I see a lot of clients after they have already seen multiple doctors/practitioners who were not able to offer them real healing. A lot can go awry in the practitioner-client relationship. And while we love to chalk it up to the shortcomings of our medical system or how Big Pharma is the devil (and trust me, I HEAR you), we also have to talk about the importance of knowing our own body and being our own health advocate. Communication, understanding your body and the way it tends to react, and trusting your intuition are all required of any of us desiring meaningful healing. This is especially true for people of color, especially femme and female bodied people of color. We know that our stories, our pain, and our experiences are not always taken seriously by health professionals. It is therefore vital that we become our own advocates, get to know our bodies well—what they need and don’t need, and seek out practitioners who we connect with. 

Be your own advocate 

While we can all benefit from the guidance of a health professional, herbalist, energy healer, acupuncturist, etc, we often end up relying on other people to tell us what to do with our bodies. Sometimes, this reliance causes us to neglect cultivating our awareness of what’s going on in our bodies and minds. Beyond leaving the doctor’s office with a new prescription in tow, we should also leave with a new perspective that can bring us to connect with our body in a new way. If you don’t feel sure about something your practitioner recommends, voice your concern. Ask questions. This is your body and you deserve to know and consider the answers given to you by any outside sources.

Get to know your body 

I find that a lot of folks (perpetually or occasionally) fall out of touch with:

a) basic signs and signals our bodies send us

b) how to interpret those signs and signals to address potential imbalances

For instance, what color is your pee throughout the day? How long does it take for you to break a sweat? What is your resting heart rate? What is the color and consistency of your poop?

I know these kinds of questions can feel a little gross or TMI, but they’re really the most simple ways to begin to understand the state of your health. Heart rate, blood pressure, bowel function, body odors, sweat, body temperature, breath, tongue coating, nail beds, menstrual cycles…these are all worth paying attention to! They’re not just random body trivia, they’re vital pieces of information. If you pay attention to all of these clues you can begin to piece together an understanding of what your body needs in a given moment. And if you think it’s taboo, consider why might that be?

Find a practitioner who you can connect with 

Personally, I never felt comfortable seeing health practitioners until my mid-twenties. There was always something about the interaction that made me uncomfortable. Feeling pressured, not feeling heard, sometimes I couldn’t even pinpoint exactly what it was. When I was 25 I booked an appointment with an acupuncturist a friend recommended. Walking into her office I felt instantly at ease, and couldn’t believe that I could have such a pleasant experience with a practitioner. I felt comfortable in my body, I felt heard, I felt cared for. Everyone needs someone like this in their corner. Not every client-practitioner relationship is going to work – and that’s ok! We are all unique individuals with different needs and personality types. Find someone who speaks your language, who makes you feel heard, and who values you and your needs. 

Curious to know more about how to track your body’s signals? Send me an email or book a session with me. I always enjoy hearing from you.