I am holding this book called Transforming Pain Through Energy Medicine as a result of one those Hansel and Gretel breadcrumb trail experiences that so delight me. A few years ago, I was part of the Next Top Spiritual Author Contest, sponsored by Hampton Roads Publishing. As a result, I connected with talented writers with a message to share. One was a Washington State based Intuitive Life Coach, Consultant and Reader, Workshop Facilitator, Hypnotherapist, Reiki Master and Energy Healer named Candess Campbell. With both mainstream and metaphysical credentials, she is able to take what to some might seem out of their comfort zone information and translate it for an across the board audience. The catalyst was her work with a client who had both physical and emotional conditions that limited her severely and nearly ended her life. Candess was able to provide guidance that set her on her way. I would love to know how this woman is doing after using the ideas presented in this step by step tool kit. Candess is clear that this book is a self help guide and not a substitute for medical treatment.
Since it is a 12 week course, she naturally suggests starting right where you are. Evaluation of current body-mind-spirit state is the first step. As a writer, I give a thumbs up to her suggestion that readers journal their thoughts and feelings. Knowing that pain is sometimes a reflection of emotional condition AND conditioning, we are sometimes at the mercy of expectations based on family and trauma history and our bodies are barometers and repositories for such experiences. She applies Cognitive Behavioral Theory in conjuction with The Total Behavioral Map as was reprinted from Reinventing Yourself , by D. Barnes Boffey that incorporates the realms of Action, Thinking, Physiology and Feeling. In each quadrant, she asks the reader to write ideas related to specific circumstances in their lives and as they do, solutions arise. Being a Ph.D Psychologist, Candess incorporates depression and anxiety scales to assess current functioning. A thorough self evaluation also includes a tool for determing level of physical pain; utilizing The Comparative Pain Scale, created by Jack Harich.
In the second week, Candess offers the opportunity for the reader to discover what lights them up and stirs their passions and discover their innate purpose. Like many energy healers, she utilizes the chakra system and the ways in which they shape our focus.
Week three introduces the weeding out foods that may be impacting on health and stamina and incorporating that which nourishes and sustains, in part by paying attention to bodily sensation. Exercise is an important aspect of healing which may incorporate yoga, walking, cycling or gym time.
A month into the process, Candess speaks about hypnotherapy and trance states that can be self induced or with the help of a trained therapist. She encourages goal setting as part and parcel of this week’s work to reduce or relieve pain.
Assessment of beliefs comes along in week five, knowing that they shape our perception of what is so and what can be accomplished. Bruce Lipton’s classic The Biology of Belief is explored in this chapter. She encourages strenghtening of intuition and counteracting limiting beliefs that may reinforce dis-ease.
Halfway there, Candess reminds readers that Stress Comes In Many Forms, which is the name of the chapter. She uses the Holmes and Rahe scale that gives numerical significance to pivotal life events ranging from the death of a spouse (number 1) that rates 100 life change units to minor violation of the law which measures out at 11 life change units. She suggests ways of going beyond identifying stressors to creating stress reducing habits.
In the seventh week, readers are encouraged to feel whatever arises since we can’t heal what we can’t feel. She uses a tool in which she makes a statement such as ” I am unworthy.” which may be a prevailing and self fulfilling thought and then replaces it with the words “I am worthy.” Our bodies believe what we think and act as if it is true. Anger, grief and guilt can be pain inducing emotions. Setting boundaries is an important part of honoring our feelings.
Prayer and meditation are added into the mix in week eight. She lets the reader know that spirituality need not mean organized religion and prayer comes in many forms and her own connection to the Divine led her to become a minister. She shares various meditation techniques, including Transcendental Meditation (TM), chanting a mantra, breathwork, mindfulness and guided meditation.
Week nine addresses the subject of trauma, which includes PTSD, symptomology, EMDR (Rapid Eye Movement),soul retrieval and an assessment of the level and intensity of traumatic and abusive situations that may be impacting on the reader’s life now.
In the tenth week, she takes a look at the energy system that permeates the body and the ways in which being in certain environments impacts on mood and levels of pain and goes into greater depth on the chakra system as was introduced a few weeks back.
Energy medicine in week eleven suggesgts Kinesiology and muscles testing as assessment tools and acupuncture as one of several treatment modalities that also include essential oils and crystals. Now, for some, this may seem like ‘cosmic foo foo’ but there is anecdotal evidence that benefit has been achieved.
In the final week, it all comes together in the chapter called Integrate and Receive. Energetic modalities, including Reiki and Healing Touch are recommended for bringing it all together.
Transforming Pain Through Energy Medicine is a well researched tool that has something for everyone regardless of condition, lifestyle and age. Appendices in the back of the book provide a thorough compendium on the modalities she mentions throughout the book, so readers can reference and reinforce their remedy. Various websites are available to explore further. This is a tool that should be in the hands of any one with a body that experiences pain, whether it is chronic or acute who desires to give it up.
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