When do we pay attention to our intuition? How do we know it’s real?
It’s sometimes difficult to determine when our intuition is real or just wishful thinking, especially when we’re concerned that our emotions might influence it. I know my intuition is “on” when I get consistent proof of it.
After taking a detailed history and going through all kinds of orthopedic assessments on a client I usually have a pretty good sense of what’s going on with them and then how I might be able to help them. These choices are based on my left brain remembering the contents of the classes and text books of college but also the sum of my experiences as a therapist over eleven years.
But sometimes I am lead to explore a thought or a feeling with someone that I have no explanation for other than, “It seemed like a good idea at the time.” For example, someone comes in for a hip problem and while I’m working in the expected area I am drawn to work on the skull or the shoulder. The “proof” I alluded to is when you test a theory and its proven accurate based on the result of pain diminishing or resolving entirely. Sometimes needing to know “why?” something worked gets in the way of simply accepting the healing from it.
I’ve been practicing as a Registered Massage Therapist in Okotoks since 2001 and added Certified BodyTalk Practitioner to the mix in 2006. Melding these two modalities continues to support my clients and practice in new an interesting ways. It’s not that BodyTalk and intuition are the same thing, but rather that in working with BodyTalk my intuition has become better honed. We all have the ability, but not everyone makes effort to develop it. As with any skillset, the more you practice it, the more you trust it, the better it becomes.
And what about you? Are YOU working with your own intuition? I find that people are most untrusting of themselves when it comes to their own health care. They dismiss the cues that would lead them to an earlier and full resolution. The take their practitioners’ view as gospel even when deep down they know that something is not right. You know your body best – and if you don’t, you should!
It does become disheartening when we go to doctors or practitioners time and time again to only have our concerns dismissed. I believe there is a difference in having your fears calmed and to know that it really is “nothing” versus feeling written off because they are too busy or someone else’s appointment is more important than yours.
Keep looking for the proof to illustrate that you know what you know and remember that you don’t need a reason for why you know it… you just do. You have two voices and you should use them! Your inner voice has great wisdom, but your outside voice is the one that will get you noticed. Trust what your body is telling you and speak up – As they say, “The squeaky wheel gets the grease!”
Happy healing!
Dena Liebrecht, RMT, SMT(cc), CBP
