Sometimes we define ourselves by what has happened to us and not by what we do with the adversities that challenge us in our life. These tribulations are opportunities to grow emotionally or can limit us.
Car accidents, work injuries, and other accidents that cause physical pain and injury may also lead to emotional trauma. PTSD is how we categorize this if the trauma causes anxiety, depression or mood disturbance that interferes with how a person lives their life. However, this trauma does not live just in the brain. It can also remain in the body, hidden, even years after therapy.
When a person is evaluated by Dr Stebbing, there are instances where the physical pain is really difficult to treat or the pain and function plateaus at a certain level. These are instances when the trauma that resides in the body needs to be addressed.
Some patients welcome this opportunity to explore why the trauma still exists. They wonder if there is a belief system that needs to be addressed. Is this belief system flawed? Do they see themselves as a victim? Do they have hope that their pain can be treated? Do they feel like they are supported in the relationships that they are in? They know that changing some of the thoughts that devalue them are necessarily for healing. They realize that they are worthy. They view suffering as a challenge, an opportunity to grow… to become a deeper more connected person.
Some people are closed to making any changes in their belief system or can’t face talking about or reliving an experience that changed their life. In situations, such as abuse or physical trauma, the brain may develop all sorts of ways to try to avoid dealing with these things. It’s scary. The brain convinces them that they are better served by not dealing with these issues. When approached with this opportunity to do something different, the brain puts up barriers, which appear to be rational thoughts, but are actually excuses to not participate in the healing that can eventually free them from trauma-related pain. If this is where a patient resides, it’s ok. They may not be ready to address these issues. However, because healing is so complex and not entirely limited to physical causes, the pain may not entirely go away.
Dr. Stebbing is not a therapist. She will refer patients to a trusted colleague to assist some of her patients. However, as an osteopathic physician, the gentle hands-on manipulation that she provides may cause a shift in how someone feels. If the person is ready to receive it, this shift may cause an emotional release. Sometimes patients will cry without knowing why. This has been experienced by other healers as well. It is a privilege for Dr. Stebbing to be a vehicle through which deep healing and repair can occur.