally turns down the immune response.)
DIY nervous system regulation usually involves physical manipulation such as breathing exercises with specific timing, manual vagus nerve stimulation, drills meant to give your body the feeling of open horizons, prompts to address psychological traumas, and somatic exercises meant to help us reconnect tangibly with a body we may have disconnected from psychologically. All of this is done to help the body access a parasympathetic state, which will be the more productive space for the immune system to do its work.
Many people have shared their experience of full recovery from pathogenic illnesses utilizing nervous system regulation. Others find this work to be a good support, but not sufficient to achieve full healing. In some cases, even an optimally functioning nervous system and immune system still needs more help. (This was the case for me, and why I ended up adding Biomagnetics to my own healing support.)
Brain Retraining
Another very popular tool in the DIY/alternative space!
Popularized by programs like DNRS, brain retraining is based on the premise that some symptoms are caused or perpetuated by the brain’s expectation of that symptom. This means this method is useful both for relief from pathogenic/structurally based symptoms and for symptoms that exist in the absence of a pathogenic or structural cause.
Brain retraining attempts to essentially teach the brain how to give different instructions. Neurofeedback therapy and mindfulness exercises are forms of brain retraining, and there are many programs designed specifically to support healing from certain chronic illnesses.
TMS work
The term Tension Myositis Syndrome was first coined by Dr. John Sarno, whose groundbreaking research on non-structural causes of back pain was foundational to today’s mind-body healing world.
The premise is similar to what has been described above: the nervous system is capable of causing pain and other symptoms, sometimes in the complete absence of a physical trigger. This may happen as a result of psychological circumstances, or symptoms may continue after a physical injury or illness has healed because the brain is simply in that pattern.
Brain Retraining, Nervous System Regulation, and Mind-Body/TMS Resources:
Here’s a guide to 27 different DIY brain retraining/regulation programs aimed at supporting chronic illness recovery, by Liz Carlson
The program I have personally used is: Somia, by Jen Mann and Karden Rabin
Nicole Sachs is my favorite carrier of Dr. Sarno’s work! Her podcast is called The Cure for Chronic Pain. If you try only one thing on this list, let her pod be the one.
Dr. Sarno’s book
Charlie Merrill is a fantastic PT doing similar mind-body work.
How Lorrie Rivers uses a TENS machine to electrically stimulate the vague nerve
Book: The Body Keeps the Score, by Bessel Van der Kolk is seminal in the field
Book: Breath, by James Nestor
While many of the programs explored in Liz’s guide will teach breathing exercises intended to help shift the body into a parasympathetic state, shifting sympathetic can support healing in other ways. Wim Hof is a popular modern day promoter of the ancient practice of Tummo breathing. His method pairs breathwork with cold exposure.
Non-DIY
Can’t see a biomagnetics practitioner, but want to try something similar?
Acupuncture works in the same energy channels as does biomagnetics. Depending on your condition, acupuncture may provide similar healing support or symptom relief.
Many medical and wellness providers are working hard to develop their own ways of supporting healing from long covid specifically. Here are a few methods that have been shared with me by people who have tried them and had positive experiences. If you have tried something else that worked well for your chronic post-covid symptoms, please share with me.
- Lydian Chiropractic ASM Protocol
- Chinese herbal remedies
- Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
- Breath-focused rehab or physical therapy
- Visible pacing app and wearable
- Immunomodulation, administered by a qualified medical doctor
- The Perrin Technique
- Somatic Experiencing, facilitated by a licensed therapist
I documented the early stages of my own recovery on my coaching website. Some of the information there is outdated, but if want to read more about my experience you can check it out.
Magnetic Meadow Wellness 